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Third to first

• Ventura didn't take long in delivering his managerial message to the full squad Thursday prior to the first workout.

"It was quick. But it was more about being ready, getting your mind ready," Ventura said. "It's a long season. And if you don't have your mind made up going in that you're preparing for a season in the right frame of mind as an organization and team, you're going in the wrong direction. So, when you're doing drills, you have to make sure your mind is ready and you're doing the right things to get better."

• The ultimate 2014 White Sox hope is a turnaround akin to the 2013 Red Sox, moving from worst to World Series champions. Konerko takes a bigger picture view in his season outlook.

"I'm not going to draw a straight line like everybody is doing to the Red Sox," Konerko said. "I'm not going to go like that, but you see a lot of turnarounds every year and I hope when this one happens with the guys in there, position player-wise, they run it out for a while.

"And that will make me happy. Four years from now, if this team is a good team year in and year out for that nice four to six year run before guys start leaving in free agency and getting older and all that stuff, to know I had a hand in that to help some of these guys along will make me feel good when I'm playing golf somewhere."

• Dunn has changed his jersey number from 32 back to 44, which he wore for much of his athletic career prior to the White Sox. The switch was made possible by the departure of Jake Peavy to Boston via trade last July.

"I let him borrow that for a few years. I did. Flat out. It's true," said Dunn of the previous owner of 44. "It is my number, a lot longer than his, mind you.

"I've had that number a long time. People are going to think it's because of Jake and this and that. It makes for a good story, but if they want the real truth I can tell them."

• Ventura talked about having an intrasquad game on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

• Everyone was in camp Thursday but reliever Ronald Belisario. Everyone reported as healthy, aside from reliever Nate Jones, who played catch in his return from a moderate left glute strain that has sidelined him since the start of camp.

• During one live batting-practice session Thursday, Konerko finished with a line shot the opposite way to right. His teammates applauded, Konerko tipped his helmet and pitching coach Don Cooper yelled out, "Triple" from his golf cart.

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin.
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