South Side Column: The 2005 White Sox Were 20 Years Ago But The Joy Lingers

This column was written on October 26th, but due to work reasons was published today

I cannot express to you all whom are reading this the type of jubilation a 15 year old me went through watching this team achieve the greatest trophy in baseball.

The White Sox are hands down my favorite sports team, but as an adolescent, I was absolutely crazed about the Pale Hose. Now as a 35 year old man, while the team is pretty bad at the moment, I still reminisce about that team winning the World Series in 2005. Despite the 11-1 dominance, each and every game was exciting and memorable.

Lets rewind the clock to my first White Sox game of the season in 2005 and if you remember every moment that campaign, this one should really trigger your memory. It was in June and the Dodgers were in town for the first time since 1959. Some of the '59 team were celebrated on the field and it was honestly a pretty great pregame ceremony. The game itself was a well pitched one, but down 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth and down to their last out, the Sox really showed who they really were that year in just a half inning. The mantra of "Win or Die Trying" was on full display as the Pale Hose came back in dramatic fashion and never gave up. Carl Everett drove in a run with two outs to get them within a run and then Aaron Rowand hit a ball up the middle to score Willie Harris (who pinch ran for Everett) to tie it. Then it came down to the man who became a folk hero on the South Side, AJ Pierzynski. People might forget about this, but Pierzynski almost popped up to first baseman Hee-Seop Choi in foul territory to send it to extra innings, but Choi dropped it to extend the at bat. One memorable quote from Chris Berman of ESPN when calling one of the ALDS games said that giving good teams extra outs, it would come back to bite the opposing sides (not the actual quote as it was paraphrased, but it gets the point across), well, Pierzynski in this particular June game was given that opportunity and was able to get a pitch to hit and dumped it into the center field stands. Sox win in incredible and unbelievable fashion. It was so much fun to watch. That's when I suddenly realized how good this team really was.

While I might've been living in DC at the time, I was following the Sox every single game as much as I could and this was even before MLB.tv was in my household. The only times I was able to watch them on TV was when Saturday Afternoon Baseball was shown on FOX and I would always go see them when they came to visit Baltimore to play the Orioles. It didn't matter though, I felt like I was at 35th and Shields every night despite living on the East Coast.

That 2005 Sox team were actually better when you think back on that campaign as they did everything right. Yes, they played small ball, but they also hit 200 home runs. So they actually played "Old School" baseball. The pitching was outstanding and even got career years from players such as Cliff Politte and Luis Vizcaino. The hitting, aside from being potent, always knew how to hit in the clutch and knew how to manufacture them too whether it's getting on base, bunting the ball, stealing a base, pretty much any way possible you can think of. Then the defense, man those guys were so good defensively that it still proves to this day that a great defense goes a long ways to win a championship. Sure, losing Carlos Lee, Jose Valentin, and Magglio Ordonez in the offseason hurt, especially with how explosive their bats were and losing Frank Thomas for most of the season, it's understandable that people were not high on them in the beginning of the year, but there is one thing the pundits forgot about: the human element. Manager Ozzie Guillen clearly wanted to change the culture of the ballclub and developed chemistry. All these guys absolutely loved playing with one another and it got to the point that when they lost, they took it personally, which is great. They'd all personally go out for dinner or play video games with one another and that literally was with everyone who played for the team that season. There's a reason why we loved this edition of the Sox.

Talking with my father at some point during the second half, we started discussing about the realistic chance of going to the World Series in October, but deep down both of us both had that gut feeling that they'd probably only were going to make it as deep as the ALCS especially considering how much disappointment they had provided in recent years despite the high hopes and that's when a certain other team started winning every game, almost a legit statement to make. The Cleveland Indians at that point suddenly got hot, like really hot. I don't think I've ever seen a team play as well as they ever did. No matter what the result was that the Sox had, Cleveland just kept winning. A once 15 game lead in the division beginning August 1, just kept dwindling. This gut feeling just kept getting stronger and stronger. Sure, the Sox had a bad August, but they turned it around in September and came back to their winning ways. However, that pesky team that called themselves the Tribe, just seemingly would not go away and managed to cut that lead down to only 1.5 game division lead. I think most of us were feeling the worst, but then a Joe Crede walk off home run against Cleveland changed the fortune for the Sox as they got red hot and clinched the division in Detroit. It was quite the relief.

