Be patient, White Sox fans. And stay ready, the Sox are going to need you.
That was the message from Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, talking via conference call Friday while he waits out the COVID-19 pandemic that has put major league baseball on hold. When the season resumes, or if it resumes, is anyone’s guess. But when it does, Anderson said the Sox will be ready to feed off support from their fan base.
“Stay prepared, too,” said Anderson when asked what he would have to say to fans. “When the time comes we’re going to need the same energy. And I know they’re going to be hungry to cheer us on. We’re going to be hungry to play. We need both energies to match when we step between the lines.
“I know they’re excited, we’re excited too. It’s going to be great when do start back up, the fans are going to be really excited and the energy is going to be crazy. I can’t wait to see what happens.”
The Sox had a good thing going during spring training with the world’s health crisis put an end to camp three weeks ago. They were anticipating a season in which they were equipped with enough talent to compete for a division title or wild card berth, and just like that, a massive timeout was called.
Anderson and his wife and two young daughters stayed in Arizona where the weather is better and the Sox facility is available, albeit not in organized fashion, for doing what can be done individually to stay as sharp as possible.
“Just really been spending time with the family,” said Anderson, who produced an entertaining 1990s Bulls-like player introduction video starring his family members that went viral on social media. “My daughter’s birthday was April 1, so we did an in-house party for her. So really been just enjoying time with the family, soaking up that as much as I can.
”And just doing as much as I can at home. I kind of just do some workouts that I have on my own, at home, outside. Just trying to stay fresh in that way as much as I can and doing as much as I can while at home.”
Anderson, the defending AL batting champion, said he has kept contact with teammates mostly via social media such as Instagram and occasional texts. As challenging as it might be, with the uncertainty of what people are dealing with and what new challenges this delay brings to athletes who are creatures of routine, he is trying to stay positive.
“We’re going to be ready,’ he said. “Whatever they say [about when to resume], we’re going to be ready. Regardless of how many games we play, we’re going to be ready to take the field.”
Of course, the possibility of playing without fans, perhaps initially, also exists. In that event, the energy will have to come from within.
”We know that’s going to be a possibility, so I’m prepared now,” Anderson said. “I guess I’ll just have to go out of the way to bring energy and just putting yourself in a different mindframe. It will be different, but now that we have time to think about it, I’m sure I’ll be prepared when the time does come. I adjust to a lot of stuff easily, so I’m sure that won’t be a problem.”
