Not-So-Great Scott: Chicago, It's Time to Let the Inept Podsednik Go

That’s the constant refrain from so many White Sox fans. I’ve been told countless times this year that it’s not right to question the brutal base running and even worse fielding (if that’s possible) of outfielder extraordinaire Scott Podsednik because of what he’s done for the team this year.

This pedestal that he’s been put on makes it seem like the .744 OPSing slugger is playing for free or somehow helping the team make the playoffs this season. Neither of those is the case.

In actuality, “Pods” is collecting a paycheck and the Sox are in third place, right about where they’d be without him.

“But his WAR is 1.1!”

Yes it is, and that makes him more valuable than what the Sox are paying him, but it doesn’t mean that he’s changed this year's team to something that they wouldn’t be without him.

When the end of the regular season mercifully arrives, Paully, A.J., and the gang will hit the links, much like they would have without Pods getting PICKED OFF OF THIRD IN A TIED GAME IN THE NINTH or his run-then-stop-then-shuffle-the-feet-then-get-in-a-rundown method of running the bases.

So what now? Bench him. The only way Scott Podsednik should be a part of the future of the White Sox is if they’re having a pregame ceremony for the 2005 championship team—and even then, maybe they can lose his invite in the mail.

As it stands, Alex Rios needs all the at-bats he can get. He’s already proven to be a solid outfielder, but he still needs to get the stick going, and with Scotty out there GETTING PICKED OFF OF SECOND, there just aren't as many chances for Rios to take his hacks at the dish.

I know it might seem like I hate the fleet-footed and easily tricked outfielder, but I don’t. However, he represents the huge problem with this year’s team. They are completely inept at fielding, and they look like they were taught to run by the bases by former Sox inning killer Carlos Lee.

At some point these problems need to be addressed, so why not start right now with a player that’s not in the plans for the future? How many more times do we as Sox fans need to marvel at the Twins' fundamentals before we finally demand it for our own team?

Thanks for the memories Pods, and before you go, take this video from Tom Emanski.

This article is also featured on Good Guys Wear Black.