HOUSTON — Manager Pedro Grifol’s request of White Sox fans was wait to see the team before making judgments.
They’ll have to wait one hour less than they thought they would after the start time to the home opener Monday against the Giants was moved up one hour to 2:10 due to a forecast of inclement weather in the late afternoon and evening.
Shortstop Tim Anderson concurred with Grifol. Come and see what we’re about first.
“We’re not promising anything,” Anderson said before hitting a 415-foot RBI double in the eighth inning of the Sox’ 6-3 win over the Astros Sunday. “It’s just, enjoy it. Enjoy baseball. The game is unique, you never know what can happen. We’re going to take it pitch by pitch, inning by inning, day by day and have fun with it.”
Parking lots will open three hours prior to first pitch and gates will open to fans at 12:30 p.m. Pregame festivities and introductions will begin at 1:30 p.m.
“It’s been since last season since the fans seen us,” Anderson said. “It’s a new season, it’s fun and it’s exciting. And it’s going to be enjoyable playing in Chicago.”
Anderson knows the fans were disappointed in 2022. The players were, too.
“For sure,” he said. “But our story is not going to be about last year. It’s going to be something new.”
On the run
Anderson’s career high for stolen bases is 26 in 2018, and he swiped 49 for Double-A Birmingham in 2015. The major league total might be surpassed, if the first series and early trend in the majors are indications.
Anderson stole a base in each of the first two games. He wasn’t on first base Sunday.
“I try to pick good spots,” he said. “Put them to sleep. They [pitchers] try to put me to sleep so I try to play the same game. Use it against them and catch them napping. When I go, I have a pretty good shot at being safe.”
Anderson is not fixed on a certain number of stolen bases.
“It’s about being smart on the bases,” he said, “not about how many you can steal but trying to be safe most of the time.”
New pickoff rules and larger bases also benefit base stealers, who were 5-for-9 on Opening Day last season but 21-for-23 on Day 1 this year.
“It’s good for the game,” Anderson said. “Speed is a big part of the game, too. It’s going to be good to see people’s legs.”
Roaming Romy
Romy Gonzalez not only made his first Opening Day roster, he was in the Opening Day lineup Thursday against lefty Framber Valdez. An unforgettable experience, for sure.
“It was incredible,” Gonzalez said. “Especially here, Opening Day against the world champions. It was fun.”
Gonzalez’ parents, grandmother and many friends in town for the Final Four got to the game.
Gonzalez can play all outfield positions and is a shortstop by trade, so his versatility is valuable. And he is the emergency catcher, despite never catching at any level. He is working with catching coordinator Julio Mosquera from the player development staff, catching pitches from a machine and catching pitchers in bullpens as Danny Mendick did last season.
“Whatever it takes,” Gonzalez said. “Whatever I can do to help this team win.”
