Konerko knows Slaught has Tigers with the program

DETROIT -- There was a reason White Sox first baseman Paul Konerkosaid in spring training that the Detroit Tigers were a team to fearthis season.

It wasn't just the hiring of manager Jim Leyland that caught hiseye as much as the hitting coach whom Leyland brought with him toMotown.

Konerko is no stranger to Don Slaught, having worked with theformer journeyman catcher at the request of Sox hitting coach GregWalker. Slaught helped develop computer software that breaks down ahitter's swing with "checkpoints," allowing comparisons to be madebetween hitters.

"It's a very good piece of software," Konerko said. "It shows youwhere you're at but [also] shows you …