The playoffs began and the Pale Hose took on the defending champions, Boston Red Sox, and it just felt like it was our time as fans to enjoy the same joy and elation Boston felt in 2004. Well game one certainly helped with that feeling with the Sox exploding for 14 runs and winning the game. In game two, Boston got out to a lead, but the Pale Hose rallied back within one to set up another familiar feeling as Juan Uribe grounded a ball to former Sox infielder Tony Graffanino who completely missed the ball to allow the inning to continue and the next batter, Tadahito Iguchi, crushed a ball into the stands to give them the lead and won the contest. Remember, giving extra outs to good teams it's going to hurt you. Game three was probably the most memorable because of a single performance, but this was actually a well played game for the Pale Hose. However, the team got themselves into a pickle with a bases loaded and no outs situation and Guillen called upon postseason veteran, whom some Sox fans didn't even want on the playoff roster (lots wanted Brandon McCarthy, myself included), Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez. Boy, aren't we all glad to be wrong as Hernandez induced two pop ups and a strike out to end Boston's threat. From there, the Pale Hose cruised to victory and advanced to the next round. To me, this was great, but winning that series felt inevitable. It was time for the ALCS.

This was the series that made me actually believe the Sox had what it took to win it all, well, except for that first game where they came out flat against the Angels and lost. In game two, it was just an incredibly pitched game where Mark Buehrle went all nine innings and then Pierzynski was the only person "dumb" enough to swing at a ball in the dirt and then run to first base causing controversy as it looks to be snagged by catcher (and former Sox player) Josh Paul. As controversial as it was, there wasn't any conclusive evidence Paul had the ball before it hit the ground. There's also an angle that shows dirt get kicked up as it's hitting the glove which suggests that it probably did hit the ground. Either way, Paul should have thrown it to first base and it would've gone into extra innings. Again, an extra out for the Sox and they pounced on the opportunity as Crede hit a double off the wall allowing Pablo Ozuna (who pinch ran for Pierzynski) to score the walk off run. As controversial as that might've been, that was all the momentum the team needed. From there on, the Sox completely dominated the series as the starting pitching threw four consecutive complete games and Neal Cotts was the only reliever used going 2/3 of an inning in the entire series, just think about that! That's insane and something we will probably never see again. What isn't talked as much is the production the Sox got from Paul Konerko and Crede as they both each hit two home runs and drove in seven with Konerko getting the ALCS MVP honors (still think it should've been Crede, but the pennant was all that mattered). In game five of that game where Crede drove in the game winning run and then the ground ball to Konerko to end the series, that's where the disbelief began as seeing a team that had disappointed me so much in my life to suddenly be at the biggest stage in baseball.

My father and I got tickets to the World Series that year and went to both games one and two. I just remember the atmosphere was just electric and exciting and even the best rendition of the national anthem done by Josh Groban was amazing, it was just so surreal to be there. Heck, there was a Sox Batman dancing around! Game one was very close but seeing the Sox show what they did all season long with their defense, pitching, and timely hitting. Crede flashed the leather like Brooks Robinson at third base plus hitting the game winning home run (in the fourth inning), it exemplified everything the Sox did in 2005. Watching Bobby Jenks come out of the bullpen and just show how electric his stuff was and shut down the Astros like he did, it was just "wow!" Game two hands down was the most exciting game of the series to me and holy hell was that a really cold and rainy night. I literally had no voice after screaming my ass off the night before, so the weather didn't make it any better. I just remember it was the seventh inning and thinking with the Sox down 4-2, it probably will go Houston's way with the momentum going their way going back to Texas, but man, that set up the most exciting moment I've ever experienced at the stadium. When the Pale Hose loaded the bases for Konerko and on the first pitch watching him deposit the ball into the left field bleachers, I will absolutely never forget that moment especially as I remember hugging random people in the stands seeing the place go into a frenzy. Hands down the best moment I've experienced as a Sox fan while being at the stadium (yeah, I know, something even better came later that game). Despite Houston tying the game up in the ninth, it did set up one of the most unexpected moments from a guy who barely had any power in his bat. Scott Podsednik had no home runs the entire season, well he came up and hit a walk off dinger into the center field bleachers and sent the Southside faithful home on cloud nine. At that moment my dad looked at me amidst the chaos and said that if the Sox can win like this, then this series is theirs to lose. While walking down from the stands back to the car and cheering on with other fans chanting "Lets go White Sox" nonstop, there was nothing that could have caused any rifts or any fights, we as a collective whole were just so excited and happy. We had to fly back to DC for the rest of the series, but I'm glad we didn't need to fly back as games three and four made it easy to digest that. I wasn't able to watch extra innings in game three as it was into the wee hours of the morning and I had school in the morning, but my dad watched it and said he nearly fell off his exercise bike once Geoff Blum, some dude who was the only pickup at the trade deadline just to be depth, hit the game winning home run in the 14th inning. As for game four, with the understanding that the Sox were up 3-0, I knew that all the pressure was on the Astros. But that game was not easy to watch as it was a pitchers duel. Probably the best pitched game I've ever seen. However, with Willie Harris getting a pinch hit single to start the 8th inning and to see him be sacrificed over by Podsednik and then advancing on a ground ball out by Carl Everett, it was just the Sox 2005 campaign on full display as Jermaine Dye hit a ball up the middle to drive in Harris to give the Pale Hose the only lead and run they needed. In the bottom of ninth, watching Jenks get up there, the reality of seeing your favorite team on the cusp of winning a championship was about to happen. Of course the game got interesting with a runner on second with one out, I knew any little hit could cause problems. Then the Juan Uribe show took place as he made one of the most incredible plays by a shortstop by diving into the stands and catching a ball for the second out and it made you realize how good he actually was as a fielder. With two outs, I had to stand up, as did my father. With a 1-2 count to pinch hitter Orlando Palmeiro, you could feel the legs get numb and wobbly as you suddenly realize that one more strike and the Sox were World Champions. Then it was a chopper up the middle over Jenks, panic settled in. Uribe somehow got to the ball and quickly got it out of his glove throwing it towards Konerko at first base. I kept looking back and forth between Uribe with the ball and watching Palmeiro trucking it down the line. I don't think I blinked or even took a breath watching this sequence. Once that ball hit Konerko's glove and the umpire signaled out, it suddenly hit me: the White Sox were world champions.

