2005 Chicago White Sox season

2005 Chicago White Sox
AL Central champions
American League champions
World Series Champions
Major League affiliations
Location
Other information
Owner(s) Jerry Reinsdorf
General manager(s) Kenny Williams
Manager(s) Ozzie Guillén
Local television WGN-TV
Comcast Sportsnet
(Ken Harrelson, Darrin Jackson)
Local radio WMVP
(John Rooney, Ed Farmer)
WRTO (AM)
(Hector Molina)
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The 2005 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 105th season. They finished with a 99-63 record in the regular season and first place in the American League Central division by six games over the Cleveland Indians. In the playoffs, they won the American League Division Series 3-0 over the Boston Red Sox, the American League Championship Series 4-1 over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the World Series 4-0 over the Houston Astros.

Offseason

Regular season

The Chicago White Sox had a total attendance of 2,342,833 in 2005, 7th in the American League.

The Manager

Everything that happened in 2005 was under the direction of manager Ozzie Guillén. After his inaugural season in 2004, in which his club went 83-79 and finished second in the American League Central Division, Guillén approached General Manager Kenny Williams. He asked Williams for a makeover for his club.[8] Guillén envisioned his team playing small ball.

Williams agreed with Guillén. The Sox already had a feisty manager, solid pitching, and power hitters. The Sox decided to clean up a bit and bring in players with the team first attitude. Guillén wanted more speed, so Scott Podsednik was brought in to be the leadoff hitter and to create havoc for opposing pitchers. Guillén wanted pitching, so Williams got Freddy García, Orlando "El Duque" Hernández, Luis Vizcaíno, Dustin Hermanson, and in July, hard throwing closer Bobby Jenks was brought up.

Another important factor to Guillén's new plan was to have guys who put the team in front of their own personal accomplishments. Jermaine Dye was added for veteran leadership and provided an important bat and glove in the lineup. Tadahito Iguchi came in from Japan to play second base and bat second behind Podsednik. Iguchi would prove his value all year long.

Finally, the Sox decided to add a little fire into a mostly laid back and quiet clubhouse. This need brought controversial catcher A. J. Pierzynski[9] to Chicago after playing six years for division rival Minnesota, and one year for San Francisco.[9]

Season summary

The White Sox began their season by winning the first 2 games, and were 7-3 after the first 10 games. They would go on to win 19 out of their next 24, including two 8-game winning streaks, and at the end of April were 17-7. In mid-May, after beating the Texas Rangers 2 of 3 games, they would also take two of three from the Chicago Cubs, but would get swept by the Texas Rangers in a 2-game series after splitting a 4-gamer with eventual American League Championship Series opponent Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Finishing May with a 35-17 record, the Sox, in interleague play, swept both the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers, but did lose the other series to the Cubs two games to one. At the end of June they were 53-24, and just before the All-star break, the Sox were swept by the Oakland Athletics in a 3-game series at home, going into the break at 57-29. Then, after the break, they would sweep the Cleveland Indians in a 4-game series, shutting out the Tribe twice and scoring seven runs in the other two games. At the end of July they were 68-35, a 14 and a half game lead in the American League Central over both Cleveland and the Minnesota Twins. However, from August 12 through August 23, they would lose 8 out of 9 games they played, including a 7-game losing streak and sweeps at the hands of the Boston Red Sox and Twins, reducing their lead to 7 games, and would finish August at 80-51. Finishing strong, though, the White Sox began September by winning their first 7 games and ended the season by winning 8 of 10. They would finish the regular season with a 99-63 record and a 6-game lead over Cleveland, winning their second American League Central title.

