‘Walking mythological creature’ Bo Jackson talks to White Sox at spring training

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Bo Jackson addressed the White Sox clubhouse Saturday morning, and he had an attentive audience.

“A walking mythological creature,” right-hander Davis Martin said.

One of the greatest athletes of all-time and the only professional athlete to be named an All-Star in two professional sports, Jackson, who played for the White Sox from 1991-93, told players to keep it simple.

“Just a motivational speech to go out there and have fun,” infielder Brooks Baldwin said. “Play like it’s old-school ball. Have fun and play hard.”

Jackson, 62, a Sox ambassador since 2014, has been seen in camp in recent days. Martin saw him at the fence watching a B game when he pitched three hitless innings against a Japanese independent team Thursday.

“I can’t embarrass myself in front of Bo Jackson, I need to lock in here,” Martin told himself.

Growing up in Texas, where football is king, Martin knew all about Bo. So did Baldwin, whose father, Chuck played baseball at Clemson from 1984-87 when Jackson was winning a Heisman Trophy in football and attracting scouts on the baseball field.

“When my dad played first base he said he could hear footsteps in the dirt when Bo was coming down the line,” Baldwin said.

First baseman Andrew Vaughn has heard Jackson before, and his presence is always felt.

“The guy is all-time,” Vaughn said.

DH options

Manager Will Venable’s plan to keep the designated hitter spot fluid hasn’t changed. Brandon Drury is one possibility but several other infielders play multiple positions including first base as well. The extra outfielder will also fit in, especially when Andrew Benintendi’s broken bone in his hand heals.

“There’s going to be a lot of factors on a given day with who we have on the mound, what kind of defense we want behind him, what does that mean for our outfield, our infield, and having a DH spot,” Venable said. “Just gives us a lot of flexibility to match up how we want.”

Shortstop open

Venable said shortstop is still open and wasn’t tipping his hand if a leading candidate exists among Chase Meidroth, who hasn’t played in the majors, and Jacob Amaya, a .182 hitter in 77 career games. The pair was 7-for-47 between them entering Friday, although Meidroth has drawn seven walks.

Amaya, the better defender with the better arm, made two nice plays Saturday, including a diving stop on his backhand and strong throw to first. He was also 1-for-2.

“You have to factor everything,” Venable said. “Whoever’s going to be out there is going to be someone that we have a high level of confidence in defensively, but also offensively and on the bases. Major league shortstop, you’ve got to be able to do a lot of things well.”

Perez likes adjustment

Veteran lefty Martin Perez lowered his hands in his set position at the suggestion of pitching coach Ethan Katz and liked the results over four innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts, two walks and five hits, one a homer by Ezequiel Tovar in the first.

“I feel better and was trying to get back to [where his hands were, at his belt in] 2022 with that rhythm on the mound,” Perez said. “Today was really nice to feel what I feel.”

Sox 2, Rockies 1

Diamondbacks 9, Sox 8

After the Sox were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, Tristan Gray and Jordan Sprinkle came through with RBI singles against the Rockies in the ninth in Glendale. Sprinkle replaced third baseman Josh Rojas in the fourth when Rojas left with a sore right big toe. Rojas got clipped making a swipe tag at third base.

In Scottsdale, Wilfred Veras’ two-run double keyed a four-run eighth but the Sox were walked off on Trey Mancini’s homer in the ninth.

*Korey Lee (.409) was 2-for-2 against the Rockies and Miguel Vargas (.393) was 1-for-3 with an RBI against the D-backs.

*Sean Burke, likely making the starting rotation, gave up three hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings of two-run ball at the Diamondbacks.

*Mike Clevinger, bidding for a closer’s role, threw his third scoreless inning. Penn Murfee and Steven Wilson also kept their spring ERAs to 0.00.

On deck: Sox at Rangers, 3:05 p.m., Sunday, Surprise, Bryse Wilson vs. Jack Leiter.

Rockies at Sox, 4:05 p.m., Glendale, Spring Breakout prospects game, TBA vs. Hagen Smith, webcast, 1000-AM