TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) – Scott Podsednik’s game is speed, but an enormous picture hanging outside the Chicago White Sox’s spring training clubhouse tells another story.

It shows a beaming Podsednik leaping into the arms of his teammates after hitting a game-winning homer in Game 2 of the World Series.

“That’s quite refreshing,” Podsednik said. “Most of the pictures I see of myself are me laying down bunts or stealing a base. I don’t see many home runs. Every time I walk by, I’m going to take a look at that.”

What made it even more rare was that Podsednik didn’t homer at all during the regular season, in 507 at-bats. Then after hitting one in the first round of the playoffs against Boston, he connected for a walk-off homer against Houston’s Brad Lidge in the ninth inning to send the White Sox to a 7-6 win.

Podsednik became the first player to hit a postseason game-ending homer following a season in which had had none.

“I know no one was expecting that homer to come off my bat. We’ll continue talking about it and I enjoy talking about it and it’s one of the biggest hits of my life. Just one of those things,” Podsednik said.

For most of last season, Podsednik’s forte was stealing bases. Acquired in a trade from Milwaukee, he swiped 52 in the first four months and led the majors for a good portion of 2005. But when a groin problem cropped up, he managed just seven over the final two months. He was thrown out 14 times in his last 23 attempts after he’d stolen 22 straight.

“It’s frustrating when you have a leg injury and your legs are the best part of your game,” Podsednik said. “I tried to go out and give what I had.”

When the problem was still bothering him after the season, Podsednik underwent hernia surgery in late November.

“It affected me quite a bit. I had an idea something was going on more than a strained groin,” he said.

Podsednik came to spring training early to get ready for the season. He’s shown no problems running or hitting during workouts, but won’t play the exhibition opener Wednesday because his shoulder is weary from swinging and throwing.

“He’s not hurt of anything. … He’s just tired,” manager Ozzie Guillen said Tuesday after a workout in which baserunning was a primary focus.

Guillen pledged the White Sox would again be aggressive with Podsednik the catalyst at the top of the order.

“Last year we put a lot of pressure on the opposing team because Pod was running,” Guillen said. “I think his groin is healthy and when he’s healthy, we will run.”

Podsednik, who made the AL All-Star team with the final vote, batted .290 for the season and .286 in the World Series. He finished last season with 80 runs scored.

“I know if I can score 100 runs, I’m getting myself on base and the guys behind me are going their jobs, as well,” he said.

“Just because of a couple of postseason home runs, I’m not going to change my game plan. I was able to provide some spark at the top of the lineup and that’s going to be the plan going into the season – get myself on base.”

But for a man who has 22 regular-season career home runs, the postseason experience, especially the power trip, was something that he’ll always remember.

“Playing postseason baseball, there is nothing like it. To play on the grand stage, it’s what you grow up dreaming about,” he said.

“Seeing what it’s like and playing in that atmosphere and in those situations, to me it makes you even more hungry.”