Hang 'Em Up Harold

[NetShrine]

Is it just me, or is it ironic that he may be done, and he's 133 hits short of 3,000 and has a .133 Batting Average this year.

White Sox DH Baines Goes on DL
.c The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - Harold Baines went on the disabled list Thursday night after severely pulling his right hip flexor in the seventh inning of the Chicago White Sox 7-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Outfielder Aaron Rowand was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte.

Baines, playing for the first time since June 2, got the start as the designated hitter to prepare him for pinch-hit duties this weekend, when the White Sox go to St. Louis for their first interleague series in an NL park.

But as he was at the plate in the seventh inning, the 42-year-old Baines bent over with a grimace and put his hand on his upper right thigh. It looked at first as if he'd been hit by a pitch.

Asked how long Baines would be out, White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said he had no idea.

``He's in a lot of pain at this time,'' Manuel said. ``That's a strange area to pull a muscle. I couldn't tell you.''

Baines, who signed a minor-league contract in January, came back this year in a quest to reach 3,000 hits. But he's struggled, playing in only 31 games and hitting just .133.

With a single Thursday night, he remains 133 hits away from 3,000.

``I know you guys talk about the numbers, but as far as quality of person, he could be on our team every year,'' Paul Konerko said. ``I don't care if he doesn't ever get another hit, he's the best guy in the clubhouse, knows more than anybody in this room combined. You just pull for the guy.''

AP-NY-06-14-01 2259EDT

[Bere NY I]

Someone may just hang them up for him!

[NetShrine]

I hread the Twins (!) were actually interested in getting Baines for the run before Ortiz came back. Smart move to pass.

[Bere NY I]

BTW, Baines is still on the DL. No way he gets another chance in 2002.