History of the Chicago White Sox - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

1894–1900: Western League

The team began as the minor league Sioux City

Sioux City, Iowa

Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state....

Cornhuskers and played in the Western League. The WL reorganized itself in November , with Ban Johnson

Ban Johnson

Byron Bancroft "Ban" Johnson , was an American executive in professional baseball who served as the founder and first president of the American League ....

as President. Johnson, a Cincinnati-based reporter, had been recommended by his friend Charles Comiskey

Charles Comiskey

Charles Albert "The Old Roman" Comiskey was a Major League Baseball player, manager and team owner. He was a key person in the formation of the American League and later owned the Chicago White Sox...

, former major league star with the St. Louis Browns

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...

in the 1880s, who was then managing the Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....

. After the season, when Comiskey's contract with the Reds was up, he decided to take his chances at ownership. He bought the Sioux City team and transferred it to Saint Paul, Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...

, where it enjoyed some success over the next five seasons.

In , the Western League changed its name to the American League

American League

The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...

. It was still officially a minor league

Minor league baseball

Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...

, subject to the governing National Agreement and an underling of the National League

National League

The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

. The NL actually gave permission to the AL to put a team in Chicago

Chicago

Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...

, provided he not use the city name in the team's branding. Comiskey moved his St. Paul club to the Near South Side

Near South Side, Chicago

The Near South Side is a community area of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is located just south of the downtown central business district, the Loop, which is itself a community area...

and renamed it the White Stockings, grabbing a nickname that had once been used by the Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...

. The White Stockings won the 1900 American League pennant led by player-manager

Player-coach

A player-coach, in sports, is a member of a sports team who simultaneously holds both playing and coaching duties. The term can be used to refer to both players who serve as head coaches, or as assistant coaches....

Dick Padden

Richard Joseph "Dick" Padden , nicknamed "Brains", was an American professional baseball player, born in Wheeling, West Virginia, who played mainly as a second baseman in Major League Baseball for nine seasons from to ....

, the final WL/AL championship season as a minor league. After the season, the AL declined to renew its membership in the National Agreement and declared itself a major league.

1901–14: Early years

After acquiring a number of stars from the older league, including pitcher and manager Clark Griffith

Clark Griffith

Clark Calvin Griffith , nicknamed "the Old Fox", was a Major League Baseball pitcher, manager and team owner.-Biography:...

, the White Stockings also captured the AL's first major-league pennant the next year, in . Headline editors at the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...

sports department immediately began shortening the name to "White Sox," and the team officially adopted the shorter name in . The name change to the White Sox was brought on after scorekeeper Christoph Hynes wrote White Sox at the top of a scorecard rather than White Stockings, this scorecard was then seen by the press. The White Sox would continue to be built on pitching and defense in the following years, led by pitching workhorse Ed Walsh

Ed Walsh

Edward Augustine Walsh was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He holds the record for lowest career ERA, 1.82.-Baseball career:Born in Plains Township, Pennsylvania, Walsh had a brief though remarkable major league career...

, who routinely pitched over 400 innings each season in his prime..

1903–16: The Hitless Wonders

Walsh, Doc White

Doc White

Guy Harris "Doc" White was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for two teams, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago White Sox, during his career which lasted from 1901 to 1913....

and Nick Altrock

Nick Altrock

Nicholas Altrock was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Altrock was one of the better pitchers in baseball for a brief period from to with the Chicago White Sox...

paced the White Sox

1906 Chicago White Sox season

The 1906 season was the seventh season overall for the Chicago White Sox, and their sixth season in the major leagues. The Sox won their third American League pennant and their first World Series championship...

to their pennant and faced the crosstown rival Cubs

1906 Chicago Cubs season

The Chicago Cubs season was a season in American baseball. The team won the National League pennant with a record of 116-36, a full 20 games ahead of the second-place New York Giants. The team's 116 wins is still the most by any team in National League history...

in the 1906 World Series

1906 World Series

- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 9, 1906 at West Side Grounds in Chicago, IllinoisCubs hurler Mordecai Brown was sent to continue the dominance against Nick Altrock. Both pitchers pitched a perfect game through three innings. The Cubs had a runner at second, but couldn't score in the fourth...

. The Cubs had won a then-record 116 regular-season games and were an overwhelming favorite to defeat the White Sox, especially since the White Sox had the lowest team batting average in the American League that year. However, in a stunning upset, the White Sox took the Series, and intracity bragging rights, in six games. To this day, the 1906 White Sox are known as "the Hitless Wonders."

The White Sox spent the next decade alternating between solid and mediocre seasons. During this time, however, they acquired a solid core of players such as catcher Ray Schalk

Ray Schalk

Raymond William Schalk was a professional baseball player, coach, manager and scout. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox for the majority of his career. Known for his fine handling of pitchers and outstanding defensive ability, Schalk was considered the...

, shortstop / third baseman Buck Weaver

Buck Weaver

George Daniel "Buck" Weaver was an American shortstop and third baseman in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Chicago White Sox...

, and pitchers Eddie Cicotte

Eddie Cicotte

Edward Victor Cicotte , nicknamed "Knuckles", was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball best known for his time with the Chicago White Sox...

, Red Faber

Red Faber

Urban Clarence "Red" Faber was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from through , playing his entire career for the Chicago White Sox. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964....

and Reb Russell

Reb Russell

Ewell Albert "Reb" Russell was a Major League Baseball player for the Chicago White Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates....

.

In , Pants Rowland

Pants Rowland

Clarence Henry "Pants" Rowland was a Major League Baseball manager for the Chicago White Sox from 1915 through 1918 who went on to become a major figure in minor league baseball. He was born in Platteville, Wisconsin...

became the manager and the White Sox added outfielder Shoeless Joe Jackson

Shoeless Joe Jackson

Joseph Jefferson Jackson , nicknamed "Shoeless Joe", was an American baseball player who played Major League Baseball in the early part of the 20th century...

, second baseman Eddie Collins

Eddie Collins

Edward Trowbridge Collins, Sr. , nicknamed "Cocky", was an American Major League Baseball second baseman, manager and executive...

and outfielder Happy Felsch

Happy Felsch

Oscar Emil "Happy" Felsch was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago White Sox from 1915 to 1920. He is probably best known for his involvement in the 1919 Black Sox scandal....

to the line-up. The White Sox

1915 Chicago White Sox season

The Chicago White Sox season involved the White Sox finishing third in the American League.With the acquisitions of Eddie Collins and Joe Jackson , Chicago now had the two hitters they needed to win the 1917 and 1919 AL pennants.- Offseason :* December 8, 1914: Eddie Collins was purchased by the...

finished in 3rd place with a record of 93–61. In , the White Sox

1916 Chicago White Sox season

The 1916 Chicago White Sox finished second in the American League, just two games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox. By this time, the nucleus of the 1917-19 dynasty was in place. Chicago would win the World Series the following season.- Regular season :...

acquired pitcher Lefty Williams

Lefty Williams

Claude Preston "Lefty" Williams was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball. He is probably best known for his involvement in the 1919 World Series fix, known as the Black Sox scandal.-Career:...

and finished 2nd at 89–65.

The 1917 World Champions

In , the White Sox put the final pieces of the puzzle together with the addition of first baseman Chick Gandil

Chick Gandil

Charles Arnold "Chick" Gandil was a professional baseball player. He played for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, and Chicago White Sox of the American League. He is best known as the ringleader of the players involved in the 1919 Black Sox scandal...

and shortstop Swede Risberg

Swede Risberg

Charles August "Swede" Risberg was an Major League Baseball shortstop. He played for the Chicago White Sox from 1917 to 1920. He is best known for his involvement in the 1919 Black Sox scandal.-Background:...

. Weaver was moved over to third base.

The White Sox roared through the American League in 1917 with a record of 100-54—still a franchise record for wins and winning percentage—and won the pennant by 9 games over the Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...

. Their offense, led by Collins (.289, 91 runs), Felsch (.308, 102 RBI) and Jackson (.301, 91 runs), was 1st in runs scored. The White Sox pitching staff, led by Eddie Cicotte

Eddie Cicotte

Edward Victor Cicotte , nicknamed "Knuckles", was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball best known for his time with the Chicago White Sox...

(28–12 1.53 ERA), Williams (17–8 2.97 ERA), Red Faber

Red Faber

(16–13 1.92 ERA) and Reb Russell

Reb Russell

Ewell Albert "Reb" Russell was a Major League Baseball player for the Chicago White Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates....

(15–5 1.95 ERA), ranked 1st with a 2.16 ERA.

The White Sox faced the 98–56 New York Giants

1917 New York Giants season

The New York Giants season was a season in Major League Baseball. It involved the Giants winning the National League pennant for the first time in four years...

in the World Series

1917 World Series

In the 1917 World Series, the Chicago White Sox beat the New York Giants four games to two. The Series was played against the backdrop of World War I, which dominated the American newspapers that year and next....

. The White Sox won Game 1 of the Series in Chicago 2–1 behind a complete game by Cicotte. Felsch hit a home run in the 4th inning that provided the winning margin. The White Sox beat the Giants in Game 2 by a score of 7–2 behind another complete game effort by Faber to take a 2–0 lead in the series.

Back in New York for Game 3, Cicotte again threw a complete game, but the White Sox could not muster a single run against Giants starter Rube Benton

Rube Benton

John Cleave "Rube" Benton was a pitcher, born in Clinton, North Carolina, for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants ....

and lost 2–0. In Game 4 the White Sox were shut out again 5–0 by Ferdie Schupp

Ferdie Schupp

Ferdinand Maurice Schupp born in Louisville, Kentucky was a Pitcher for the New York Giants , St...

. Faber threw another complete game, but the Series was going back to Chicago even at 2–2.

Reb Russell started Game 5 in Chicago, but only faced 3 batters before giving way to Cicotte. Going into the bottom of the 7th inning, Chicago was down 5–2, but they rallied to score 3 in the 7th and 3 in the 8th to win 8–5. Red Faber pitched the final 2 innings for the win. In Game 6 the White Sox took an early 3–0 lead and on the strength of another complete game victory from Faber (his third of the Series) won 4–2 and clinched the World Championship. Eddie Collins was the hitting hero, batting .409 over the 6 game series while Cicotte and Faber combined to pitch 50 out of a total 52 World Series innings to lead the staff.

1918–20: "The Eight Men Out"

After an off-year in the war-shortened season of , the club bounced back to win the pennant in 1919 and entered the World Series

1919 World Series

The 1919 World Series matched the American League champion Chicago White Sox against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds. Although most World Series have been of the best-of-seven format, the 1919 World Series was a best-of-nine series...

heavily favored to defeat the Cincinnati Reds

1919 Cincinnati Reds season

The Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. The Reds won the National League pennant, then went on to win the 1919 World Series...

in a best-of-9.

However, just before the Series, it became known that some big money was being bet on the Reds, fueling talk that the Series was fixed

Match fixing

In organised sports, match fixing, game fixing, race fixing, or sports fixing occurs as a match is played to a completely or partially pre-determined result, violating the rules of the game and often the law. Where the sporting competition in question is a race then the incident is referred to as...

. The White Sox lost to the Reds in eight games.

Rumors of a fix continued unabated through the campaign, even as the White Sox roared through the season and appeared on their way to a third pennant in four years. The team's pitching was particularly strong that year; the 1920 White Sox

1920 Chicago White Sox season

The 1920 Chicago White Sox season was a season in American baseball. The team was in contention to defend their American League pennant going into the final week of the season. However, news of the Black Sox Scandal became public, and with seven of their players suspended, the team finished two...

pitching staff was the first in the majors to feature four 20-game winners. In September 1920, an investigation into a fixed Cubs game eventually turned in the direction of the 1919 Series. During the investigation, Cicotte and Jackson confessed. Comiskey, who himself had turned a blind eye to the rumors previously, was compelled to suspend the remaining seven players (Gandil, eventually perceived as the ringleader, the one "connected" to the gamblers, had retired after the 1919 season) before their last season series against the St. Louis Browns

1919 St. Louis Browns season

The 1919 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 5th in the American League with a record of 67 wins and 72 losses.- Roster :- Starters by position :...

