History Lesson 1.4

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 30THFor more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.comNYMAN MOVED1970: The White Sox dealt left-handed pitcher Gerry Nyman, who showed promise in 1969, to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Tommie Sisk. Nyman, a left-hander from Logan, Utah, was 4-4 with a 5.29 ERA in 20 appearances for the Sox during the eminently forgettable 1969 campaign. In his first start of both the 1968 and 1969 seasons, Nyman threw a complete game. In 1968, he bested the Yankees and in 1969 it was a one-hitter against Washington. Like Sisk with the Sox, Nyman lasted just one year with the Padres.ROLLIE'S ROLL CONTINUES1971: General manager Roland Hemond capped a 16-day trading frenzy with a four-player exchange with the Red Sox which saw the White Sox acquire first baseman Tony Muser and reliever Vicente Romo for catcher Duane Josephson and pitcher Danny Murphy. Muser proved to be a valuable acquisition, serving as a backup and fill-in for Dick Allen. Muser's footnote in franchise history came on July 3, 1973 when he drew a club-record five walks in a game. In addition to Josephson, a 1968 All-Star, other stalwarts unloaded by Hemond during this spree were Bobby Knoop, Tommy McCraw, Steve Hamilton and Art Kusyner. What did Hemond have to lose? He was overhauling a team that lost a club-record 106 games in 1970.SOX ACQUIRE PABLO1978: Seeking left-handed help out of the bullpen, the White Sox picked up Pablo Torrealba from the Oakland A's for pitcher Steve Renko and Jim Essian. Unfortunately, Torrealba couldn't replicate the year he had with the A's in 1977 when he posted a 2.62 ERA in 41 outings. With the Sox, Torrealba was a pedestrian 2-4 with a 4.71 ERA in 1978 and pitched in just three games -- the last of his career -- in 1979. Renko still had 45 wins left in his arm upon departing the Sox. Essian played three seasons with Oakland before returning to the Sox in 1981.NO BULL: LUZINSKI ARRIVES1981: In another credibility-establishing move, the White Sox purchased the contract of Chicago-area product Greg Luzinski from the Philadelphia Phillies. The acquisition of the four-time All-Star, coupled with the pickup of Carlton Fisk, Jim Essian, Bill Almon andDennis Lamp, showed that the new ownership group headed by Jerry Reinsdorf and Eddie Einhorn was willing to spend money and make a splash. Luzinski, a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Niles, Ill., was an ideal designated hitter and he took to the role. "The Bull" hit 21 homers in the strike-shortened season of 1981, drove in 101 runs in 1982 and hit 32 homers with 95 RBIs for the A.L. West champs in 1983. Sadly, Luzinski, like the rest of the Sox hitters, did not have a good playoff series against Baltimore (2-for-15) or a good season in 1984 (.238, 13 homers), which was the last of his 15-year career.RUUUUUUUUUUUU-DEEEEEEEEEE1982: The White Sox acquired outfielder Rudy Law from the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfield prospect Cecil Espy and fellow minor leaguer Bert Geiger. The lanky Law hit .318 for the 1982 Sox and then went on to have a historic season for the 1983 American League West Division champions. As the team's leadoff hitter, Law hit .283 and swiped a franchise-record 77 bases. The amazing thing about his steal total was that Law was only thrown out 12 times. Law and Julio Cruz (.333) were the only Sox players whose bats showed any life in the 1983 American League Championship Series. Law amassed seven hits and hit a team-best .389 in the four-game loss to the Orioles. Much like the rest of the 1983 team, Law's production leveled off in 1984. After a mediocre 1985 season, the Sox released Law on April 1, 1986 when he couldn't beat out rookie John Cangelosi for the starting center fielder's job.ASK NOT FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, IT TOLLS FOR SAMMY1992: The White Sox acquired George Bell from the Cubs for outfielder Sammy Sosa and left-handed reliever Kenny Patterson. Bell gave the Sox an extremely productive 1992 campaign, hitting .255 with 25 homers and 112 RBIs while giving Frank Thomas some protection. Bell's productivity dipped in 1993 although he did have some big games during that division-championship season. As for Sosa, his track record is well known and history will judge him accordingly. However, it should be pointed out that in the years following Sosa's departure from the South side, offense was not the White Sox problem, particularly in right field where the Sox employed heavy-hitters such as Ellis Burks, Darrin Jackson and Danny Tartabull until Magglio Ordonez arrived in 1998.HELLO MILWAUKEE2001: The White Sox lost to the Brewers 5-4 in Milwaukee in the inaugural game – albeit an exhibition – at Miller Park. For the record, 41,544, many of them Sox fans, saw Sandy Alomar Jr. hit the first homer in the retractable roof stadium.