Opening Day Lineup

Roster
PositionPlayer
LFScott Podsednik
2BTadahito Iguchi
DHCarl Everett
1BPaul Konerko
RFJermaine Dye
CFAaron Rowand
CA. J. Pierzynski
3BJoe Crede
SSJuan Uribe
PMark Buehrle

Season standings

AL Central W L Pct. GB Home Road
Chicago White Sox 99 63 0.611 — 47–34 52–29
Cleveland Indians 93 69 0.574 6 43–38 50–31
Minnesota Twins 83 79 0.512 16 45–36 38–43
Detroit Tigers 71 91 0.438 28 39–42 32–49
Kansas City Royals 56 106 0.346 43 34–47 22–59

Record vs. Opponents

Team W-L Record
Baltimore Orioles 6-2
Boston Red Sox 3-4
Cleveland Indians 14-5
Detroit Tigers 14-5
Kansas City Royals 13-5
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 4-6
Minnesota Twins 11-7
New York Yankees 3-3
Oakland Athletics 2-7
Seattle Mariners 6-3
Tampa Bay Devil Rays 4-2
Texas Rangers 3-6
Toronto Blue Jays 4-2
Arizona Diamondbacks 1-2
Chicago Cubs 3-3
Colorado Rockies 3-0
Los Angeles Dodgers 3-0
San Diego Padres 2-1
Interleague Play 12-6
2005 American League Records

Sources:

Team BAL BOS CWS CLE DET KC LAA MIN NYY OAK SEA TB TEX TOR NL 
Baltimore — 8–10 2–6 1–6 3–5 4–2 2–4 3–3 7–11 4–6 7–3 12–6 4–6 9–10 8–10
Boston 10–8 — 4–3 4–2 6–4 4–2 6–4 4–2 9–10 6–4 3–3 13–6 7–2 7–11 12–6
Chicago 6–2 3–4 — 14–5 14–5 13–5 4–6 11–7 3–3 2–7 6–3 4–2 3–6 4–2 12–6
Cleveland 6–1 2–4 5–14 — 12–6 13–6 3–5 10–9 3–4 6–3 7–3 4–6 3–3 4–2 15–3
Detroit 5–3 4–6 5–14 6–12 — 10–9 4–6 8–11 1–5 1–5 5–4 5–2 4–2 4–3 9–9
Kansas City 2–4 2–4 5–13 6–13 9–10 — 2–7 6–13 3–3 2–4 2–7 3–5 2–8 3–6 9–9
Los Angeles of Anaheim 4–2 4–6 6–4 5–3 6–4 7–2 — 6–4 6–4 10–9 9–9 4–5 15–4 1–5 12–6
Minnesota 3–3 2–4 7–11 9–10 11–8 13–6 4–6 — 3–3 4–6 6–4 6–0 3–6 4–2 8–10
New York 11–7 10–9 3–3 4–3 5–1 3–3 4–6 3–3 — 7–2 7–3 8–11 7–3 12–6 11–7
Oakland 6–4 4–6 7–2 3–6 5–1 4–2 9–10 6–4 2–7 — 12–6 4–5 11–8 5–5 10–8
Seattle 3–7 3–3 3–6 3–7 4–5 7–2 9–9 4–6 3–7 6–12 — 4–2 6–13 4–6 10–8
Tampa Bay 6–12 6–13 2–4 6–4 2–5 5–3 5–4 0–6 11–8 5–4 2–4 — 6–2 8–11 3–15
Texas 6–4 2–7 6–3 3–3 2–4 8–2 4–15 6–3 3–7 8–11 13–6 2–6 — 7–3 9–9
Toronto 10–9 11–7 2–4 2–4 3–4 6–3 5–1 2–4 6–12 5–5 6–4 11–8 3–7 — 8–10

Notable transactions

Roster

2005 Chicago White Sox
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

 Outfielders

Other batters

Manager

Coaches

Game log

2005 White Sox Game Log
2005 White Sox Postseason Game Log

Player stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; BB = Base on balls; SO = Strikeouts; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases

