World Series Champs

The Chicago White Sox are the definition off a winning team. Starting off with the best record in baseball, Sox fans had big hopes. Behind star pitchers Jon Garland and Mark Burble; the Sox dominated the American League until the all-star game. Three sox players went to the all-star game Jon Garland,M ark Buehle,and their star hitter, Paul Konerko. Behind manager Ozzie Guillen, the Sox were as cocky as could be.

The Sox took a nosedive in the second half of the season. On August 1, the Sox were leading their division rivals, the Indians, by 15 games. By September 19, the Sox were only 2 1/2 games ahead of the Indians. Everyone was about to jump of the band wagon, but the Sox didn't give up on themselves.The final 3 games were against the Indians. So if the Indians won all 3 games, they would make the playoff instead of the Sox. The first game of the series the Sox won 6-4. This meant that they would automatically make the playoffs. The Sox won the final 2 games of the series, eliminating the Indians from the playoffs.

The Sox throughout the season had their all-stars. Jon Garland, Mark Buerhle,Freddy Garcia,Paul Konerko, Joe Creede,Aaron Rorwad, and Scott Podsednik. Although, during the playoffs some unlikely heroes stepped up. Shortstop Juan Uribe countinued his stellar play on defense, and also came up with some huge hits in the playoffs. Jermine Dye, a canadiate for comeback player of the year, came up with huge hits at huge times. Tadahito Iguchi, came over from the Japanese League to help the Sox at Second Base. Jose Contras, came back to be the number 1 pitcher going into the playoffs. Dustin Hermanson, came back from a disappointing last season, to become the Sox shut down closer. Neal Cotts proved himself this year becoming the Sox set up man and by getting huge outs in huge situations. Bobby Jenks became the Sox closer in the playoffs when Hermanson was injured. All these players contributed to the White Sox Success.

The Sox went into the first playoff series sweeping the Red Sox. With big preferences by Konerko, Crede, and failed starter Orlando Hernandez, helped the Sox win this series. The next series was the biggest. The Sox won the Series in 5 games. Their were 4 complete games by Garland, Burl he,Garcia, and Contreas, and the game they lost, Contreas pitched 8 1/3 innings. That means that in that series, the bullpen pitched a total of 2/3 innings. That's amazing! Going to the World Series, the Sox were the favorite. The opinions were right. Although it was a hard fought series by the Astros, the Sox swept them and won the World Series. The M.V.P went to Jermaine Dye, who came up with huge hits in the World Series. The Sox were the true definition of a team. Although I am a Cubs fan, I am happy for the Sox and the city of Chicago. Keep celebrating Chicago, you haven't had a World Series title since 1917.

by Brad O.
Julian Middle School