Greetings Cansecoites...

Jose has been absolutely on fire lately. So far in August (through 6
games), he's batting .450 with 4 homers, 9 RBIs, and an off the charts
1.100 slugging percentage. Wow. Jose has been so hot lately, he's up for
USA Today's Player of the Week. Go vote for Jose here:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/playweek/2001-08-06-pow.htm

Let's hope Jose can stay hot for the rest of the week. Next up on the
White Sox schedule (beginning tonight) is the Anaheim Angels, who as I'm
sure you'll remember released Jose during spring training just over four
months ago. Was that a bad move on their part? You tell me - Through
their first 112 games, Angels DHs have combined for a .223 batting average
with seven homers and 46 RBI. In only 35 games (including a few where he
only pinch hit), Jose is batting .311 with ten homers and 24 RBIs. To top
it off, his slugging percentage is a very impressive .615.

Go Jose! Show 'em what they're missing...

Take it easy,
Mark

P.S. I've been adding a lot of new photos to Canseconet.com lately - enjoy!

==========
From a Virginia newspaper:

...Swing music: Jose Canseco was right; there are still a few hits left in
his bats. The 37-year-old hulk had eight home runs, 20 RBIs and a .292
batting average in his first 30 games with the White Sox.

==========
From the Chicago Sun:

...Asked about his relationship with Jose Canseco before Thursday's game,
manager Jerry Manuel said he generally leaves Canseco
alone.

"We don't have 'Albert Belle conversations,'" Manuel said. "He's a very
quiet person."...

==========
(Old news now, but still fun to read)
From the Sports Network:
Canseco makes fans for life
By Andrew Sutton

Perhaps taking a page from Babe Ruth's biography, Chicago slugger Jose
Canseco made good on a promise to hit a home run for a group of children
stricken with cancer Wednesday night. But not only did Canseco hit one ball
out of the park, he hit two.

The 37-year-old met with a group of four young cancer patients during
batting practice before the White Sox took on the Kansas City Royals, and
he half- jokingly said he would try to hit a home run for them and the
roughly 450 cancer survivors and their families who were in attendance.

"I said hopefully I can hit a couple home runs for you guys tonight,"
Canseco admitted. "But I also said, if I don't, watch batting practice
because I'll probably hit a couple out in batting practice."

The two boys and two girls -- none of which were over 16 -- who spoke with
Canseco near the on-deck circle during BP could not have been prepared for
what the Cuban journeyman was about to do in their honor.

Trailing 3-0 in the first inning, Ray Durham doubled and took third on a
bunt single by Aaron Rowand. Canseco then stepped up and took hold of an
0-2 pitch, driving it over the left field wall to even the score and send
the special guests into a frenzy.

Then in the third, Canseco added a two-run shot to give the Sox a 5-3 edge
and make "Cancer Survivors Night" a memorable one.

"Whether it was coincidental, whether it was luck or not, who knows? But
like I said, I'm glad and happy for them it actually happened," said the
modest Canseco.

He struck out in his final two at-bats, but he was greeted with an ovation
each time he appeared. The White Sox went on to win the game, 7-6, but
Canseco's selfless effort was the big story throughout the Windy City.
Durham, a seven-year veteran, was floored by what he saw from his elder
teammate.

"That's pretty impressive," Durham said, shaking his head. "If I said that
and went out there, I think I'd be 0-for-4, 0-for-5.

"To say you'll hit a home run for someone and go out and do it, it had to
have meant a lot. I'm pretty sure Jose's got fans for life."

Fans for life...well said, Ray.

==========
From the Chicago Daily Southtown:
Sox 4, Devil Rays 0
Saturday, August 4, 2001
By Joe Cowley

...Overshadowed by Buehrle's outing in the 2-hour, 12-minute game were a
pair of two-run home runs - by Paul Konerko and Jose Canseco, off Devil
Rays starter Nick Bierbrodt.

Konerko got to Bierbrodt (0-1) in the second inning, with Canseco (walk) on
base. He deposited an 0-1 offering over the wall in left field. The two-run
shot was Konerko's team-leading 23rd homer of the season.

Canseco hit his ninth of the season - and third of the week - in the sixth
inning, sending Bierbrodt's pitch over the wall in center field. The homer
scored Magglio Ordonez, who began the inning with a triple, and put the Sox
up 4-0.

"With Magglio on third, I just wanted to either get the ball up or hit a
grounder," Canseco said. "Either one would have scored him. Playing every
day has improved my timing."

Buehrle made sure the four runs would be plenty, and the Sox improved to
53-54 on the season.

"He's very young, but he's an incredible talent," Canseco said of Buehrle.
"I'm glad we weren't the ones having to face him."...

