Opening Eyes

(September 30)  

Short take:  Winning now is bittersweet

Look who is in second place all by themselves. On the very day the Sox relinquish their division crown, they finally climb past the last obstacle between them and Cleveland.  They're going to the playoffs and we aren't because games on April 2 count as much as those on May 2, June 2, July 2, August 2, September 2, and yes--even October 2, too.  The Sox ran a junior-varsity tryout last spring while the Cleveland Indians ran for the playoffs.  Guess who reached the finish line first?

So it was a bittersweet victory the Sox claimed in Kansas City.  The final score was 5-2 and the Sox looked really good putting away yet another inferior opponent.  For Sox Fans however, the nagging question from 2001 will always be "what if".  Today's events simply seal the deal.

One of the most pleasant surprises has been how the young pitching staff has stepped up.  Amongst the galaxy of promising future starters, add Gary Glover's name.  He pitched well enough to win his last outing and today would not be denied.  His six innings work were essentially a 3-hit shutout.  Only a poorly executed rundown by Joe Crede and Tony Graffanino allowed any Kansas City runs to score.  Glover had their number the rest of the day.

Perhaps the most important catch of the season was Carlos Lee's leaping effort to save a grand slam from leaving the yard--surefire highlight film material, assuming the Sox even bother to make a tape of this season.  They only made a low-budget, half-hearted effort for the 2000 division championship season.

Oh sure, it's Sox Fans fault they don't show up at the ballpark more often.  The Sox' lack of promotional effort has nothing to do with it.

The Sox wasted no time jumping in front.  They scored in each of the first three innings.  The Sox scored five runs and not one of them came on a homerun.  Such a feat!  A nice balanced offense from the Sox, all but one starter collecting at least one hit.  Situational hitting can be a beautiful thing.

Do you think Gary Ward was taking notes.  84 years of futility says he wasn't.

On to New York to play the games Jerry Manuel wishes we weren't.  There are some second-place bonus bucks riding on them now.  Might as well win 'em!

Let's Go Go Go White Sox---Chicago's Proud of You!

1967 -- The Improbable Nightmare!

Hey Sox Fans, check out WSI's new retrospective on the season the Sox came closest to scratching our 42 year pennant itch.  Written by Dan Helpingstine, author of "Through Hope and Despair", here's the first chapter to his new book.

1967 -- As Close as They've Come  

Another WSI Exclusive!