When Walker first laid eyes on Dunn's swing, it was probably the first time Dunn had a bat in his hands since the end of the 2010 season. As always, Dunn hadn't hit during the offseason and never saw a reason to because he was always ready to go by Opening Day.

He appeared ready on Opening Day last season when he homered against the Indians' Fausto Carmona in Cleveland. Dunn was 4-for-14 (.286) with five RBI over his first four games when he went down with an appendectomy in Kansas City on April 6 and, for whatever reason, never recovered. There were other factors that likely entered into his woeful season, in which he batted .159 with 11 home runs -- 15 fewer than his previous full-season low. But a case can be made that the surgery and subsequent stoppage of his season set off the downward spiral.

Dunn wanted to come back sooner but returned to action six days after having surgery. General manager Ken Williams said in hindsight he would have held Dunn back longer and perhaps given him some minor league at-bats to get his swing back after the layoff. Dunn, one of baseball's most prolific home run hitters of all time, went on to have one of the worst seasons ever by a major leaguer.

On "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000 Friday, Guillen said Walker approached him after watching Dunn's first hitting session in Arizona.

"He says 'We have a problem,' " Guillen said. "I say 'What? Spring training is only a couple of days [old].' He said, 'You've got to come out and see Adam Dunn's swing.' I said 'Don't worry about it. We've got a month and a half to get ready, go through spring training. Don't worry about it.' "

Guillen watched for himself the next day.

"I looked at his swing and I told [bench coach] Joey Cora going home, 'We've got a big problem,' " Guillen said.

Dunn was not concerned. He repeatedly told reporters during spring training that was his history, and that "eventually it will click. It always does.''

Because of his poor year, Dunn did some hitting this past offseason. Guillen (Marlins) and Walker (Braves) will both be elsewhere, giving Dunn a fresh start with new manager Robin Ventura and hitting coach Jeff Manto.

"It was painful to see Adam Dunn every at-bat and walk behind me with a long face striking out," Guillen said.

"People in Chicago, believe me, he tried everything in his power to get better. He just had a bad year. Hopefully he will bounce back."

Mustain, a former national college football player of the year, is something of a fallen star. After going 8-0 as a freshman starting QB at Arkansas, Mustain transferred to USC but got stuck behind Mark Sanchez and Matt Barkley. Things got worse when he was arrested (but not charged) for selling prescription medication. He had been taking medication for ADHD and stopped taking it, a mistake he now regrets for obvious reasons.

Mustain was preparing to play Arena League Football but took the opportunity in baseball instead.

"I haven't played in eight years, which, my age, it's going to be a little bit harder to get back into this," said Mustain, who is reporting to Glendale, Ariz., on March 8. "As time goes I figured this would be my one shot at it, and why not?

"The sky is really the limit as to where I can go, and what I can do. So that's exciting for me, and I look forward to getting out and just going for it."

Mustain joins a Sox list of former QBs that includes Joe Borchard (Stanford), Josh Fields (Oklahoma State) Clayton Richard (Michigan) and current Sox Adam Dunn, who was redshirted as a freshman behind Major Applewhite at Texas. Dunn decided to focus on baseball after he was asked to play tight end.

And let's not forget former strong-armed Bears lefty Bobby Douglass, whom Bill Veeck signed in 1979. Douglass pitched four games for the Iowa Oaks, allowing eight runs, walking 13 and striking out none over seven innings. Veeck, never one to let a publicity opportunity slip away, was impressed by Douglass' football arm and figured he was worth a try.

The White Sox, Comcast SportsNet, WGN-TV, WCIU-TV and WSCR-AM 670 announced the team's television and radio broadcast schedules for the 2012 season on Wednesday.

Comcast SportsNet will televise 101 regular-season Sox games beginning with the season opener on Friday, April 6 against the defending American League champion Texas Rangers in Arlington at 1:05 p.m. CDT. CSN also will air Opening Day at U.S. Cellular Field on Friday, April 13 vs. the reigning AL Central Division champion Detroit Tigers at 1:10 p.m.

WGN is scheduled to broadcast 30 Sox games this season, beginning with the club's second game of the year, and first night game, on Saturday, April 7 at Texas (7:05 p.m.). WCIU will begin its 25-game schedule on Tuesday, April 10 at 6:05 p.m. at Cleveland.