Player G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG SB
Brian Anderson, OF 13 34 3 6 1 0 2 3 0 12 .176 1
Geoff Blum, 1B,3B,SS,2B 31 95 6 19 2 1 1 3 4 15 .200 0
Joe Borchard, OF 7 12 0 5 2 0 0 0 0 4 .417 0
Mark Buehrle, P 33 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0
Jamie Burke, 1B 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0
Raul Casanova, C 6 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .200 0
José Contreras, P 32 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 .000 0
Joe Crede, 3B 132 432 54 109 21 0 22 62 25 66 .252 1
Jermaine Dye, RF 145 529 74 145 29 2 31 86 39 99 .274 11
Carl Everett, DH,OF 135 490 58 123 17 2 23 87 42 99 .251 4
Freddy García, P 33 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0
Jon Garland, P 32 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 .500 0
Ross Gload, OF,1B 28 42 2 7 2 0 0 5 2 9 .167 0
Willie Harris, 2B,SS 56 121 17 31 2 1 1 8 13 25 .256 10
Orlando Hernández, P 24 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .333 0
Tadahito Iguchi, 2B 135 511 74 142 25 6 15 71 47 114 .278 15
Paul Konerko, 1B 158 575 98 163 24 0 40 100 81 109 .283 0
Pedro Lopez, 2B,SS 2 7 1 2 0 0 0 2 0 1 .286 0
Brandon McCarthy, P 12 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 0
Pablo Ozuna, SS,OF,2B 70 203 27 56 7 2 0 11 7 26 .276 14
Timo Perez, OF 76 179 13 39 8 0 2 15 12 25 .218 2
A. J. Pierzynski, C 128 460 61 118 21 0 18 56 23 68 .257 0
Scott Podsednik, LF 129 507 80 147 28 1 0 25 47 75 .290 59
Cliff Politte, P 68 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1.000 0
Aaron Rowand, CF 157 578 77 156 30 5 13 69 32 116 .270 16
Frank Thomas, DH 34 105 19 23 3 0 12 26 16 31 .219 0
Juan Uribe, SS 146 481 58 121 23 3 16 71 34 77 .252 4
Chris Widger, C 45 141 18 34 8 0 4 11 10 22 .241 0
Team totals
 162 5529 741 1450 253 23 200 713 435 1002 .262 137

Pitching

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; HR = Home runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

Player W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB K
Jon Adkins 0 1 8.64 5 0 0 8.1 13 8 8 0 6 1
Jeff Bajenaru 0 0 6.23 4 0 0 4.1 4 3 3 2 0 3
Mark Buehrle 16 8 3.12 33 33 0 236.2 240 99 82 20 44 149
José Contreras 15 7 3.61 32 32 0 204.2 177 91 82 23 77 154
Neal Cotts 4 0 1.94 69 0 0 60.1 38 15 13 1 34 58
Freddy García 14 8 3.87 33 33 0 228.0 225 102 98 26 62 146
Jon Garland 18 10 3.50 32 32 0 221.0 212 93 86 26 50 115
Dustin Hermanson 2 4 2.04 57 0 34 57.1 46 17 13 4 21 33
Orlando Hernández 9 9 5.12 24 22 1 128.1 137 77 73 18 51 91
Bobby Jenks 1 1 2.75 32 0 6 39.1 34 15 12 3 18 50
Dámaso Marte 3 4 3.77 66 0 4 45.1 45 21 19 5 37 54
Brandon McCarthy 3 2 4.03 12 10 0 67.0 62 30 30 13 17 48
Cliff Politte 7 1 2.00 68 0 1 67.1 42 15 15 7 25 57
David Sanders 0 0 13.50 2 0 0 2.0 3 3 3 1 1 1
Shingo Takatsu 1 2 5.97 31 0 8 28.2 30 19 19 9 17 32
Luis Vizcaíno 6 5 3.73 65 0 0 70.0 74 30 29 8 35 43
Kevin Walker 0 1 9.00 9 0 0 7.0 10 7 7 1 6 5
Team totals
 99 63 3.61 162 162 54 1475.2 1392 645 592 167 501 1040

Postseason

Chicago would begin its eighth trip to the postseason in 2005.[11] The last time they reached the playoffs, during the 2000 season, they were swept by the wild card Seattle Mariners in three games after having the best record in the American League that season. The White Sox’ power, or lack thereof in the series, ultimately doomed them. The pitching, which had been average at best all year, broke apart against Seattle.[12]

The time before that, after their 1993 AL West Division title, the White Sox won two games against the eventual World Series Champion Toronto Blue Jays. Expectations were pretty high for the 2005 playoffs, especially if they could erase that 88-year drought.