. The suspensions ground the team to a halt; they lost two out of three games to the Browns and finished second, two games behind the Cleveland Indians

Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...

. However, the evidence of their involvement (signed confessions) disappeared from the Cook County

Cook County, Illinois

Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...

courthouse, and lacking that tangible evidence, a criminal trial (whose scope was limited to the question of defrauding the public) ended in acquittals of all the players. Regardless, with the public's trust of the game of baseball at stake, newly installed Commissioner of Baseball

Commissioner of Baseball

The Commissioner of Baseball is the chief executive of Major League Baseball and its associated minor leagues. Under the direction of the Commissioner, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball hires and maintains the sport's umpiring crews, and negotiates marketing, labor, and television contracts...

Kenesaw Mountain Landis

Kenesaw Mountain Landis was an American jurist who served as a federal judge from 1905 to 1922 and as the first Commissioner of Baseball from 1920 until his death...

banned all the accused from baseball for life.

1922–50: The lean years

From 1901 to 1920, the White Sox won five out of a possible 19 pennants. However, they were severely crippled by the loss of seven of their best players in their prime. With a depleted roster, the White Sox dropped into seventh place in and would not contend again until . During that stretch, only the and teams even managed to top .500. During this period, the White Sox featured stars such as third baseman Willie Kamm

Willie Kamm

William Edward Kamm was an American professional baseball player. He played as a third baseman in Major League Baseball from to . Kamm played most of his career for the Chicago White Sox before finishing his playing days with the Cleveland Indians...

, shortstop Luke Appling

Luke Appling

Lucius Benjamin Appling was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Chicago White Sox . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964....

, outfielder Leo Najo

Leo Najo

Leo Najo was one of the first Mexican-born players to play professional baseball in the United States, debuting in 1924 with the San Antonio Bears of the Class A Texas League. After early success in the minor leagues, he was drafted by the major league Chicago White Sox in 1925...

and pitcher Ted Lyons. However, an outstanding team was never developed around them, or a deep pitching staff. Ironically, the White Sox almost landed Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth

George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...

; they offered to trade Jackson to the Red Sox for Ruth after owner Harry Frazee

Harry Frazee

Harry Herbert Frazee was an American theatrical agent, producer and director, and former owner of the Major League Baseball Boston Red Sox from 1916 to 1923.- Life as owner of the Red Sox :...

put his troublemaking star on the market. The White Sox offered Jackson and $60,000; however, the New York Yankees

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...

offered an all-cash deal of $100,000. Between the dumping of star players by the Philadelphia Athletics

Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....

and the Red Sox, and the decimation of the White Sox, a "power vacuum" was created in the American League, into which the Yankees would soon move.

The White Sox finally became competitive again under popular manager Jimmy Dykes

Jimmy Dykes

James Joseph Dykes was an American third and second baseman, manager and coach in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Athletics and Chicago White Sox from 1918 to 1939...

, who led them from 1934 to 1946 – still the longest managerial tenure in team history. However, the White Sox did not completely recover from their malaise until the team was rebuilt in the 1950s under managers Paul Richards

Paul Richards (baseball)

Paul Rapier Richards was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and executive in Major League Baseball. During his playing career, he was a catcher and right-handed batter with the Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...

, Marty Marion

Marty Marion

Martin Whiteford Marion was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball from to . Marion played with the St. Louis Cardinals for the majority of his career before ending with the St. Louis Browns as a player-manager...

, and Al Lopez

Al Lopez

Alfonso Ramon "Al" Lopez was an American catcher and manager in Major League Baseball, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977....

1950–67: "Go-Go Sox" and the Bridesmaid Years

Following Charles Comiskey's death in 1931, the team continued to be operated by his family – first by his son Louis, then by Louis' widow Grace, and finally by their daughter Dorothy Rigney. Not until did the team pass out of the family (thanks in part to a feud between Dorothy and her brother Chuck) to a new ownership group, led by Bill Veeck

Bill Veeck

William Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...

, who had previously run both the Cleveland Indians

Cleveland Indians

and the St. Louis Browns

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...

; it has been rumored that Veeck also tried to buy the Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...

during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, with the stated intention of stocking the team with players from the Negro Leagues

Negro league baseball

The Negro leagues were United States professional baseball leagues comprising teams predominantly made up of African Americans. The term may be used broadly to include professional black teams outside the leagues and it may be used narrowly for the seven relatively successful leagues beginning in...

, but was rejected.

During the 1950s, the team had begun to restore its respectability with manager

Manager (baseball)

In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...

Paul Richards

Paul Richards (baseball)

utilizing an offensive philosophy emphasizing speed and a spectacular style of defense. Perennial All-Star Minnie Miñoso, a former Negro Leaguer who became the White Sox' first black player in , personified both aspects, leading the league in stolen base

Stolen base

In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...

s while hitting over .300 and providing terrific play in left field. The additions of rookie shortstop Luis Aparicio

Luis Aparicio

Luis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel is a former shortstop in professional baseball. His career in Major League Baseball spanned three decades, from through . Aparicio played for the Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...

in 1956 and manager Al Lopez

Al Lopez

Alfonso Ramon "Al" Lopez was an American catcher and manager in Major League Baseball, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977....

in 1957 continued the strengthening of the team, joining longtime team standouts such as Nellie Fox

Nellie Fox

Jacob Nelson Fox was a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Chicago White Sox. Fox was born in St. Thomas Township, Pennsylvania. He was selected as the MVP of the American League in...

at second base, pitchers Billy Pierce

Billy Pierce

Walter William Pierce is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Chicago White Sox. He was the team's star pitcher between 1952 and 1961, and was named the American League's top pitcher in 1956 and 1957 after being runner-up in both 1953...

and Virgil Trucks

Virgil Trucks

Virgil Oliver Trucks is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1941 through 1958, Trucks played for the Detroit Tigers , St. Louis Browns , Chicago White Sox , Kansas City Athletics and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed...

, and catcher Sherm Lollar

Sherm Lollar

John Sherman Lollar was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , St. Louis Browns , and the Chicago White Sox...

. The White Sox would lead the American League in stolen bases every year from to .

In 1959

1959 World Series

The 1959 World Series featured the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers beating the American League champion Chicago White Sox, four games to two. It was the first pennant for the White Sox in 40 years . They would have to wait until 2005 to win another championship...

, the team won its first pennant in 40 years, thanks to the efforts of several eventual Hall of Famers – Lopez, Aparicio, Fox (the league MVP), and pitcher Early Wynn

Early Wynn

Early Wynn Jr. , nicknamed "Gus", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 25-year baseball career, he pitched for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox...

, who won the Cy Young Award

Cy Young Award

The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...

at a time when only one award was presented for both leagues. The White Sox would also acquire slugger Ted Kluszewski

Ted Kluszewski

Theodore Bernard "Big Klu" Kluszewski was a Major League first baseman from 1947 through 1961. He batted and threw left-handed.-Career:...

, a local area native, from the Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...

for the final pennant push. Kluszewski gave the team a much-needed slugger for the stretch run, and he hit nearly .300 for the White Sox in the final month. Lopez had also managed the Cleveland Indians to the World Series in 1954

1954 World Series

The 1954 World Series matched the National League champion New York Giants against the American League champion Cleveland Indians. The Giants swept the Series in four games to win their first championship since , defeating the heavily favored Indians, who had won an AL-record 111 games in the...

, making him the only manager to interrupt the New York Yankees pennant run between 1949 and 1964 inclusive.

After the pennant-clinching victory, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley

Richard J. Daley

Richard Joseph Daley served for 21 years as the mayor and undisputed Democratic boss of Chicago and is considered by historians to be the "last of the big city bosses." He played a major role in the history of the Democratic Party, especially with his support of John F...

, a life-long White Sox fan, ordered his fire chief to set off the city's air raid sirens

Civil defense siren

A civil defense siren is a mechanical or electronic device for generating sound to...

. Many Chicagoans became fearful and confused since 1959 was the height of the Cold War

Cold War

The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...

; however, they relaxed somewhat upon realizing it was part of the White Sox' celebration. The White Sox

1959 Chicago White Sox season

The Chicago White Sox season was the team's 59th season in the major leagues, and its 60th season overall. They finished with a record 94-60, good enough to win the American League championship, five games ahead of the second place Cleveland Indians...

won Game 1 of the World Series 11–0 on the strength of Kluszewski's two home runs, their last postseason home win until 2005

2005 American League Division Series

-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. New York Yankees:†: Game was postponed due to rain on October 8-Game 1, October 4:U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois...

. The Los Angeles Dodgers

1959 Los Angeles Dodgers season

The Los Angeles Dodgers finished in a first-place tie with the Milwaukee Braves, then won the pennant as they swept the Braves in a best-of-three playoff series. They went on to defeat the Chicago White Sox in the 1959 World Series in just their second season since leaving Brooklyn.- Offseason :*...

, however, won three of the next four games and captured their first World Series championship since moving to the west coast in 1958. 92,706 fans witnessed Game 5 of the World Series at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team...

, the most ever to attend a World Series game, or for that matter any non-exhibition major league baseball game. The White Sox won that game 1–0 over the Dodgers' 23-year-old pitcher Sandy Koufax

Sandy Koufax

Sanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...

, but the Dodgers clinched the series by beating the White Sox 9–3 two days later at Comiskey Park.

Due to Veeck's arrival in 1959, Comiskey Park

Comiskey Park

Comiskey Park was the ballpark in which the Chicago White Sox played from 1910 to 1990. It was built by Charles Comiskey after a design by Zachary Taylor Davis, and was the site of four World Series and more than 6,000 major league games...

instantly became a ballpark filled with a series of promotional stunts which helped draw record crowds, the most obvious being the exploding fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...

Veeck installed in the scoreboard to celebrate home runs and victories. And in 1960, they became the first team in the history of sports to wear last names on the back of their jerseys, a Veeck innovation. Unlike Charles Comiskey, Veeck was considered a player-friendly owner, and players enjoyed playing for him.

Although the White Sox had winning records every season from 1951 through 1967, the Yankees dynasty of the era often left the White Sox frustrated in second place; they were league runner-up 5 times between 1957 and 1965. Health problems forced Veeck to sell the team to brothers Arthur and John Allyn in , and while the team continued to play well, many of the ballpark thrills seemed to be missing. The White Sox had several outstanding pitching staffs in the 1960s, with pitchers who had the best ERA in four different seasons -- Frank Baumann

Frank Baumann (baseball)

Frank Matt Baumann is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs . He batted and threw left-handed....

, 2.67 , Gary Peters, 2.33 , and again with 1.98 and finally Joe Horlen

Joe Horlen

Joel Edward Horlen is a right-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher. Horlen pitched for the Chicago White Sox from to , and the Oakland Athletics in ....

, 2.06 .

The season was especially frustrating, as the team won 98 games, four more than 1959, including their last nine in a row – yet finished one game behind the pennant-winning Yankees

1964 New York Yankees season

The New York Yankees season was the 62nd season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 99-63, winning their 29th pennant, finishing 1 game ahead of the Chicago White Sox. New York was managed by Yogi Berra. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. In the World Series, they were defeated...

, who had a late-season eleven-game win streak that opened up just enough room to stave off the White Sox's

1964 Chicago White Sox season

The 1964 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 64th season in the major leagues, and its 65th season overall. They finished with a record 98-64, good enough for second place in the American League, just one game behind the first-place New York Yankees....

final charge. The White Sox

1967 Chicago White Sox season

The 1967 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 67th season in the major leagues, and its 68th season overall. They finished with a record 89-73, good enough for fourth place in the American League, 3 games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox.- Offseason :...

were also involved in one of the closest pennant races in history in 1967. After leading the American League for most of the season, on the final weekend, the White Sox, Red Sox

1967 Boston Red Sox season

The Boston Red Sox season, often referred to as The Impossible Dream, consisted of the Red Sox shocking New England and the rest of the baseball world by winning the American League Championship and reaching the World Series for the first time since 1946...

