2005 Chicago White Sox (99-63)

Manager: Ozzie Guillen

For the past 88 years, the city of Chicago was desperate for one of their baseball teams to win a title. With the help of general manager Ken Williams, the White Sox traded slugger Carlos Lee to Milwaukee for speedster Scott Podsednik. In addition to that, the Sox signed Japanese speedster Tadahito Iguchi. With these thoroughbreds on top of the lineup, they set the tone for the big bats of Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye, and others. These Sox got off to a hot start, winning 28 of their first 40 games. In June, their franchise player, Frank Thomas, made a brief return. However, he hit 12 homers in 34 games. Another reason for the hot start was the return of their old rally song "Go-Go White Sox." It was used on a retro night against the Dodgers when catcher A.J. Pierzynski hit a walkoff homer. By August 1, the Sox were 15 games over 2nd place Cleveland. All of a sudden, the Sox began to slack off and the Indians began to catch fire. By September, the Sox's lead was reduced to two games. However, the Sox caught fire thanks to their pitching. It was led by Jon Garland who won 18. The Sox also had the best set-up crew in baseball with Bobby Jenks, Neal Cotts, Damaso Marte, and others. In Detroit, the Sox clinched the AL Central Division Title before sweeping the Indians in the final series of the season. The Sox finished with a 99-63 record, six games over 2nd place Cleveland.

Like the Indians in 1995, the Sox swept the Boston Red Sox in the Division Series. In the Championship Series, they met the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Angels proved to be pesky by winning the series opener in Chicago. The real turning point was in the 9th inning in game 2 when Pierzynski struck out. However, the Angels' catcher did not catch the ball until it hit the ground. Therefore, Pierzynski was on base. The next AB, 3rd baseman Joe Crede hit a game-winning single. After that, it was all White Sox as they won their first pennant since 1959 in five games.

Like their fellow Central Division rival Detroit Tigers, the Sox met some World Series debutantes. This time, they were the Houston Astros, who came back from a bad first half. In the series opener, Houston pitcher Roger Clemens gave up homers to Jermaine Dye and Joe Crede to give the Sox the opener. In the 2nd game, Carl Everett was hit by a pitch. The next AB, 1st baseman Paul Konerko hit a grand slam. In the 9th, Scott Podsednik hit the game-winner to give the Sox a 2-0 lead heading south. In Houston, the Sox and Astros played the longest World Series game in history. After it started at 7:30pm Houston time, the game went on until Geoff Blum hit the game-winner in the 14th at 1:30am Houston time. The Sox won that 14-inning thriller to give themselves a 3-0 lead. In the 4th contest, The game was scoreless until Jermaine Dye hit a single. As for Houston, they can only watch as the Sox swept them to win their first title since 1917. As for Dye, he earned Series MVP honors for placing the final nail in Houston's coffin.