...Notes: Bierbrodt allowed just five hits in six innings, but two of those
were two-run homers by Paul Konerko in the second and Jose Canseco in the
sixth. It was Canseco's 455th career homer, leaving him 10 behind Dave
Winfield for 21st place.

==========
From the Chicago Tribune:
Canseco never doubted his power

Jose Canseco, whose 455 career home runs rank third among active players
behind Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds, never doubted that he could still hit
major-league pitching.

So Canseco isn't at all surprised that in the first 33 games since he left
the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League, he has hit .296 with
nine homers and 22 RBIs for the White Sox.

"I'm healthy," said the 37-year-old Canseco before Saturday night's game
against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. "That's all I can ask for. I never lacked
confidence that I could hit. I just needed enough at-bats to get my timing
down."

Canseco has been on a roll during this homestand. In Friday night's 4-0
victory over the Rays, he homered, doubled, walked, had two RBIs and scored
two runs. In the last five games, he was 6-for-16 (.375) with three homers,
seven RBIs and six runs scored.

Canseco, who has a green light on the bases, stole his 199th career base
June 30 against Baltimore. His next steal will make him the eighth player
to hit at least 400 homers and steal at least 200 bases. The others: Hank
Aaron, Andre Dawson, Reggie Jackson, Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, Dave
Winfield and Bonds.

==========
From the Chicago Daily Southtown:
Canseco climbing

...With three home runs this week, Jose Canseco is 10 behind Dave Winfield
on the all-time list. Canseco is 22nd with 455 career homers.

==========
From the Chicago Daily Southtown:

...Chicago designated hitter Jose Canseco claims that when the White Sox
play the Angels in Edison Field on Tuesday, "it will be just like
any other team; I'm not going to approach it any differently."

Words might speak louder than actions. Canseco, who has 454 career homers,
is bitter about his March 28 release from the Angels after hitting .231 (9
for 39) with no homers and nine strikeouts in 13 spring-training games.

The Angels thought Glenallen Hill would be more productive, but Hill was a
bust, batting .136 with two RBIs before being released June 1.

Canseco played for the independent-league Newark (N.J.) Bears before
signing with Chicago, where he's batting .292 with nine homers and 22 RBI
in 32 games. Angels designated hitters have combined to hit .218 with seven
homers and 43 RBI in 108 games.

"(Angels general manager) Bill Stoneman told me the reason we're releasing
you is because you didn't hit a home run in 39 at-bats," Canseco said
Thursday. "I was in shock. I didn't know what to say. You look at any power
hitter, Barry Bonds, they all go through periods when they don't hit home
runs. Are you going to release them, too?

"I've gone over the whole thing in my mind, and it still doesn't make
sense. After they released me, they tried to cover themselves and spread
rumors by telling everybody I was physically damaged. I don't know who was
behind all this, but it will be figured out down the line."

==========
From the NJ record:

...So, how do voters compare stats from different eras? An even meaner
dilemma centers on the designated hitter, and whether a one-dimensional
player belongs in the same room with Babe Ruth. And we haven't mentioned
borderline candidates such as Jose Canseco or Albert Belle, who is an awful
man but a legitimate star.

In other words, the Hall's guardians should be thankful for Winfield and
Puckett. For one day, anyway, there'll be a truce in the philosophical war
over who does and doesn't belong.

Here are some of the candidates who'll challenge voters soon enough.

JOSE CANSECO: The Big Man would sure help his cause by reaching 500 home
runs. But he's still 45 short and has already started irritating the White
Sox with a demand for playing time in the outfield. It's unlikely Canseco
will last at Comiskey past this season.

If he doesn't find another job in 2002, he'll be caught in that gray area,
where his candidacy will be judged by a series of intangibles. Was Canseco
the best at his position? For a time, yes. He won the Most Valuable Player
award in 1988 and, of course, was the first 40-40 player in major league
history.

But since then, Canseco has played in 131 games just twice, and we can only
project what he would've accomplished with a healthier lower back. No
doubt, Canseco had the strength and bat speed to hit 600 home runs. Is it
fair to penalize him for injuries? Or is it the Hall's job to give
candidates the benefit of the doubt?

-----
Readers who wish to communicate with Bob Klapisch should e-mail him at
klapisch@...

==========
From the Chicago Tribune:
Canseco math: 500 HRs = Hall
By Paul Sullivan
August 5, 2001

Jose Canseco never hides the fact that he desperately wants to reach the
500-homer mark for his career.

Of the 17 players in the exclusive club, all but Mark McGwire and Barry
Bonds are Hall of Famers, and those two active players are considered cinches.