Five White Sox games are scheduled to be broadcast nationally as part of the FOX Saturday Baseball "Game of the Week" package, beginning April 21 at Seattle (3:05 p.m.). ESPN will air the White Sox at Rangers game on April 8 as part of its "Sunday Night Baseball" schedule with coverage starting at 7 p.m. Additional Sox games may be added to the ESPN and FOX slates later in the season.

All CSN, WGN, WCIU, ESPN and FOX telecasts will once again be available in high definition. Game times and television networks are subject to change.

WSCR-AM 670, the Sox flagship radio station, will broadcast all 162 games. The on-air duo of former Sox pitcher Ed Farmer (play-by-play) and former outfielder Darrin Jackson (color commentary) will return to the radio booth.

Ken "Hawk" Harrelson and Steve Stone, entering their fourth year together in the White Sox television booth, will call 156 regular-season games on CSN, CSN+, WGN and WCIU. The seven games scheduled on Comcast SportsNet Plus (CSN+) will be available on CLTV in the Chicagoland area. Viewers in other areas should visit CSNChicago.com for specific channel locations. The first CSN+ telecast is scheduled for Monday, April 23 at Oakland (9:05 p.m.).

CSN will air the first game of the BP Crosstown Cup series at Wrigley Field against the Cubs on Friday, May 18 at 1:20 p.m. FOX will broadcast the middle game on Saturday, May 19 at 6:15 p.m and WGN will televise the finale on Sunday, May 19 at 1:20 p.m. When the series moves to U.S. Cellular Field, CSN will broadcast the first (Monday, June 18, 7:10 p.m.) and third (Wednesday, June 20, 7:10 p.m.) games while WGN will air the middle contest on Tuesday, June 19 (7:10 p.m.).

The Sox will start all weeknight home games at 7:10 p.m. Saturday home games will include both 3:10 p.m. and 6:10 p.m. start times with one 6:15 p.m. first pitch (June 23). Sunday afternoon contests are scheduled for a 1:10 p.m. first pitch. FOX telecasts, which broadcast locally on WFLD-TV, will begin at either 3:05 (April 21 at Seattle, May 5 at Detroit and September 8 vs. Kansas City) or 6:15 p.m. (May 19 at Cubs and June 23 vs. Milwaukee).

Johnson, 32, is best known for his two-out, two-strike home run against the New York Yankees on the final night of the 2011 regular season. It capped a seven-run comeback in an 8-7 Rays victory that clinched the American League wild card for Tampa Bay.

A career .235 hitter, Johnson's other home run in 2011 was a three-run shot against Sox lefthander Matt Thornton during the ninth inning on April 8. The Sox were leading 7-6 at the time, and Rays held on for to a 9-7 victory after they had trailed 7-4.

Johnson's flair for the dramatic extends further. Seven of his 11 Rays home runs either tied the score or gave his team a lead. He hit eight homers against the Rays' AL East rivals Boston and New York, including a tying shot against Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning of a September 2008 game in Boston. It was his first at-bat as a Ray, and the Rays went on to win.

Johnson, who was slowed by a wrist injury in 2011, declined an assignment to AAA Durham in October. He told the Tampa Tribune he believes he can make the Sox Opening Day lineup.

"I have to take it day by day, but that's the plan," Johnson said. "You don't play this game to shoot low. I'm going in there shooting for the stars."

Making the Opening Day roster will be a big enough challenge, even if Johnson's wrist is healthy. Paul Konerko is the Sox first baseman and $56 million man Adam Dunn is the designated hitter. The Sox are looking at Johnson as a possible backup and pinch-hitter.

Johnson batted .275 with 15 homers and 58 RBI as a rookie with the Oakland A's in 2005. In 2007 with the A's, he batted .236 with 18 homers and 62 RBI. He has also played one season in Japan.

"The boos?"
"I thought you meant the booze."
"It kind of comes with the territory. When the team plays well, the players and the coaching staff get the accolades. That's great. It's it should be. When the team plays poorly, it's the GM and owner's fault. It is what it is. It's part of the deal.
But every time it happens. It seems like it's happened only two other times. In 2004 and 2007.

"You never know. Maybe the third time is a charm."

Parent, a 13-year veteran catcher who managed the Phillies' AA Reading club before joining the Sox to be first-year manager Robin Ventura's bench coach, was an imposing physical presence on the SoxFest stage over the weekend. He talked about Sox pitchers retaliating when Sox hitters get hit by pitches, and he addressed veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski's shortcomings against would-be base stealers

"A.J. has struggled behind the plate with the running game," Parent said to a SoxFest crowd over the weekend. "We're going to try to do things to help out, either with his mechanics, his release, his release times, throwing over, having pickoff [plays]."

