"What a difference 79-83 makes. SoxFest 2011 was "All in" and a contract extension for Ozzie Guillen. SoxFest 2012 is "Appreciate the game" and first-time, laid-back manager Robin Ventura. He played alongside the ruffled and riled Guillen with the White Sox 20 years ago, but his personality couldn't be more different.

The Sox are in a semi-rebuilding phase because their $127 million payroll finished four games under .500 last season. How their "show me some wins before I show you my money" fan base is digesting all of this will be revealed at the annual fan convention, which opens today (4 p.m., CSN) at the Palmer House Hilton."