Levine: Ventura OK With White Sox Players Pursuing Personal Numbers

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Playing for personal goals and numbers is usually frowned upon in baseball, but with just a week left in the season and zero chance of making the playoffs or being a spoiler, White Sox players have little else to accomplish on this final homestand.

"If it's within playing professionally and to help the team win, it's OK," manager Robin Ventura said. "It's one thing to see a guy try to steal bases just to steal them. If they are getting thrown out all of the time, that is not good. If a guy is trying to hit a home run and in context it's a positive thing, sure, that is fine in the framework of trying to win a game."

The reality is if players don't put up numbers, nobody will want to employ them. The selfish aspect of putting up big numbers on sub-.500 teams generally is bad news, but Ventura did lay out some reality in the numbers game.

"You still individually have to go out and play as well as put up numbers," he said. "If you don't, that leaks into the next year."

White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier has hit a career-high 39 home runs and is also on the cusp of 100 RBIs. Frazier has one year left under team contract control before he can test free agency.

"We all have our own individual goals," Frazier said. "Basically, the bottom line is we play to win. We know we are out of it. I think if you go out and play for yourself, you are doing a travesty, not only to your team but think about what that does to your pitcher. Look, baseball is probably the most individualistic team sport there is. You do want to hit your goals, at the same time keep playing for your team."

First baseman Jose Abreu has really picked up on offense in the second half of the season. He was disappointed with his production during the team's flop from early May through July.

"You, as a player, are allowed to have a mindset of putting up numbers," Abreu said through translator/media relations specialist Billy Russo. "I really think if you are thinking about how to best help your team win, your numbers will be better. You are first trying to help the team win games."

The numbers for the team itself really upset Frazier more than the individual goals or objectives not attained. That losing after a 23-10 start to the season is still mind boggling to Frazier.

"We were 24-12 after 36 games," Frazier said. "That is almost one quarter of the season, and we are up six games in the division. Let's say we go .500 the rest of the season from there, we are a playoff team. You just go 14-14 each month and you think about that now. Could of, should of, would have. Those are the numbers I think about. I think about that a lot, and it bothers me."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.