 How Pierzynski, 35, responds to extra work during spring training, is worth watching. He's been an ironman behind the plate -- he caught 1,000 innings for the 10th consecutive season in 2011 -- who prides himself on fitness and workout routines and no doubt is comfortable with his normal routines. He is also highly regarded for calling a good game.

Sox issues had issues holding runners, and shortstop Alexei Ramirez has required work around second base making tags. But Pierzynski has never possessed a gun for an arm and he had trouble at at times transferring the ball from his mitt to his throwing hand.

The Sox threw out 37 runners last season while allowing 135 stolen bases, which ranked last in the American League. One of two holdovers from the 2005 World Series championship team, Pierzynski's willingness to spend extra time with new staff on throwing and blocking drills during spring training would demonstrate the kind of veteran leadership rookie manager Robin Ventura and his staff need.

Opponents stole 94 bases in 118 attempts (80 percent) with Pierzynski catching. Of those 24 caught stealings, 11 were on pickoffs by Sox pitchers. Pierzynski threw out 13 runners, and Sox catchers won't have Mark Buehrle around to shut down would-be base stealers for them.

Tyler Flowers, 26, who showed flashes of good things when Pierzynski went on the disabled list for the first time in his career, figures to play more behind the plate. It makes sense for a team trying to inject some youth while giving the veteran Pierzynski more breaks, especially with Pierzynski in the final year of a contract paying him $6 million this season. A career .284 hitter, the left-handed hitting Pierzynski was a designated hitter seven times last season and might DH more this season.

Flowers hit five homers in 110 at-bats, but he batted .209. Baserunners were slightly less successful on 76 percent of steal attempts with Flowers catching. He has shown signs of promise, but needs to show more.

It was hard to know if Williams thought the Sox were in the mix for their services and wanted to lay low or whether he knew the Sox wouldn't be able to afford one or all of them. The Sox are known to have interest and are considered to be one of the teams in the mix for Cespedes, although many consider the Cubs to be front-runners.

"I don't know who you are talking about,'' Williams told reporters when asked about the Cubans.

You know, Cespedes, the five-tool Bo Jackson type center fielder.

"Those are all just rumors,'' Williams said. "I don't know what you guys are talking about.''

Huh?

"Who were these guys? Where are they from?''

Cuba. Someone said you watched Concepcion in person.

"Somebody said I was there,'' Williams said.

"I don't know what you are talking about.''

Reporters laugh, and Williams almost almost spits out his water suppressing a chuckle. Cespedes is the guy who might cost you $50 million.

"Is that the left-handed pitcher?''

No, that's Concepcion. Cespedes is the 26-year-old Bo Jackson. The one Dayan Viciedo is recruiting.

"You think I should check into them?''

Earlier, Williams said the Sox money supply is tapped. He doesn't have cash for a free-agent utility infielder, he said. Soler, 19, and Concepcion, 18, will come cheaper and would help replenish a farm system in need of an injection of talent.

The Cubans came up later during question-and-answer time with fans. It was more of the same from Williams.

"Who are they? Are they any good?'' he asked.

With that, new manger Robin Ventura turned toward Williams and said, "Should we be scouting them?"

His named has been tossed around in numerous trade rumors ever since general manager Ken Williams said the Sox were going to rebuild or tweak their roster to get younger. He is signed through this season with a club option for 2013. His value as a middle of the rotation starter makes him a valuable piece for buyers and sellers.

"You know it's happening [trade talk] but you have zero control over it so to think about it for a second is a waste of your time,'' Floyd said. "When i got traded to the White Sox [by the Phillies) it caught me by complete surprise. I got called while watching a TV show in December. You have no control over it. You listen to it, you anticipate, but there is nothing you can do.''

Floyd has no desire to leave.

"I love Chicago, I want to be here,'' he said. "I've been part of this organization for four or five years. I feel like I've grown and gotten better every year and established relationships I'll cherish the rest of my life. We love Chicago. I try not to think of it too much.''

Players are often kept in the dark when it comes to trade discussion.

"The only time they said something was last year when my name was coming up,'' Floyd said. "[General manager] Kenny told me, 'Dont worry, nothing is happening.''

Floyd hasn't heard that this year, though.

"No, no," he said with a chuckle.

"Who said that? You're giving me news,'' Cooper told the Mully and Hanley Show on Friday morning. "It's news to me.''

