(My Sportsbook) - With a home run, two RBI and a pair of runs scored for Chicago in its 12-6 triumph over the Texas Rangers in the opener of a brief two-game set in Arlington on Monday night, the often misunderstood Carl Everett made a triumphant return to the White Sox.

It was his first game back with the club, following his trade from the Expos on Sunday and it couldn't have been a better opening for the veteran outfielder, especially with Frank Thomas now out of action for the next eight weeks with a broken foot.

"Hopefully, that's just the beginning," Everett told the Chicago Tribune. "That's what I'm here for, to help the team. It felt good for my first day."

The scoring outburst for the White Sox, who had dropped three of four since the All-Star Game, marked the most runs for the team since putting up a pair of touchdowns (with extra points) against Montreal (Everett's former team) on the road back on June 19th. Unfortunately, in that contest, the Expos had one more field goal to their total to win the shootout, 17-14.

Everett, who was hitting just .252 with two home runs and 14 RBI in 39 games, north of the border, has been plagued by injuries this season (shoulder and ankle) and has already been on the disabled list a couple of times.

"We didn't get a chance to see Carl Everett at the top of his game," Expos manager Frank Robinson said following the mid season trade. "When we left spring training he was in A-1 shape. Then he got hurt, and I don't think he ever recovered."

Everett began the 2003 campaign as a member Texas, but was traded to the White Sox in July for the remainder of the season. In 73 games in the Windy City Everett, who has now played with seven different teams during his tumultuous career, hit .310 with 10 homers. Chicago did not re-sign the volatile outfielder and he was signed to a two-year contract worth $7 million by Montreal in the offseason.

The 33-year-old Everett, a two-time All-Star, has also spent time with Florida (1993-94), the New York Mets (1995-97), Houston (1998-99) and Boston (2000-01) in his 12-year career.

With the White Sox in the heat of a pennant race at the moment, percentage points ahead of the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central, the last thing they need now is to worry about Everett and his antics. He may have kicked off his second stint with the club on a positive note, but only time will tell how he behaves in the clubhouse and with yet another group of teammates.

Certainly with Thomas on the shelf the White Sox, who are currently third in the AL in slugging percentage at .462, could use some additional pop in the lineup, but that strength at the plate could turn out to be a weakness in other forms.

WHO'S HOT

Since the All-Star Break Carlos Lee has tallied a pair of home runs and two doubles, giving him a slugging percentage of .882 and a batting average of .412 to lead the squad on a regular basis.

Aaron Rowand also has two home runs in his last four games and has crossed the plate six times for the White Sox.

WHO'S NOT

The much-needed Paul Konerko has hit a skid over the last five games, posting just two hits (.111) while striking out five times in 18 trips to the plate.

Slowed by a sore knee, Maglio Ordonez is hitting only .143 over his last five games.

COMING UP

The Sox have one more with Texas on Tuesday night and then play a pair versus Cleveland on the road before setting up shop for a three-game set at home against the Detroit Tigers. More important, Chicago hosts the Twins for three straight to kick off next week's play.