VOICES CARRY ON

Schriffen, Benetti will cross paths on Opening Day

The biggest storyline of the White Sox’ season opener Thursday against the Tigers has nothing to do with the teams. Fans in attendance and those watching on TV might not even be able to see it play out.

Somewhere in Guaranteed Rate Field — maybe the Bard’s Room, a media-level hallway or on the field — new Sox TV voice John Schriffen will cross paths with former Sox TV voice Jason Benetti.

And it could be awkward.

Benetti is the Tigers’ TV voice after he was, for all intents and purposes, pushed out of the Sox’ booth (he left with a year left on his deal). Benetti was popular with fans, but the Sox didn’t like him missing their games for national broadcasts, and they grew tired of his irreverent style. It led to a bitter parting.

When a popular broadcaster is replaced, it’s usually because he retired or died. On Thursday, that popular broadcaster will be working in the same ballpark as his replacement. Schriffen now has what was Benetti’s dream job as a Sox fan growing up in Homewood. Benetti now has “a” job with the Tigers.

Analyst Steve Stone, the one link between the two, doesn’t foresee an issue.

“I don’t think it will be awkward at all,” said Stone, who’s beginning his 17th season with the Sox. “A lot of people realize that, for whatever reason, Jason decided that he would seek employment elsewhere, and [chairman Jerry Reinsdorf] let him out of his contract. I’m sure they’re going to love him in Detroit. I don’t think tomorrow will be awkward in the least.”

Adding to the intrigue is that Schriffen and Benetti have never met.

“If I see Jason, I’ll definitely say hello,” Schriffen said. “What’s cool about being in this club as a broadcaster for a team is that there is a cool relationship that every team broadcaster has with each other because we do rely on each other throughout the season.”

Indeed, the Sox and Tigers will meet 13 times this season, so Schriffen and Benetti will have plenty of chances to get acquainted. More important for Schriffen is getting acquainted with Sox fans. From their reaction in spring training, he’s off to a good start.

“My favorite part about being in spring