The worst thing that could happen to the Chicago White Sox in June and early July wasn't dumping games to the likes of Pittsburgh and to Baltimore, though that's bad enough.
It's having their bizarre, colorful, and often vitriolic skipper, Ozzie Guillen, be selected as the American League's Manager in the All-Star Game.
The last thing the Sox need is more of a spotlight on the Wizard of Oz, or is it The Wizard of Odd? This is the guy who went on a verbal tear against Sun-Times sports columnist Jay Mariotti, resulting in sanctions being levied by the Commissioner's office.
His running off at the mouth is legendary, and he's always popping off about how this or that season will be his last.
But now, he has to be good, like the class clown whose parents have finally shown up at school to sit next to him.
Oz isn't used to this sort of expectation or scrutiny.
Because he has to watch his behavior, I believe this guy has been managing outside of his comfort zone for the better part of a month.
With one eye peeled on the All-Star roster and the other on the press, Ozzie has been more than slightly distracted.
How else can he explain choosing to insert reliever Cliff Politte into a Cubs game that was still winnable, and then keeping Politte in so he could actually put that contest out of reach, TWICE! After swiftly giving up three runs in his debut inning, Politte returned, after the Sox rallied and got those back, and got blasted again.
Ozzie actually hugged this guy on the mound after the first volley.
All of a sudden is this bloke trying to become a statesman or a new-age poster boy? The All-Star game can't be over fast enough, as far as I'm concerned.
At this rate, next year's manager will be Detroit's Jim Leyland, but I'll tell you what: he won't be distracted at all by the press, the pressure, or anything else.