"It came as no surprise to White Sox third-base coach Jeff Cox that left fielder Juan Pierre showed up to camp early. Pierre has been coming to spring training ahead of time for as long as he can remember. ''To get acclimated to the climate, the desert, the dry air,'' said Pierre, who arrived at camp well before the deadline Tuesday for position players. And he came to work. When it comes to getting an edge, Pierre is first in line. Cox's first recollection of Pierre was during his coaching days with the Montreal Expos in 2000. The Colorado Rockies were playing in Montreal, and Pierre, a 22-year-old Rockies rookie, walked onto the field hours before the game to roll balls down the baselines. A bunter for hits, Pierre was trying to determine where to lay one down to keep it in play on the artificial surface. ''I thought, 'Wow, I like this son of a gun,' and I went and chatted with him right then and there,'' Cox said. ''I was impressed with not only his speed and leadoff ability but his drive and dedication.'' In 2003, Cox saw more as a coach with the Florida Marlins. Pierre played center field, had 204 hits and stole 65 bases for the Marlins' World Series champions. ''I would come in [during spring training], and he would be hitting off a tee in the batting cages before the sun came up,'' Cox said. ''He'd hit in the dark — I kid you not. He works as hard as anybody.'' That kind of work ethic probably explains why Pierre, 33, feels as good as ever. And that's a good thing. Because after Pierre stole 68 bases to lead the major leagues in 2010, manager Ozzie Guillen will turn him loose again. ''Yeah, I feel good; I feel as strong as I have,'' Pierre said. ''Last year I felt great running-wise, and I still feel good. The age is there, but I don't feel it. I still have my speed and first-step quickness.'' Pierre's 68 stolen bases in 2010 rank second for a single season in Sox history to Rudy Law's 77 in 1983. Pierre was the first Sox player to lead the majors in that category since Luis Aparicio in 1961." Read more: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/base...ks-to-get-white-sox-off-to-running-start.html
