About the Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox play in the Central Division of the American League.  One year after the creation of the American League, the St. Paul franchise moved to Chicago and played as the Chicago White Stocking starting in 1901.  With outstanding pitching, the White Stockings won their first ever American League Crown in 1906.  They went on to beat the Cubs in the World Series in the only all-Chicago championship in history.

The White Sox won 100 games in 1917, and returned to the World Series, winning it for Chicago's most recent World Series title to date.  The new stars of the time were Eddie Collins, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, Ed Cicotte, and Ray "Cracker" Schalk. 

The Sox made it to the World Series again in 1919, with most of the 1917 squad still intact, but they now how greater depth and more experience.  The Sox played sluggish baseball, which they had rarely done in a season where they won almost 90 games.  Later, it was found to be true that eight players including "Shoeless" Joe all became fed up with owner Charles Comiskey's cheap ways and accepted money to fix the World Series.  Afterwards, the 1919 World Series would go down as the most infamous ever in the history of the game.  All eight players were banned from baseball for life and the 1919 Chicago White Sox became known as the "Black Sox."

The White Sox returned to prominence when they beat the Indians in 1959, for their first AL Championship in 40 years.  In 1981, and ownership group headed by Jerry Reinsdorf bought the White Sox and gained instant affection from fans as they immediately signed Red Sox hero and future hall of fame catcher Carlton Fisk.

In 1993, the emerging young stars of the White Sox, Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura, and Jack McDowell helped the White Sox win 94 games and the division.  The following year, a season that looked to have all the ingredients for a World Series was cut short as major league players went on strike. 

The White Sox failed to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year this past year, however there were many positive signs for the future.  Paul Konerko earned career highs in homeruns and RBI's, Mark Buehrle won 16 games, and Shingo Takatsu had 19 saves in 20 opportunities.  The White Sox focus for 2005 will likely be defense.  The acquisition of Orlando Hernandez, Jermaine Dye Scott Podsednik, and Luis Vizcaino will definitely help that cause.

U.S. Cellular Field - Chicago, IL

The White Sox play their home games at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois.  Previously known as Comiskey Park, the White Sox and U.S. Cellular entered into a partnership that will provide for dramatic improvements to the stadium over the coming years.  Some have already been mad, including a new video board in center field and a new fan deck.   The park seats 47,098 people and ahs been used in many commercials and movies.  Any ticket holder will agree that a ticket to a Sox game in one of the majors' newest parks is a true pleasure for any baseball fan.