CHICAGO -- The first two happened in a single game in Colorado. China Jerseys Cheap . There was a fly ball that barely cleared the wall, and then a screaming drive to right-centre. Jose Abreu quickly hit two more home runs against Cleveland. He beat Tampa Bay with a game-ending grand slam, an absolute laser for his second shot of the game. Some 6,000 feet of homers in just six weeks, another successful mile in a well-travelled bridge from Abreus native Cuba to the Chicago White Sox. The big first baseman is punishing major league pitching while making a difficult transition to the United States look almost routine. "I come from a place where there is very good baseball, but theres nowhere you can compare that baseball to this one," Abreu said through a translator. "This is the best baseball in the world. But the only way to achieve this, to come here and be successful, is to be disciplined, to have a lot of discipline, thats the way you improve." Abreu looks right at home. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound slugger connected in Oakland on Wednesday to become the fourth player in major league history to hit 15 homers in his first 42 games, joining Wally Berger, Kevin Maas and Wally Joyner. He is batting .271 with 41 RBIs heading into a weekend series at Houston. Abreu, who defected in 2012 and finalized a $68 million, six-year deal with the White Sox in October, is among the major league leaders in several offensive categories. Playing at hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field, he is a legitimate threat to become baseballs first rookie home run king since Mark McGwire for the Athletics in 1987. "Its just his strength, his power," White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham said. "I mean hes just strong. You can do what he does with how strong he is, because he doesnt do a lot with his swing, his body to get ready to hit. He just drops the head of the bat on it and its gone." All that power has captured the attention of baseball fans across the country, but it is Abreus appreciative attitude that has quickly endeared him to his teammates. No small feat considering Abreus arrival pushed franchise icon Paul Konerko into a reserve role. "Hes such a good team person and you like to see stuff like this happen to people like him," manager Robin Ventura said. Abreu is the latest in a new wave of Cuban stars finding success all over baseball, and part of a long history of successful Cuban players in Chicago. Sluggers Yoenis Cespedes of Oakland and Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers are two of the majors most dangerous bats. Cincinnati left-hander Aroldis Chapman has blossomed into an All-Star closer. Miami right-hander Jose Fernandez was the NL Rookie of the Year last season. There were a record 19 Cuban players on opening-day rosters and inactive lists this year. "I think clubs are learning more and more how to do it," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. Cuban players often travel a dangerous road to the majors. According to court documents in a federal lawsuit in Miami, smugglers who helped Puig leave his country on a speedboat have made death threats against him and against a boxer who says he defected with Puig. When they make it to the U.S., they face what can be an isolating transition to a completely different culture and the rigours of the majors. One of the biggest challenges is the language barrier, but they also have to work through changes brought on by a level of wealth and fame far beyond what they could have experienced in their home country. Major league teams are more careful than ever these days about creating a positive atmosphere for the Cuban players, making sure there is a translator in the clubhouse and help nearby when it comes to challenges on and off the field. The 27-year-old Abreu has three Cuban teammates; shortstop Alexei Ramirez, outfielder Dayan Viciedo and catcher Adrian Nieto. Lino Diaz, the manager of cultural development for the White Sox, also is around if Abreu needs any assistance. The White Sox have had 18 Cuban-born players in franchise history, tied with the Los Angeles Angels for fourth among all major league franchises, according to STATS. Minnie Minoso, regarded as baseballs first black Latino star, played 12 of his 17 seasons in Chicago and remains a team ambassador. Orlando Hernandez helped the White Sox win their last World Series title in 2005. Abreus fast start is drawing interest back home. The slugger is followed as closely as possible in a country where, despite the appearance of recorded major league games on state TV starting in March 2013, games featuring Cuban defectors are still not shown. Cubans with access to the Internet and bootleg versions track his career and often discuss it at the "hot corner," a spot in Havanas Parque Central where baseball fans gather to discuss international and Cuban players. "Abreu is a powerful hitter, he was really good here, but personally I think that with his major league results hes really exceeded expectations," said Jose Estrada, 55. "All over Cuba were following him much more than before because hes Cuban and he represents Cuba in the country with the best baseball in the world, the major leagues, and hes showing everyone the level of Cuban baseball." That level looks better than ever right now. China Jerseys Wholesale .Kessy tried to show what he can do playing left wing for the Oilers in 5-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday in pre-season action. Cheap Jerseys . Huntington doesnt want to help run the club unless Hurdle is in the dugout. The combination thats returned the franchise to respectability will remain intact for years to come.CHICAGO -- Buster Posey went 4 for 4 with his 14th homer, leading Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants to a 5-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night. Pablo Sandoval added three hits and two RBIs as the Giants rebounded from a 2-1 loss earlier in the day in the resumption of their suspended game in the series opener. Bumgarner (14-9) struck out 12 in seven innings. He allowed three runs and seven hits. The long day started with a rain delay of 1 hour, 57 minutes, and then the Cubs and Giants played the final 4 1/2 innings of a game the Cubs thought they had won 2-0 on Tuesday night. A short rainstorm caused a delay of more than 4 1/2 hours after the grounds crew struggled with the tarp. The umpires said the field was unplayable and called it at 1:16 a.m. But the Giants protested, and Major League Baseball ruled that the tarp had not been properly put away after its previous use. The game was suspended. It was the first successful protest in MLB since 1986. Anthony Rizzos two-run homer from Tuesday held up for Chicago. Joe Panik had an RBI single in the sixth to pull the Giants to 2-1, but Pedro Strop worked the eighth and Hector Rondon got three outs for his 19th save in 23 opportunities. Tuesdays starters proved to be the pitchers of record. Tsuyoshi Wada (3-1) earned the victory for the Cubs, while Ryan Vogelsong (7-9) took the loss. Chicago then got off to a fast start in the nightcap. Justin Ruggiano and Welington Castillo hit back-to-back homers in the first to give the Cubs a 3-1 lead. But San Francisco grabbed the lead for good on Poseys leadoff drive to left in the fifth against Travvis Wood (7-11). China Jerseys. Michael Morse added a sacrifice fly in the seventh that made it 5-3. Wood (7-11) gave up four runs and eight hits in six innings. The left-hander is 0-6 with a 5.45 ERA in his last 12 starts. Touted Cubs prospect Javier Baez struck out four times, including with two out and two runners in scoring position in the seventh inning. Through 71 big league at-bats, Baez has struck out 31 times. Santiago Casilla worked a scoreless ninth for his 11th save in 14 opportunities. TRAINERS ROOM Cubs: RHP Edwin Jackson was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right lat strain. Jackson dealt with a similar injury at the end of last season and hopes that by going on the DL now, he will be able to pitch again in September. ... SS Starlin Castro was placed on the bereavement list after leaving the team for a family emergency. Giants: INF Ehire Adrianza has been slow to recover from a second strained groin injury, which raises doubts about his status in the final weeks of the season. "Hes not ready yet, so thats another decision well have to make," manager Bruce Bochy said. ... Bochy was optimistic that 1B Brandon Belt and C Hector Sanchez would recover from concussions in time for the stretch drive. UP NEXT Giants: RHP Tim Hudson (8-9, 3.03 ERA) faces off with Washington RHP Doug Fister (12-3, 2.20 ERA) as the Giants take on the Nationals on Friday in the opener of a weekend road series. Cubs: RHP Jake Arrieta (6-4, 2.61 ERA) faces his former club when Baltimore comes to Wrigley Field for a weekend series. RHP Kevin Gausman (7-4, 3.70 ERA) goes for the Orioles. ' ' '
RSS Feed
RSS Feed