(670 The Score) Since making the comment that reaching the 3,000-hit mark for his career was attainable, White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal has taken some good-natured ribbing from his teammates and those around him.
Recently, "Mr. 3,000" T-shirts appeared in the White Sox's clubhouse in spring training.
"They were making fun of me about that," Madrigal said. "I think the whole 3,000-hit thing got taken out of context a bit. During the interview, a lot of people thought I was saying it was easy to do. Really, there are very few people that reach that milestone. I am a confident person, but I know it's out there to say something like that. I know it would take a lot of luck and a lot of years, god willing. But it's just one of those things my teammates were joking with me about. I didn't get mad, and I thought it was funny. The whole thing was just a misunderstanding if you ask me."
The 24-year-old Madrigal's goal this spring has been to find his top form after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder in the offseason. He suffered a separated left shoulder early last season, then returned to action later but still was bothered by it.
For the first time since last fall, Madrigal took his at-bats in a game Monday. He went 0-for-2 but is feeling great about his progress.
"We have not had any setbacks at all," he said. "As a matter of fact, I believe I am ahead of the schedule the team thought I would be on. I have been progressing really well from both the strength and mobility side of it. I am feeling really good, and that is especially true since I haven't had as many reps and swings as other guys out there. My timing is coming back, and my legs feel good at this point. I don't think I am far off at all.
"There has been a lot of hard work done by not only myself but the entire training staff. I have a lot of people to be thankful for who got me to this point."
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 amateur draft, Madrigal won the White Sox's second base job in 2020 and hit .340 with a .745 OPS in 29 games. His goal in 2021 is to "hit the ball harder and take my walks," he said.
For now, Madrigal has 35 career hits. He knows 3,000 is a long way off.
"It would take a lot of years and a lot of hard work," Madrigal said. "There have been crazier things that have happened. I do think it's possible, but I know it will be very hard to do. I don't want to sound arrogant about it. I do believe in myself and playing out there. That would be a long, long way away. There are a lot more important things on my mind than that."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