American League Division Series- White Sox vs. Boston Red Sox

Game 1

With manager Ozzie Guillén reminding his team not to feel happy just to be in the playoffs, the White Sox took that to heart. The Southsiders pounded the Red Sox 14-2 behind two homers from A. J. Pierzynski. Paul Konerko, Juan Uribe, and Scott Podsednik added solo shots. Podsednik's homer was his first of the season.[13] The White Sox also got another solid performance from starter José Contreras, who went 72⁄3 innings, allowing only two runs, and striking out six. The White Sox beat up on former Cub Matt Clement, as his day was done after just 31⁄3 innings, giving up eight runs.[13] The White Sox played a pretty flawless game all together, most notable by Tadahito Iguchi's surprise throw to third to nail Trot Nixon, taking some momentum out of the Red Sox. Everything was looking up for the White Sox, but they weren’t counting off Boston that easily. Final score: White Sox 14, Boston 2

Game 2

White Sox ace Mark Buehrle would get his chance in this game to turn in a solid postseason performance. Buehrle was with the White Sox in 2000 for their last playoff run, and pitched 1/3 scoreless inning of relief.[14] But given his first chance to start, he looked to help his team put the Red Sox in a tough 2-0-hole. Buehrle was a bit shaky, giving up four runs and eight hits over seven innings. However, he still got the win thanks to Boston second baseman Tony Graffanino, a former White Sox. With one out and Joe Crede on first in the fifth inning, Juan Uribe hit a ground ball up the middle. Graffanino took his eyes off the ball and started to flip the ball to shortstop Édgar Rentería before he had fielded it.[13] The ball went through his legs and into the outfield. This allowed Crede to move to third, allowing a prime scoring opportunity for the White Sox.

Scott Podsednik spoiled the first chance, fouling out to third. That opened the door for Tadahito Iguchi with the White Sox down 4-2. Iguchi sent a curveball from pitcher David Wells into the left field seats for a 5-4 lead. The White Sox would never vanquish this lead, as Bobby Jenks came on in the eighth inning to nail down the two inning save.[13] The Sox had just won their second postseason game in a row, and headed to Boston, up two games to none. However, the Red Sox had come back from three down in the American League Championship the year before on their way to the World Series championship, so no one was taking Boston lightly. Final Score: White Sox 5, Boston 4

Game 3

Game 3 proved to be perhaps the most exciting of the whole series. The White Sox headed into Boston, taking on Johnny Damon, Manny Ramirez, and David Ortiz, and were confident. Freddy García was on the hill, ready to nail down his second clinching win of the season. The White Sox took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning with some key hits. However, García's shakiness kept the Red Sox in the game. He gave up two in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game. But, Paul Konerko, the White Sox’ number one run producer the whole season, stepped to the plate in the top of the sixth inning with Jermaine Dye on base. He sent a pitch over the Green Monster in left field to put the White Sox ahead 4-2, and keep a lead that they would never lose.[13] The scariest point came in the sixth inning. García gave up a mammoth home run to Manny Ramirez to bring Boston to within one, and then Dámaso Marte loaded the bases with a single and two walks. That prompted manager Ozzie Guillén to bring on Orlando "El Duque" Hernández, who was brought to Chicago for his incredible postseason track record while with the New York Yankees.[13] With no outs, Hernández toed the rubber against Red Sox pinch hitter and captain Jason Varitek. Varitek fouled out to first baseman Konerko. The next batter was Tony Graffanino, who was looking for redemption from his Game 2 mistake. After a 10 pitch at-bat, Graffanino finally popped up to shortstop Juan Uribe for the second out of the inning. Then after Johnny Damon drew a full count from Hernández, El Duque struck him out on a checked swing.[15] That ended the inning, and put the Red Sox down to rest. Hernández would go on to pitch two more scoreless innings, allowing only one more hit. The White Sox would add an insurance run in the top of the ninth, leading to Bobby Jenks to close out his second game of the series and send the Chicago into the American League Championship Series. Final Score: White Sox 5, Boston 3

This was the White Sox first post-season series win since winning the 1917 World Series.

