Ozzie's not pulling the plug

Ozzie's not pulling the plug

Posted by scotgreg on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 18:10

Jermaine Dye is not in the White Sox starting lineup against the Twins tonight, but don't read too much into manager Ozzie Guillen's decision to sit the slumping slugger.
Dye has been in and out of the lineup for weeks, as have Alex Rios and Carlos Quentin.
The Sox' playoff hopes are just about officially over, but they haven't seemed interested in a postseason berth since embarking on a disastrous road trip to Boston, New York and Minnesota in late August.
There has been talk about the White Sox shutting down starters Mark Buehrle and Gavin Floyd the rest of the way while playing as many kids as possible.
Ozzie on Tuesday said that's not going to happen.
“Everybody has to be ready,” he said. “The way we’ve got it right now, Buehrle is
starting the last game in Detroit. If that game means something to Detroit, or
Minnesota or us, he’s going to be out there. I’ve got to go out with the best.
“I’ve got to be careful of the lineup I put up because a lot of people might be
thinking about what kind of lineup I have or all this bull(bleep). All the mangers
can do whatever they want to do. As soon as I say something, I don’t respect the
game.
“We’re going to win as many games as we can and see what happens. If we are out of
this, then I might mix it up with a couple kids in the lineup, but I’ve got to
go with the same guys all the way to the end.”