On the day Dave Winfield and Kirby Puckett were inducted into the Hall,
Canseco said he had no idea whether the Baseball Writers Association of
America will honor him with induction five years after his retirement.

"I still have a long way to go, so I never even think about it," Canseco
said. "I have two or three good years in me. You don't really think about
it until you're in position to say, 'Well, I've had a good enough career to
be considered for it.' I think 500 home runs is definitely going to help.
Is it going to get me in for sure? I don't know."

Canseco ranks 22nd all time with 455 home runs, is 53rd all time with 1,380
RBIs and has a career average of .267. He might want to pay close attention
to how Andre Dawson fares when he becomes eligible in next winter's voting.

Dawson hit 438 home runs and drove in 1,591 runs with a .279 career
average. He also was an outstanding defensive outfielder, with one of the
best throwing arms in the game.

Will voters hold Canseco to a different standard than his peers because of
his injury-riddled history?

"I don't know-that's up to them to judge," Canseco said. "I've been a DH
most of my career, in and out of the game and so forth. Who knows? It
depends on what criteria [writers] think is more valuable. I believe RBIs
are. You drive in runs and score runs. Obviously, if you hit home runs,
you're going to be driving in a lot of runs."

Canseco doesn't mind being stereotyped as home-run hitter because he
believes that's what fans like to see most.

"Home runs are a real exciting part of the game and people enjoy that," he
said. "Talk to fans and ask what would you rather see, a two-run pitching
matchup or a couple of long balls? They all want the home run. It's
exciting to them."

==========
From the Chicago Sun Times:

...Canseco's bat has been even bigger, with the slugger going 10-for-23
(.435) on the homestand and tallying four home runs and nine RBI in his
last six games. The duo has helped overcome the slumping bats of Carlos Lee
(0-for-4 Monday and 3-for-24 on the homestand) and Ordonez (2-for-4 Monday
but 5-for-27 on the homestand).

''He's better than I thought he would be,'' Manuel said of Canseco, 37, who
is hitting .311 with 10 homers and 24 RBI in 35 games since joining the Sox
on June 20 from the minor-league Newark Bears. ''I was really skeptical
because other teams had passed on him, but he's been a pleasant surprise.''

''I'm just healthy,'' Canseco said. ''I don't even try to analyze it. I
just say I'm healthy and I'm just being me.''

Canseco has blended in well with the Sox, which doesn't surprise his former
teammates on the Devil Rays. They knew him as a likable veteran without the
volatile reputation he had in his younger days. But Canseco realizes he
might not fit in the Sox' plans next season with the anticipated return of
Frank Thomas.

''It's just a thrill to be back at the major-league level,'' he said. ''In
spring training, to be given up on and people thinking I was a washed-up
player, I don't know why. But they've given me a chance to play every day.
I'd definitely like to come back. It's a great city, and I've made friends
here.

But anything can happen. I've learned that in my career. I know I could be
traded next week.''

==========
From the Chicago Tribune:

...Thomas' power numbers aren't missed as much as his high batting average
and on-base percentage, not to mention the idea that he is, after all,
Frank Thomas.

"His presence is missed, along with the fact that Frank is a guy who sees a
lot of pitches per at-bat," manager Jerry Manuel said. "He was a guy who
[the opposing pitcher] was really working hard to get out. It takes a
little out of the pitcher even if he gets Frank out. We just haven't had
that this year-one player who they're really working hard to get out.

"We've some guys that have been hot-Magglio [Ordonez], Carlos [Lee], [Jeff]
Liefer and Jose [Canseco], but it's a big difference not having Frank
Thomas in there every day."

If Thomas' presence means so much, should the Sox be able to revert to
their 2000 form when he returns to the lineup next April or May?

"I would think so," Manuel said. "I would think that a lot of things are in
place for us as far as the young pitching being given an opportunity to be
evaluated. That's important. I think we'll have a better feel of who we can
and who we can't count on coming into next season."

Even with Canseco's productivity at DH since signing June 20, Sox
designated hitters were hitting a combined .257 with 18 home runs and only
56 RBIs. That's a big drop-off from the MVP-type numbers Thomas posted last
season.

Thomas said recently he hopes Canseco can return to the Sox next year, but
whether the two right-handed DHs could co-exist as Chicago's "Odd Couple"
is another story altogether.

"I'd love to come back," Canseco said. "When Frank comes back, it would be
exciting to see us both in the lineup. But I don't know if Frank comes back
that there would be a position here for me. If Frank is playing first base
and I'm DHing, then what happens to Konerko? That's up to management.
Hopefully I can stay healthy and hit 20-25 home runs, finish with 60 or 70
RBIs and hit .300. I'd be a help to this team, but I don't take anything
for granted anymore in this game. I never really did, but I felt I was an
everyday player and teams needed my help. I don't think that way anymore."

