Dropping their fourth straight game, and second in a row where they led Kansas City, the Chicago White Sox have already forgotten what it means to be World Series Champions.

Theyre playing erratically, like rookies.

Yesterday, they blew a first inning, five-to-zip lead, by keeping starter Garland in way beyond his effectiveness.

Today, a less dramatic collapse saw them relinquishing an eighth inning one-run lead, again because club manager Ozzie Guillen failed to pull the trigger and retire reliever Politte when he couldnt outsmart Kansas City hitters.

Is Guillen being too nice to his suddenly ready for prime time pretty boys?

Last year, the skipper, to his credit, played one game at a time. Now, hes on cruise control, but the only problem is that this team is rolling off a cliff, and the season is less than ten games old.

His laid back, what-me-worry style isnt doing the trick this season.

If he expects to win, hes going to have to do better than let Kansas City celebrate and be emboldened by come-from-behind victories of this type.

Already, Cleveland believes it has the Soxs number, so do the Royals, and how long will it be before Detroit, the surprise team so far, kicks the South Siders butts?

Not a commendable start for my home towners, no question about it.

I just hope Im not the only one to see that these guys have to remember theyre champs, not chumps, and the sooner the better.

Come September, each one of these oh-heck-it-doesnt-matter early season losses is going to loom large.

My advice: Stop cruising, and start bruising!