Anderson snaps homerless streak with 1st dinger of '23

CHICAGO -- It had been a long time since Tim Anderson last hit a home run.

A very long time.

The last long ball launched by the White Sox shortstop came on July 15, 2022, at Target Field, which was 419 plate appearances ago. After 96 games without one, the dugout celebration figured to be a major one after Anderson connected on a Logan Allen four-seam fastball in the first inning of a 7-2 victory over Cleveland Saturday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Instead, when Anderson arrived, there was nobody there but the coaches.

“We didn’t have time to hide,” said a smiling White Sox manager Pedro Grifol of the reaction to Anderson.

“I was wondering where everybody went,” Anderson said. “But it was a cool moment. I was happy to finally get it out of the way.”

That silent treatment and players hiding in the tunnel quickly turned into Anderson being swarmed in the White Sox dugout. It was career homer No. 98 for Anderson and his 16th as a leadoff hitter, leaving him behind only Ray Durham’s 20 in franchise history.

So, it wasn’t the home run -- which traveled a Statcast-projected 429 feet to left -- but more about another step forward in a uncharacteristically rough season for Anderson.

He’s healthy, after having surgery on the middle finger of his left hand -- which ended his 2022 season in early August -- and then spraining his left knee on an odd rundown play in early April against the Twins. The knee injury affected Anderson’s swing and offensive approach.

“Yeah, you’ve got to get in your legs,” Anderson said. “It was at a point where I was feeling I wasn’t in them. I kept working and still working trying to master it. Keep working and get better every day.

“You can talk about all the injuries I’ve had. But I’m definitely a step closer to feeling back fully healthy for sure.”

If Anderson’s words aren’t proof enough, let the numbers do the convincing.

In 14 games since the All-Star break, Anderson is 20-for-57 with two doubles, one home run, six RBIs and eight runs scored. He picked up his seventh three-plus-hit game this year, which ranks second on the team, as the White Sox (43-63) improved to 6-3 against the Guardians (52-53).

“From the other side, this is the guy I know. This is the guy,” Grifol said. "[In the] first inning, he hits a ball [429] feet and then he'll sprinkle in a few base hits or run the bases and go first to third, make plays in the infield.

“He'll show you a plus arm. The energy that he had in the dugout, the life that he brings. This is the guy that I've seen for a long, long time. He's playing good baseball right now."

Mike Clevinger (4-4) returned from the 15-day injured list to pitch for the first time since June 14 when he left the mound in pain at Dodger Stadium due to biceps inflammation. The veteran hurler struck out three over five scoreless and appreciated the defensive support from left fielder Zach Remillard, third baseman Yoán Moncada, second baseman Jake Burger and Anderson.

Clevinger also enjoyed watching the high-level Anderson he has gone against for many years, as the shortstop finished the night with three hits.

“For him to get his first one, that’s huge,” Clevinger said. “For us to give him the silent treatment was a lot of fun too.”

“They know, they’ve been there every step of the way,” Anderson said. “They’ve seen the work, the front office has seen the work, everybody knows what I’m capable of and how I’m able to work and continue to try to get better. But everybody has been rooting me on from day one. I just continue to keep pushing.”

Hitting his first home run of the season meant Anderson wore the team’s celebratory hat and coat in the dugout for the first time. Cleveland manager Terry Francona, who was ejected in the first inning Saturday, called it a "sport coat" on Friday, but it has more of a Chicago mobster feel.

Whatever the description, Anderson hopes to get to wear it many more times.

“I told them I was going to wear it until I hit another one,” Anderson said. “Hopefully, I can continue to try to stay consistent with my swing and keep working on always trying to get better and just remember what this feels like.”