"If it were up to Carlos Quentin, we would break down the White Sox's 15-10 victory Friday at Progressive Field by examining Lake Erie wind patterns and the effects of a long pregame tribute to late Indians' legend Bob Feller.

Mention anything but big bats, long balls or how the Sox turned Opening Day into a 3 hour, 9 minute batting-practice session.

"Hitting, we don't even talk about too much because if it's going well you want to leave it as it is,'' Quentin said after going 3-for-4 with a double and home run.

He became the first Sox player in 20 years to drive in five runs on Opening Day yet he reacted as if he believed mentioning that history would condemn him never to repeat such quality at-bats.

The temptation is to look at Quentin's free-swinging debut and suggest it portrays a guy who finally has learned how to relax. But seeing Quentin so uncomfortable at his locker after the game, it's an easy one to resist.

"I think the thing to focus on this day is mentally telling myself it's just another day,'' Quentin said. "It's over and done. I'm realistic. It counts. Every single day counts. At the same time, what's the best way to be successful is the question to ask.''

A better question for amateur sports psychologists might be why the cerebral Quentin didn't take the opposite approach. Even if it was only one game, why not try convincing himself it's more than that?"