The Red and Black

Issue date: 6/5/09 Section: Sports

BECKHAM [Click to enlarge]

Former Georgia All-America shortstop and 2008 SEC Player of the Year Gordon Beckham has been called up by the Chicago White Sox and will join the team Thursday for their game against Oakland.

In his major league debut, Beckham went hitless with a strikeout in Chicago's 7-0 loss to Oakland.

Beckham, the fourth member of the 2008 draft class to reach the majors, hit .326 with four home runs, 23 doubles and 25 RBI in 45 games this season with Triple-A Charlotte and Double-A Birmingham. He is the fastest member of the Chicago White Sox to reach the majors since Alex Fernandez in 1990. Beckham, who had just been promoted to Triple-A Charlotte last week, will reach the majors 364 days after being drafted last June.

"I talked to Gordon and he's excited," Georgia coach David Perno said. "It's obviously quick but if anyone I've ever coached can handle it it's Gordon. He's had something special about him from day one. From a maturity and a talent standpoint he is definitely ready, and I am looking forward to watching him."

Beckham started all 197 games in his three-year career at Georgia and was a first round draft pick of the White Sox and the eighth overall selection in the 2008 MLB Draft. He led the NCAA in home runs with a school record 28 and hit .411 last season, the first Georgia player to hit over .400 since 1982. Beckham also holds single season school records for runs scored, hits and total bases. He was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, Dick Howser Trophy and Brooks Wallace Award last season and was the SEC Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Beckham is the fourth Bulldog to be in the Majors this season, joining Jeff Keppinger (Astros), Clint Sammons (Braves) and Mitchell Boggs (Cardinals).

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