, Minnesota Twins

1967 Minnesota Twins season

The Minnesota Twins finished 91-73, tied for second in the American League with the Detroit Tigers. The Twins had a one-game lead with two games remaining, but lost both games to the Boston Red Sox in the season's final days...

and Detroit Tigers

1967 Detroit Tigers season

The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished tied for second in the American League with the Minnesota Twins with 91 wins and 71 losses, one game behind the AL pennant-winning Boston Red Sox.- Notable transactions :...

all had a shot at the pennant. However, the Red Sox would assert themselves in the final weekend, beating the Twins to take the pennant by a single game. The White Sox finished in 4th at 89–73, three games behind.

1968–75: Going somewhere?

In , Bud Selig

Bud Selig

Allan Huber "Bud" Selig is the ninth and current Commissioner of Major League Baseball, having served in that capacity since 1992 as the acting commissioner, and as the official commissioner since 1998...

, a former minority owner of the Milwaukee Braves

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

who had been unable to stop the relocation of his team three years earlier, contracted with the Allyn brothers to host nine home games (one against each of the other American League clubs) at Milwaukee County Stadium

Milwaukee County Stadium

Milwaukee County Stadium was a ballpark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1953 to 2000. It was primarily used as a baseball stadium for the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, but was also used for football games, ice skating, religious services, concerts and other large events...

as part of an attempt to attract an expansion franchise to Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...

.

The experiment was staggeringly successful - those nine games drew 264,297 fans. In Chicago that season, the White Sox

1968 Chicago White Sox season

The 1968 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 68th season in the major leagues, and its 69th season overall. They finished with a record 67-95, good enough for eighth place in the American League, 36 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers....

drew 539,478 fans to their remaining 58 home dates (72 games, 14 doubleheaders). In just a handful of games, the Milwaukee crowds accounted for nearly one-third of the total attendance at White Sox games.

In , the league expanded from 10 teams to 12, and the White Sox

1969 Chicago White Sox season

The 1969 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 69th season in the major leagues, and its 70th season overall. They finished with a record 68-94, good enough for fifth place in the newly-established American League West, 29 games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins.The White Sox nearly left...

schedule in Milwaukee was likewise expanded to include 11 home games (again, one against every opponent). Although those games were attended by slightly fewer fans (198,211 fans, for an average of 18,019) they represented a greater percentage of the total White Sox attendance than the previous year - over one-third of the fans who went to White Sox games did so at Milwaukee County Stadium. In the remaining 59 home dates in Chicago (70 games, 11 doubleheaders), the White Sox drew 391,335 for an average of 6,632 per date.

Selig was denied an expansion franchise at the 1968 owners' meetings, and turned his efforts toward purchasing and relocating an existing club. His search began close to home with the White Sox themselves. According to Selig, he had a handshake agreement with Arthur Allyn in early 1969 to purchase a majority stake in the White Sox and move them north to Milwaukee. The American League, however, blocked the sale, unwilling to give up its presence in a major city. Allyn instead sold his shares to his brother John, who agreed to stay in Chicago. Selig would go on to buy the Seattle Pilots

Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...

and move them to Milwaukee instead.

The White Sox

1972 Chicago White Sox season

The 1972 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 73rd season overall, and 72nd in the American League. They finished with a record 87-67, good enough for second place in the American League West, 5½ games behind the first-place Oakland Athletics....

had a brief resurgence in , with slugger Dick Allen

Dick Allen

Richard Anthony Allen is a former Major League Baseball player and R&B singer. He played first and third base and outfield in Major League Baseball and ranked among his sport's top offensive producers of the 1960s and early 1970s...

winning the MVP award; but injuries, especially to popular third baseman Bill Melton

Bill Melton

William Edwin Melton , nicknamed "Beltin' Bill" or "Beltin' Melton", is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Chicago White Sox, California Angels and Cleveland Indians...

, took their toll and the team finished 5½ games behind Oakland

1972 Oakland Athletics season

The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's winning the American League West with a record of 93 wins and 62 losses. In the playoffs, they defeated the Detroit Tigers in a five-game ALCS, followed by a seven-game World Series, in which they defeated the Cincinnati Reds for their first World...

, the eventual world champion.

Several lawsuits against Major League Baseball from Seattle over the move of the Pilots to Milwaukee almost resulted in the White Sox being moved to the Emerald City in . An elaborate scheme for a franchise shuffle soon came to light. The White Sox were to be moved to Seattle, then the Oakland Athletics

Oakland Athletics

were to take the White Sox's place in Comiskey Park. Oakland owner Charlie Finley was from nearby La Porte, Indiana. His A's had not drawn well during their Championship years in Oakland, California

Oakland, California

Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...

, and he wanted to bring them to Chicago. However, the shuffle collapsed when owner John Allyn

John Allyn

John Allyn was the co-owner of the Chicago White Sox of the American League with his brother Arthur Allyn, Jr. from through , and sole principal owner from through . In 1975, Allyn sold the club back to the person he and his brother had purchased it from in 1961, Bill Veeck.-References:*...

sold the team to the physically rehabilitated Bill Veeck. In , the Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...

were created, thus restoring the major leagues' presence in the Pacific Northwest

Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...

1976–81: The Return of Veeck and the South Side Hitmen

On December 10, , Bill Veeck

Bill Veeck

regained ownership of the team, and he vowed to make the White Sox an exciting team again. Besides his customary promotions, Veeck introduced retro uniforms and shorts. The shorts were only worn three times. The first time was during the initial game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals

Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...

at Comiskey Park on August 8, 1976, followed by appearances on August 21 and August 22. The team was one of the worst White Sox teams ever, winning only 64 games (.398), drawing fewer than 915,000 fans.

Veeck's strategy to make the team competitive quickly, dubbed "rent-a-player" by sports writers, involved acquiring star players entering the final year of their contracts. The theory was that the players would strive to put up huge numbers in hopes of getting a big contract at the end of the season, and carry the club with them. The first of these acquisitions was made prior to the 1977 season and the last prior to the 1978 season. While this approach had the virtue of not having been tried, it was unsustainable. The Sox had to give up several young prospects in exchange for veteran players who invariably signed with other clubs after their single season in Chicago. For instance, in acquiring Richie Zisk from the Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...

, the Sox gave up pitchers Rich "Goose" Gossage and Terry Forster

Terry Forster

Terry Jay Forster is a retired left-handed relief pitcher who played for 16 seasons in the Major Leagues. He played for five teams in his career and recorded 127 saves during his time in the majors....

, both of whom went on to have lengthy and productive professional careers. Gossage was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008. There was also a singular focus on power hitters in these acquisitions while pitching and defense were ignored. The Sox scored a lot of runs, but they also lost many high-scoring games during this period. Rent-a-player did enjoy a degree of success, however. In 1977 it quickly infused an excitement that had been missing for years. For that one season it transformed the Sox from a boring, losing club into a pennant contender.

The 1977 season

1977 Major League Baseball season

The American League had its third expansion as the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays began play. However, the National League did not expand, thus they remained at twelve teams, to the AL's 14, until the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins joined in 1993....

was a memorable one for the South Siders, led by off-season acquisitions Oscar Gamble

Oscar Gamble

Oscar Charles Gamble is a former outfielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball. He played for 17 seasons, from 1969 to 1985, on seven different teams: the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees on two separate occasions, as well as the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland...

(.297 AVG, 31 HR, 83 RBI), Richie Zisk

Richie Zisk

Richard Walter Zisk is a retired Major League Baseball player currently in charge of pro scouting in Florida for the Chicago Cubs.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...

(.290 AVG, 30 HR, 101 RBI) and American League Comeback Player of the Year Eric Soderholm

Eric Soderholm

Eric Thane Soderholm is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who played for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, and New York Yankees from 1971 to 1980...

(.280 AVG, 25 HR, 67 RBI). The team, known by the press and fans as the "South Side Hitmen" hit a since-broken team record 192 home runs and were in first place in the American League

American League

West as late as August enroute to a third place finish (90-72). They also drew a team-record 1,657,135 fans to Comiskey (since broken as well). Manager Bob Lemon

Bob Lemon

Robert Granville Lemon was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976....

was named AL Manager of the Year by UPI

United Press International

United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...

for his efforts.

After the season Gamble and Zisk signed with other teams - Gamble with the San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...

and Zisk with the Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers (baseball)

The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...

. Veeck's attempt to replace them with Bobby Bonds

Bobby Bonds

Bobby Lee Bonds was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball from to , primarily with the San Francisco Giants...

and Ron Blomberg

Ron Blomberg

Ronald Mark Blomberg , nicknamed Boomer, is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter, first baseman, and right fielder...

fizzled as the team lost 90 games. Bonds appeared in only 26 games for the Sox before being dealt to the Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers (baseball)

, and Blomberg's major league career ended with the season's final game. Blomberg, who batted .293 over his career, hit only .231 with five home runs and 22 RBI in 61 games for the Sox in 1978 (he played only one game in 1977 for the New York Yankees

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...

). Two tough years followed: 87 losses in (including the infamous July 12 forfeit on Disco Demolition Night

Disco Demolition Night

Disco Demolition Night was a promotional event that took place on Thursday, July 12, 1979, at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois, during which a crate filled with disco records was blown up on the field. It was held during the twi-night doubleheader baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and...

; see Steve Dahl

Steve Dahl

Steven Robert Dahl has been an American radio personality and humorist for more than thirty years. He is currently podcasting, and releases the podcasts for download daily from his own website as well as the iTunes store...

) and 90 losses in .

During this period the Sox acquired several players who were once stars but were past their primes. One was Don Kessinger

Don Kessinger

Donald Eulon Kessinger is a former American professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop from to for the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago White Sox...

, a shortstop who had his best years with the crosstown Cubs

Chicago Cubs

. Kessinger served as a player-manager

Player-coach

in 1979. Another was outfielder Ralph Garr

Ralph Garr

Ralph Allen Garr is a former Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox and California Angels. He batted left-handed and threw right...

, who had his best seasons with the Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves

. A once-notable pitcher was John "Blue Moon" Odom

Blue Moon Odom

Johnny Lee Odom was a Major League Baseball pitcher who won three consecutive World Series championships with the Oakland Athletics in , and .-Early years:...

, a former Oakland Athletics

Oakland Athletics

star. On July 28, 1976 Odom combined with Francisco Barrios

Francisco Barrios

Francisco Javier Barrios was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago White Sox . Barrios batted and threw right-handed...

on a no-hitter against Oakland, which proved to be Odom's last major league victory. The Sox also brought in Clay Carroll

Clay Carroll

Clay Palmer Carroll is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball with a 15-year career from 1964 to 1978. He pitched for the Milwaukee Braves & Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, St...

, a right-handed relief pitcher who was a key member of the Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds

championship teams in the mid-1970s.

Since the Sox didn't have the revenue of the wealthier clubs, Veeck looked for any edge he could find. The club held open tryouts during spring training in 1978. They looked at pretty much anyone who showed up. Each player's name was sewn on his uniform, ostensibly to prove that the tryouts were legitimate and not just a stunt. This approach was the subject of an article in Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...

. The spring training tryout became a White Sox tradition that continues to this day.

Veeck began building a farm system that produced several noteworthy players including Harold Baines

Harold Baines

Harold Douglas Baines is a former right fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played for five American League teams from 1980 to 2001. He is best known for his three stints with the Chicago White Sox, the team on which he now serves as coach...

and Britt Burns

Britt Burns

Robert Britt Burns is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1978 until 1985, pitching for the Chicago White Sox compiling a career mark of 70 wins and 60 losses with a 3.66 ERA....

. But Veeck could not compete in the free agent market or afford what he called "the high price of mediocrity." By 1980, the White Sox were looking for new ownership. Veeck favored Ohio

Ohio

Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...

real estate tycoon Edward J. DeBartolo Sr.

Edward J. DeBartolo Sr.

Edward John DeBartolo, Sr. was an American businessman who is widely regarded as the father of the American shopping mall...

, who tried to buy several teams and move them to New Orleans. DeBartolo pleaded to be allowed to buy the White Sox and he promised to keep the team in Chicago. Baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn

Bowie Kuhn

Bowie Kent Kuhn was an American lawyer and sports administrator who served as the fifth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from February 4, , to September 30,...

blocked the deal, because he thought DeBartolo would be bad for baseball.

