The White Sox game against the Tigers was canceled Thursday about two hours before the scheduled first pitch due to an impending storm. The night off couldn’t come at a better time for ailing players like Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome. Utility player Rob Mackowiak doesn’t want any games off, however, for he is in the middle of a two-game hit streak, tying the longest of his career.
“Obviously, you can’t do anything about the weather,” said Mackowiak. “But after my hit yesterday, I feel like the pitcher’s lobbing beach balls. I just want to ride this hot streak for as long as I can.”
Mackowiak’s streak hasn’t gone unnoticed by his coaching staff, although they’re not talking to him about it.
“I’m treating Rob during this streak the same way I treated Buehrle during his no-hitter. I just won’t talk to the [expletive deleted],” said manager Ozzie Guillen.
When Joe DiMaggio was approaching 57 straight games with a hit, he was offered an endorsement with Heinz 57 ketchup if he could reach the mark, although Jolting Joe stopped at 56. In similar fashion, Mackowiak has a deal pending with the future blockbuster “Shrek the Third,” if he can hit in three consecutive games.
“I just need to take this thing one game at a time,” said Mackowiak. “I just thank God every day to be able to experience the thrill my two-game streak has brought me.”
