[Lefty Noob]

Ah, yes, the White Sox - the defending World Series champions. How will they fair this year? We'll find out starting on April 2, as Chicago hosts their division rivals from Cleveland for a 3-game in 4-day series.

Then after finishing up their home-opening series, they hit the road for a pair of 3-game sets against the Royals (April 7-9) and the Tigers (April 10-13 with an off day on the 11th). Then its back to U.S. Cellular Field for 9 more home games in 10 days. The opposition? Toronto, K.C. and Minnesota.

In fact, 12 of the first 18 games on the 2006 Chicago White Sox baseball schedule are home contests. Certainly seems like this team is destined to get off to a good start in '06, does it not?

[Calder]

Rarely do you see a World Champion get significantly better by making so few moves, but this team has all the makings of a 100-win club if they are able to keep themselves motivated. The addition of Thome provides the team with more pop while avoiding the occasional hissy fits of Frank Thomas. The team they field this season is pretty much the same, and it's hard to imagine their competition is going to come from anybody but the Indians again. The Twins have a shot, but they might not be able to compete with the bats in the White Sox lineup. It stands to reason that Ken Williams' outburst last week in regards to Thomas was justified, and you'd have to imagine that the Big Hurt's absense alone is addition by subtraction for a team that was already a tight-knit bunch.

[Mid-depth_Reporter]

Ozzie Guillen is doing some Bill Belichick type things. (Can you use a phrase like that?) He's releasing players, signing others and making a World Championship team even better. That's something that the other side of Chicago should love.

Although, a White Sox, Cubbies WS would be nice.

[Lefty Noob]

I agree wholeheartedly with both of you. I love dumping Thomas and adding Thome, who if healthy is a far better player at this point in his career. Plus, the team should certainly have even better chemistry in 2006.

By making so many moves to improve a team that's fresh off a title win, you definitely can say that Guillen and company are certainly being "Belichickian" in their approach to the upcoming season.

[Lefty Noob]

There was a great article earlier this week by SportsTicker Contributing Writer Joe Barbieri that talked about the Sox and the job they've done improving for the upcoming season. You can check out the whole article at http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slu...v=st&type=lgns but here are some of my favorites bits.

First, about the team's mindset entering this season.

"We took 2005 away," reigning American League Manager of the Year Ozzie Guillen said. "This is a new season and the show right now is a new season. ... We have new players, new faces and this is 2006 and we have to worry about this year."

Then about Thome, Konerko and the new and improved White Sox lineup.

It was thought the 35-year-old Thome was brought in to take the place of fellow slugging first baseman Paul Konerko, who was a free agent and apparently headed to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after posting at least 40 homers and 100 RBI for a second straight season. Instead, Thome will take the place of departed designated hitter Frank Thomas, as Williams hooked Konerko with a five-year deal for a discounted price of $60 million.

"Paulie's my leader," Guillen said. "Paulie's a guy who should be a White Sox. People love him. He's a great teammate. Shows up to play every day. I'm glad to see him in uniform."

With Thome, Konerko and World Series Most Valuable Player Jermaine Dye - who quietly led all major league right fielders with 31 homers last year after signing as a free agent - cleaning up after "smart ball" specialists Podsednik, Tadahito Iguchi and Juan Uribe, the White Sox have one of the most fearsome lineups in the major leagues.

Can they repeat? Hard to say for sure, but they definitely have the talent to do so. So much of it will depend upon their pitching, as well as intangibles such as injuries and the schedules. Let's just say that I wouldn't be too, too surprised if Chicago is playing in another ALCS or World Series this fall.

[ChiTownSox]

anyone got any good connections on where i can get some tickets to their game at cincinnatti on June 17th?

I am looking for 2 tickets in the section right above the dugouts or down the line a little bit. I found some for like 45$.

any help would be greatly appreciated