American League Championship Series- White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Game 1

By virtue of their sweep in the Division Series, the White Sox got to enjoy a three-day break in between the two series, while the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and New York Yankees battled it out. Due to a rain-out, the Angels had to fly from New York to Anaheim for Game 5 of the series, and then fly to Chicago in back to back nights. It was assumed that the White Sox would have the easy advantage in this series, because they were very well rested and Los Angeles was very tired. However, that was not the case. The Angels were led by a home run from Garret Anderson in the second, and Chicago was unable to execute in the field, leading to two more Angel runs. The White Sox would get on the board with a Joe Crede home run in the third. They added on another run to cut the lead to 3-2 with A. J. Pierzynski's RBI single in the fourth.[13] However, that would be all the production the Sox could muster, as they wasted opportunities in the later innings, as well as a solid start by José Contreras. He went 81⁄3 innings, giving up three runs. It was Contreras's first loss since August 15, when he suffered defeat to the Minnesota Twins.[13] The White Sox were now in a hole, and faced a must-win Game 2, or risk going to Anaheim down 2-0. Final Score: Los Angeles 3, White Sox 2

Game 2

Mark Buehrle would be on the mound in Game 2, and turned in an incredible outing. Through nine innings, he only gave up a Robb Quinlan home run in the fifth, and the White Sox scored a run in the bottom of the first via errors. With the score tied 1-1 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and Buehrle getting ready to start the tenth inning, A. J. Pierzynski stepped to the plate. Pierzynski swung on a split-finger fastball in the dirt from Kelvim Escobar for strike three.[13] Home Plate Umpire Doug Eddings[13] called Pierzynski out on three strikes. Pierzynski began taking steps towards the dugout, but quickly realized the ball wasn't caught, and he wasn’t tagged, so he ran to first base. After much discussion between the umpires, he was eventually awarded first base, and the inning went on. Pablo Ozuna went in to pinch run for him, and on the first pitch, stole second base without a throw from Paul. With Joe Crede at the plate down in the count 0-2, Crede lined the next pitch from Escobar off the left field wall for a walk-off double. The White Sox were able to pull out a victory and even the series. Final Score: White Sox, 2. Los Angeles 1

Game 3

The series now switched to Anaheim, where the White Sox had a history of playing poorly. However, this was a new year and a team with a new attitude. Plus, they had the momentum from coming back in the previous game. Jon Garland, who hadn’t pitched in the Division Series, made his first career playoff start. Garland picked up right where Mark Buehrle had left off. Throwing a complete game of his own, Garland gave up only two runs on an Orlando Cabrera home run in the sixth inning while fanning seven.[13] He was helped by his offense, specifically Paul Konerko, who hit a two run home run in the top of the first inning, proving to be the game winning runs as the White Sox built a 3-0 lead after one.[13] The lead was extended to 5-0 by the sixth before the Cabrera home run.

This game had no controversy, although Doug Eddings, the home plate umpire in Game 2 who ruled the third strike to A. J. Pierzynski hit the ground, did get booed while being introduced. The White Sox had put together a 2-1 series lead as well as back to back complete games in a postseason series for the first time since 1982, when it was accomplished by Tommy John and Bruce Kison for the California Angels.[13] The Sox would head into Game 4 looking to take a commanding three games to one lead. Final Score: White Sox 5, Los Angeles 2

Game 4

Inspired by his teammate's performances the last two games of the series, Freddy García followed suit, tossing a complete game of his own. García was masterful over the game, giving up only six hits and two runs. He was helped by yet another three-run lead in the first inning. This time, Paul Konerko hit a three-run homer. The complete game was the first time a team had thrown three straight complete games in a postseason series since the 1973 National League Championship Series when Tom Seaver, Jon Matlack, and Jerry Koosman accomplished the feat for the New York Mets,[13] despite Seaver's being a loss.

Another incident involving catcher A. J. Pierzynski took place in the second inning. There were runners on first and third at the time, and Steve Finley was at the plate. Finley swung and clipped Pierzynski's glove during his follow through. As Finley ran to first he looked back at the umpires and yelled for catcher's interference. However, the call was not made, and Finley eventually ended up grounding into an inning ending double play.[13] The victory put the White Sox one victory away from heading to the World Series, and one step closer to erasing their long-awaited World Championship drought. Final Score: White Sox 8, Los Angeles 2

