GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Welcome to the first edition of White Sox Opening Day trivia. It’s brought to you by this newsletter unless someone else wants to jump in and sponsor the competition. And our topic today is: Starting second basemen, with former big leaguer Gordon Beckham as our first contestant. As for the first pitch of a question … who was the last White Sox second baseman to make consecutive Opening Day starts, assuming Chase Meidroth gets the call on March 26 in Milwaukee? “I’ve heard this,” said Beckham, standing outside the White Sox clubhouse at Camelback Ranch. “It’s shocking.” Beckham has heard because he is the answer, starting on Opening Day at second base from 2010-13. With the Meidroth assumption again in play, how many different second basemen received the Opening Day call, including Beckham’s effort at home vs. the Royals in ’13? “I don’t know,” Beckham said. “Ten? Eleven?” |
I’m sorry, but close does not count in this trivia run. The actual answer is 14. But how many of the other participants can Beckham name? “I can name some,” Beckham said. “[Marcus] Semien, me, the painter -- Micah Johnson, [Tyler] Saladino,” added Beckham, covering 2014, 2015 and 2017, in order, with Beckham at ’13. "Who was last year? [Lenyn] Sosa.” Sosa still theoretically could get the start at second, ending this strange streak for the White Sox. But at least for Opening Day, he’s more likely to use his vast skills on offense at designated hitter. We now return to the competition. “[Yoán] Moncada maybe. Josh Harrison?” continued Beckham by knocking off 2018 and 2022. Although he was having success, the offer was made to Beckham to bow out at any time. “I feel like there’s one I should be getting that I’m not,” Beckham said. “Oh, the righty from Toronto, Brett Lawrie.” That answer took care of 2016, and with a slight hint, Beckham produced Yolmer Sánchez for 2019. “Another switch-hitter,” Beckham said. “Why am I blanking on his name?” Partial credit goes for Leury García and his 2020 Opening Day appearance. The only ones truly missed by Beckham were Nick Madrigal (2021), Elvis Andrus (2023) and Nicky Lopez (2024). |
During his 11-year career, Beckham played second base, shortstop and third. He becomes a good source to ask as to why the White Sox have had this lack of Opening Day consistency at second base, but Beckham went with happenstance more than anything else. “Obviously, that’s part of the reason why there's some struggles,” Beckham said. “You really gotta have a shortstop, a second baseman, a catcher, a center fielder, the middle of the diamond has got to be solid. When you think about it, it doesn’t have to be just hitting. “It has to be defensively savvy. People that you can count on every day to make the routine play and then make some good plays. I don’t know. I would like to say it’s because it’s a hard position to play, but I think it’s more happenstance.” There’s more to Beckham’s Arizona trip than his participation in this debut Opening Day newsletter quiz. He has been in uniform all week, working with the Major League side and the Minor League side. Players are familiar with Beckham from his fill-in, in-season analyst work on the television side. But being back in uniform was pretty strange at the outset. “A little bit of fish out of water [Monday],” Beckham said. “It’s the first time I feel like I put on a uniform since COVID, so for me, it’s definitely different. “Obviously, I’ve been around the organization a lot over the last five years. With Chris [Getz] being in the driver’s seat, it’s constant conversation that I’m having with him about the team, and it’s been a lot of fun.” Assistant general manager Josh Barfield had the idea of putting Beckham in uniform and having him bounce around, according to Beckham. “So, I’m excited about the fact that I got to be out there with these guys,” Beckham said. “Just talk to them and I get to go see some of the young kids which I’m excited about.” |
Getz has remained close friends with Beckham since they were teammates with the White Sox, and the White Sox general manager has focused on having strength up the middle with his team during this latest rebuild, as Beckham explained. That focus might mean a repeat starter at second base next Opening Day and an end to the 14-year streak. “This has to be the longest in sports,” Beckham said. “Or in baseball, right now.” Not quite, Mr. Beckham. According to MLB research, the active streak leader entering 2026 is the Giants in left field with 19. Barry Bonds was the last consecutive starter from 2006-07. Could Beckham make a second base comeback, although he turns 40 on Sept. 16? He was a top-flight defensive player with some pop in his bat. “Oh, no,” said Beckham with a laugh. “My back hurts just from bending over. That’s not happening.” |
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- The forecasted Arizona temperatures for the last four or five days of Spring Training are all in the 100-degree range, with previously scheduled day games already being switched to night games. Check your plans and stay hydrated if you will be enjoying Major League Baseball here during that time.
- I’m a big supporter of Billy Joel and his music and have watched him perform in concerts many times. But I heard "Just The Way You Are," one of his most famous ballads, before a Cactus League game last week. Doesn’t really seem to fit the event.
- Bruce Bochy, Tony La Russa, Buster Posey and Dusty Baker were in attendance Thursday night at Scottsdale Stadium for the White Sox-Giants contest. That’s 12 World Series title combined if you are doing the math. Baker also watched his son, Darren, who has played well for the White Sox, walk and steal two bases.
- Three University of Michigan men’s basketball victories over Ohio State in one season? I’ll certainly take it.
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“He seems to be. You love that. It’s a tough game, with all the adversity faced. He handles it really well. I’m happy to see him and see his face and see his smile. Glad he’s doing all right.” – manager Will Venable on catcher Kyle Teel being eternally positive, even in the face of his right hamstring strain |
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