Top 2: Jim Thome struck out swinging against Mark Buehrle

Top 4: Thome called out on strikes against Buehrle

Top 6: Thome struck out swinging against Buehrle

Top 9: Thome struck out swinging against Jesse Crain

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: The novelty of a Jim Thome golden sombrero faded a long time ago, as the 40-year-old veteran is second on the all-time strikeout list with 2,431 – only 166 behind Reggie Jackson.  Thome’s also five home runs shy of joining the 600 HR club.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 68

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Bottom 1: Josh Willingham struck out swinging against Mark Buehrle

Bottom 2: Willingham struck out looking against Buehrle

Bottom 6: Willingham struck out looking against Buehrle

Bottom 7: Willingham struck out swinging against Jesse Crain

Bottom 9: Grounded into fielders choice against Sergio Santos

Final Line: 0-for-5, 4 K, 7 LOB

Notes: After fanning in each of his first four at-bats on Sunday, Willingham had the opportunity to be the hero when he stepped up the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning.  With the A’s down one run with runners on first and third and two outs in the inning, Willingham swung at the first offering he saw from Santos, chopping it to White Sox third baseman, Omar Vizquel.  His current average and OPS are classic-Willingham: .228 BA, .717 OPS.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 24

• Gordon Beckham is ecstatic that Paul Konerko will be retuning to the South Side next season.  Apparently it was Konerko who helped the White Sox second baseman through his toughest times in 2010,  “He helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel. He helped me get perspective on the game.”

• About a week and a half ago I posted a link to Sox Machine’s survey on all of Kenny Williams’ trades in his 10-years as the Chicago White Sox GM.  Readers were asked to vote from 1 to 10 on his 50+ trades, with 1 being awful and 10 being a miracle.  Well, the results are in…

• With all of the offensive pieces in place for the 2011 season, the White Sox are now addressing their only glaring weakness, the bullpen.  However, after shelling out the big bucks for Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski, they will most likely have to make a trade to add a reputable arm.

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Chicago White Sox News:

According to Jerry Crasnick’s Twitter, “The Chicago White Sox have jumped in on free agent Adam Dunn, according to sources. Kenny Williams’ interest appears serious.”  He continued, “A lot depends on what happens with Paul Konerko. But the Sox need a bat, & they previously made a run at Dunn in July.” [@JCrasnick]

Along those same lines, Jon Paul Morosi believes that signing Adam Dunn would cost the White Sox one of their icons: Konerko or Mark Buehrle.  It’s important to note that Buehrle is the only one of those players that is under team control. [Fox Sports]

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• Rumors continue to swirl regarding Paul Konerko’s potential suitors…..even if the White Sox resign him, they would still like to acquire a major left-handed bat…..Dayan Viciedo could be the homegrown solution to a void left by Konerko. [MLB.com]

• Ozzie is preparing himself for a team and life without free agents A.J. Pierzynski and Paul Konerko…..Bobby Jenks career with the White Sox is looking like it’s over…..team might have interest in American League’s top closer, free agent Rafael Soriano. [ESPN]

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