Dunn hits the ground swinging
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | 02/19/11 8:06 PM EST
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Buehrle not quite in Gold Glove form
Ozzie goes by gut instinct, more than numbers
Third to first
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Saturday afternoon's session of batting cage flips at Camelback Ranch marked the first time Adam Dunn officially has hit as part of the White Sox.

It's also the first time Dunn has hit since basically the end of the 2010 season.

"I have tried it both ways, starting around Thanksgiving, and I just feel like it works better for me," said Dunn of his Spring Training swing preparation. "Instead of getting in bad habits by myself, it's good to come a few days early. You have 40 days down here, and it usually takes a hitter about two weeks.



Dunn cranks up to start spring
00:02:56
New White Sox slugger Adam Dunn talks about starting his Spring Training routine, while Ozzie Guillen says he'll have his lineup soon
Tags: Spring Training, interview, Adam Dunn, Chicago White SoxShare:
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"This is not my first year to do that. I've done it since '05 or '06. Spring Training means nothing except getting ready for Opening Day."

The mammoth 6-foot-6, 287-pound Dunn certainly looks in prime physical condition, earning more than a benefit of the doubt from manager Ozzie Guillen in regard to his offseason offensive approach.

Along with getting his swing ready, Dunn will have to prepare himself mentally for the change to the American League and the DH role. Guillen plans to use Dunn at first base, although he ruled out Dunn as an outfield possibility, and he is ready to get Dunn as many Spring Training at-bats as necessary to get the slugger into top form.

One of Dunn's goals is to figure what to do with the down time between at-bats during those many games he is serving as DH.

"Yeah, I have no idea," said Dunn with a wry smile. "That is going to be my biggest challenge during the spring, to find out how I will keep myself warm not being on the field. It's definitely going to be an adjustment. I'll talk to people who've done it, and we will figure it out.

"Maybe I'll put a bike in the dugout. I love playing. On off-days, they are good to have but by the third inning, I am ready to rock again. That's the thing I'm worried about DHing. I am going to have to find something to do."

Buehrle not quite in Gold Glove form
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- It's as rare as a good movie starring Paris Hilton or Pauly Shore coming to your local cineplex, but Mark Buehrle showed on Saturday morning that he is not without a few blemishes defensively.

During PFPs on the back practice fields at Camelback Ranch, Buehrle dropped three straight grounders back to the mound. It would be completely humorous, if not for the fact Buehrle almost hurt himself on one of the miscues.

"That was one of my worst days," said Buehrle, who escaped unscathed from his adventures on the mound. "I fell off the mound and almost broke my front leg, hyperextended it, and I went to the hot tub room and slipped back there."

Buehrle has committed exactly one error over the last three seasons and three total in the past five. His two straight Gold Gloves won't be tarnished by Saturday's PFP foul-ups.

"I need to go home and just lay in bed," said Buehrle with a laugh.

Ozzie goes by gut instinct, more than numbers
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Don't include Ozzie Guillen as a son of baseball's information age, in which statistics such as BABIP and WAR seem to mean more than truly knowing the game.

"You have to go by your gut feeling and what you have," said Guillen during his interview session on Saturday. "I don't want to read the Cleveland Indians scouting report when I have competed against them the last 10 years. If I see a new guy, then I ask for the papers, the report.

"Who are we starting with, the Indians? I want to know who's the hottest guy in the lineup that week. Some guys hit .390 and some guy is hitting .190 and all of a sudden the guy hitting .390 is 0-for-7, he's not swinging the bat. But the guy hitting .190 is hitting well.

"That's the kind of thing you look for, but you have to go with your gut feeling," Guillen said. "A lot of people out there do different stuff. They give me the information. If you want to read it, you read it. If you don't, you don't. Of course I read what I need to read."

As for what Guillen studies on the computer, that is limited to Venezuelan news.

Third to first
Saturday's brisk White Sox workout took place under a little bit of rain and strong winds, making it tough for pitchers throwing side sessions. "We feel like we had Spring Training in Tucson today," manager Ozzie Guillen joked. ... Adam Dunn's new White Sox jersey, No. 32, is stationed next to Jake Peavy's locker, where Dunn's old jersey, No. 44, currently resides. But Dunn doesn't have any personal ties to the number, aside from his 4-year-old son, Brady, noticing it was different during a Friday clubhouse visit. "He is used to seeing me in 44, and he asked me why my jersey is a lot smaller," Dunn said. "I said, 'The little guy has got it now.'" ... The White Sox will play an intrasquad game on Sunday, Feb. 27, one day before their Cactus League opener with the Dodgers.

This is one part of the forum I cannot stand. I despise ALL Chicago teams and the city of Chicago. Screw you White Soxs.