Is it the Chicago White Sox year for a World Series title, or are fans going to have to wait another 16 seasons?
CHICAGO (BVM) — While being Chicago baseball rivals, both the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox are in first place within each of their divisions. While the Cubs are playing at their A-game, so are the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox are five-and-a-half games ahead in the American League Central Division while on a four-game win streak, holding a current record of 41-24.
Originating in 1894 as an official minor league team, the Chicago White Sox were known as the Sioux City (Iowa) Cornhuskers. After the organization’s first season, owner at the time, Charles Comiskey, decided to relocate the team to St. Paul, Minn., which did not last long until the team moved to Chicago in 1900.
When being promoted from the minor leagues the following year, the White Sox took home their first league title in 1901. Following the league win, the franchise was known as the “White Stockings” until 1904 when the organization decided on the current name of the team.
The White Sox won their first World Series championship in 1906 against their rival, the Chicago Cubs, winning the series 4-2. The White Sox were held off after that season and kept out of the playoffs until 1917 when the organization won another World Series championship against the New York Giants — again winning the series 4-2.
After the 1917 World Series win, the White Sox image was tarnished due to the Black Sox Scandal. The Black Sox Scandal involved eight White Sox players who had been bribed to lose the World Series in 1919 to the Cincinnati Reds. This led to some players being banned and damaging the reputation and image of the organization.
Throughout the next 86 seasons, the organization struggled. During the rebuilding of the team and the wake of the scandal, the Chicago White Sox had finally returned to the World Series. After 86 seasons, the White Sox had the Houston Astros in a 4-0 series, winning another title for the organization.
Though the White Sox had returned to the playoffs in the 2008 season, they did not get past the first round. Throughout the next three seasons, the organization had no higher finish than second place in its division.
While not placing higher than second within their division, manager Ozzie Guillen — who led the White Sox to their World Series win in 2005 — had caused tensions between himself and the baseball operations management team. This led Guillen to be released from his contract early on before the 2011 season even came close to an end. Throughout this time, there was a huge rebuilding period leading the team to consistently finish towards the bottom of the standings throughout the end of the decade.
During the prolonged rebuilding process, Robin Ventura took over managing the White Sox until the end of the 2016 season, completing a managerial record of 375-435. After four seasons of managing, Ventura decided it was his time to depart. Rick Renteria picked up the role of manager for three seasons with a record of 236-309. After the Renteria era, the White Sox re-hired veteran Tony La Russa, who managed the team back from 1979 until 1986. La Russa holds a managerial record of 522-510 with the Sox.
It has been 16 seasons since the organization has won a World Series, and the team has been coming in hot with La Russa managing. One of the stars during this new White Sox era is Lucas Giolito, who is throwing on average at 94 mph and topping it at 97.4 mph, while throwing it in the strike zone 52% of the time. His pitching record this year is 5-5 in 13 appearances with a 3.81 ERA, WHIP of 1.11 and 96 strikeouts.
Through it all, his catcher, new addition Yasmani Grandal, has also been playing well with 10 home runs and 23 RBIs. Not only is Giolito and Grandal a perfect duo, but shortstop Tim Anderson has been a leader for the White Sox this season, batting .299 with six home runs, 25 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
Perhaps the star of the White Sox lineup, however, is Cuban slugger, Jose Abreu. On the year, Abreu has batted a modest .262, but has hit 11 home runs while driving in a team-high 49 RBIs.
Another great addition to the team is closer Liam Hendriks, who was on the Oakland A’s last year. Thus far this season, his record is 3-1, as he boasts a 2.22 ERA, with 44 strikeouts across his 17 saves in 30 appearances. Hendriks has been outstanding and has brought exactly the kind of winning energy the White Sox need.
Catch the White Sox playing the Tampa Bay Rays tonight, June 14 at 7:10 CST on NBC Sports, where both teams are ranked 1-2 in MLB in winning percentage. Fans are hoping that La Russa and the White Sox can lead to a much needed World Series championship title that they deserve within the franchise.
