2008 Chicago White Sox

Even as we say “Congratulations” to the Tampa Bay Rays, winners of the American League Championship Series, we want to say a big “Thank you” to the Chicago White Sox, winners of the Central Division, for the exciting season they had!

Though the Chicago White Sox’s 4th place finish in AL Central in the 2007 season left much to be desired, changes made in the off-season mean they’ll be real contenders for the division title in 2008. The defensive roster received a much needed shot in the arm, with Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink joining the bullpen, Carlos Quentin, Nick Swisher and Olympic gold medalist Alexei Ramírez strengthening the outfield and Orlando Cabrera coming in as shortstop. Now all the team needs is tons of fans encouraging them, so get your tickets to US Cellular Field and help make 2008 a winning season for the Chicago White Sox!

The Chicago White Stockings

The Chicago White Sox were established by Charles Comiskey in 1900 as the Chicago White Stockings. Quickly becoming the White Sox they established themselves as a contender early in the Century winning the 1906 and 1917 World Series. Unfortunately, those 2 Series victories are usually forgotten about due to the 1919 “Black Sox” scandal when 8 White Sox players were banned from the game for conspiring to throw the 1919 World Series.

Go-Go White Sox

Forty years would pass before the White Sox would play in the World Series again. In 1959, Manager Al Lopez guided the “Go-Go White Sox” to the AL Pennant. With a slick fielding team led by shortstop Luis Aparacio and second baseman Nellie Fox the team relied on aggressive base running to put runs on the scoreboard. The team fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers and would not return to the World Series for another 40 plus years.

The years in between were mixed with success and disappointment. The Sox competed intermittently, often finishing in the second division. They did manage to put everything together in 1983, when led by young Manager of the Year Tony LaRussa, the White Sox captured the AL West before losing to the eventual World Champion Baltimore Orioles in the AL Championship Series. Ten years later they once again won the AL West to lose to the eventual World Series Champion in the AL Championships Series.

A World Series Title at Last

The White Sox put together a dream season in 2005 by winning their first World Series in almost 90 years. Managed by former Sox favorite Jose Guillen and led by a pitching staff that dominated the post season the team plowed through the competition rarely trailing in any game. The multigenerational patience the South Side of Chicago showed their beloved White Sox paid off in ticker tape parades and World Series rallies.

Playing in the hardest division in baseball has made it tough for the White Sox to return to the World Series. With Central Division rivals Tigers, Indians, Twins, and Royals all improving their clubs, the Sox will have their work cut out for them in 2008. South Siders are optimistic and look forward to filling U.S. Cellular Field this summer.