A Season to Remember
When I die, there will be one magical baseball season that will be running through my mind. I'll remember Opening Day, watching the game online because IWU doesn't get CSN, knowing Buehrle had his A-game working, hootin' and hollerin' when we scored, and then when Shingo came in to close out an amazing 1-0 win. I'll remember the emergence of Aaron Rowand, Joe Crede, Paul Konerko, Tadahito Iguchi, and Scott Podsednik on the national scene when White Sox fans knew they'd make the team a lot more competitive than anyone thought. I'll remember the magic of Ozzie Guillen and the confidence he had in every single player in the lineup, bringing up Bobby Jenks in July and then using the 24 year old flamethrower as the closer throughout the playoffs, using bench players in the starting lineup to get starters rest and knowing they'd win or at least be competitive, and the way he used the pitching perfectly. I will remember getting a little nervous in August and September as Cleveland made an improbable sprint and the lead shrunk from 15 games to a game and a half. But what I will remember most is the postseason. The 14-2 spanking of Boston in game 1 of the ALDS, getting to be at game 2 and seeing Iguchi make them pay for Graffanino's error, all of the controversy involving AJ and the Sox taking advantage of fortunate calls, the one third of an inning pitched by Neal Cotts in game 1 of the ALCS and the 42 and a third pitched by Jose Contreras, Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia, and Jon Garland. The way the bats didn't care if it was Francisco Rodriguez, Brad Lidge, Roger Clemens, or Andy Petitte, they knew they were going to get their hits, score runs, and win. And of course watching every game and living and dying with every pitch.
I want to thank some people for giving White Sox fans a championship. As Sox fans, it's been 88 years since we've gotten to celebrate a World Series championship. But because of people like Jerry Reinsdorf, Kenny Williams, and Ozzie Guillen, 2005 brought together a group of guys that didn't care about personal stats, money, or giving up their body for the team. I could name all the players who played this year but I won't, the people that care know who they are. But I also wanna thank all of the bandwagon fans, not for jumping on the bandwagon, but for giving the Sox even more revenue to spend on bringing Paul Konerko back.
2005 was a season for the ages. Winning the World Series swept away the Black Sox scandal of 1919, the lack of pitching in 1959, the disappointments in the post season of 1983 and 1993, the White Flag trade of 1995, getting swept in 2000, and such memorable events such as Disco Demolition Night. It was a season that Sox fans will remember forever, so to all the players, coaches, and front office people, I say thank you! Now let's do it again next year!!
I want to thank some people for giving White Sox fans a championship. As Sox fans, it's been 88 years since we've gotten to celebrate a World Series championship. But because of people like Jerry Reinsdorf, Kenny Williams, and Ozzie Guillen, 2005 brought together a group of guys that didn't care about personal stats, money, or giving up their body for the team. I could name all the players who played this year but I won't, the people that care know who they are. But I also wanna thank all of the bandwagon fans, not for jumping on the bandwagon, but for giving the Sox even more revenue to spend on bringing Paul Konerko back.
2005 was a season for the ages. Winning the World Series swept away the Black Sox scandal of 1919, the lack of pitching in 1959, the disappointments in the post season of 1983 and 1993, the White Flag trade of 1995, getting swept in 2000, and such memorable events such as Disco Demolition Night. It was a season that Sox fans will remember forever, so to all the players, coaches, and front office people, I say thank you! Now let's do it again next year!!