White Sox Tim Anderson’s YouTube channel gives fans ‘behind scenes look at my life’

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Tim Anderson wants to let you in on who he is, what he’s up to and what he’s about.

That’s why the Sox shortstop started his own YouTube channel, which gives viewers an up-close look into the daily goings-on in the life of a rising Chicago sports star.

“Give people a behind-the-scenes look at my life,” Anderson said. “I’m at the point in life when I want to capture everything.”

Anderson wants not only to build his TA7 brand but engage with his fans on a personal level.

“The reason we’re starting it is because the marketing game is kind of bad in baseball, so who’s going to create that lane?” he said. “I’m going to create that lane and give people behind the scenes.”

The timing seems perfect with Anderson coming off an American League batting title and the Sox rebuild reaching a phase in which the team could contend.

“Everybody knows that the next five to six years are going to be dope, going to be great. Everybody is talking about the South Side,” he said. “We got the pieces. Everybody’s excited. It’s going to be fun.”

Anderson has shown gradual growth in his four seasons in the majors, not only as a hard-working, entertaining player, but personally. He is married with two young daughters, lives in the south suburbs, is active in the community with his wife, Bria, and already has built a significant fan base. He is the only African-American player on the Sox roster.

“YouTube is the best way to connect with my fans,” he said. “We’re going to give you those conversations before games when we ride to the field or about the game. When you do things on the field, whether it’s a bat flip or pimp a home run. . . . it’s positive stuff, it’s motivating. It’s what fans want to see, and we’re going to deliver it.

“I want you to tune in, so don’t miss this.”

Rodon’s role

While left-hander Carlos Rodon has made it clear he always wants to be a starter, including when he returns from Tommy John surgery (as scheduled) in July or August, general manager Rick Hahn said it’s too soon to rule out a relief role this season.

“We view Carlos long-term as a starter,” Hahn said. “Certainly a year from right now I expect to be talking about him as one of the five guys in the rotation. Over the course of this season, let him finish up his rehab, let us see where we’re at as a rotation, let us see where he is from a stamina and endurance standpoint and how we project him the rest of the year, and we’ll figure out how to best bring him back to the big leagues.

“I also know Carlos has said he’ll do whatever it is that we want him to do to help the team win. He’s there for us.”

Rodon will be a free agent after 2021.

Keep it short

Manager Rick Renteria likes the energy he sees in camp and his players’ willingness to get to work. It’s already evident during early morning meetings.

“I was telling the players today: Tomorrow our meeting will be a little bit shorter because I can see it in their eyes — they are ready to go out and get out on the field,” he said.