(670 The Score) For all the high-end talent, quality pitching and roster depth the White Sox have, All-Star closer Liam Hendriks traces a large part of the team's success in an injury-plagued and adversity-filled season to the attitude in the clubhouse.
To put it simply, an atmosphere in which everyone is relaxed and unafraid sets up everyone to be their best, Hendriks said.
"Pretty much we just yell at each other," Hendriks told hosts Mark Grote and Chris Rongey on 670 The Score on Friday afternoon. "That's mainly it. No one walks into this clubhouse and is scared of making a mistake because it doesn't change people's opinions of them. We're just going to yell at you no matter what, even if you do well or if you do badly. It doesn't matter. Our opinion never changes. The way we look toward you never changes.
There's not going to be anyone tip-toeing around you if you have a bad game or anything like that. They're going to say it to your face. You learn really quickly if you have a bad game, it doesn't matter. Just pick it up tomorrow and let's get better tomorrow. I think that's been one of the bigger things that guys have learned – 'I can have a bad game, I can have a stretch of bad games. They're not going to treat me any different as if I pariah or I can't be around them.' It's just a matter of, 'OK, I had a bad game, so what? You know what happens tomorrow? I'm going to have a good game.' And then you go at it. That's what seems to be happening this year."
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The American League-best White Sox (54-35) open the second half of their season by hosting the AL West-leading Astros (55-36) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Friday evening. As they do, the White Sox hold an eight-game lead on the second-place Indians in the division.
The Astros swept the White Sox in June – not that Hendriks really cares.
"I don't care," Hendriks said. "Congratulations. You swept us in June. Who gives a shit."
