Visit with wounded vets gives White Sox perspective

BALTIMORE — Five White Sox players visited wounded war veterans at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. As is always the case in what has become an annual visit since Scott Linebrink started it, the players received a sizable dose of perspective.

“Unbelievable, man,’’ rookie Conor Gillaspie said. “Everybody says it makes you appreciate things. If I get super frustrated about this [baseball], I will go back and remember what those guys have been through.

“I got to meet some really cool people. There are some really good guys, and [see] how happy they are.’’

Gillaspie, Addison Reed, Nate Jones, Dylan Axelrod and Donnie Veal met with three soldiers who were wounded in Afghanistan. Axelrod was impressed by their positive dispositions, and their desire to be back serving.

“Hospital visits can be tough, with kids especially, but this was different,’’ Axelrod said. “People who have served our country, with missing legs, yet their attitudes are great. No matter how things could be going for us here, it puts things in perspective.’’