2022 turning point? White Sox playing well following team meeting

CHICAGO -- The White Sox had a team meeting with their leadership council, as called by manager Tony La Russa, this past Friday before the start of this seven-game homestand against Detroit and Houston.

It came together shortly after veteran starter Johnny Cueto told media in Kansas City how the White Sox need to show their fire, if they have any, after dropping three of four to the Royals. The White Sox carried a five-game winning streak into Wednesday’s contest with the Astros, so the meeting seemed to work.

“You tell me,” said a smiling White Sox closer Liam Hendriks.

Hendriks was part of that 8-to-10-person leadership council used by La Russa in 2021 and during his previous managerial stops, which includes established veterans such as José Abreu, younger leaders and players being looked at for future leadership roles. He explained the theme of the meeting was to make sure the team was all on the right page, and if there was any thought or idea needing to be aired, the clubhouse was a safe space.

“But the message of the entire thing was positivity,” Hendriks said. “Make sure we breed that because these 8-to-10 guys that are in here right now, let it seep into every single person. So, if I'm positive, two people next to me will be … it seeps in. It seems to have worked out all right over the last little bit. Hopefully we can keep it going.”

“There's communication all the time, whether it's the leadership or the infielders or the outfielders, the pitchers, groups, individuals,” La Russa said. “Mostly, when you get this deep into the season, it's, 'What can we do as a staff?' You just go area by area, whether it's defense, outfield, infield, pitching, as far as relievers, hitting. 'What have we learned? Is there something we can do to put you in a better position to compete?’”

Claiming the 2021 American League Central title marked the first back-to-back playoff appearances in White Sox history. But, in going for that second straight division crown -- entering the 2022 campaign as the heavy favorite -- that confidence turned into cockiness, with Hendriks mentioning that sentiment coming from Abreu in the meeting.

“That’s one thing that several have said is we just expected to come in and roll over [opponents] like we did last year,” Hendriks said. “That hasn’t been the case. It’s been to our own detriment of us thinking we can go out there and roll over teams and be expected to win. Now, looking back on it, I think a lot of guys are realizing it’s not just an easy thing to be able to go and win the division two years in a row. That’s something hopefully we can get back. We are moving in the right direction.”

La Russa sees more positivity on the field after the meeting. That upbeat attitude also is directly tied to winning.

“Our profession is win the game, good. Lose the game, it’s not good. We’ve had more fun lately,” La Russa said. “But, in the end, the wins and losses happen. What you have to do is [show] how hard you play and how good you play and when you don’t play good enough, you fix it.”

Balk this way
With Alex Bregman on second, two outs and Kyle Tucker at the plate in the fifth inning Tuesday, White Sox starter Dylan Cease intentionally dropped the baseball out of the stretch. He was charged with a balk, as Bregman moved over to third base.

On Wednesday, Cease admitted that balk was intentional.

“I don’t regret it,” Cease said. “Just wanted to make sure the batter doesn’t know what’s coming.”

Texas did the same thing in the same situation during the 10th inning of an 8-4 victory on Aug. 10. Cease spoke of being more cautious “with a team like Houston,” but did not go into any past transgressions for the Astros in this area.

Cease added he would think about doing it with other teams if the situation dictated.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Cease said. “If you think there’s any chance they have something, I would much rather face it head on.”