In that time, the White Sox's general manager traded Carlos Lee for Scott Podsednik. It worked out.

He signed A.J. Pierzynski for $2.25 million. It worked out.

He acquired Tadahito Iguchi from a Japanese team for about $5 million over two seasons and the cost of a DVD – which is all the Sox had to scout "The Gooch." It worked out.

With Ken Griffey Jr. and A.J. Burnett dangling in the trade market, Williams in July added utilityman Geoff Blum from San Diego. It worked out. Shingo Takatsu had been released and Dustin Hermanson's back was hurting, and the Sox also in July called up rookie right-hander Bobby Jenks, who they eventually would make a closer. It worked out. All of those things worked out and helped the Sox win the World Series for the first time in about nine decades.

On the heels of signing Paul Konerko to a new contract, along with adding Jim Thome, Javier Vazquez and Rob Mackowiak via trades, the Sox on Wednesday signed Jon Garland to a three-year contract extension for $29 million.

You can't be right every time, Kenny. This one ain't working out.

After starting 8-0 and making the American League's All-Star team, Garland finished with 18 wins – plus one in the ALCS – for the Sox. For three seasons before that, he was 12-12, 12-13 and 12-11 with mediocre ERAs to match.

In 2006, Garland could be the 18-10 guy again, he could be 12-11, or he could be something else. Who knows with pitchers? Can't trust 'em.

A decade ago, the Sox were cautious – putting it mildly – when it came to paying the core of their starting rotation; Jack McDowell, Alex Fernandez and Wilson Alvarez.

McDowell, the AL's Cy Young Award winner in '93, was elsewhere by '95. Fernandez, one of the more durable pitchers in the majors with the Sox, was without them by '97. Alvarez was dealt that same season in the White Flag Trade – perhaps the point of lowest morale for Sox fans since the Black Sox days.

The Sox, namely owner Jerry Reinsdorf, were proved right on all accounts, as none of those pitchers – all pricey – were the same for very long after leaving town.

Garland obviously matured, mentally and emotionally, since coming over from the Cubs (for – snicker – Matt Karchner – snicker again). Managers Jerry Manuel and Ozzie Guillen, along with pitching coach Don Cooper and Garland himself, should be credited. Garland was indispensable in helping the Sox win the Series.

Yet, I wonder if they rung all the juice they're going to out of Garland (who, incidentally, hails from Valencia, Calif., where they probably grow an orange or two). If he reverts, he'll start to walk too many and give up too many homers, and all of the sudden a $9 or $10 million annual salary looks a lot better spent someplace else.

Garland's trade value was never higher than this off-season – even if a deal for Miguel Tejada was closer to the pipe kind than the real kind. The Sox have six starting pitchers right now, counting Brandon McCarthy, and could have afforded to move Garland for help elsewhere.

Garland could prove Williams right again.

But Kenny's streak has to end some time.