Instead, Veeck sold the team to an ownership group headed by Jerry Reinsdorf

Jerry Reinsdorf

Jerry M. Reinsdorf is a CPA, lawyer and an owner of the MLB's Chicago White Sox and the NBA's Chicago Bulls. He started his professional life as a tax attorney with the Internal Revenue Service. He has been the head of the White Sox and Bulls for over 20 years.He made his initial fortune in real...

and Eddie Einhorn

Eddie Einhorn

Eddie Einhorn is minority owner and Vice Chairman of the Chicago White Sox.Einhorn produced the nationally syndicated radio broadcast of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship in 1958...

. The new owners moved quickly to show that they were committed to winning by signing All-Star catcher Carlton Fisk

Carlton Fisk

Carlton Ernest Fisk , nicknamed "Pudge" or "The Commander", is a former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 24-year baseball career, he played for both the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox .Fisk was known by the nickname "Pudge" due to his 6'2", 220 lb frame...

from the Red Sox as well as power-hitting outfielder Greg Luzinski from the defending champion Phillies during the 1980–81 offseason. They also retained the club's young, relatively unknown manager Tony La Russa

Tony La Russa

Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...

.

Perhaps to placate the fans, the owners launched a uniform design contest. The fans were given the opportunity to vote on the finalists. The winning design featured red, white, and blue with large bars.

1983

In , the White Sox enjoyed their best success in a generation. After a mediocre first half, the White Sox decided that they needed speed at the top of the lineup. The Sox traded second baseman Tony Bernazard

Tony Bernazard

Antonio Bernazard Garcia is a former Major League Baseball player and former executive in the New York Mets organization...

to the Mariners for Julio Cruz. With Cruz's speed, they went 60–25 to close out the season, clinching the AL West title, which earned Manager Tony La Russa

Tony La Russa

Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...

his first Manager of the Year award.

Doug Rader

Doug Rader

Douglas Lee Rader , nicknamed "The Red Rooster", is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who was known primarily for his defensive ability, winning five straight Gold Glove Awards from 1970 to 1974....

, then manager of the Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers (baseball)

, derisively accused the team of "winning ugly" for their style of play, which reflected a tendency to win games through scrappy play rather than strong hitting or pitching. Rader also thought that if the White Sox played in the Eastern Division, they would finish 5th behind powerhouses such as Baltimore, New York, and Milwaukee. Chicago media and White Sox fans picked up on the phrase, and turned "Winning Ugly" into the team slogan. While they had a great run in the regular season, they were not able to carry that over into the postseason as they lost to a powerful Baltimore Orioles

1983 Baltimore Orioles season

The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 1st in the American League East with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses...

team 3 games to 1 in the AL Championship Series

1983 American League Championship Series

-Game 1:Wednesday, October 5, 1983 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MarylandPlaying in their first postseason game since the 1959 World Series, the White Sox jumped out to a 1–0 series lead behind a complete-game victory by Hoyt, the American League Cy Young Award winner...

. LaMarr Hoyt

LaMarr Hoyt

Dewey LaMarr Hoyt is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who won the American League Cy Young Award.-Chicago White Sox:...

led the White Sox to a 2–1 victory in Game 1, but the Orioles clinched the series with a 3-0 ten-inning victory in Game 4. White Sox pitcher Burns pitched a "gutsy" game, throwing 9⅓ shutout innings before a home run by Tito Landrum

Tito Landrum

Terry Lee Landrum , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder from 1980-1988....

broke up the game and the hearts of the South Side faithful.

1985–89

The club slid back into mediocrity for the rest of the 1980s, contending only in . Before the 1985 season began, the White Sox traded pitcher LaMarr Hoyt

LaMarr Hoyt

Dewey LaMarr Hoyt is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who won the American League Cy Young Award.-Chicago White Sox:...

to the San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres

in exchange for flashy shortstop Ozzie Guillén

Ozzie Guillén

Oswaldo José "Ozzie" Guillén Barrios is a Venezuelan-American former Major League Baseball player and current manager of the Miami Marlins. He managed the Chicago White Sox from 2004 to 2011 before asking for his release at the end of the 2011 season....

. Guillen would win the AL Rookie Of The Year award. In 1986, broadcaster-turned-general manager Ken "Hawk" Harrelson

Ken Harrelson

Kenneth Smith Harrelson , nicknamed "The Hawk" due to his distinctive profile, is a former All-Star first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball...

fired La Russa after a poor start. The club wouldn't contend again until 1990, the final year in Old Comiskey Park

Comiskey Park

1990

That season, most of their young talent blossomed. Closer Bobby Thigpen

Bobby Thigpen

Robert Thomas "Bobby" Thigpen is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He is noted for setting the major league record of 57 saves during the season, which has since been broken by Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitcher Francisco Rodríguez...

established a then record of 57 saves. In addition to that, first baseman Frank Thomas

Frank Thomas (AL baseball player)

Frank Edward Thomas, Jr. , nicknamed "The Big Hurt", is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter and first baseman....

, pitchers Alex Fernandez

Alex Fernandez (baseball)

Alexander Fernandez is a Cuban American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 11-year baseball career, he pitched for the Chicago White Sox and Florida Marlins...

and Jack McDowell

Jack McDowell

Jack Burns McDowell is a former Major League Baseball player. A right-handed pitcher, McDowell won the American League Cy Young Award in 1993. He was nicknamed "Black Jack."...

, and third baseman Robin Ventura

Robin Ventura

Robin Mark Ventura is the current manager of the Chicago White Sox. He is a former professional baseball player, a third baseman who played for four major league teams, most notably for the Chicago White Sox...

would make their presences felt on the South Side. The White Sox of won 94 games, but finished 9 games behind the powerful Oakland Athletics

1990 Oakland Athletics season

The Oakland Athletics' 1990 season saw the A's win their third consecutive American League West title, with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, nine games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. It was the third consecutive year in which Oakland finished with the best record in all of MLB...

.

On July 11, as part of the celebration of Comiskey Park, the White Sox played a Turn Back the Clock game against the Milwaukee Brewers

1990 Milwaukee Brewers season

The Milwaukee Brewers' 1990 season involved the Brewers' finishing 6th in the American League East with a record of 74 wins and 88 losses.-Offseason:* October 16, 1989: Joey Meyer was released by the Brewers....

; the Brewers won 12–9 in 13 innings after posting a 6-run rally in the 8th inning to tie the game. The White Sox wore their 1917 home uniforms. This was the first Turn Back the Clock game in the major leagues and started what has become a popular promotion. New Comiskey Park opened in 1991, and was completed at a cost of $167 million.

1993

The team reached the ALCS

1993 American League Championship Series

-Game 1:Tuesday, October 5, 1993 at Comiskey Park in Chicago, IllinoisThe ALCS opened at Comiskey Park with a battle of aces, as Toronto threw Juan Guzmán against Chicago's Jack McDowell, the eventual 1993 American League Cy Young Award winner...

in . The White Sox were led by Thomas, Ventura, multi-sport star Bo Jackson

Bo Jackson

Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson is a former American baseball and football player. He was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major American sports, and also won the Heisman Trophy in 1985....

, Cy Young Award winner McDowell and All-Star closer Roberto Hernández and won the last AL West before realignment with a 94–68 record. However, the White Sox were a big disappointment in the ALCS

1993 American League Championship Series

, losing to the defending World Champion Toronto Blue Jays

1993 Toronto Blue Jays season

The Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing first in the American League East with a record of 95 wins and 67 losses. They were shut out only once in 162 regular-season games. The Blue Jays would repeat as World Champions and become the first back-to-back champions since the New...

in six games. The Jays would go on to win the World Series

1993 World Series

-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...

again in 1993.

1994

The White Sox led the new American League Central

American League Central

The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...

at the time of the 1994 players' strike.

2000: The Kids Can Play

Under Manager Jerry Manuel

Jerry Manuel

Jerry Manuel , nicknamed "The Sage" is a former major league manager. He previously managed the Chicago White Sox from 1998 to 2003 and the New York Mets from the middle of 2008 to 2010 and played in the majors for parts of five seasons in the 1970s and early 1980s.-Playing career:Manuel played...

, the White Sox fielded a talented but chronically under-achieving team. In , however, the White Sox had one of their best teams since the 1983 club. This team, whose slogan was "The Kids Can Play," won 95 games en route to an AL Central division title. The team scored runs at a blistering pace, which enabled them to overcome the effects of a mediocre pitching staff, led by Mike Sirotka

Mike Sirotka

Michael Robert Sirotka is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He is an alumnus of Louisiana State University....

and James Baldwin. Frank Thomas nearly won his third MVP award with his offensive output; he was helped by good offensive years from Magglio Ordóñez

Magglio Ordóñez

Magglio José Ordóñez Delgado is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right fielder. He has played for the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers . Ordóñez is six feet, one inch tall and weighs .-Professional career:...

, Paul Konerko

Paul Konerko

Paul Henry Konerko is an American professional baseball first baseman who has played for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball since 1999. He previously played with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds . Konerko helped the Chicago White Sox win the 2005 World Series, the...

, Carlos Lee

Carlos Lee

Carlos Noriel Lee is a first basemen in Major League Baseball who plays for the Houston Astros. He bats and throws right-handed....

and José Valentín

José Valentín

José Antonio Valentín is a former Major League Baseball infielder, who played with the Milwaukee Brewers , Chicago White Sox , Los Angeles Dodgers , and New York Mets .-Early years:...

.

As in 1983 and 1993, the 2000 team could not carry its success over into the postseason, getting swept by the wild-card Seattle Mariners

2000 Seattle Mariners season

The Seattle Mariners' 2000 season was the franchise's 24th, and ended with the Mariners losing the American League Championship Series to the New York Yankees in 6 games....

in the Division Series

2000 American League Division Series

-Oakland Athletics vs. New York Yankees:-Chicago vs. Seattle:The Seattle Mariners returned to the postseason to avenge two postseason failures in the 1990s. The Chicago White Sox returned to the postseason for the first time since 1993...

. Despite new club records for hits (1,615), runs scored (978), RBI (926), home runs (216), and doubles (325), the White Sox hit only .185 in the ALDS and failed to score a run after the third inning in any of the three games.

2003

In 2003

2003 Major League Baseball season

*World Series MVP: Josh Beckett**American League Championship Series MVP: Mariano Rivera**National League Championship Series MVP: Iván Rodríguez*All-Star Game, July 15 at U.S...

, Comiskey Park was re-named after cell phone company U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular

United States Cellular Corporation, d.b.a. U.S. Cellular , owns and operates the sixth largest wireless telecommunications network in the United States, behind Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile USA, and Metro PCS. , they serve about 6.1 million customers in 126 markets in...

bought the naming rights at $68 million over 20 years, a very unpopular move among fans. In 2003 The All Star game was held for the first time at their new park.

2005: "Win Or Die Trying"

The changes made an immediate impact on the team. In , the White Sox posted the best record in the major leagues for much of the year, before a late season slump saw the St. Louis Cardinals

2005 St. Louis Cardinals season

The St. Louis Cardinals 2005 season was the team's 124th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 114th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 100-62 during the season and won the National League Central division by 11 games over the NL Wild-Card Champion and eventual NL Champion Houston...

overtake them (100 wins vs. 99 wins). Though a serious challenge for their dominance of the division was mounted late in the year by the Cleveland Indians

2005 Cleveland Indians season

The Cleveland Indians' 2005 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Indians attempting to win the American League Central division.-Offseason:* November 3, 2004: Ernie Young was signed as a Free Agent with the Cleveland Indians....

(the Tribe actually reduced what was once a 15 game lead for the White Sox down to 1½ games at one point only to lose the last 7 games), Chicago scored a 4–2 victory over the Detroit Tigers

2005 Detroit Tigers season

The 2005 Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Detroit Tigers attempting to win the AL Central.-Offseason:*October 15, 2004: DeWayne Wise was selected off waivers by the Detroit Tigers from the Atlanta Braves....

on September 29 to win their first AL Central Division title since 2000. Finishing at 99–63 (.611) tied their 1983 record, and won the division by six games. The last time they had a higher percentage than that was 1920, when they finished second in the league thanks to the late-season "Black Sox" suspensions. The combination of the league's best record with the American League victory in the All-Star Game gave the White Sox the home field advantage throughout the 2005 postseason (perhaps unnecessary as the White Sox won every post-season road game they played in 2005).

