Its an ominous sign when, only three games into the 2006 campaign, newly appointed Team Captain Paul Konerko tries to distance this years team from the World beating White Sox of 2005.

He is quoted in the Chicago Sun-Times saying dont expect us to be them.

We might lose every one-run game, was his declaration, after division rival Cleveland nicked the Sox in extra innings the other day.

We might get blown out, he also said, still qualifying for the show of shows, the 2006 World Series.

I dont know about you, but these words arent very comforting. If Konerko is saying hed like to be left alone, not be badgered by reporters who are, of course, going to compare last to this years team, he has to be kidding.

Hes in the kitchen, all right, yet the pilot light has hardly been lit this year, and hes saying the scrutiny is already getting too hot.

All Paulie wants to do, it seems, is be left alone to play the game. Hes not a communicatorthats clearhes a ballplayer.

But the second he demanded the big, multi-year contract, and then allowed that C to be sewn onto his uniform, he became a reporters piata, and theyre the ones swinging the bats.

Maybe C doesnt stand for Captain or Communicator, but for Chump.