I'll admit I was a bit confused when I saw the Chicago White Sox lineup.  Even with a lefty on the mound, surely you thought that Jim Thome would be among the starters for the White Sox.  After all, haven't we just been pelted by numerous media reports that Thome and the Sox were relieved that the NL ballpark portion of the schedule was over and Thome, who had been hot going into that nine game stretch was happy to be back.

Yet, last night, Paul Konerko was the DH and Josh Fields was the first baseman.  And suddenly, Fields turned into Thome, hitting two home runs in a 10-7 Sox win.

Ozzie is a pretty smart guy sometimes, although Fields big night hardly turns Thome into Wally Pipp.

You wonder if perhaps Ozzie will sit The Savior today and play Fields at third.

Other than thanks to the summer jet stream, the balls are once again flying out of U.S. Commiskey Park, there is really nothing to report on last night's game except that Gavin Floyd pitched well and Jimmy Gobble didn't.

The same two teams this afternoon at U.S. Commiskey Park.  You've got to think the Dodgers will come out bunting against Clayton Richard.

Lightning Round

• We all have a high school coach who was once in our life who pointed us in the right direction.  Mine was the late William Fremd High School (Palatine, IL) track coach Pat Brogan who was both a mentor and a friend.  For many in Iowa, it was Ed Thomas, whose heroics after last year's tornado are well documented.  Yesterday, a gunman, thought to be a former player of Thomas', entered the school's weight room and shot Thomas dead.  You might think of this happening in New York or LA, but in a small Iowa town?  Our thoughts and prayers are not only with the coaches family but to all in that small community of Parkersburg who lost a great man and an irreplaceable member of their community yesterday. 
• Oh to be a fly on the wall at the meeting of the Spanish Soccer Federation.  I'll bet Spain fired their coach before he even got on the plane.  Or didn't even let him board the plane.
• Somebody finally realized his name and connections would get him a lot further off the basketball court.
• Just for kicks, try the new White Sox drinking game.  (Sox and the City)