History Lesson 1.4

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 30THFor more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.comNYMAN MOVED1970: The White Sox dealt left-handed pitcher Gerry Nyman, who showed promise in 1969, to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Tommie Sisk. Nyman, a left-hander from Logan, Utah, was 4-4 with a 5.29 ERA in 20 appearances for the Sox during the eminently forgettable 1969 campaign. In his first start of both the 1968 and 1969 seasons, Nyman threw a complete game. In 1968, he bested the Yankees and in 1969 it was a one-hitter against Washington. Like Sisk with the Sox, Nyman lasted just one year with the Padres.ROLLIE'S ROLL CONTINUES1971: General manager Roland Hemond capped a 16-day trading frenzy with a four-player exchange with the Red Sox which saw the White Sox acquire first baseman Tony Muser and reliever Vicente Romo for catcher Duane Josephson and pitcher Danny Murphy. Muser proved to be a valuable acquisition, serving as a backup and fill-in for Dick Allen. Muser's footnote in franchise history came on July 3, 1973 when he drew a club-record five walks in a game. In addition to Josephson, a 1968 All-Star, other stalwarts unloaded by Hemond during this spree were Bobby Knoop, Tommy McCraw, Steve Hamilton and Art Kusyner. What did Hemond have to lose? He was overhauling a team that lost a club-record 106 games in 1970.SOX ACQUIRE PABLO1978: Seeking left-handed help out of the bullpen, the White Sox picked up Pablo Torrealba from the Oakland A's for pitcher Steve Renko and Jim Essian. Unfortunately, Torrealba couldn't replicate the year he had with the A's in 1977 when he posted a 2.62 ERA in 41 outings. With the Sox, Torrealba was a pedestrian 2-4 with a 4.71 ERA in 1978 and pitched in just three games -- the last of his career -- in 1979. Renko still had 45 wins left in his arm upon departing the Sox. Essian played three seasons with Oakland before returning to the Sox in 1981.NO BULL: LUZINSKI ARRIVES1981: In another credibility-establishing move, the White Sox purchased the contract of Chicago-area product Greg Luzinski from the Philadelphia Phillies. The acquisition of the four-time All-Star, coupled with the pickup of Carlton Fisk, Jim Essian, Bill Almon andDennis Lamp, showed that the new ownership group headed by Jerry Reinsdorf and Eddie Einhorn was willing to spend money and make a splash. Luzinski, a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Niles, Ill., was an ideal designated hitter and he took to the role. "The Bull" hit 21 homers in the strike-shortened season of 1981, drove in 101 runs in 1982 and hit 32 homers with 95 RBIs for the A.L. West champs in 1983. Sadly, Luzinski, like the rest of the Sox hitters, did not have a good playoff series against Baltimore (2-for-15) or a good season in 1984 (.238, 13 homers), which was the last of his 15-year career.RUUUUUUUUUUUU-DEEEEEEEEEE1982: The White Sox acquired outfielder Rudy Law from the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfield prospect Cecil Espy and fellow minor leaguer Bert Geiger. The lanky Law hit .318 for the 1982 Sox and then went on to have a historic season for the 1983 American League West Division champions. As the team's leadoff hitter, Law hit .283 and swiped a franchise-record 77 bases. The amazing thing about his steal total was that Law was only thrown out 12 times. Law and Julio Cruz (.333) were the only Sox players whose bats showed any life in the 1983 American League Championship Series. Law amassed seven hits and hit a team-best .389 in the four-game loss to the Orioles. Much like the rest of the 1983 team, Law's production leveled off in 1984. After a mediocre 1985 season, the Sox released Law on April 1, 1986 when he couldn't beat out rookie John Cangelosi for the starting center fielder's job.ASK NOT FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, IT TOLLS FOR SAMMY1992: The White Sox acquired George Bell from the Cubs for outfielder Sammy Sosa and left-handed reliever Kenny Patterson. Bell gave the Sox an extremely productive 1992 campaign, hitting .255 with 25 homers and 112 RBIs while giving Frank Thomas some protection. Bell's productivity dipped in 1993 although he did have some big games during that division-championship season. As for Sosa, his track record is well known and history will judge him accordingly. However, it should be pointed out that in the years following Sosa's departure from the South side, offense was not the White Sox problem, particularly in right field where the Sox employed heavy-hitters such as Ellis Burks, Darrin Jackson and Danny Tartabull until Magglio Ordonez arrived in 1998.HELLO MILWAUKEE2001: The White Sox lost to the Brewers 5-4 in Milwaukee in the inaugural game – albeit an exhibition – at Miller Park. For the record, 41,544, many of them Sox fans, saw Sandy Alomar Jr. hit the first homer in the retractable roof stadium.

