11 cool facts about the '05 Sox

[Lake Shore Drive]

A few of these I already knew, but most I had no idea. Guess while there remains no baseball, we might as well keep our minds occupied by learning a little White Sox history, especially this glorious, WS-winning '05 club.

11 cool facts about the 2005 White Sox

 

[Jiddy]

10. Wire-to-wire division leaders
They are one of five teams in MLB history to lead their division (or league, prior to the division era) wire-to-wire and win the World Series, joining the 1927 Yankees, 1955 Dodgers, 1984 Tigers and 1990 Reds. Of those five teams, the 2005 White Sox, 1990 Reds and 1927 Yankees swept the World Series.


This is what was so amazing about that team. They took it so easy on us fans. I mean, we're used to the bottom falling out in Chicago, so we just kept bracing for the impact. But that team the whole f*cking time was like "yo we got this" and just kept winning and winning and winning. Never even put it in doubt.

Thank you 2005 White Sox.

 

[richig07]

10. Wire-to-wire division leaders
They are one of five teams in MLB history to lead their division (or league, prior to the division era) wire-to-wire and win the World Series, joining the 1927 Yankees, 1955 Dodgers, 1984 Tigers and 1990 Reds. Of those five teams, the 2005 White Sox, 1990 Reds and 1927 Yankees swept the World Series.


This is what was so amazing about that team. They took it so easy on us fans. I mean, we're used to the bottom falling out in Chicago, so we just kept bracing for the impact. But that team the whole f*cking time was like "yo we got this" and just kept winning and winning and winning. Never even put it in doubt.

Thank you 2005 White Sox.

Hmm... They almost blew the biggest division lead in MLB history in August and early September. That was one of the worst experiences of my life. They were brutal. The lead dropped from 15 games to 1.5 over Cleveland in a blink. I thought they were toast, if I am being honest.

That team would have won 110+ easy if they were just mediocre during that stretch instead of god fucking awful.

 

[Jiddy]

Hmm... They almost blew the biggest division lead in MLB history in August and early September. That was one of the worst experiences of my life. They were brutal. The lead dropped from 15 games to 1.5 over Cleveland in a blink. I thought they were toast, if I am being honest.

That team would have won 110+ easy if they were just mediocre during that stretch instead of god fucking awful.

Oh man...That brings back memories of @PnkPanther and the magic number thread...I completely forgot about that late swoon and all the mediot bullsh*t that came with it.

You would have been proud richi. I held firm we had it in the bag from before the first pitch til the last out. From day 1 we were winning the whole f*cking thing that season...You would have loved it because I used every ounce of evil posting power for good. I wish I had it saved somewhere.

To quote the Superfans:

It was never in doubt my friends my friends
It was never in doubt my friends.


But yeah, good call...There was a small moment there where there was a small amount of fear at the end of the season. Ozzie unleashing on the mediots during that time brings back good memories.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

I vividly remember that swoon period when we saw our huge lead all but vaporize. Going 8-2 in our final 10 games, including the season-ending sweep of the Tribe in their yard was what iced it all.

 

[PnkPanther]

Oh man...That brings back memories of @PnkPanther and the magic number thread...I completely forgot about that late swoon and all the mediot bullsh*t that came with it.

You would have been proud richi. I held firm we had it in the bag from before the first pitch til the last out. From day 1 we were winning the whole f*cking thing that season...You would have loved it because I used every ounce of evil posting power for good. I wish I had it saved somewhere.

To quote the Superfans:

It was never in doubt my friends my friends
It was never in doubt my friends.


But yeah, good call...There was a small moment there where there was a small amount of fear at the end of the season. Ozzie unleashing on the mediots during that time brings back good memories.

still haunts me...and for brief moment Bobby Jenks looking like an all timer

 

[Jiddy]

I vividly remember that swoon period when we saw our huge lead all but vaporize. Going 8-2 in our final 10 games, including the season-ending sweep of the Tribe in their yard was what iced it all.

Even with the swoon, you will very rarely get a season where a team basically gives you no stress during the playoffs while rocking a record like 99-63. We've had 3 in Chicago though. 85 Bears...72-10 Bulls...05 Sox...I was too young to appreciate the 85 Bears...but 72-10 I remember thinking it was possible we could sweep the playoffs. Sox made it easy on us for a franchise that hadn't won sh*t in 100 years. 99 wins and 11-1 in the postseason? The team was never worried. That's for sure.

 

[Jiddy]

still haunts me...and for brief moment Bobby Jenks looking like an all timer

Dude's story after his time with the Sox is pretty sad.

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/bobby-jenks-baseball-scar-tissue

 

[richig07]

Oh man...That brings back memories of @PnkPanther and the magic number thread...I completely forgot about that late swoon and all the mediot bullsh*t that came with it.

You would have been proud richi. I held firm we had it in the bag from before the first pitch til the last out. From day 1 we were winning the whole f*cking thing that season...You would have loved it because I used every ounce of evil posting power for good. I wish I had it saved somewhere.

To quote the Superfans:

It was never in doubt my friends my friends
It was never in doubt my friends.


But yeah, good call...There was a small moment there where there was a small amount of fear at the end of the season. Ozzie unleashing on the mediots during that time brings back good memories.

We went into that late August Cleveland series up 2.5 and lost 2/3. Only win was a walk-off by Joe Crede. By the grace of god, that saved us from falling down a half game and relinquishing the biggest division lead ever.

That series was when I really panicked. After that, Cleveland faded and we started getting it back, though.

 

[richig07]

Dude's story after his time with the Sox is pretty sad.

