BOSTON — The White Sox have caught the attention of players around the major leagues, and it’s not just because they’re vastly exceeding expectations.
It’s because they’re having a ball doing it.
“It’s hard to miss,” new center fielder Brenton Doyle said Tuesday, “whether it’s the wizardry going on or just everyone always having a blast in the dugout — big smiles, a lot of energy. I think that goes a long way, especially in this sport. You got to keep good vibes throughout the whole year.”
Doyle was one of two players the White Sox acquired before the trade deadline Monday, along with catcher Joey Bart, who started in their first game with their new team Tuesday against the surging Red Sox. Doyle is excited to join the party.
“I admired it from afar and always thought they were having so much fun out there,” said Doyle, who came from the Rockies, with whom he won two Gold Gloves (2023-24). “The energy was off the charts.”
Bart, who came from the Braves after starting the season with the Pirates, also noticed the Sox’ vibe, but in a different way.
“Seeing Mike Vasil on ‘SportsCenter’ every night,” Bart said of the White Sox’ wizard in chief. “I got to know him in the offseason. He’s a great dude. Just seems like a lot of fun energy. Seems like guys are playing pretty loose. Usually that’s how you end being good.”
With the Red Sox starting left-hander Patrick Sandoval, manager Will Venable put both right-handed-hitting Bart and Doyle in the lineup. He said that’s how he’ll use Doyle, who will platoon with Tristan Peters in center. Bart and Drew Romo will split time behind the plate.
Edgar Quero was the odd man out at catcher, demoted to Triple-A Charlotte despite a recent run of success at the plate. He had five hits in his last 14 at-bats, including a walk-off single to beat the Yankees. But the Sox preferred keeping Romo and adding Bart.
“That was a tough decision,” Venable said. “He made it tougher than the last time we had to make the same decision. There’s two parts to the decision: One is Romo behind the plate, the X-factor qualities that he brings; also the objective things defensively that he brings we really like, we’ve been benefitting from.”
Bart has the challenge of learning his third pitching staff this season. He told Venable he was on his computer studying up on the White Sox’ staff soon after being traded.
“It takes some time to build relationships with everybody,” Bart said. “It’s something I’ve done before. I’ve done it a couple times now. Just using the resources, talking to everybody. Trying to figure out what makes them go. The sooner we can bridge that gap, the better. But it does always take a little bit of time.”
Doyle is healthy again after missing two months with an oblique injury that frustrated him because he went three consecutive seasons without going on the injury list.
“Really dynamic athlete, is as fast as anybody in the league,” Venable said. “Plus defender; a guy that had to cover a lot of ground in center field at Coors Field. And on days he’s not playing, to have those types of legs on the bench, a guy who can come in and steal a bag, do some things on the bases and defensively, as well, is going to be a nice thing to have for us.”
What’s nice for Doyle after enduring three consecutive 100-loss seasons with the Rockies is a shot at the playoffs — much like it is for Sox fans.
“It’s huge,” Doyle said. “I’ve never really come close to being part of playoff baseball. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity, and I’m thankful for the White Sox to give it to me.”