White Sox History Lesson 1.3

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 29TH

For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com

TOMMY CAN YOU HEAR ME? YOU’RE TRADED
1971: The White Sox traded first baseman-outfielder Tommy McCraw, a member of the organization since 1960, to the Washington Senators for outfielder Ed Stroud, who had previously been with the team in 1966 and 1967. McCraw was solid performer in his eight years with the Sox, hitting between .220 and .261. He was a rare commodity in Sox history, a leadoff hitting first baseman with speed. McCraw swiped at least12 bases in seven of his eight seasons with the Sox. McCraw experienced the best and worst of the game in his time in Sox yarns. On May 24, 1967, McCraw clubbed three home runs and drove in a franchise-record eight runs in a 14-1 win at Minnesota. On May 3, 1968, McCraw tied an A.L. record by committing three errors in an inning. Stroud didn’t pan out in 1971, hitting just .171 in 53 games.

OFF IN A HUFF
1994: The White Sox traded utilityman Mike Huff to the Toronto Blue Jays for first baseman Domingo Martinez. Huff, a graduate of New Trier East High School and Northwestern University, played with the Sox from 1991 to 1993 serving mostly as a reserve outfielder. Martinez, who had gotten into 15 games with Toronto in 1992 and 1993, never played for the White Sox. He did go on to have a solid 1994 at Triple-A Nashville, hitting .270 with 22 home runs and 81 RBIs. 1994 turned out to be Martinez’s only season in the Sox chain.

BREAKING IN BANK ONE BALLPARK … SIMAS DEMOTED
1998: The White Sox closed out their inaugural spring training in Arizona by defeating the Diamondbacks 3-0 before 48,198 in the first game ever at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix. … After the game, the Sox optioned pitcher Bill Simas to Triple-A Calgary because they were convinced the right-hander’s velocity had not returned after shoulder surgery. Simas, a staple in the Sox pen the previous three years, returned to Chicago after making five minor league appearances and wound up leading the team with 18 saves. Simas’ season also included 13 consecutive successful save chances.

