Yesterday, in the Chicago White Sox 4-1 win over Oakland, it wasn't the old guys who were getting it done, it was the young guys.  It was the shutout pitching of John Danks, the accurate and deadly throwing arm of Alexi Ramirez and the devastating bat of Carlos Quentin that gave the Sox a big win before taking off on a road trip that finds them in Baltimoreand Tampa. 

For all of the pub given to the Sox thirty-something stars, the kids have played well this year.  And it seems obvious that Kenny Williams attempt to rebuild this team while keeping it competitive may be paying off.  Sure, it's early and it's only been thirteen games, but given the dire pre-season predictions (me included), the 2008 edition of the Chicago White Sox is a highly energetic, highly entertaining bunch. 

Take for example, yesterday:

• John Danks, coming off a terrible effort last week against Minnesota, bounced back with a 7 2/3, 5 hit performance against Oakland.  Danks now has two good outings and one bad outing this year.  There is no doubt he has the stuff, it's the consistency and going after hitters early in the count that are the question with him.  If he and Don Cooper can solve that, he'll have a big year.
  
• Alexei Ramirez, the Cuban Missile, threw a Cuban rocket to second to retire Emil Brown trying for a double to lead off the second inning.  Ramirez isn't hitting yet, but did miss his first major league home run by about a foot as he doubled off the left field wall.
  
• Carlos Quentin continues to cement his place as a starter hitting a three run homer in the fourth to give the Sox all the runs they needed.   Quentin looks and hits like former Rockie Dante Bichette.
  

If Danks and Pink Gavin Floyd can continue to pitch well and Quentin and the big boys (Thome, Konerko, Crede and Pierzynski) can keep the offense rolling, it looks like it could be a better summer than some of us originally thought.

Lighting Round

• With all of the media stories and all of the moaning of Tiger fans that they've started out so poorly this year, they are only 4½ games out of first right now.  So is Colorado and no one in Denver is panicking yet.  The Tigers will eventually right the ship.  They are too good not to.
• Tom Fornelli from Foul Balls jumps on the "Dump MacUseless bandwagon."  I am no longer the lone voice in the wilderness.
• It would be nice to see Jose Contreras back up Danks' effort from yesterday with a gem of his own.  And please Jose.  Leave the sidearm crap in the bullpen.
  
• Before camp broke in Arizona, odds were Jerry Owens had a big part on this team.  Now, it appears with Nick Swisher solidly entrenched as the leadoff man and Carlos Quentin the everyday left fielder that Owens might be a man without a country.  Unless the Sox want to send out either Ramirez or Brian Anderson, Owens, who is not playing very well at Charlotte may be stuck down there for awhile. If I ran the zoo, I wouldn't mess with the chemistry of this club just yet.  If Ozzie would give Brian Anderson an occasional start, we might find out what he can do before Owens gets called up.  In any case, the glut of outfielders works for Kenny, especially when Jermaine Dye has his annual DL stint.
• The Bears 2008 schedule is out.  Nice to know they will get hammered in the first game.  Based on what I saw, they may actually come up with 9-11 wins provided they get a running back, quarterback and non-pouting linebackers.  Never mind.  Maybe they'll win four.