Yesterday, three Oakland As homered in a row, on three consecutive pitches, and two of these guys Ive been following for some time: Milton Bradley and Frank Thomas.

Both are thought to have attitude problems. The Dodgers traded Bradley for that reason, and the same logic informed Kenny Williams decision to buy out Big Franks contract, despite the fact that he would have been a shoo-in first ballot Hall of Famer wearing a White Sox cap.

I think Frank will probably hit 40 homers for the As this year. Bradley Im not sure about. Hes inconsistent, at best.

But what if we KNEW exactly how every player on our team would perform, statistically? Konerko will hit .279, blast 38 homers, and have 100 runs batted in.

Thome will knock out 44 big ones, hit .293, and have 115 runs batted in.

Would that make our job as a big league manager a no-brainer?

I doubt it. As you know, you can have some great individual performers who are dugout Typhoid Marys. Gary Sheffields tenure with the Dodgers comes to mind.

Nearly every year, he hit over .300, his home run production was at or near 40, as I recall, and he had a decent number of runs batted in. But he was reportedly poisonous in the dugout, deriding management at every turn.

Just having predictably solid performers on your squad is no guarantee of a championship. You have to have leadership and at least some chemistry, as well.

Theres no question the White Sox of 06 look every bit as strong as the Series Champs of 05, and maybe stronger. But you dont win on paper.

Those bad boys in Oakland have something special. Call it fire in the belly or the need to vindicate oneself.

When we examine Big Franks stats come September, or even October, well see how much this extra emotion factors into the As ultimate ranking.