3/28 Sox vs. Tex

Konerko, Danks add finishing touches

Chi White Sox AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG Swisher, LF 5 0 0 0 0 2 1 .230 Cabrera, SS 5 1 1 0 0 0 1 .203 Thome, DH 3 2 0 0 2 1 0 .242 Konerko, 1B 3 1 2 2 0 0 0 .315   1-Phillips, PR-1B 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .296 Ramirez, CF 4 0 2 1 0 0 1 .364 Uribe, 2B 4 0 2 0 0 0 2 .382 Hall, C 2 0 0 0 2 1 2 .118 Anderson, B, RF 4 0 0 0 0 2 6 .324 Huffman, R, 3B 3 0 1 0 0 2 2 .357   a-Ozuna, PH-3B 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .309 Totals 35 5 9 4 4 8 15   a-Grounded out for Huffman, R in the 8th.  1-Ran for Konerko in the 6th. BATTING 2B: Uribe (8, Wilson). HR: Konerko (3, 4th inning off Wilson, 1 on, 0 out). TB: Cabrera; Konerko 5; Phillips; Ramirez 2; Uribe 3; Huffman, R. RBI: Konerko 2 (12), Phillips (3), Ramirez (18). 2-out RBI: Phillips; Ramirez. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Anderson, B 2; Huffman, R 2. GIDP: Cabrera. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING SB: Uribe (3, 2nd base off German/Laird). FIELDING Outfield assists: Ramirez (Byrd at home). DP: 2 (Cabrera-Uribe-Konerko, Carrasco-Phillips).
Chi White Sox IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Danks 5.0 6 2 2 2 5 0 4.94 Jenks (W, 1-0) 1.0 2 0 0 0 1 0 1.64 MacDougal 0.0 3 2 2 0 0 0 6.52 Logan (H, 2) 2.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 4.72 Carrasco (S, 3) 1.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2.19
MacDougal pitched to 3 batters in the 7th. WP: Jenks. Pitches-strikes: Danks 83-49, Jenks 17-11, MacDougal 12-5, Logan 20-13, Carrasco 10-4, Guardado 7-5, Wright 16-9, Benoit 15-9, Wilson 31-15, Fukumori 10-7, German 21-9, Rupe 26-13, Tejeda 15-10, Littleton 16-10. Ground outs-fly outs: Danks 6-4, Jenks 0-1, MacDougal 0-0, Logan 3-1, Carrasco 1-2, Guardado 2-0, Wright 1-1, Benoit 2-0, Wilson 2-0, Fukumori 2-1, German 1-2, Rupe 1-1, Tejeda 1-0, Littleton 1-1. Batters faced: Danks 22, Jenks 4, MacDougal 3, Logan 6, Carrasco 3, Guardado 3, Wright 5, Benoit 3, Wilson 7, Fukumori 3, German 5, Rupe 7, Tejeda 3, Littleton 3. Inherited runners-scored: Logan 2-1. Umpires: HP: Casey Moser. 1B: Ted Barrett. 2B: . 3B: Rob Drake. Weather: 58 degrees, overcast. Wind: 18 mph, In from CF. T: 3:06. Att: 13,066.

03/28/2008 11:03 PM ET

By Bob Przybylo / Special to MLB.com

WHITE SOX 5, RANGERS 4 
at Oklahoma City 
Friday, March 28

White Sox at the plate: Paul Konerko hit a towering two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning down the left-field line, his third of the spring. He followed that with a single before being replaced in the sixth. Juan Uribe smacked his eighth double of the spring as part of his two-hit night. His average improved to .389. Alexei Ramirez added two hits, including an RBI single in the seventh.

Rangers at the plate: Coming off his first home run of the spring on Thursday, Milton Bradley continued his hot hitting, driving home two runs on a first-inning single. Michael Young had two hits with an RBI single in the seventh. Ben Broussard went 2-for-3 with a double.

White Sox on the mound: Starter John Danks went five innings. After a shaky first frame, Danks allowed three hits in his final four innings, giving up two runs in his last exhibition outing. Bobby Jenks was able to escape harm in the sixth when Alexei Ramirez threw out Marlon Byrd at the plate.

Rangers on the mound: Eddie Guardado made a rare starting appearance, as Ron Washington's plan was to try to give as many relievers an appearance as possible. Guardado, Jamey Wright and Joaquin Benoit each pitched a scoreless frame. Closer C.J. Wilson had a rough outing in the fourth, giving up a two-run homer.

Spring Training records: White Sox 11-18-3; Rangers 17-11-2.

Up next for the White Sox: The White Sox play the New York Mets in their final exhibition game at the second annual Civil Rights game in Memphis, televised on ESPN at 4:05 p.m. CT. Jose Contreras gets the start against the Mets' John Maine.

Up next for the Rangers: The Rangers conclude their spring with an exhibition game at their Double-A affiliate, the Frisco RoughRiders at 1:05 p.m. CT.

White Sox Opening Day outlook

03/28/2008 10:00 AM ET

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

Talk is cheap, as the old saying goes.

Nobody understands that cliché better than White Sox general manager Ken Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen.

Throughout the past offseason and Spring Training, the leaders of the White Sox have spoken of the vast improvements made to the team. They have talked liberally about the building of a playoff and even World Series contender, erasing last year's debacle.

But the architect and the engineer of 2005's championship effort stand more than ready for this optimism to start playing out on the field. That first test emanating from a brutally tough opening two months comes on Monday against the defending American League Central champs from Cleveland and the reigning AL Cy Young winner in C.C. Sabathia.

Let the doubters take their best respective shots. Their words don't mean much either to the determined White Sox.