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/bobby-jenks-baseball-scar-tissue

What makes it so sad is that he's really a victim. That sounds like hell what he went through because of those botched surgeries. Jesus. You can see how someone would get addicted to painkillers in the fashion he did.

I also realize that he was an alcoholic before all of that went down and was far from a saint. Still, my heart goes out to Big Bobby and I'm glad he has found some peace since that time. It would have been easy to lay down and die after all that.

I'm also glad that he was rightfully compensated as a result of his malpractice lawsuit. That doctor did, indeed, cost him millions and so much pain.

 

[msgkings322]

I don't know if this was mentioned in the link, but what I will always be most impressed by from 2005, is that ALDS vs the Angels.

We lose game 1. But then sweep the next 4. With the starting pitcher throwing a complete game in EVERY one. With the way pens are used in the playoffs now, that will never happen again until the sun engulfs the Earth. That's as unlikely as someone topping DiMaggio's 56

...ok kidding at the end, DiMaggio's is way less likely to happen again.

 

[richig07]

I don't know if this was mentioned in the link, but what I will always be most impressed by from 2005, is that ALDS vs the Angels.

We lose game 1. But then sweep the next 4. With the starting pitcher throwing a complete game in EVERY one. With the way pens are used in the playoffs now, that will never happen again until the sun engulfs the Earth. That's as unlikely as someone topping DiMaggio's 56

...ok kidding at the end, DiMaggio's is way less likely to happen again.

AAANNND don't forget that Contreras went 8 1/3 in Game 1. We were so f'ing close to 5 CG's.

I actually hate that Game 1. It stands in the way of us being 1 of 2 teams all-time to have a perfect post-season (Big Red Machine - before LDS series were introduced as well). Remember we had like a 4 day layover between series since we swept Boston, then LAA/NYY not only went to 5 games but had multiple rain outs? In baseball, extended time off is not good for hitters or pitchers. Paulie flew out with a runner on 2nd down by 1 in the 9th to end it. Still annoys me.

And I disagree about DiMaggio vs our record. First off, Cal Ripken's consecutive game mark is the most unbreakable. We all agree on that, I think. However, 4 straight complete games in the post-season? I swear, I can't recall the last time there were two consecutive. Guys have reached around 40 in a hit streak a handful of times. That's closer than I think anyone will come to our CG streak.

 

[msgkings322]

AAANNND don't forget that Contreras went 8 1/3 in Game 1. We were so f'ing close to 5 CG's.

I actually hate that Game 1. It stands in the way of us being 1 of 2 teams all-time to have a perfect post-season (Big Red Machine - before LDS series were introduced as well). Remember we had like a 4 day layover between series since we swept Boston, then LAA/NYY not only went to 5 games but had multiple rain outs? In baseball, extended time off is not good for hitters or pitchers. Paulie flew out with a runner on 2nd down by 1 in the 9th to end it. Still annoys me.

And I disagree about DiMaggio vs our record. First off, Cal Ripken's consecutive game mark is the most unbreakable. We all agree on that, I think. However, 4 straight complete games in the post-season? I swear, I can't recall the last time there were two consecutive. Guys have reached around 40 in a hit streak a handful of times. That's closer than I think anyone will come to our CG streak.

The DiMaggio thing is almost mathematically impossible. How many times do we get all excited when someone has 30+? It never goes much past that. I'm pretty sure we won't see Pete Rose's 44 even. The CG thing is more likely, but still really unlikely. I don't think we'll see either ever again
Ripken's is also unbreakable you are correct.

 

[richig07]

The DiMaggio thing is almost mathematically impossible. How many times do we get all excited when someone has 30+? It never goes much past that. I'm pretty sure we won't see Pete Rose's 44 even. The CG thing is more likely, but still really unlikely. I don't think we'll see either ever again
Ripken's is also unbreakable you are correct.

Mathematically? I don't follow. If anything the CG streak is mathematically more difficult. CG's are almost always wins. So, how do you get 5? Now... there's your math problem.

I also think the CG thing is far more impossible since managers literally don't allow it and I don't even think anyone's gotten halfway to it since pitch counts/limits got firmly entrenched into baseball.

You would have to:

- Have 5 guys (one guy x2) totally dominate

- Have 5 guy dominate 8 innings while staying at or below 100 pitches so they're allowed to go out there for the 9th

- AND... you would have to LOSE one of those games.

With the hit streak - at least you have the possibility of it happening every season. Full-time guys play 150+ games if healthy. And like I said... a multitude have gotten a good majority of the way there.

 

[Win TWINS!!!]

Spoiler

@craigk217 BRING BACK OZZIE!!!

 

[msgkings322]

Mathematically? I don't follow. If anything the CG streak is mathematically more difficult. CG's are almost always wins. So, how do you get 5? Now... there's your math problem.

I also think the CG thing is far more impossible since managers literally don't allow it and I don't even think anyone's gotten halfway to it since pitch counts/limits got firmly entrenched into baseball.

You would have to:

- Have 5 guys (one guy x2) totally dominate

- Have 5 guy dominate 8 innings while staying at or below 100 pitches so they're allowed to go out there for the 9th

- AND... you would have to LOSE one of those games.

With the hit streak - at least you have the possibility of it happening every season. Full-time guys play 150+ games if healthy. And like I said... a multitude have gotten a good majority of the way there.

I just meant the 4 CG thing. Of course 5 is orders of magnitude more impossible, even if you allow it over two series. 5 CG will never happen. 4 did happen, and will never happen again.