White Sox Shine in Opening Day

photo courtesy of espn.com

The White Sox opened their 2010-2011 season on Monday, April 5th on a perfect day, much like Mark Buehrle's performance that day: perfect. Buehrle didn't pitch another perfect game, however he pitched 7 solid innings with 3 strike outs, 1 walk while only giving up 3 hits- all of which were singles. As if Buehrle's performance wasn't enough, he may have delivered the play of the year already on the opening day by chasing down a ground ball after deflecting it off his leg, then flipping it to first baseman Paul Konerko between his legs with his glove then Konerko added to the incredible play by bare-handing the throw for the second out of the inning.

It clearly was a special day for the Chicago White Sox, especially for Buehrle after breaking the franchise record for most consecutive opening day starts with 8, however he wasn't the only Southpaw to dazzle on opening day.

After Carlos Quintin doubled to the right side in the 1st inning, Paul Konerko took the first pitch he saw of the 2010 season and sent it 372 feet into the stands for the first home run of the 2010 White Sox season which put the good guys up 2-0, a lead they would never relinquish.

There are a lot of new faces on the South Side this year, and a lot of familiar faces in different positions. Many questioned if all the shaking up of the roster would do more good than bad, however if opening day was any sign of the coming season- we're in for a hell of a season White Sox fans.

After Konerko gave the Southsiders a 2-0 lead in the 1st, the rest was history when Mark Kotsay beat out a play to bat in Beckham in a bases loaded situation in the 3rd and then again in the 5th. To add insult to injury, the questionable Alex Rios jacked a solo shot to center (413 ft) in the 8th inning making it 6-0, then made the final out of the game in a diving fashion- hopefully a sign of things to come for the new center.

It was a good day for the White Sox; showing the MLB their veterans still have power, their young guns are coming on strong and their new acquisitions will contribute as the season goes on.

Let's hope this is a sign of things to come.