White Sox starter James Shields reiterated Thursday that he never gave himself the nickname "Big Game James."

The nickname was thrown in Shields' face last June after he arrived from the Padres with a big contract and was touted as the guy who could take the White Sox to the postseason.

Shields flopped in his first season on the South Side, going 4-12 with a 6.77 earned-run average in 22 starts. Overall he was 6-19 with a 5.85 earned-run average in 33 starts last year, the worst ERA in baseball.

Shields said he was "trying too hard" with the Sox, and has put 2016 "in the past."

"I have nothing to prove, man," he said. "Nothing to prove. I think my career speaks for itself. I definitely want to prove to the Chicago White Sox fans who I really am, when I was facing them. But there's no doubt about it. I'm a competitor. I want to go out and compete this year and do well."

History says Shields is capable of a turnaround, which the Sox are counting on because they were unable to deal him in the offseason.

"I had a really bad season in 2010 and came back and had a really good season in 2011," he said. "So we'll see what happens."

Shields had a 5.18 ERA in 2010 with the Rays, and reduced it to 2.82 in '11. He said he's focusing on his biomechanics and staying healthy, working with pitching coach Don Cooper, though he said they "fine-tuned some things" the last couple of starts last year. He gave up five runs in seven innings in his final start, a 6-0 loss to the Twins.

If Jose Quintana sticks around for opening day and Shields can return to form, the Sox rotation could be solid despite losing Chris Sale. Ace-in-waiting Carlos Rodon will be eased into things this spring, according to Cooper and manager Rick Renteria, and prospect Michael Kopech has been impressive with his triple-digit fastball, though Cooper warned he's "trying to throw the (bleep) out of it" with every pitch.

Photos as the White Sox practice at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.

"The roadsides in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto and the United States are strewn with dead bodies of guys that, man, they had a really good arm," Cooper said. 'Nobody ever told them, 'Oh, it's about throwing it to the glove. It's about throwing strikes.'"

Shields' body is still in working order, but he was guilty of that problem as well, averaging 4.06 walks per nine innings, fifth worst in the majors. Cooper said Shields' resume is what matters, adding "nobody is like they were when they're 22. He's 33 now."

Well, 35, but who's counting?

No one is making excuses for Shields, including Shields, who never ducked the media during his hard times. Cooper acknowledged it was "horrible" but said Shields wasn't in a "great situation" with the Sox because he was "hammered by the (Padres) owner" before the deal and was trying to do too much after coming to Chicago.

"I'm hoping with a clean start, fresh season and all of that stuff," Cooper said, adding that he's looking at the 2016 season as "an aberration."

While Shields was already in the spotlight, newcomer Derek Holland delivered some light comedy to Sox camp after reporters tried to goad him into doing a Cooper impersonation, asking him whether his accent was "Tony Soprano"-like.

"I'm not going to do that," Holland said with a laugh. "That's like me asking you to go imitate one of your bosses. I can't do that."

But doesn't he have a special talent for impersonations?

"I want to keep that talent," he said. "I don't want to be in trouble."

Just a taste?

"We'll try it another day," he said. "Remember it's only Day 3. On Day 3 I'm not trying to get on the bad side. Let's stay on the good side."

Staying on Cooper's good side is always a good plan.

It's a long season.

psullivan@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @PWSullivan

Caption Tour of White Sox's spring training facility at Camelback Ranch

Tribune reporter Colleen Kane tours the White Sox's spring training facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.

Tribune reporter Colleen Kane tours the White Sox's spring training facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.

Caption Tour of White Sox's spring training facility at Camelback Ranch

Tribune reporter Colleen Kane tours the White Sox's spring training facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.

Tribune reporter Colleen Kane tours the White Sox's spring training facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.

Caption James Shields: 'I know how to come back' from a rough season

White Sox starting pitcher James Shields discusses his horrific 2016 season and what he'll do to improve in 2017 at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)

White Sox starting pitcher James Shields discusses his horrific 2016 season and what he'll do to improve in 2017 at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)

Caption Sox shortstop Tim Anderson on improving and Todd Frazier's honesty

Shortstop Tim Anderson discusses his intentions to improve in his second year with the White Sox, as well as teammate Todd Frazier's honesty at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)

Shortstop Tim Anderson discusses his intentions to improve in his second year with the White Sox, as well as teammate Todd Frazier's honesty at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)

Caption Michael Kopech on getting comfortable at Sox spring training

White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech discusses how he's settling in at spring training and his desire to help the team win as soon as possible at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)

White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech discusses how he's settling in at spring training and his desire to help the team win as soon as possible at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)

Caption White Sox players work out at Camelback Ranch

White Sox pitchers and catchers work out at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 15, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

White Sox pitchers and catchers work out at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 15, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

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