The late Harry Caray had a saying he used when the White Sox trailed in the latter part of a game: "The big possum walks late."    After eight and two thirds innings of being stifled by Kansas City pitching, the Big Possum, in the person of Jim (Buzz Lightyear) Thome came to the plate and with one swing of the bat, gave the Sox a 4-2 victory on opening day.

Some random thoughts about yesterday's game:

• The White Sox proved in the second inning that the middle of the lineup is station to station.  The Sox began the inning with three hits, which loaded the bases.  KC starter Gil Mesche almost got out of the jam, but Josh Fields single scored Jim Thome, although Jermaine Dye got thrown out at the plate.
• Mark Buehrle didn't have his best stuff yesterday, but gutted it out for five productive innings.  In the first inning, he got no love from home plate umpire gary Darling.  I disagree with everyone who has written that Buehrle "struggled" or "looked bad" yesterday.  It was opening day in 45 degree weather for crying out loud.  If you want to see a pitcher who "struggled" check out C.C. Sabathia's line from Monday.
• The Sox bullpen, thought to be a strength this season, was terrific with two solid innings from Clayton Richard and one each from Octavio Dotel and Bobby Jenks.
• Dewayne Wise was awful as the leadoff hitter yesterday,  It wasn't that he was hitless, it was that he couldn't get a bunt down to advance Josh Fields in the eighth inning.  He wasn't even close.  Ozzie could end this experiment by the end of the week if Wise doesn't respond.  Chris Getz had two hits yesterday and we know he can bunt.
• Josh Fields looked like Joe Crede was wearing his uniform yesterday.  Fields had an RBI single in the first, a critical bunt single in the eighth and a nice defensive play, throwing out a runner at home in fifth. 
• Alexi Ramirez looked comfortable at shortstop.
• Hawk needs to quit kissing Stoney's ass NOW.  "Steve, you were a great pitcher..."  No, he was an average pitcher who had one big year for the Orioles.  He's really no better than your .239 career batting average Hawk, so please, let it go.  Other than that, it was a fine broadcast.  And the best part, is Stoney didn't participate in the home run call.

The takeaway from yesterday is the Sox won.  The fact they won late in the game will help them mentally as the season progresses.  In my mind, it's just one game, one nice win.  It's opening day, things should improve for this team as time goes on.

Quote of the day: "You can't lead wire to wire if you don't win on opening day."  Steve Stone