Chicago's Invisible Star.(Chicago White Sox fielder Magglio Ordonez)(Brief Article)

Magglio Ordonez Carries A Big Stick for White Sox

Although he has gained little national attention, young right fielder continues to post impressive stats

AFTER A WHITE SOX TRAINING camp dominated by the news of Frank Thomas' mini-boycott, David Wells' bad back and the Shouldergate controversy, Magglio Ordonez once again played the role of the invisible man last spring.

It's nothing unusual for Ordonez. Despite the fact he has posted better offensive numbers in several categories at the same stage of his career than stars such as Sammy Sosa, Manny Ramirez and Shawn Green--all of whom make eight-figure salaries--he still gets lost in the shuffle.

"It doesn't bother me," Ordonez said. "I'm just here to play this game, help us win. That's my job."

Ordonez remains one of Chicago's best-kept secrets, partly because he doesn't do many interviews. He would rather let his numbers speak for him. After three-plus seasons in the majors, Ordonez has a lifetime average of .301 with 80 home runs and 319 runs batted in. In comparison, after his first four years, Ramirez hit .295 with 83 home runs and 284 RBI. Over the last two seasons, Ordonez's 243 RBI rank fourth among all right fielders, only six behind Sosa's 249.

Though Ordonez just signed a one-year deal for $3.75 million, a huge raise from last year's $425,000 salary, there's little doubt he could reach the salary stratosphere after 2003 when he becomes eligible for free agency.