After Cooper, who was en route to SoxFest at the Palmer House, listened to Ventura's comments, he said, "Well, you got more info than me.''

Righthander Jesse Crain has expressed a desire to have a shot at the job and was thought be many to be the leading candidate until Ventura cited Thornton. Thornton was given first crack last year and lost the job to Sergio Santos, who was traded during the offseason.

"Like I said, Matt is certainly capable,'' Cooper said. "You have [prized rookie righthander] Addison Reed is a kid who has to work into it. You can't name him. You got Jesse Crain -- he is a guy who is more than capable. We'll figure it out. Nobody said Santos last year. I'm a believer in they'll show you who needs to be in there at that time.''

Ventura by no means named Thornton the closer. And it may be Cooper, who has a new four-year contract, who has the final say, anyhow. Crain let Cooper know he'd like an opportunity.

"Coaches have an idea going in who they want,'' Crain said. "I just wanted to let Coop know because I have been in the big leagues for eight years and never had that opportunity. One save situation last year. I'd like to get an opportunity to see what I can do.

"That's not taking anything away from Matt and Reed. I just would like an opportunity. Until I got in the big leagues, from 10 years old through college I was a closer. Joe Nathan was with the Twins when I was there, one of the best in the game. I have confidence in myself. It just takes an opportunity. I've really learned a lot and matured the last couple of years. I think I can do it.''

Alex Rios, on the other hand, took a step back not only with his bat but in the field, as well. And we're not talking about how he played so deep in center. It was a curious development for a center fielder who has been an adequate glove man for most of his career.

So it comes as no surprise that manager Robin Ventura and general manager Ken Williams have been talking up De Aza as a leadoff man and center fielder. Ventura said Thursday that Rios could see time in left field -- no surprise there, either.

"As of now he could be moving to left field, he could be in center. We don't have concrete plans,'' Ventura said. "I know I will want him to play. He's a talented kid and when we get going I want him to be in the middle of it. He's a talent that hopefully will show this year.''

Rios, who is signed through 2014, is playing on a seven-year, $69.84 million contract. He batted .227 with 13 homers in 44 RBI in 537 at-bats. His recent history is bouncing back after bad years. Ventura's fingers are crossed.

"When I had a year that I didn't feel was my best I felt obligated in the offseason to do things differently and try things,'' Ventura said. "You come in with a different mindset than in other years. These guys are competitors.

"It can make guys press. But there seems to be a feeling that they can prove last year was an aberration. Going into spring training there is motivation in that direction and I like that.''

Rios never recovered from a tough-luck start when he hit into a lot of hard-hit outs. Frustration set in, followed by a bona fide slump. And he seemed to take it with him in the field.

"Rios never looked ready to throw,'' an American League scout said. "He was stylish, so safe and so sure, playing not to make a mistake.''

Rios, who turns 31 in September, did show signs in September that he can still hit, going 23-for-75 (.307) with an .875 OPS, five homers, 11 RBI and 12 runs scored. Granted, the games didn't matter much, but it beat the alternative.

De Aza played in 54 games after his mid-season callup, batting .327 with four homers, 23 RBI and 29 runs scored. He stole 12 bases in 17 attempts. He had 11 doubles and a .400 on-base percentage.

"Alejandro De Aza played his tail off as far as I'm concerned,'' Williams said. "Did you watch him? He's pretty good.''

On Channel 9:
vs. Cubs, March 9, 2:05 p.m.

On ComcastSportsNet

vs. Diamondbacks, March 23, 9 p.m.
vs. Giants, March 25, 3 p.m.
vs. Dodgers, March 29, 3 p.m.
at Reds, April 1, 3 p.m.
at Astros (Minute Maid Park, Houston), April 3, 7 p.m.

Additional information regarding spring training broadcasts, tickets and Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., can be found at whitesox.com/spring.

Internet Pre-Sales Give Opportunity to Purchase Tickets Early; Dynamic Pricing Will Offer Chance to Buy Tickets 30 Percent Off Regular Prices, When Purchasing Before February 11

Individual-game tickets to 2012 Chicago White Sox home games at U.S. Cellular Field go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 3 at 10 a.m. on whitesox.com, by phone at (866) SOX-GAME and at Ticketmaster locations throughout Chicagoland.

Tickets will be sold at Bacardi at the Park, near Gate 5 of U.S. Cellular Field, on February 4 beginning at 10:00 a.m., and at the U.S. Cellular Field box offices near Gate 4 beginning February 5.

