Jordan Danks embraces Charlotte records

SEATTLE -- When the Charlotte Knights hand out Jordan Danks bobbleheads on the night of Aug. 19, the outfielder will be with the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field taking on the Orioles. Danks was recalled from Charlotte prior to Saturday's contest against the Mariners, taking the spot of Adam Eaton, who was placed on the disabled list with a strained right oblique.

Danks might not be back with Charlotte for the rest of the 2014 campaign, but he has put together a memorable body of work over parts of five seasons in the International League. The 28-year-old holds the Knights franchise record for hits with 446 and is also the all-time Knights franchise leader in games played (458), runs scored (250), triples (12), walks (211) and is tied with Joe Borchard for the top spot in at-bats (1,664). He ranks second in doubles (95) and third in RBIs with 221.

The only Knights players who have put together 1,600-plus at-bats, 400-plus games and 400-plus hits are Danks and Borchard. These are not exactly the numbers that a young player dreams about when starting out, preferring to have that success at the big league level. But Danks certainly doesn't run from his historic Charlotte stint.

"My wife even said to me the other day, 'I know you want to be in the big leagues but I hope you are proud of yourself. It really is a cool honor to be a record holder on any team,'" Danks said. "I am proud. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed my time, but I'm glad to be back."

In his first stint this year with the White Sox, Danks finished 4-for-41 with 20 strikeouts. He joked Saturday that it was the first time he got sent down and it actually made sense. But Danks figured some things out offensively in Charlotte, where he hit .276 with 16 homers and 56 RBIs, contributing to his career marks.

"Those are the records you don't really want. You've been playing in the Minor Leagues too long," Danks said. "But while you are down there, you might as well set some milestones."