Among the other changes that occurred in 2005 (and still seen in 2006) was the creation of a new marketing campaign, referring to the team's new style of play. 2005 saw a much-reduced reliance on power hitting (even though the team still hit over 200 home runs on the season), and a move toward speed and defense. This culminated in what locally became known as "Ozzieball" or "Grinderball". As part of the marketing campaign, the White Sox began inventing "Grinder Rules", a list of fictitious "rules" created as a part of an advertising campaign, and a way of reminding fans about the changes to the team, and the success it was bringing. The first Grinder Rule became the team's motto for the 2005 season: "Win or die trying!"

The rules themselves are an "incomplete" list, as the numbers are somewhat random. They are collected from print, billboard, television, and radio advertisements, as well as advertising at U.S. Cellular Field

U.S. Cellular Field

U.S. Cellular Field is a baseball ballpark in Chicago, Illinois. Owned by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, it is the home of the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball's American League. The park opened for the 1991 season, after the White Sox had spent 81 years at old Comiskey Park...

, where the White Sox play their home games.

2005 ALDS

In the 2005 American League Division Series

2005 American League Division Series

-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. New York Yankees:†: Game was postponed due to rain on October 8-Game 1, October 4:U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois...

(ALDS), the White Sox took on the Boston Red Sox

2005 Boston Red Sox season

The Boston Red Sox' 2005 season included the Boston Red Sox attempting to win the American League East in the American League. The Red Sox finished 95-67, with the same record as the New York Yankees...

, the 2005 AL wild-card

Major League Baseball Wild Card

In Major League Baseball, the wild-card playoff spot is given to the team in each league with the best record among the non-division winners. It was established for Major League Baseball's playoffs in 1994 with the intention of helping the best teams that did not win their division to still have a...

winners and the defending World Series champions. The White Sox defeated the Red Sox in a three-game sweep. They won the first two games (scoring a 14–2 victory in the first game – their first postseason win at home since 1959

1959 World Series

– and 5-4 in the second) of the series at home before claiming a 5–3 victory at Fenway Park

Fenway Park

Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...

in Boston

Boston

Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...

. Scott Podsednik hit his first home run of the season in the first game of the series.

The ALDS also set the tone for what would be an unusually suspenseful post-season; while their first game was considered a blow-out, the remaining games saw the White Sox making the most of rare opportunities and hanging on to narrow leads. In the first inning of game 1, the White Sox put up 5 runs, and never looked back. A late inning three-run home run by Scott Podsednik

Scott Podsednik

Scott Eric Podsednik is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Podsednik led the major leagues in stolen bases in with 70.-Minor leagues:...

- his first home run of the season, was the icing on the cake in the game 1 blowout. In Game 2, the White Sox were actually down 4–2 when Red Sox second baseman Tony Graffanino

Tony Graffanino

Anthony Joseph Graffanino is a former American Major League Baseball second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop. Though he never officially retired, Graffanino has not played since .-Career:...

, formerly playing for the White Sox, let Juan Uribe

Juan Uribe

Juan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox...

's potential inning-ending, double-play grounder go through his legs; one out later, Tadahito Iguchi

Tadahito Iguchi

is a Japanese second baseman currently playing for the Chiba Lotte Marines.-Early life and Japanese career:Iguchi began playing in high school and after graduating in 1993, went to Aoyama Gakuin University where he distinguished himself by hitting the Tohto University Baseball League record of...

hit a three-run homer to left that clinched the game for the White Sox. In Game 3, Orlando Hernández

Orlando Hernández

Orlando Hernández Pedroso , nicknamed "El Duque", is a former Cuban right-handed baseball pitcher....

entered the game with the bases loaded and nobody out with the White Sox ahead by only one run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Based on their regular season performance, it was later calculated that the Red Sox's probability of winning at that point was .662, even though they were trailing by one run. Instead, the first two batters, Jason Varitek

Jason Varitek

Jason Andrew Varitek is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Boston Red Sox...

and Tony Graffanino

Tony Graffanino

Anthony Joseph Graffanino is a former American Major League Baseball second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop. Though he never officially retired, Graffanino has not played since .-Career:...

, both popped out, and Johnny Damon

Johnny Damon

Johnny David Damon is an American professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter. From 2000–2008, he was third among active players in runs and seventh in hits and stolen bases . He is currently second among active leaders in triples , five behind Carl Crawford...

struck out swinging on a breaking ball. Hernandez went on to retire six of the next seven batters, and the White Sox's rookie reliever Bobby Jenks

Bobby Jenks

Robert Scott "Bobby" Jenks is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...

closed out the game.

2005 ALCS

The White Sox then moved on to face the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

2005 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim season

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 2005 season was the franchise's 45th since its inception. The regular season ended with a record of 95-67, resulting in the Angels winning the American League West division title for the second consecutive season, its fifth in franchise history.In the postseason,...

in the ALCS

2005 American League Championship Series

-Game 1:Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, IllinoisIn the series opener, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim won 3–2 in their third game in as many nights and as many cities. The Angels took the lead in the second inning on a Garret Anderson home run. The Angels added two...

. The Angels won Game 1, 3–2, The White Sox only post-season loss.

In Game 2 on October 12, the teams were involved in one of the most controversial endings in baseball playoff history. With the score tied 1-1 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, A. J. Pierzynski apparently struck out to end the inning. At first Pierzynski headed back to the dugout but ran to first base upon realizing that umpire Doug Eddings

Doug Eddings

Douglas Leon Eddings is an umpire in Major League Baseball. He came to public attention with a controversial call during Game Two of the 2005 American League Championship Series between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.Eddings started umpiring Little League games at 14,...

had ruled that Angels catcher Josh Paul

Josh Paul

Joshua William Paul is a former Major League Baseball catcher who is currently the manager of the Class A short-season Staten Island Yankees.-Playing career:...

(a former White Sox player) did not field the ball cleanly, meaning he would have to either tag the batter or throw to the first baseman to record the out (see uncaught third strike). Despite vehement protests from various members of the Angels, including manager Mike Scioscia

Mike Scioscia

Michael Lorri Scioscia is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He has worked in that capacity since the 2000 season, and is the longest-tenured manager in Major League Baseball....

, Pierzynski was awarded first base. Pinch-runner Pablo Ozuna

Pablo Ozuna

Pablo José Ozuna is a retired Dominican Republic professional baseball utility player. During his major league career, he played for the Florida Marlins the Colorado Rockies , the Chicago White Sox , and the Los Angeles Dodgers ....

replaced Pierzynski and stole second base. Third baseman Joe Crede

Joe Crede

Joseph Taylor Crede is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent. Crede attended high school at Fatima High School in Westphalia, Missouri which he led to 3 district championships and two final four berths as a pitcher...

then delivered a double on the third pitch to give the White Sox a 2–1 win. Overshadowed by that play was the 1-run, 5-hit complete game pitched by Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

Mark Alan Buehrle is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He has pitched his entire baseball career for the Chicago White Sox, starting the opening game every season from 2002 to 2006 and again from 2008 to 2011....

. Buehrle's excellent effort allowed the White Sox to capture their first-ever home victory in ALCS history.

Buoyed by their win, the White Sox traveled to Anaheim, California

Anaheim, California

Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...

, where starters Jon Garland

Jon Garland

Jon Steven Garland is a right-handed starting pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-High school career:At John F...

, Freddy García

Freddy García

Freddy Antonio García , nicknamed "The Chief", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent...

, and José Contreras

José Contreras

José Ariel Contreras Camejo is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently with the Philadelphia Phillies...

(who had dropped Game 1 to the Angels in Chicago) pitched three more complete game victories consecutively over the Angels, giving the White Sox their first American League pennant since 1959. White Sox slugger Paul Konerko

Paul Konerko

was named the ALCS MVP, on the strength of his two home runs, 7 RBI, and .286 average.

Especially in light of the evolution of the game, the White Sox four straight complete games was considered an unbelievable achievement. In fact, since José Contreras pitched 8⅓ innings in game 1, the White Sox bullpen saw a total of ⅔ of an inning pitched (by Neal Cotts) in the entire series. The last time four consecutive complete games had been pitched in a championship series was in the 1956 World Series

1956 World Series

The 1956 World Series of Major League Baseball was played between the New York Yankees and the defending champion Brooklyn Dodgers during the month of October 1956. The Series was a rematch of the 1955 World Series...

between the Brooklyn Dodgers

1956 Brooklyn Dodgers season

The 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers edged out the Milwaukee Braves to win the National League title. The Dodgers again faced the New York Yankees in the World Series...

and New York Yankees

1928 New York Yankees season

The New York Yankees' 1928 season was their 26th season. The team finished with a record of 101-53, winning their sixth pennant, finishing 2.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Athletics. New York was managed by Miller Huggins. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. In the World Series, they swept...

, and the 1928 Yankees

1928 World Series

In the 1928 World Series, the New York Yankees swept the St. Louis Cardinals in four games. Along with , this was the first time a team had swept consecutive Series....

were the last team to win four consecutive complete games in a championship series. In fact, the last time any major league pitching staff had hurled four straight complete game victories was near the end of the 1983 regular season

1983 Major League Baseball season

The 1983 Major League Baseball season ended with the Baltimore Orioles defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth game of the World Series. Rick Dempsey was named MVP of the Series...

, when the Texas Rangers

1983 Texas Rangers season

The Texas Rangers 1983 season involved the Rangers finishing 3rd in the American League West with a record of 77 wins and 85 losses.- Opening Day starters :* Buddy Bell* Bucky Dent* Dave Hostetler* Pete O'Brien* Larry Parrish* Mike Richardt...

accomplished the feat.

2005 World Series

The White Sox now advanced to the World Series

2005 World Series

The 2005 World Series, the 101st Major League Baseball championship series, saw the American League champion Chicago White Sox sweep the National League champion Houston Astros four games to none in the best-of-seven-games series, winning their third championship and first since 1917.Home-field...

, where they would take on the National League champion Houston Astros

2005 Houston Astros season

The Houston Astros' 2005 season was a season in which the Houston Astros qualified for the postseason for the second consecutive season. The Astros overcame a sluggish 15-30 start to claim the wild card playoff spot, and would go on to win the National League pennant to advance to the World Series...

. The White Sox' appearance in the World Series was bittersweet for longtime franchise star Frank Thomas

Frank Thomas (AL baseball player)

Frank Edward Thomas, Jr. , nicknamed "The Big Hurt", is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter and first baseman....

. One of the most popular and productive players in the franchise's long history, Thomas would finally be going to a World Series in his 16th major league season. However, due to injury, Thomas would be unable to participate except as an observer, and his contributions to the White Sox in 2005 were limited.

Game 1 saw Astros' ace Roger Clemens

Roger Clemens

William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...

leave the game with a hamstring injury,leaving Jose Contreras

José Contreras

José Ariel Contreras Camejo is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently with the Philadelphia Phillies...

to finish up the Astros and Chicago took advantage of its opponents' weakness, winning 5–3. Joe Crede

Joe Crede

especially made an impressive showing with his stellar defensive plays at third base.

