Third to first

• Approximately 20 media members greeted Ventura for his pregame session Tuesday evening at Citi Field. Ventura, who played for the Mets from 1999-2001, likes the Mets' new ballpark but said it's hard to match the crowd noise from the old venues like Shea Stadium.

Third-base coach Joe McEwing, who played for the Mets from 2000-04, also received a warm welcome from the media and Mets personnel.

"I miss Shea. I miss the loudness of it. But we're excited to come back," said McEwing, who went 0-for-5 in the only previous series between the White Sox and Mets from June 10-12, 2002, in Chicago. "This whole game is about friendships and memories you create while you're going through it.

"A lot of times you're not going to remember what you did on June 28 or when you went 2-for-4. When you walk into a stadium you see the grounds crew guys and the secretaries, that's what's so special about this game."

• The White Sox claimed first baseman Mike McDade off waivers from Cleveland and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte. The White Sox also moved Gavin Floyd to the 60-day disabled list.

McDade, a switch-hitter who turns 24 on Wednesday, hit .230 with seven RBIs in 21 games this season for Triple-A Columbus.

• Paul Konerko, who did not start Tuesday night, ranks second all time with 58 homers and 167 RBIs during Interleague Play. Konerko trails Jim Thome (64 homers) and Alex Rodriguez (198 RBIs) in each category.