Shane Lindsay turns heads at White Sox camp
By daryl van schouwen dvanschouwen@suntimes.com March 7, 2011 9:18PM
GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 26: Shane Lindsay #66 of the Chicago White Sox poses for a photo on photo day at Camelback Ranch on February 26, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shane Lindsay
Updated: June 11, 2011 5:07AM
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Manager Ozzie Guillen gave him a shout-out, and pitching coach Don Cooper has been talking him up.
After impressive bullpen sessions, a strong B game outing and a three-up, three-down inning in his spring debut, the over-under on the right-hander from Down Under sticking around in camp probably falls sometime before April 1. But Shane Lindsay has a glimmer of hope of making the White Sox’ 25-man roster, and that’s all any 26-year-old career minor-leaguer can ask for.
“It’s great to hear, but as my career has gone, consistency has been the issue,’’ said Lindsay, who was signed as a free agent in December. “So I’ll take it as a starting point.’’
Even if Jake Peavy breaks camp with the team, the Sox might have an opening for a relief pitcher if they go with 12 arms. In the first 19 days of camp, nobody has stepped up front and center. Lucas Harrell, roughed up for six runs in two innings Monday against the Cleveland Indians, was the latest on-the-bubble pitcher who missed an opportunity to step up.
Lindsay, meanwhile, has impressed coaches and teammates with good stuff and good command. He throws a fastball, curve and changeup and is adapting well to the “slider-cutter’’ Cooper has him working on.
“The big thing for me is not to think too much, just be an athlete and play,’’ said Lindsay, who has a career minor-league record of 19-14 with a 3.65 ERA in the New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies and Indians organizations.
“I like it here and what they are preaching,’’ Lindsay said. “They are keeping it simple, not trying to over-coach me, and they’re willing to work with what has worked for me. It’s really good. It’s been a give-and-take kind of thing.’’
Born in Melbourne and a resident of Bacchus Marsh, Australia, the 6-1, 205-pound Lindsay said he’d probably be playing Australian Rules Football if not for baseball. Or running the trucking company he owned and operated at age 19.
Lindsay knows what he’s up against trying to make it in the baseball business.
“Mentally as well as physically, it’s probably one of the most demanding games there is,’’ said Lindsay, who will pitch Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale. “But I like to think of myself as a competitor. I’d love to be out there and help this team win games.”
