The Chicago White Sox are suddenly the nicest guys in baseball.

They praise everybody, from the division rival Minnesota Twins to Derrek Lee, the recently injured player from that obscure North Side team.

Whats going on?

I suspect these World Champs went to Charm School sometime after they took all the marbles.

Now, to seem less imposing to their foes, theyre speaking well of everybody.

Even Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen, never one to squelch his emotions or vanquish his vitriol, is sweet as honey.

As a fan, I feel Im on the Poseidon, where everythings upside down.

The only thing the Sox need to do is win ballgames, and theyll win the hearts of fans. Whoever sold them this public relations preening program is weakening them, shifting their focus from where it should be, which is what they do on the field.

Fess up!

If Derrick Lee is sidelined for three or four months with a broken wrist, the Sox have an advantage. Hes one less threat theyll face when they meet their cross-town rivals.

And why throw verbal bouquets to the Twins, unless its to distract them, or to deflate them through praise, so theyll play less ardently.

But thats improbable.

The only thing P.R. should stand for in the White Sox dictionary is Play Right.

Everything else will take care of itself.