Game 5

José Contreras, who had pitched well in Game 1 but lost, was on the hill for Game 5, trying to send the White Sox to their first World Series since 1959. Contreras definitely did his part. Keeping with the theme of the series, Contreras fired another complete game. He wasn’t quite as effective as the other three pitchers, surrendering three runs on five hits over the game, but the White Sox offense scored enough runs to give him a 6-3 victory. The four consecutive complete games in a postseason was a League Championship Series record, and the first time since the New York Yankees got five complete games in a row from Whitey Ford, Tom Sturdivant, Don Larsen (which was a perfect game), Bob Turley, and Johnny Kucks during the 1956 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

The White Sox started the scoring in the second on Joe Crede's sacrifice fly. The Angels tied it in the third with an Adam Kennedy single. In the fifth, Jermaine Dye hit a two-out double that put the White Sox ahead 2-1. However, the Angels struck right back with a ground rule double from Chone Figgins and a sacrifice fly from Garret Anderson. However, it was all White Sox after that. Joe Crede hit a game-tying home run off Kelvim Escobar in the seventh. In the eighth, A. J. Pierzynski was at it again. He hit a slow rolling ground ball down the first base line and Escobar tagged him. However, Escobar tagged with his glove, and the ball was in his hand. Randy Marsh, the first base umpire called Pierzynski out, but then the umpires talked it over after manager Ozzie Guillén ran out to argue. The call was reversed, and Pierzynski was rewarded first base with Aaron Rowand on second with two out.[13] Joe Crede faced Angels closer Francisco Rodríguez, who would set the Major League record for saves in a season in 2008 with 62, and Crede laced a single up the middle to score Rowand and put the White Sox ahead for good.[16] Paul Konerko added an RBI double in the ninth for insurance. Konerko would win the ALCS MVP award[13] as the White Sox looked to win their first World Series since 1917. Final Score: White Sox 6, Los Angeles 3

This was the White Sox first pennant since 1959.

2005 World Series- White Sox vs. Houston Astros

Game 1

Chicago's opponent in the 2005 World Series would be the National League Champion Houston Astros, who defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series to clinch a trip to their first World Series in franchise history. The night was special for Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell, two longtime Astros making their first trip to the World Series. Game 1 was José Contreras vs. Roger Clemens. However, Clemens reinjured his hamstring in the second inning, and so his night was done early. In the fourth, with the score tied 3-3, Joe Crede took control of the game. He homered in the inning, and then, in the sixth, he made two diving stops to save runs and keep the White Sox ahead by one.[13]

The story of the night, though, was the bullpen. After Contreras lasted seven plus innings, Neal Cotts came on to try to stop the bleeding. Willy Taveras had hit a leadoff double and then Cotts gave up a hard single to Lance Berkman, which was hit so hard that Taveras had to hold at third. However, Cotts then went on to strike out Morgan Ensberg and Mike Lamb, bringing up Bagwell. That prompted manager Ozzie Guillén to bring on closer Bobby Jenks. Jenks would end up striking out Bagwell while using his 100 mph heat and completely blowing it right past Bagwell. Jenks then got the next three outs in the top of the ninth to give the White Sox a Game 1 victory.[13] Final Score: White Sox 5, Houston 3

Game 2

Fresh off a victory the night before, the White Sox tried to make it two in a row in the Series, but this time against Andy Pettitte, who was making his 34th career postseason start. This game was sloppy, as temperatures were cold and it was raining. Mark Buehrle did not have his best stuff, as he gave up four runs in seven innings. However, with the White Sox down 4-2 in the seventh, Paul Konerko took over. With the bases loaded, he sent the first pitch he saw from reliever Chad Qualls into the left field bullpen for a 6-4 White Sox lead on a grand slam. The slam was the first one in White Sox postseason history. However, the lead only lasted for an inning. Bobby Jenks, so solid the whole postseason, gave up two runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game. Fortunate enough for Jenks, Scott Podsednik came to the rescue. Hitting second in the ninth, Podsednik sent a pitch from suddenly shaky closer Brad Lidge into the right field seats for a walk-off home run. It was the 14th walk-off home run in World Series history, and sent the White Sox to Houston up two games to none. Final Score: White Sox 7, Astros 6

Game 3

This game was the longest game in World Series history time wise, and tied for the longest game in World Series history according to innings. In the first World Series game played in the state of Texas, the hometown Astros got off to a good start. They jumped out to a 4-0 lead through four innings. However, in the fifth, the White Sox put up a five spot to take the lead 5-4 in a 46-pitch inning for Houston's Roy Oswalt. But, the Astros would tie up the score in the bottom of the eighth, and as neither team scored in the ninth inning, the White Sox and the Astros went into extra innings.