Game 2 of the Series, as in the ALCS, saw the White Sox again involved in a controversial play. With the White Sox down 4-2 in the seventh with two outs and two runners on base, the home plate umpire ruled that Jermaine Dye

Jermaine Dye

Jermaine Trevell Dye is a retired American Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter. Dye played with the Atlanta Braves , Kansas City Royals , Oakland Athletics , and the Chicago White Sox . Dye won the World Series MVP with the White Sox in 2005...

had been hit by a pitch, while the Astros argued (and TV replays confirmed) that the ball had actually hit the bat. Dye was given a free pass to first, and the next batter, Paul Konerko, launched a home run into left field to give Chicago a 6–4 lead. Houston tied the game on a two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth, but in the bottom of the ninth, Scott Podsednik

Scott Podsednik

Scott Eric Podsednik is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Podsednik led the major leagues in stolen bases in with 70.-Minor leagues:...

hit a walk-off solo home run off Brad Lidge

Brad Lidge

Bradley Thomas "Brad" Lidge is a reliever who is currently a free agent. Nicknamed "Lights Out", he is the all-time leader in strikeouts per nine innings among pitchers with at least 200 appearances in their career...

to give the White Sox a thrilling 7–6 victory and a 2–0 lead in the Series. Podsednik was the first player in major league history to hit a home run in the World Series after not having hit any during the regular season. (He did, however, have a home run in Game 1 of the ALDS against Boston, making the World Series home run his second of the playoffs.)

The World Series then shifted to Houston for Game 3, in which Astros' starter and NLCS MVP Roy Oswalt

Roy Oswalt

Roy Edward Oswalt is an American Major League Baseball pitcher and Olympic gold medalist who is currently a free agent. Oswalt, a slender six-foot right-handed starting pitcher, is currently in his eleventh major league season...

cruised with a 4–0 lead until the wheels totally came off for him with a five-run fifth by the White Sox. The Astros managed to tie the game in the eighth, but repeatedly blew scoring opportunities in the next few innings. Finally, in the top of the 14th, former (and current) Astro Geoff Blum

Geoff Blum

Geoffrey Edward Blum is a Major League Baseball infielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks. During his major-league career, he has also played for the Montreal Expos, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox...

hit a tie-breaking home run; the White Sox took a commanding 3–0 Series lead with a 7–5 victory in the longest World Series game in history (in terms of time; tied for most innings). Ozzie Guillén

Ozzie Guillén

sent Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

in to get the last out in the bottom of the 14th to get the save after he had started Game 2, and later remarked that he was set to send Pablo Ozuna

Pablo Ozuna

(a position player) in to pitch if the Astros somehow extended the game.

Game 4 was a pitcher's duel between Freddy García

Freddy García

Freddy Antonio García , nicknamed "The Chief", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent...

and Brandon Backe

Brandon Backe

Brandon Allen Backe is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. He joined the Houston Astros in , after two seasons with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays....

. The game was scoreless until Jermaine Dye

Jermaine Dye

singled to center off of Brad Lidge, driving in Willie Harris

Willie Harris

William Charles Harris is a Major League Baseball outfielder and infielder. Harris is known for his quick feet and base-stealing abilities, with currently 94 career stolen bases. Harris was formerly a member of the Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox , Boston Red Sox , Atlanta Braves , and...

for what turned out to be the winning run. This was the second game of the series in which Lidge had given up the game winning run (Podesednik's home run in Game 2). Game 4 also saw a spectacular defensive play by Juan Uribe

Juan Uribe

, as the Chicago shortstop fell two rows into the stands in order to retire Chris Burke for the second out in the bottom of the ninth. Uribe also earned the assist in the final out of the Series on the next play, as he narrowly threw Orlando Palmeiro

Orlando Palmeiro

Orlando Palmeiro is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He attended high school at Miami Southridge High School and played college baseball at the University of Miami....

out at first to give the White Sox their first World Series crown since 1917

1917 World Series

. Dye was named the World Series MVP

World Series MVP Award

The World Series Most Valuable Player Award is given to the player deemed to have the most impact on his team's performance in the World Series, which is the final round of the Major League Baseball postseason...

in the four-game sweep.

Only the 1927 Yankees

1927 New York Yankees season

The New York Yankees season was their 25th season. The team finished with a record of 110-44, winning their fifth pennant and finishing 19 games ahead of the Philadelphia Athletics. New York was managed by Miller Huggins. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. In the World Series, they swept the...

and the 1984 Detroit Tigers

1984 Detroit Tigers season

The Detroit Tigers won the 1984 World Series, defeating the San Diego Padres, 4 games to 1. The season was their 84th since they entered the American League in 1901 and their fourth World Series championship. Detroit relief pitcher Willie Hernandez won the Cy Young Award and was chosen as the...

were able to achieve such a feat. Their 11–1 postseason record was tied with 1999 Yankees

1999 New York Yankees season

The New York Yankees' 1999 season was the 97th season for the Bronx based professional baseball team. The team finished with a record of 98-64 finishing 4 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox. New York was managed by Joe Torre. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium...

as the best single post season mark. (Only Cincinnati Reds

1976 Cincinnati Reds season

The Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. The Reds won their second consecutive National League West title with a record of 102-60, 10 games ahead of the runner-up Los Angeles Dodgers...

in 1976

1976 Major League Baseball season

The 1976 Major League Baseball season was the last season in which both the AL and the NL had the same number of teams until 1993. The season ended with the Cincinnati Reds taking the World Series Championship for the second consecutive season by sweeping the New York Yankees in four games...

had a better winning percentage by going 7–0.) Also, their 8 game winning streak (the four wins over the Angels and the sweep against the Astros) is tied with the Boston Red Sox (who won 8 games in a row en route to their 2004 World Series championship) for the longest postseason winning streak in Major League History. The White Sox also became the only team to win all three post-season victories on the road. Amazingly, despite their 105 year history, this was only the franchise's third World Series championship, (following victories in 1917 and 1906). It also marked their first pennant since the advent of divisional play in 1969 (the White Sox won the inaugural American League pennant in 1901, but this was 2 years prior to the first modern World Series).

2006 season

After leading the wild card race for much of the season, the White Sox faltered, losing 15 of 24 at the beginning of September to eliminate them from playoff contention, ending their chances of becoming the first repeat winner of the World Series since the New York Yankees in 1999 and 2000. They nonetheless finished with a 90–72 record, the season's best record by a non-playoff team.

Despite missing the playoffs, the team enjoyed numerous successes during the year. Following the Fourth of July

Independence Day (United States)

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...

weekend, the White Sox won both crosstown interleague

Interleague play

Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...

series against the rival Cubs

2006 Chicago Cubs season

The Chicago Cubs' 2006 season was the 134th season for the Cubs. The team finished with a record of 66-96 in last place of the National League Central Division. Chicago was managed by Dusty Baker...

, taking the first two games of each series at U.S. Cellular Field and Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...

. The White Sox finished interleague play with a record of 14–4, including a 7–2 mark in National League parks.

This was the first year a White Sox manager had led the AL All-Star squad since 1994, when Gene Lamont led the team. In addition to manager Ozzie Guillén, the White Sox had six representatives at the 77th All-Star Game

2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

The 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 77th playing of the midseason exhibition baseball game between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 11, 2006 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh,...

at PNC Park

PNC Park

PNC Park is a baseball park located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It opened during the 2001 Major League Baseball season, after the controlled implosion of the Pirates' previous home, Three Rivers Stadium...

in Pittsburgh, the most among any club: starting pitcher Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

, closer Bobby Jenks

Bobby Jenks

Robert Scott "Bobby" Jenks is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...

, catcher A. J. Pierzynski

A. J. Pierzynski

Anthony John "A. J." Pierzynski is an American Major League Baseball catcher who is currently with the Chicago White Sox. Pierzynski previously played with the Minnesota Twins and San Francisco Giants . Pierzynski was also a wrestler for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Early life:Anthony John...

, first basemen Paul Konerko

Paul Konerko

and Jim Thome

Jim Thome

James Howard "Jim" Thome is a Major League Baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is the eighth player to hit 600 home runs in the major leagues. He is widely considered a future Hall of Famer.-Cleveland Indians :...

, and right fielder Jermaine Dye

Jermaine Dye

. José Contreras

José Contreras

José Ariel Contreras Camejo is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently with the Philadelphia Phillies...

was originally selected to pitch in the All-Star Game, but was replaced by Francisco Liriano

Francisco Liriano

Francisco Liriano y Casillas is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins.-Professional career:...

. Guillen removed Contreras from the roster after a 117-pitch performance in a 19-inning game against Boston on the last day before the All-Star Break. As a result of Contreras not pitching during the break, he would set an unusual modern-day mark in Major League Baseball by starting two consecutive games.

Pierzynski was the last White Sox to be named to the team after winning the year's Final Vote

All-Star Final Vote

All-Star Final Vote is an annual Internet and text message ballot by Major League Baseball fans to elect the final player for each team that participates in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game after all other selections have been made and announced on national television. The first 33 players...

, in which the fans select the 32nd and final player on both the AL and NL squads. Pierzynski is the second White Sox to be selected, following Scott Podsednik

Scott Podsednik

Scott Eric Podsednik is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Podsednik led the major leagues in stolen bases in with 70.-Minor leagues:...

's nomination in 2005. Dye competed in the 2006 CENTURY 21 Home Run Derby

Home Run Derby

The Home Run Derby is an event played prior to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It is a contest among the top home run hitters in Major League Baseball to determine who can hit the most home runs. The event is currently sponsored by State Farm Insurance...

; he managed to hit 7 home runs in the first round, but David Ortiz

David Ortiz

David Américo Ortiz Arias , known as David Ortiz, nicknamed "Big Papi", is a Dominican American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. Previously, Ortiz played with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox...

and Ryan Howard

Ryan Howard

Ryan James Howard is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. Nicknamed "The Big Piece", Howard stands and weighs . He bats and throws left-handed....

both surpassed that total to knock Dye out of the competition. Dye was only the fourth White Sox to compete in the Derby, joining Carlton Fisk (1985), Konerko (2002), and Frank Thomas (1994, 1995).

The White Sox drew 2,957,414 fans for an average of 36,511, third in the AL. There were a total of 52 sellouts, breaking the previous team record of 18. The White Sox also drew 75 crowds in excess of 30,000, another franchise record. The White Sox had just one game with a crowd below 25,000: April 18 against the Kansas City Royals

2006 Kansas City Royals season

The 2006 Kansas City Royals season involved the Royals finishing 5th in the American League Central with a record of 62 wins and 100 losses.-Roster:-Batting:Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg...

. On August 9 against the New York Yankees

2006 New York Yankees season

The New York Yankees 2006 season was the Yankees 104th season in New York, and their 106th overall going back to their origins in Baltimore. The season finished with the Yankees winning the AL East Division...

, the White Sox surpassed 2 million fans for the eighth time in franchise history and for the second consecutive year (1983, 1984, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, and 2005). Also, on August 30 versus the Tampa Bay Devil Rays

2006 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season

The 2006 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season was their ninth since the franchise was created. This season, they finished last in the AL East division, and managed to finish the season with a league-worst record of 61-101...

, the team surpassed 2.5 million fans for the first time since 1993, and for only the fourth time in franchise history: 1991, 1992, and 1993. It is their 25th consecutive one million-plus attendance season and 46th overall.

2007 season

During Spring Training, Toby Hall

Toby Hall

Toby Jason Hall is a Major League Baseball catcher who is currently with the Camden Riversharks in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball....

dislocated his shoulder while trying to make a diving play at first base. This presented a problem as Hall was the backup to A. J. Pierzynski

A. J. Pierzynski

, and now would be out for an indeterminate amount of time. As a result of the injury, the White Sox were forced to bring up catching prospect Gustavo Molina

Gustavo Molina

Gustavo Molina is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Molina bats and throws right-handed. He is not related to the Molina brothers .Molina was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago White Sox on January 3,...

.

There was a competition for the fifth starter's role between newly acquired rookies Gavin Floyd

Gavin Floyd

Gavin Christopher Floyd is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Chicago White Sox. He stands 6' 5" tall, weighs 220 pounds, and throws and bats right-handed.-Philadelphia Phillies:...

and John Danks

John Danks

John William Danks is a left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball currently playing with the Chicago White Sox....

. Danks would ultimately win the role with a good spring showing.

At the conclusion of spring training

Spring training

In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...

, the White Sox opened the 2007 season

2007 Major League Baseball season

The 2007 Major League Baseball season, began on April 1 with a rematch of the 2006 National League Championship Series; the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets played the first game of the season at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, which was won by the Mets, 6–1...

at home against the Cleveland Indians

2007 Cleveland Indians season

The Cleveland Indians' 2007 season saw the Indians win the AL Central title for the first time since 2001 and play for American League title before losing to the Boston Red Sox in seven games....