Despite my dad having a bad back, I ran towards him and jumped into his arms. I don't think he felt anything and if he did, I don't think he cared. My father at the age of 57, whom attended game one of the 1959 World Series, and myself both got to watch our favorite team win the ultimate prize for the first time (hopefully not the last though). I knew I had school in the morning but I don't think I went to bed until after 1 AM. I proudly played "Go Go White Sox" as loud as I could in my house and watching the trophy presentation was just unreal to me. This really happened and nobody could take that feeling away from me.

20 years later as I both reflect on it and write about it, it still doesn't feel real, especially after everything that has happened afterwards, but it still hits me right in the feels. I watched the 2005 World Series film and it still makes me smile. Sure, things have not been great for the past decade and a half, but reliving all of those moments makes it seem like it happened last week. To this day, it is still the greatest moment of my life I've experienced while watching sports. The fact it is 20 years ago is more unbelievable to me than the fact they actually won it, but it still resonates. I don't think them winning it that year will ever be topped even if they completely dominate in the next few years and develop a dynasty. This 2005 Sox team ended a 88 year drought, the way they played the game and were so good at doing it, did the best to represent the city of Chicago and showed what that city really is about, and the personalities in that clubhouse, I just can't see how anything will be better. It wasn't a fluke, but it hurts that they couldn't build upon that championship, but that doesn't matter anymore as it's still a memory I will always cherish. So on the exact date the Sox won the World Series, lets hold a toast and celebrate this. Lets remember all the friends and family who never got a chance to see that day and think how they would've celebrated. Lets reflect on all the people who got a chance to witness that night including that 92 year old woman who waited for that moment and was in the stands for Game Two and think how they would celebrate today 20 years later. I will never forget and it always gives me joy whenever I think back on it. But I guess I'm only guilty of being die hard fan. This was the greatest moment in White Sox history, let's cherish it.

And lastly, before this long ass column ends, I will end with this on a personal note. Earlier this year I came to Chicago for a White Sox charities event and at one of the games, while in the Rate Club, I encountered Jon Garland. I approached him and told him "thank you" for 2005. While maybe when they won it and I was 15, I didn't quite endure all the heartache like others did, but he looked at me, shook my hand, and was said "I am so happy to hear that." He knew, clearly everyone in that clubhouse that season understood what us fans were feeling, and that's what made that team so special as they really represented us and played for us all. They all knew that the Sox are really the true Chicago baseball team. That 25 man roster were just one of us. And that's what made 2005 so special. Even if another Sox team who is even better and more talented were to win the World Series, it will never be as enjoyable as 2005. So that being said, to any of the 2005 White Sox team who might come across this and read it, thank you. You will always be in our hearts and are truly special to all every Sox fan. Thank you may not even be enough, but just take it as is. Now, let's celebrate this 20th anniversary in the best Chicago way possible. To cap it all off, I attached a video below I made in college five years after they won it all. Let that be the best way to end this column.

Rest in peace to Bobby Jenks