The game kept going on and on until the top of the fourteenth inning when Geoff Blum stepped to the plate. Blum did not have a postseason at-bat for the White Sox since Game 1 of the Division Series. He connected on a home run off Ezequiel Astacio to give the White Sox a one-run lead.[17] They would add another insurance run later in the inning. After Dámaso Marte began the bottom half, Mark Buehrle came out and got the save for Chicago. After using nine pitchers to the Astros’ eight, and playing for 5 hours and 41 minutes. The White Sox were just one win away from clinching their first World Series championship in 88 years. Final Score: White Sox 7, Houston 5

Game 4

Behind the words of Ozzie Guillén to win the World Series as soon as possible, the White Sox took it to heart in a trademark 1-0 win. Freddy García was on the hill against the young but talented Brandon Backe. Locked in a pitchers’ duel through seven innings, Guillén decided to take García out and replace him with a pinch hitter in the top of the eighth inning. Willie Harris would pinch-hit for García and started the inning off with a single. After moving to third with two outs, Jermaine Dye would drive him in with a single up the middle against Brad Lidge, who again gave up another big hit. Dye would win World Series MVP honors for his clutch hitting throughout the series. After Cliff Polite and Neal Cotts pitched a scoreless eighth, closer Bobby Jenks came in to close the game out. He did give up a leadoff single, and got an out via a sacrifice bunt, but then it was all Juan Uribe. Uribe chased down a foul ball and dove into the stands to make the grab, providing one of the best catches in World Series history. He then made the play on a slow chopper over the head of Jenks to throw out Orlando Palmeiro to win the game and the World Series for the White Sox. Final Score: White Sox 1, Houston 0

With their 11-1 record, the White Sox tied the 1999 New York Yankees for the best record in a single post-season. In calling the final out, White Sox broadcaster John Rooney's call of "A White Sox winner and a World Championship!" echoed Jack Buck's call of the St. Louis Cardinals winning the 1982 World Series: "That's a winner! That's a winner! A World Series winner for the Cardinals!" Following the series, Rooney would join the Cardinals broadcasting team and he would announce their victory in the 2006 World Series.

Farm system

Level Team League Manager
AAA Charlotte Knights International League Nick Leyva and Manny Trillo
AA Birmingham Barons Southern League Razor Shines
A Winston-Salem Warthogs Carolina League Chris Cron
A Kannapolis Intimidators South Atlantic League Nick Capra
Rookie Bristol White Sox Appalachian League Jerry Hairston, Sr.
Rookie Great Falls White Sox Pioneer League John Orton

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Kannapolis[18]

References

  1. ↑ Jermaine Dye at Baseball Reference
  2. ↑ Dustin Hermanson at Baseball Reference
  3. ↑ Scott Podsednik at Baseball Reference
  4. ↑ Bobby Jenks at Baseball Reference
  5. ↑ Orlando Hernández at Baseball Reference
  6. ↑ A. J. Pierzynski at Baseball Reference
  7. ↑ Tadahito Iguchi at Baseball Reference
  8. ↑ Ozzie Guillén page at Wikipedia
  9. 1 2 A. J. Pierzynski stats page at MLB.com
  10. ↑ Lance Broadway at Baseball Reference
  11. ↑ Chicago White Sox at Baseball Reference
  12. ↑ Chicago Tribune (2005). Believe It! The Story of Chicago's World Champions. Chicago: Triumph Books.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 White Sox: 2005 World Series Champions. Grand Rapids: Sports, LLC, 2005.
  14. ↑ Mark Buehrle postseason stats from MLB.com
  15. ↑ 2005 American League Division Series#Game 3.2C October 7
  16. ↑ Francisco Rodriguez page at the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim official web site
  17. ↑ http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=430586&statType=2
  18. ↑ Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007

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