While Guillen insisted afterward that he has always made it a point to have his veterans meet with him in a private setting, this was the first time in his six years that the so-called veterans' committee did have a problem with the way he handled White Sox business.

"A couple said they were kind of confused on what I say is throwing them under the bus ..." Guillen said. "The only way I'm going to throw my players under the bus is when they say something to the media that they shouldn't be saying."

While Guillen didn't go into specifics, the one incident last season that stood out the most was his tirade after a June 1 loss in Tampa Bay in which he not only threw his players under the bus, but anyone that received a paycheck from the organization, including himself.

That was the infamous eruption that ended with, "Another bad game. If we think we are going to win with the offense we have, we are full of (bleep). I'm just being honest."

On Thursday, he wanted some honesty back, and his players gave it to him.

"They want me to be me," Guillen said. "It was no big deal. Before spring training starts, I always talk to the players about what I have to do to get better, what I have to do to make sure the team is better.

"Thank God and good thing Kenny was involved in the conversation. But just to make sure that I'm a better man and a better manager."

Guillen did say that he was thinking about bringing Carlos Quentin, Alexei Ramirez and Bobby Jenks into the meeting as well, but they didn't have enough time in the big leagues.

And as far as veteran pitcher Mark Buehrle, who walks to the beat of his own drum, "Buehrle, Buehrle doesn't care."

"I don't have any secrets," Guillen continued. "The only reason I leave my door open is I don't care who sees it. The White Sox organization, as long as I'm manager, there won't be secrets. That's why I get in trouble a lot.

"I just asked them if there was anything I needed to change to make the ballclub better, my expectation for them with the ballclub, different ideas ... make sure we're on the same page. Give them the opportunity to feel what we think.

"I want them to take charge with the ballclub. Last year I think I was a little involved with a couple problems with a few players I shouldn't be involved, and I was. Sometimes it gives me an opportunity to talk too much or not, but I have to be open.

"I say it right away and I wanted to know if it bothered them or not. Nothing bothers them, then I'm not going to change. You have to be aware of what the players think and what are the expectations for them."

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: 1B Paul Konerko had one of the worst starts to a season in his career in 2008 but seemed to finally get a grip on it, hitting .333 in August and .260 in September. He also had nine of his 22 homers in the last four weeks. He showed up in the postseason, batting .313 with two home runs against Tampa Bay. "He found some peace in the game," hitting coach Greg Walker said of Konerko. Don't be shocked to see Konerko bounce back with 35 home runs in 2009.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: RHP Bartolo Colon is being counted on to anchor the rotation for the club, but that might be asking a lot for the aging pitcher. While Colon could be effective when he is healthy, when is the last time he stayed healthy? That means youngsters Jeff Marquez and Clayton Richard would really have to grow up quickly.

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Ozzie Guillen became the first manager in White Sox history to guide the club to more than one playoff appearance in his tenure. Guillen has gone 433-378 in his five seasons and could face his biggest test this year with the White Sox transitioning with youth. He has already set the stage for this spring on what needs improvement, making sure a bunting field was built in the new facility.