"Our pitching staff will be fine," said Williams, in a quick look at this team. "The key will be offensively, how much we fight on an at-bat-to-at-bat basis."

Calling card 
Although the offense certainly didn't shine through during a surprisingly dismal year with the bat, the White Sox will hit. They have added Nick Swisher to an already powerful middle of the order and have speed to burn in leadoff man Jerry Owens and No. 2 hitter Orlando Cabrera. This offense should return to its 2006 high-octane form.

Projected starting lineup

1. 2B Pablo Ozuna

2. SS Orlando Cabrera

3. DH Jim Thome

4. 1B Paul Konerko

5. RF Jermaine Dye

6. LF Nick Swisher

7. 3B Joe Crede

8. C A.J. Pierzynski

9. CF Jerry Owens

Projected rotation

1. LHP Mark Buehrle

2. RHP Javier Vazquez

3. LHP John Danks

4. RHP Jose Contreras

5. RHP Gavin Floyd

Projected bullpen

Closer: RHP Bobby Jenks

Setup: RHP Octavio Dotel

Setup: LHP Matt Thornton

Middle: RHP Scott Linebrink

Middle: RHP Ehren Wassermann

Middle: LHP Boone Logan

Long: RHP Mike MacDougal

Achilles' Heel 

Jose Contreras, Gavin Floyd and John Danks all have found various degrees of success over the past two seasons as starters, including Contreras' franchise-record 17 straight winning decisions, an amazing run which ended on July 4, 2006. But this trio needs to avoid the combined struggles faced during prolonged stretches from last year in order to solidify the rotation, with Contreras actually having lost a Major League-worst 26 times since the 2006 All-Star break. This team will go as far as its pitching staff can push it.

You'll know they're rollin if ... 
Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel are the answers to the question of, 'Who can get the ball successfully to closer Bobby Jenks?' The bullpen was nothing short of a disaster for much of last year, but adding the two best setup men who were available over the offseason should help turn a weakness into a strength. Matt Thornton and Mike MacDougal also need to bounce back from rough 2007 campaigns to complete the relief crew.

You'll know they're in trouble if ... 
A large portion of the White Sox runs come via the long ball. Hitting coach Greg Walker makes no excuses for his team's power in the middle of the lineup, especially playing in a hitter-friendly ballpark such as U.S. Cellular Field. But Cabrera, Swisher and Alexei Ramirez were added to give the White Sox a bit more balance, giving them the chance to grind out runs like they did during 2005's special season.

Testing, testing 

A barometer as to where this team actually stands will come during the first road trip of the season, weather permitting. The White Sox open with three games at Progressive Field and follow that series with three weekend games at Comerica Park. The Indians finished 11-7 against the South Siders last year, while the White Sox won their third straight season series from the Tigers and eighth in nine years. Guillen's crew needs to knock off at least one of these two in the long run to reach the playoffs.

Interleague Play
The good news for the White Sox is they now seem to play the Pirates on a yearly basis, whether the National League Central is on the schedule or not. The even better news is while they host the Rockies and travel to face the Dodgers, the White Sox also visit the Giants and won't face either Arizona or San Diego from the NL West. Of course, the six games with the Cubs always bring a playoff-like atmosphere, and the White Sox will try to avenge last year's 1-5 showing against their crosstown rivals.

The Bottom Line
Williams did a great job of addressing the weaknesses on this team, and even strengthening some of the already sturdy spots. It will be tough for the White Sox to make up some 20 games from 2007, an increase they probably would need to reach the postseason out of baseball's toughest division, but look for a highly competitive ballclub.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

White Sox looking to rebound in '08

03/28/2008 10:00 AM ET

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

A.J. Pierzynski had to go back 14 years to answer the following question:

When was the last time he played on a losing team?

"The Minor Leagues, I think," Pierzynski said. "I can only remember being on one during my first year in the Gulf Coast League. It has been a long time."

Those GCL Twins saw Pierzynski as a member in 1994, so it's been quite a run of success since the White Sox catcher has held a featured role on a debacle such as last year's 72-90 showing from the South Siders. It certainly was the first losing team Pierzynski played on during seven full seasons in the Major Leagues.

