As the Chicago White Sox issue a BOLO for their missing offense, the Minnesota Twins come to town for a three game series beginning tonight at US Commiskey Park.

It's always fun to play the Twins and pit their pristine execution against the lumbering and lumber heavy White Sox lineup.  Don't think these guys haven't forgotten the last time these two teams met, the now famous game 163 which the Sox won and used as entry to their ill fated playoff run last year.

Tonight's game is special for two reasons.  First, it is the return to the mound of Jose Contreras.  Our last memories of Contreras at US Commiskey Park are of him being helped to the dugout with what many thought was a career ending Achilles injury.  Given his age and physical makeup, most observers didn't expect to see Contreras in a Sox uniform again, let alone on a major league mound.

But something funny happened on the way to the retirement home.  In the off season, Contreras dropped thirty pounds and worked his butt off to get ready for the season and rehab from his injury.  At the beginning of spring training, he was pronounced ready to pitch off a bullpen mound and by the end of spring training, he was cleared to return to action.

Good or bad tonight or any other night, I have earned a lot of respect for Contreras, his dedication and his work ethic.  No matter if this turns out to be comeback player of the year/movie of the week material or a disaster, I appreciate the hell this man must have gone through to prepare himself for a comeback and to be back months ahead of schedule.  Good luck, big boy.

The second reason tonight's game is special is the return of Joe Crede to US Commiskey park, albeit in an enemy uniform.  We all know the story here and frankly, Josh Fields is proving so far that it was time for Crede to move on.  We'll miss his glove and his clutch September bat and we'll always have memories of the guy making plays no one else in baseball could get close to.  I hope that Sox fans show both their appreciation and their class by giving Joe what he deserves-a long, heartfelt standing ovation.

With any luck, the Sox will find their offense, Contreras will get in a good groove and it will be a happy night for all involved. Except of course the Twinkies.