Canseco said he'd ideally prefer to hit in front of Thomas, but that would
be unlikely since Thomas steadfastly refuses to give up the No. 3 hole and
become a cleanup hitter.

"I'd like to see what happens with our 3-4-5 hitters," Canseco said,
referring to himself, Thomas and Ordonez. "I'd definitely like to hit in
front of Frank. I'd get a lot more pitches to hit- he's such an
intimidating figure. Who knows? Maybe. I'm sure my salary is going to be
minimal, compared to most guys-the $5 or $6 million guys. I'd be a bargain
if I stay healthy. I'll be able to hit 40 or 50 home runs easily. Right now
I'm on my usual home run every 13 at-bats pace, which I've averaged over
the course of my career."

If Canseco returned, that would likely mean Thomas would play first more
often, making Konerko expendable. But Konerko has hit a career-high 25 home
runs and is a leader in the clubhouse. The other DH/first base candidate is
Liefer, the only left-handed bat of the four. The Sox have experimented
with Liefer at third, but he has thus far been a defensive liability there.
Still, the Sox will need his left-handed power in 2002.

"Liefer deserves to play someplace every day," Konerko said. "He's done
everything he needs to do and deserves to play.

"They have some decisions to make, but every team has those. It's a good
problem to have. I know that I don't want to leave here, but I also know
I'm going to play well no matter where I'm at next year. I've been traded
twice, so I'm not afraid of anything like that. But this town is too good
to leave. The grass is not greener outside of Chicago."

==========
From the Chicago Daily Southtown:
Does Canseco have staying power?
Tuesday, August 7, 2001
By Josh Krockey

When the White Sox signed Jose Canseco on June 20, it was done with the
hope that he would provide some punch to a lineup that had lost Frank
Thomas to a season-ending triceps injury in April. Now that he's had some
time to evaluate the 37-year-old Canseco, Sox manager Jerry Manuel is quite
impressed with how the veteran DH/outfielder has performed in his 35 games
with the South Siders.

"I would say he is better than I thought he would be, there's no doubt
about it," Manuel said Monday before the Sox's 5-2 victory over Tampa Bay
at Comiskey Park.

"I was really skeptical when it was mentioned that he possibly might join
the team, simply because there were other teams that had passed on him. But
he has been a pleasant surprise."

Canseco hit a two-run homer Monday, his 10th of the season. During the
just-completed seven-game homestand, he went 10-for-23 (.435) with four
home runs, nine RBI and seven runs scored.

For the season, Canseco is batting .311 with 24 RBI in 122 at-bats.

Whether Canseco fits into the Sox's plans beyond this season is not known,
though. Thomas is expected to return in 2002, and the team also possesses a
wealth of young hitters with potential.

"I'm really happy that (general manager) Kenny Williams went with his gut
on that one,'' Manuel said of the acquisition of Canseco, who had been
playing in an independent league. "He really felt deep that this guy could
help, and he does merit another opportunity.

"Whether we can give him a fair opportunity or not, that I don't know. He
will probably, if not here, land in the major leagues someplace next year
because he's been impressive."

After Monday's game, Canseco expressed a desire to stay with the Sox,
saying, "It's a great city. I definitely enjoy it here."

At the same time, however, he knows nothing is certain.

"Anything can happen," Canseco said. "I definitely know (that much) in this
game. I could be traded in a week or so. Who knows?"

==========
From CNN/SI:
Honor roll
Jeter earns first AL Player of the Week award

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who hit .524
in six games, has been named the American League Player of the Week for the
period ending Sunday.

Jeter assumes the title from teammate Paul O'Neill, who garnered last
week's honors.

The four-time All-Star was 11-for-21 and among the AL leaders in total
bases (21), slugging percentage (1.000), batting average, runs scored (8),
hits (11) and on-base percentage (.583). He had two homers, four doubles
and five RBIs.

It is the first Player of the Week award for Jeter, who is batting .388
since the All-Star break.

Texas Rangers outfielder Gabe Kapler and pitcher Mark Buehrle and
designated hitter Jose Canseco of the Chicago White Sox were also
considered for the award.

==========
From the LA Times:

The more Jose Canseco hits for the White Sox, the worse he makes the Angels
look. Released at the end of spring training by the Angels, Canseco is
batting .311 with 10 homers and 24 RBIs in 35 games for Chicago. In
comparison, a total of 15 Angel designated hitters have combined to hit
.223 with seven homers and 46 RBIs in 112 games.