Prior to the general on sale date, White Sox season ticket holders (81, 27 and 14-game plans) will be the first to have access to individual-game tickets through an online pre-sale on Tuesday, January 31.

Members of the Sox Pride Club, the official online fan club of the White Sox, will have a special online pre-sale on Wednesday, February 1. Members of the Black List, the free and official whitesox.com fan headquarters, will have access to an online presale on Thursday, February 2. Full details on all individual-game ticket presales can be found at whitesox.com/presale.

The White Sox will implement dynamic ticket pricing throughout the entire ballpark for all 81 home games in 2012, providing fans the opportunity to save up to 30 percent off regular prices on select seats by purchasing prior to February 11. Ticket prices will be based on a variety of market factors, and fans are encouraged to buy early for high demand games, as ticket prices are expected to increase as the season progresses. The entire 2012 White Sox schedule, including the promotional schedule, can be found at whitesox.com.

All fans still have the opportunity to join the Sox Pride Club at www.soxprideclub.com or whitesox.com. Fans may become members of the Black List, at no charge, by visiting whitesox.com.

Full and partial season plans are available now, starting as low as $73, and along with group tickets and party areas can be purchased by visiting whitesox.com or calling (312) 674-1000.

"Regarding Ozzie Guillen's departure as White Sox manager last September, I want to make it clear that he left with our organization's blessing and at my urging. Ozzie told me he wanted to finish out the year, the Marlins really wanted him in Miami for the conclusion of the season, and I told him that he had no choice but to go given the excitement surrounding the opening of their new stadium and the unveiling of their new uniforms. Ozzie needed to be in Miami at the end of the season for the Marlins.

"We will always be grateful for the 21 seasons Ozzie spent in a White Sox uniform as a player and coach, especially his role in helping us win the 2005 World Series championship. We wish him nothing but the best."

White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy recently implied during a radio interview that Guillen quit on the team with two games left in the season. Peavy, plodding his way toward the end of the season with a tired shoulder, was uneasy with the insinuation that he quit with three seasons left.

Guillen fired off a series of tweets last week suggesting he would have his say before long:

"When i get to chitown lets make one thing clear what happen last day whit the sox stay tune"

"I am out the country now but i never quit in anything yes be ready when i talk going to be fun"

"I will kill peoples fellings no mercy i turn the page but they no let me a long then get ready going to be bad"

"People want me to look bad but I so honest i wiil say the real true put u seat belt on"

With two games left in the season, the Sox announced that Guillen would be let out of the final year of his contract.

Bruney pitched in 23 games for the Sox last season. McPherson also had a brief stay with the Sox. Left-hander Eric Stults (Dodgers, Rockies), catcher Hector Giminez (Astros, Dodgers), infielder Ray Olmedo (Reds, Blue Jays) and outfielder Delwyn Young (Dodgers, Pirates) have played in the big leagues.

Players from the Sox minor-league system invited to big-league camp include right-handers Brian Omogrosso and Jacob Petricka, catchers Michael Blanke and Josh Phegley, infielders Jim Gallagher and Tyler Kuhn and outfielders Jordan Danks, Trayce Thompson, Jared Mitchell and Brandon Short.

Danks, generally considered the best defensive outfielder in the Sox organization, is the younger brother of Sox lefthander John Danks. He batted .257 with 14 homers and 65 RBI at AAA Charlotte last season.

Mitchell was the Sox first-round pick in 2009. Rated by Baseball America as the Best Athlete in the organization, he batted .222 with 183 strikeouts in 129 games for Class A Winston-Salem last season after missing the 2010 season following surgery on his broken left ankle. Before the injury, he was rated as the Sox' best in the organization by Baseball America.

Thompson, 20, is considered the best power-hitting prospect in the organization. He batted .241 with 24 homers and 87 RBI for Class A Kannapolis last season. A second-round pick in the 2009 draft, Thompson is the son of former NBA No. 1 pick Mychal Thompson. His brothers Klay (Golden State Warriors) and Mychel (Cleveland Cavaliers) currently play in the NBA.

Kuhn, 25, put up good numbers between AA Birmingham and AAA Charlotte in 2011, batting .333 with 32 doubles, 11 triples and 70 runs scored over 130 games. A 15th-round pick in 2008, Kuhn led all Sox minor leaguers in hits and triples and ranked second in average in 2011.

Sox pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Feb. 23. Position players report Feb. 28 for the first full-squad workout under first-year manager Robin Ventura.