. José Contreras

José Contreras

José Ariel Contreras Camejo is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently with the Philadelphia Phillies...

would start the opener, marking the first time since 2001 that Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

did not pitch the season opener. Contreras would be ineffective, giving up 8 runs (7 earned) on 7 hits over 1-plus innings in an eventual 12–5 loss.

On April 15, White Sox pitching held the Cleveland Indians to two unearned runs and a hit, but the White Sox would lose 2–1, raising concerns about the usually potent offense. Scott Podsednik

Scott Podsednik

Scott Eric Podsednik is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Podsednik led the major leagues in stolen bases in with 70.-Minor leagues:...

, the White Sox' best hitter with a .303 average, would be placed on the disabled list with an adductor pull, compounding the White Sox' offensive woes.

On April 18, Buehrle pitched a no-hitter

No-hitter

A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...

against the Texas Rangers

2007 Texas Rangers season

The Texas Rangers' 2007 season began with the team trying to win an AL West title for the first time since , when they were swept by the New York Yankees in the ALDS.-Preseason:*Manager Buck Showalter was fired with three years remaining on his contract...

, 6–0. Buehrle's only blemish was a walk to Sammy Sosa

Sammy Sosa

Samuel Peralta "Sammy" Sosa is a Dominican former professional baseball right fielder. Sosa played with four Major League Baseball teams over his career which spanned from 1989-2007....

in the fifth, but Buehrle would promptly pick Sosa off during the next at-bat. Buehrle secured his spot in the MLB record books when he forced Rangers catcher Gerald Laird

Gerald Laird

Gerald Lee Laird III is an American professional baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers. He graduated La Quinta High School in 1998, and played college baseball at Cypress College...

to ground out to third baseman Joe Crede

Joe Crede

at 9:14 P.M. CDT, sending the crowd of 25,390 at U.S. Cellular Field

U.S. Cellular Field

into a frenzy. He would face the minimum of 27 batters using 106 pitches (66 strikes), with the one walk to Sosa and eight strikeouts. This was the first no-hitter by a White Sox pitcher since Wilson Alvarez

Wilson Alvarez

Wilson Eduardo Álvarez Fuenmayor is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher...

did it against the Baltimore Orioles

1991 Baltimore Orioles season

The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 6th in the American League East with a record of 67 wins and 95 losses. Cal Ripken. Jr. would be the first shortstop in the history of the American League to win two MVP awards in a career. This was...

on August 11, , the first no-hitter at home since Joel Horlen's no-hitter on September 10, , and the first no-hitter in the American League

American League

since April 27, , when then-Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox

starter Derek Lowe

Derek Lowe

Derek Christopher Lowe is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. He throws and bats right-handed. He is 6'6" and 230 pounds.-Early years:...

no-hit the Tampa Bay Devil Rays

2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season

The 2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season was their 5th since the franchise was created. This season, they finished last in the AL East division, and managed to finish the season with a record of 55-106...

10–0. Jermaine Dye

Jermaine Dye

hit a grand slam

Grand slam (baseball)

In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...

and Jim Thome

Jim Thome

added two solo homers in the history-making night.

On July 6, the White Sox announced the signing of Mark Buehrle to a contract extension worth $56 million over four years. The move came after weeks of rumors of Buehrle possibly being traded.

Overall, the White Sox season was hampered by injuries and a team-wide hitting slump. However, the season was not a complete failure with Mark Buehrle's no hitter, Jim Thome's 500th home run, and closer Bobby Jenks

Bobby Jenks

Robert Scott "Bobby" Jenks is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...

41 consecutive batters retired (tying Jim Barr's all-time record and breaking the American League record.) Jenks would later fall short of the all time record when Kansas City Royal's player Joey Gathright

Joey Gathright

Joey Renard Gathright is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.-Early life:...

slapped a ground ball into left field just out of the reaches of third baseman Josh Fields and shortstop Juan Uribe

Juan Uribe

.

The White Sox finished the season fourth in their division with a 72–90 record, behind the Cleveland Indians

2007 Cleveland Indians season

The Cleveland Indians' 2007 season saw the Indians win the AL Central title for the first time since 2001 and play for American League title before losing to the Boston Red Sox in seven games....

, Detroit Tigers

2007 Detroit Tigers season

The Detroit Tigers 2007 season ended with the Tigers finishing runner-up in the AL Central Division. They failed in winning the Wild Card, a task which they achieved in 2006, and going on to win the AL Pennant....

, and Minnesota Twins

2007 Minnesota Twins season

The Minnesota Twins' 2007 season started off with the Twins trying to repeat as champions of the AL Central.-Offseason:* January 11, 2007: Agreed to terms with Ramon Ortiz on a one-year contract....

2008 Season: Central Champs Again and a "Blackout Game"

On July 31, the day of the trade deadline, the White Sox traded relief pitcher Nick Masset

Nick Masset

Nicholas Allen Masset is a right-handed pitcher for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds. He was selected in the eighth round of the entry draft by the Texas Rangers. After graduating from Pinellas Park High School, Masset attended St...

and minor leaguer 2nd Baseman Danny Richar

Danny Richar

Danny Adam Richar is a second baseman in the Camden Riversharks organization of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball....

for Ken Griffey Jr. of the Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds

.

On August 14, Jim Thome

Jim Thome

, Paul Konerko

Paul Konerko

, Alexei Ramirez

Alexei Ramírez

Alexei Fernando Ramírez is a Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop for the Chicago White Sox...

, and Juan Uribe

Juan Uribe

combined to hit four consecutive home runs, something that has only been done six other times in the history of Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...

.
On September 29, 2008, Ramirez hit his fourth grand slam of the season, setting a major-league single-season record for a rookie, off of Detroit Tigers pitcher Gary Glover in an 8–2 White Sox victory to qualify the White Sox

2008 Chicago White Sox season

The 2008 Chicago White Sox Season is the organization's 109th season in Chicago and 108th in the American League. The White Sox won the American League Central division title for the first time since 2005. They finished the regular season tied with the Minnesota Twins and won a one-game playoff...

for a one-game playoff

2008 American League Central tie-breaker game

The 2008 American League Central tie-breaker game was a one-game playoff for Major League Baseball's American League Central division. The game took place on September 30, 2008 between the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins at US Cellular Field. It was necessary after both teams finished the...

against the Minnesota Twins

2008 Minnesota Twins season

The Minnesota Twins season was the 48th season for the franchise in Minnesota, and the 108th overall in the American League. After tying the Chicago White Sox for first in the AL Central Division with an 88–74 record, the team lost a one game playoff to finish second and miss the league...

for the AL Central title. This also broke the team record for most grand slams in a single season.

On September 30, 2008, the White Sox won a tiebreaker 1–0 against the Minnesota Twins for the American League playoff spot after a diving catch from Brian Anderson

Brian Anderson (outfielder)

Brian Nikola Anderson is an American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. He has played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball with the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox as an outfielder, a position he played professionally until before the 2010 season...

. A game saving throw to home plate from center-fielder Ken Griffey Jr. to catcher A. J. Pierzynski

A. J. Pierzynski

on a flyout to keep Michael Cuddyer

Michael Cuddyer

Michael Brent Cuddyer is a Major League Baseball right fielder who is currently a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed, and wore number 5 for Minnesota Twins.-High school:...

from scoring would keep the Twins scoreless through the top of the 5th inning. John Danks

John Danks

John William Danks is a left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball currently playing with the Chicago White Sox....

pitched on only three days rest and threw 103 pitches for 2 hits and no runs in eight innings. Bobby Jenks

Bobby Jenks

Robert Scott "Bobby" Jenks is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...

would close the game with a perfect 9th. The only run of the game came from a Jim Thome

Jim Thome

home run, the 541st of his career. This was the lowest scoring tiebreaker game in MLB history. The White Sox are also the only team in MLB history to beat three different teams on three consecutive days: the Cleveland Indians

2008 Cleveland Indians season

The 2008 Cleveland Indians season marked the 108th season for the franchise, as the Indians attempted to defend their American League Central division title. The team played all of its home games at Progressive Field ....

, Detroit Tigers

2008 Detroit Tigers season

The Detroit Tigers 2008 season was the team's 108th season in Major League Baseball's American League. After being picked by many to win the AL Central Division and the World Series, the Tigers started the season a disappointing 0-7, being swept by the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox....

, and Minnesota Twins

2008 Minnesota Twins season

. They lost to the Tampa Bay Rays

2008 Tampa Bay Rays season

The Tampa Bay Rays' 2008 season, the 11th season in franchise history, marked the change of the team's name from the "Tampa Bay Devil Rays" to the "Tampa Bay Rays", as revealed on November 8, 2007. The change in name also came with a change in logo and uniforms, with new team colors of Columbia...

in the ALDS

2008 American League Division Series

-Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox:-Game 1, October 1:Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CaliforniaIn a re-match of last year's ALDS, starters Jon Lester and John Lackey were sharp early on, each tossing a couple of scoreless innings. The Angels finally got on the board in the third, when...

, 3 games to 1.

2009 season

During the 2009 offseason the White Sox declined a team option for Ken Griffey Jr. The White Sox also let Joe Crede

Joe Crede

become a free agent, who went on to sign with the Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...

, and signed closer Bobby Jenks

Bobby Jenks

Robert Scott "Bobby" Jenks is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...

to a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration. Pitcher Bartolo Colon

Bartolo Colón

Bartolo Colón is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball from 1997 to 2009 and again in 2011...

was signed as a free agent

Free agent

In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....

on January 15. Javier Vázquez

Javier Vázquez

Javier Carlos Vázquez is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Previously, he pitched for the Florida Marlins , Atlanta Braves , Chicago White Sox , Arizona Diamondbacks , New York Yankees and Montreal Expos . Vázquez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico...

and Boone Logan

Boone Logan

Boone Logan is a left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Logan previously played for the Chicago White Sox from 2006–2008 and the Atlanta Braves in 2009.-Playing career:...

were traded to the Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves

for prospects Tyler Flowers

Tyler Flowers

Cole Tyler Flowers is a catcher/infielder for the Chicago White Sox.-Atlanta Braves:Flowers was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 33rd round of the 2005 MLB Draft....

, Brent Lillibridge

Brent Lillibridge

Brent Stuart Lillibridge is a Major League Baseball position player for the Chicago White Sox...

, Jon Gilmore and Santo Rodriguez.

On April 14, Scott Podsednik

Scott Podsednik

Scott Eric Podsednik is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Podsednik led the major leagues in stolen bases in with 70.-Minor leagues:...

returned to the White Sox on a Minor League deal. He was called up to Chicago on May 1 and moved back into the leadoff spot in the lineup.

On May 21, the White Sox gave the San Diego Padres a trade proposition for Jake Peavy

Jake Peavy

Jacob Edward Peavy is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Chicago White Sox. He bats and throws right-handed...

. According to the Padres, everything was agreed upon, but Peavy had a no-trade clause and denied this trade.

On May 30, the White Sox traded 2005 number one draft pick (fifteenth overall), pitcher Lance Broadway

Lance Broadway

Lance Daniel Broadway is an American Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He is 6'3" and throws right-handed.-High school and college:...

, to the New York Mets

New York Mets

The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...

in exchange for catcher Ramon Castro

Ramón Castro

Ramón Abraham Castro is a Major League Baseball catcher.-Early career:On June 2 1994 Castro was selected by the Houston Astros in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft, becoming the first Puerto Rican to ever be drafted in the first round...

.

On June 4, the White Sox called up 2008 number one draft pick (eighth overall), shortstop Gordon Beckham

Gordon Beckham

James Gordon Beckham III is a baseball infielder, who plays for the Chicago White Sox.-Personal life:...

. It took Beckham only 364 days to reach the Major Leagues, as he was drafted on June 5, 2008.

On June 9, the White Sox called up another number one draft pick (2007, 25th overall), left-handed pitcher Aaron Poreda

Aaron Poreda

Aaron Andermon Poreda is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball....

.

On July 23, White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

threw a perfect game

Perfect game

A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...

against the Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...

