Levine: 'Wanted, Team Leader' Sign Going Up At White Sox Clubhouse
(CBS) -- The White Sox must deal with a huge void as Team Captain Paul Konerko winds down the last two weeks of his illustrious career.
The question next spring will be asked for the first time in over a decade: Who will be the team leader of the White Sox going forward?
"It will have to be somebody that can have the qualities to lead," White Sox Manager Robin Ventura said before his team's double header on Saturday. "Baseball seems to move on in that way. The need doesn't stop just because Paul is leaving. It has happened to other teams, and when other people leave, certain people step up."
Konerko has been the team captain since his appointment to the role officially by manager Ozzie Guillen in 2004. That official tittle will not have to be filled; however, a team leader is essential for any ball club. This is no different for the Sox as they move forward into a new era. There are certainly candidates that are on the ball club who have the potential to lead.
"I believe we have the guy in Jose Abreu," says catcher Tyler Flowers. "He has the professionalism to establish leadership right there. Even though (Jose) doesn't speak too often, or speak English, we all notice what he does, day in and day out."
It was apparent from the time Abreu walked into the White Sox clubhouse for the first time last February in Glendale, Ariz. that he was an all-business-type player. The work ethic and even demeanor expressed by the Cuban native were easy to detect from the first day by his new teammates.
Other candidates on this current roster are Chris Sale, Adam Eaton, Alexei Ramirez and Flowers.
Sale would be an easy choice for the job, if not for his limited game appearance schedule as a starting pitcher. It is a rare occurrence that a pitcher is named a team captain. What is not all that rare are pitchers who have become go-to guys on a team (on the Sox most recently, Mark Buehrle and Jake Peavy).
A new player, possibly not presently in the organization, may indeed be the next leader on the White Sox horizon.
"It is important for everyone on this team to see the leadership Paulie had and see it end," Ventura said. "They see how to lead the right way and what it takes. I think Paul has explained it before. Playing every day is the most important thing. That is the best thing he will leave these guys.The message is how to go about it every day."