It was no prize for the organization as a whole, either. The White Sox last losing season came in 1999 (75-86), and the team hadn't dropped as many as 90 since 1989 (68-92).

But the 2007 season now stands as nothing more than an unpleasant but distant memory. The White Sox have a somewhat new alignment in 2008, on display Monday afternoon at 2:05 CT in Cleveland, with general manager Ken Williams adding Nick Swisher, Orlando Cabrera, Scott Linebrink, Octavio Dotel and Alexei Ramirez to give the team a different look and feel.

Dotel and Linebrink provide all-encompassing band-aids to one of baseball's biggest open wounds last year in the White Sox bullpen. But factoring in the attitude and talent Swisher and Cabrera bring to the equation, they could provide the biggest immediate impact.

"Swisher makes a big difference to keep this team together," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.

"To add two professional hitters is huge," White Sox hitting coach Greg Walker added. "The biggest news is that Cabrera and Swisher are exactly what we thought they were going to be. That's not a surprise, but to actually see them in the [batting] cage and see how they go about their business, they are low-maintenance pros, winning players who bring a lot of energy."

In order to avoid a repeat of last year's precipitous drop, the White Sox need Jose Contreras to bounce back and produce near his 2006 All-Star form, young starters such as John Danks and Gavin Floyd to work deep into games, bridge men who can get the ball to All-Star closer Bobby Jenks and an offense that can grind out runs. Easier said than done, right?

Pierzynski, for one, believes the above challenge is achievable. He doesn't foresee a second losing year on his big league resume.

"It was tough," said Pierzynski of 2007. "I mean, going through that, and with the expectations to win we had coming in for the team. It just changes when you lose every day. It's tougher to come to the park, and not as fun.

"So, it's just one of those things, a bump in the road. It was a fluke year, and it's over. Now, we go in very confident."

Pitching matchup
CWS: LHP Mark Buehrle (10-9, 3.63 ERA in 2007) 
The $56 million man makes his sixth Opening Day start in the past seven years.

CLE: LHP C.C. Sabathia (19-7, 3.21 ERA)
The lefty as a 2-0 record in the past four head-to-head starts with Buehrle.

Tidbits
The right-handed-hitting Ryan Garko and Jason Michaels both figure to be in the lineup against Buehrle, and that's good news for Cleveland. Garko has seven hits in 11 at-bats against the White Sox ace, who is 5-4 lifetime at Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field) while Michaels is 10-for-28 with two home runs against the lefty.

Guillen expects to be back in Tucson

03/27/2008 8:56 PM ET

By Owen Perkins / Special to MLB.com

TUCSON, Ariz. -- There were no final farewells as the White Sox closed their Cactus League season Thursday and prepared to leave Tucson for a pair of weekend exhibition games in Oklahoma City and Memphis.

Amid swirling rumors and speculation about the White Sox future Spring Training home, manager Ozzie Guillen made it clear that he expected the team to return in 2009, dismissing the notion that Thursday's loss to the D-backs could have been the team's final game at Tucson Electric Park.

"I hope not," Guillen stressed. "Because when we play the last game here, I expect better stuff from me. I want to be on the field and blow people kisses and say goodbye, make sure I go to a nice restaurant and say goodbye to my friends here. I went to a couple nice restaurants in Tucson, and I told all the guys, I expect to be back next year."

The White Sox have a 15-year lease at TEP that expires at the end of 2012, and though the club is interested in joining the Dodgers at a new two-team facility in Glendale, Ariz., a suburb of Phoenix, next season, there remains significant obstacles standing in the way of escaping their lease, most notably, finding a team to replace them at the facility.

From Guillen's perspective, an appreciation for Tucson is not an issue.

"I love Tucson," Guillen said. "To be honest with you, the only thing I hate about Tucson is the ballpark. The Tucson Electric Park field is brutal. It's windy, it's cold, it's dusty. There's too much wind every day. It's hard for me to judge players when the wind is blowing out every day. It's hard to make a good decision.

"Besides that, I love Tucson," Guillen added. "I'm not going to move here, because it's too far away from Venezuela, I'll be honest with you. But I like it here. I have a great time here. All the restaurants are real quiet, nice people."

For now, for Guillen, it appears he'll save his send off for another year, trading the promise of blowing kisses for the uncertain excitement of another season watching his players wrestle the familiar winds of TEP.