. It was his second career no-hitter, both with the White Sox, and the second perfect game in team history. After the game, Buehrle was in the middle of his press conference with the media when he received a phone call from President

President of the United States

The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....

Barack Obama

Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...

to congratulate him. It was the second time in two weeks that President Obama

Barack Obama

and Buehrle had contact, with the first being at the 2009 All-Star game in St. Louis, MO.

On July 28 Mark Buehrle established a new major league baseball record, by retiring Minnesota Twin (And former teammate) Joe Crede

Joe Crede

, Buehrle retired his 42nd consecutive batter, breaking the record held by teammate Bobby Jenks

Bobby Jenks

Robert Scott "Bobby" Jenks is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...

, and Jim Barr

Jim Barr

James Leland Barr is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the San Francisco Giants and California Angels...

, Buehrle would retire three more batters. He holds the all time record now at 45.

On July 31, the White Sox traded 2007 number one draft pick (twenty fifth overall), pitcher Aaron Poreda

Aaron Poreda

Aaron Andermon Poreda is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball....

, Clayton Richard

Clayton Richard

Clayton Colby Richard is a left-handed pitcher for the San Diego Padres. He is 6 feet and 5 inches tall, and weighs 240 pounds.-High school:Richard was awarded Indiana's Mr. Football and Mr...

, Adam Russell

Adam Russell

Adam W. Russell is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball.In , Russell was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the sixth round as the 179th overall pick....

and Dexter Carter

Dexter Carter

Dexter Anthony Carter is a former running back who played for the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Jets in the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round in the 1990 NFL Draft...

in exchange for Jake Peavy

Jake Peavy

Jacob Edward Peavy is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Chicago White Sox. He bats and throws right-handed...

.

On August 10, the White Sox claimed OF Alex Rios

Alex Ríos

Alexis Israel "Alex" Ríos is a Puerto Rican-American Major League Baseball outfielder who plays for the Chicago White Sox. He bats and throws right-handed.-Professional career:...

off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....

On August 31, Jim Thome

Jim Thome

waived his no-trade clause, allowing the White Sox to trade him to the Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...

, and pick up center fielder Justin Fuller. The White Sox also trade Jose Contreras

José Contreras

José Ariel Contreras Camejo is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently with the Philadelphia Phillies...

to the Colorado Rockies

Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...

, in exchange for Brandon Hynick, a 24 year-old right-handed starter.

On September 16, the White Sox released RHP Bartolo Colon

Bartolo Colón

Bartolo Colón is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball from 1997 to 2009 and again in 2011...

2010 season

During the offseason on November 6, the White Sox traded Josh Fields and Chris Getz

Chris Getz

Christopher Ryan Getz is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Kansas City Royals. Getz bats left-handed and throws right-handed.-Early life:...

to the Kansas City Royals

Kansas City Royals

for Mark Teahen

Mark Teahen

Mark Thomas Teahen is an American-Canadian professional baseball infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball....

. On November 6, the White Sox declined Jermaine Dye's 2010 Contract. On January 26, 2010, the White Sox had an opportunity to get Jim Thome

Jim Thome

back by signing a one-year deal with him, but passed, allowing him to then sign a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins

. Thome had expressed interested in returning to Chicago, but White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen told Thome he wouldn't get enough at-bats to justify a return.

On the Opening Day

Opening Day

Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the minor leagues, this day falls during the first week of April. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book...

, the White Sox shutout the Cleveland

Cleveland Indians

6–0. On that day, Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

made an astounding play when he hurried and picked up a ball with his glove in foul territory and quickly underthrew backwards with his glove to Paul Konerko

Paul Konerko

, who caught the ball with his bare hand to force out Lou Marson

Lou Marson

Louis Glenn Marson is an American professional baseball catcher with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball. Marson stands and weighs . He bats and throws right-handed...

in the fifth inning for the second out. Paul Konerko

Paul Konerko

broke the franchise record for most home runs hit during the month of April with 11.

On May 11, the Sox opened the two-game series at the new Target Field

Target Field

Target Field is a baseball park located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the home ballpark of the Minnesota Twins, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It is the franchise's sixth ballpark and third in Minnesota. The Twins moved to Target Field for the 2010 Major League Baseball...

and took the victory 5–2 over Minnesota

Minnesota Twins

, but the next day lost 3–2.

On June 13 against the Cubs

Chicago Cubs

at Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field

, Gavin Floyd

Gavin Floyd

Gavin Christopher Floyd is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Chicago White Sox. He stands 6' 5" tall, weighs 220 pounds, and throws and bats right-handed.-Philadelphia Phillies:...

pitched a no-hitter through 6.2 innings before allowing a double to Alfonso Soriano

Alfonso Soriano

Alfonso Guilleard Soriano is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs....

and then the next batter scored Soriano by Chad Tracy

Chad Tracy

Chad Austin Tracy is a Major League Baseball third baseman, who is currently with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.-College & draft:...

's RBI single. The opposing pitcher Ted Lilly

Ted Lilly

Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed...

didn't allow a hit through 8+ innings before allowing a single to Juan Pierre

Juan Pierre

Juan D'Vaughn Pierre is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. He bats and throws left-handed....

. Later that inning, the bases were loaded, so it would have golden opportunities for Sox to score some runs, but failed. The Sox failed to sweep the Cubs as they lose 1–0 with one hit for Sox and three hits for Cubs. From June 12–20, they went eight straight games without hitting home runs, their longest since 1989, which they went nine straight homerless games. However, during their homerless streak, the Sox went 7–1, thanks to their starting pitching. During their span, the Sox have won six straight without hitting home runs for the first time since 1942. They have won eleven in a row for the first time since June 1961, which they have won twelve in a row.

On July 5–8, the Sox got their four-game sweep over the Los Angeles Angels for the first time since 1983. On July 11 against the Kansas City Royals

Kansas City Royals

, Andruw Jones

Andruw Jones

Andruw Rudolf Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Jones made his debut during the 1996 season. In the 1996 World Series, Jones became the youngest player to ever homered in the postseason...

hit his 400th career home run in third inning, 46th player in major league history to accomplish this feat. Also the Sox hit five home runs in the game, including four in third inning, tying their franchise history, including two back-to-backs. The Sox swept the Royals with a 15−5 victory and finished with a perfect homestand 7–0. From June 8 until the All-Star break, the Sox were 25–5, their best in MLB. On June 8, the Sox were 24–33 and 9½ games out of the first place. Just 40 days later, the Sox were 50–41 and were in first place by 1½ games over the Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...

. On July 18 against the Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins

at Target Field

Target Field

, the Sox led 6–3 going into the bottom of the ninth inning. Then the Twins scored four runs without getting anybody out and suffering Sox their first walk-off loss of the season. On July 23, Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

celebrated one-year anniversary of his perfect game by taking a complete game victory over the Oakland Athletics

Oakland Athletics

in Oakland. He allowed 1 earned run, 4 hits, 0 walk and 2 strikeouts. From July 26–29, the Sox swept the four-game series over the Seattle Mariners for the first time since 1994 and finished the season series versus the Mariners 9–1 and outscoring them 52–21.

On August 3, the Sox played a split doubleheader at Detroit

Detroit Tigers

, which the Sox won 12–2 in afternoon game and lost 7–1 in night game. The afternoon game was a made-up game from May 17. The next day, Edwin Jackson

Edwin Jackson

Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Early life:Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany...

made his White Sox debut against his former teammate, which he went 7.0 IP, 9 H, ER, BB, 6 K. Jackson got his first win with the White Sox since moving from Arizona

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...

against Armando Galarraga

Armando Galarraga

Armando Antonio Galarraga is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Galarraga made his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers on September 15, 2007...

, whose perfect game was lost by the blown call by an umpire on June 2. Jackson threw a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays

in St. Petersburg, Florida on June 25. After that game, the Sox were 37–13 (.740) over their last 50 games since June 8, best record in MLB during that span. From August 10–12, the Sox lost the series against the Twins and fell to 2nd place in the AL Central one game back. Also the Sox lost the series at home for the first time since June 4–6 against the Indians, snapping their 7 straight home series wins. During the span of time between series losses at home, the Sox were 20–3 while the Sox swept four opponents. From August 17–19, the Sox played a big series against the rival Twins at Target Field when the Sox were three games behind the first place Twins prior to the first game. In the first game, the former White Sox teammate Jim Thome

Jim Thome

hit a walk-off two-run homer off of Matt Thornton

Matt Thornton

Matthew J. Thornton , is a left-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Chicago White Sox. Before the season, Thornton was with the Seattle Mariners.-College and minor league baseball:...

in the tenth inning to down the White Sox 7–6. In the second game, the Twins beat the Sox again 7–6. And then in the third game, the Sox blew out the Twins 11–0 to avoid sweep. The Sox snapped their Twins 9-game home winning streak and they snapped their 5-game losing streak at Target Field

Target Field

. On August 29, The White Sox hosted Frank Thomas day at U.S. Cellular field

U.S. Cellular Field

against the New York Yankees

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...

. Frank Thomas's Jersey was retired that day. The White Sox Organization also printed his face on the legendary wall in Left-Center field with other number retirees Billy Pierce

Billy Pierce

to his left and Carlton Fisk

Carlton Fisk

to his right. Thomas's image also appears under the printed words 'The Catch,' commemorating DeWayne Wise's

Dewayne Wise

Larry DeWayne Wise is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He graduated from Chapin High School in 1997 and was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 5th round of the 1997 amateur draft...

catch to preserve Mark Buehrle's perfect game

Mark Buehrle's perfect game

Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox pitched a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays by retiring all 27 batters he faced on Thursday, July 23, 2009. This event took place in U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois in front of 28,036 fans in attendance...

in 2009. On August 30, Chicago acquired Manny Ramírez

Manny Ramírez

Manuel "Manny" Arístides Ramírez Onelcida is a retired Dominican-American professional baseball outfielder. He was recognized for great batting skill and power, a nine-time Silver Slugger and one of 25 players to hit 500 career home runs. Ramirez's 21 grand slams are third all-time, and his 28...

off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers

.

On September 3, the game in Boston

Boston Red Sox

was postponed due to Hurricane Earl

Hurricane Earl

The name Earl has been used for six tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean.* Hurricane Earl — drifted over the central Atlantic Ocean without affecting land* Hurricane Earl — drifted over the central Atlantic Ocean without affecting land...

. On September 4, the White Sox swept the doubleheader at Red Sox with identical scores 3–1 with both saves from Bobby Jenks

Bobby Jenks

Robert Scott "Bobby" Jenks is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...

. It is the first time the White Sox swept the doubleheader in Boston

Boston

since 1991. Then on September 5, the White Sox swept the Red Sox at Fenway Park

Fenway Park

for their first time since July 27–28, 1991 when the Sox came back with four runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a 7–5 lead, all with two outs. Also, Manny Ramírez

Manny Ramírez

faced his former team, against which he went 3–8 combined in this series. On September 12, Paul Konerko

Paul Konerko

hit two two-run homers and five RBIs, recording his fourth career 30 homer/100 RBI season. From September 14–16, the Sox got swept by Twins at home, losing 9 of their last 11 home games against these Twins. With that sweep, the Sox fell to nine games back and Twins outscored the Sox 26–11. Then the next series against the Tigers at home, the Sox got swept again. The Sox got swept by Tigers at home for the first time since 2001. Then the Sox swept the Angels in Los Angeles for the first time since April 2006. In this series, the Sox outscored the Angels 12–6 and finished the season series against the Angels 7–2 and won seven in a row against them. They finished the season road record 43–38 (4th best in AL, 3rd best since 1999), better than last year's 36–45. In this season, the Sox swept five opponents on the road compared to two last season, four of them are the losing teams. On September 28 against the Boston Red Sox, Dayán Viciedo

Dayán Viciedo

Dayán Viciedo Pérez is a Cuban baseball player in the Chicago White Sox organization...

gave the White Sox their first walk-off hit since April 24, winning it 5–4, which came back from a 3–0 deficit. It is only the third walk-off win this season which trails the majors against seven walk-off losses, all since the All-Star break.

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.