2005 Chicago White Sox season

The 2005 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 105th season. They finished with a 99–63 record in the regular season and first place in the American League Central by six games over the Cleveland Indians. In the playoffs, they won the ALDS 3–0 over the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox, the ALCS 4–1 over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the World Series 4–0 over the Houston Astros, ending an 88-year championship drought.

2005 Chicago White Sox
World Series Champion American League Champion American League Central Division Champion
League	American League
Division	Central
Ballpark	U.S. Cellular Field
City	Chicago
Record	99–63 (.611)
Divisional place	1st
Owners	Jerry Reinsdorf
General managers	Kenny Williams
Managers	Ozzie Guillén
Television	WGN-TV Comcast Sportsnet (Ken Harrelson, Darrin Jackson)
Radio	WMVP (John Rooney, Ed Farmer) WRTO (AM) (Hector Molina)
← 2004 Seasons 2006 →

Offseason

• December 9, 2004: Jermaine Dye was signed as a free agent by the White Sox.^[1]
• December 9, 2004: Dustin Hermanson was signed as a free agent by the White Sox.^[2]
• December 13, 2004: Carlos Lee was traded by the White Sox to the Milwaukee Brewers for Scott Podsednik, Luis Vizcaíno and a player to be named later. The Brewers completed the deal by sending Travis Hinton (minors) to the White Sox on January 10, 2005.^[3]
• December 17, 2004: Bobby Jenks was claimed off waivers by the White Sox from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.^[4]
• January 3, 2005: Orlando Hernández was signed as a free agent by the White Sox.^[5]
• January 6, 2005: A. J. Pierzynski was signed as a free agent by the White Sox.^[6]
• January 27, 2005: Tadahito Iguchi was signed as a free agent by the White Sox.^[7]

Regular season

The Chicago White Sox had a total attendance of 2,342,833 in 2005, 7th in the American League.

The manager

Much that happened in 2005 was under the direction of manager Ozzie Guillén. After his inaugural season in 2004, in which his club went 83–79 and finished second in the American League Central Division, Guillén approached general manager Kenny Williams. He asked Williams for a makeover for his club.^[8] Guillén envisioned his team playing small ball.

Williams agreed with Guillén. The Sox already had a feisty manager, solid pitching, and power hitters. The Sox decided to clean up a bit and bring in players with the team first attitude. Guillén wanted more quickness, so speedy Scott Podsednik was brought in to be the number one hitter and to create havoc for opposing pitchers. Guillén wanted pitching, so Williams got Freddy García, Orlando "El Duque" Hernández, Luis Vizcaíno, Dustin Hermanson, and in July, hard throwing closer Bobby Jenks was brought up from the minor leagues.

Another important factor to Guillén's new plan was to have players who put the team ahead of personal accomplishments. Jermaine Dye was added for veteran leadership and provided an important bat and glove in the lineup. Tadahito Iguchi came in from Japan to play second base and bat second behind Podsednik. Iguchi proved his value all year long.

Finally, the Sox decided to add a little fire into a mostly laid back and quiet clubhouse. This need brought catcher A. J. Pierzynski to Chicago after playing six years for division rival Minnesota, and one year for San Francisco.^[9]

Season summary

The White Sox began their season by winning the first two games, and were 7–3 after the first 10 games. They won 19 out of their next 24, including two 8-game winning streaks, and at the end of April were 17–7. In mid-May, after beating the Texas Rangers 2 of 3 games, they also took two of three from the Chicago Cubs, but got swept by the Texas Rangers in a two-game series after splitting four games with eventual American League Championship Series opponent Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Finishing May with a 35–17 record, the Sox, in interleague play, swept both the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers, but did lose the other series to the Cubs two games to one. At the end of June they were 53–24, and just before the All-star break, the Sox were swept by the Oakland Athletics in a 3-game series at home, going into the break at 57–29. Then, after the break, they swept the Cleveland Indians in a four-game series, shutting out the Indians twice and scoring seven runs in the other two games. At the end of July they were 68–35, a 14+1⁄2-game lead in the American League Central over both Cleveland and the Minnesota Twins. However, from August 12 through August 23, they lost 8 out of 9 games they played, including a 7-game losing streak and sweeps at the hands of the Boston Red Sox and Twins, while Cleveland, who had been in second place for the majority of the season, suddenly started playing their best baseball of the year and putting pressure on the Sox. Finishing strong, though, the White Sox began September by winning their first 7 games and ended the season by winning 8 of 10. They finished the regular season with a 99–63 record and a 6-game lead over Cleveland, winning their second American League Central title. The White Sox remained in first place in the division for the entire season (making their postseason World Series victory a wire-to-wire win); they ended the season with the best record in the AL and the second best record in the major leagues. Their best hitter in terms of statistics was first baseman Paul Konerko, who hit 40 home runs, had 100 runs batted in, and hit .283 on the season.

Opening Day lineup

Roster
Position	Player
LF	Scott Podsednik
2B	Tadahito Iguchi
DH	Carl Everett
1B	Paul Konerko
RF	Jermaine Dye
CF	Aaron Rowand
C	A. J. Pierzynski
3B	Joe Crede
SS	Juan Uribe
P	Mark Buehrle

Season standings

• v
• t
• e

AL Central

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Chicago White Sox	99	63	.611	—	47‍–‍34	52‍–‍29
Cleveland Indians	93	69	.574	6	43‍–‍38	50‍–‍31
Minnesota Twins	83	79	.512	16	45‍–‍36	38‍–‍43
Detroit Tigers	71	91	.438	28	39‍–‍42	32‍–‍49
Kansas City Royals	56	106	.346	43	34‍–‍47	22‍–‍59

Record vs. opponents

Team	W-L Record
Baltimore Orioles	6–2
Boston Red Sox	3–4
Cleveland Indians	14–5
Detroit Tigers	14–5
Kansas City Royals	13–5
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	4–6
Minnesota Twins	11–7
New York Yankees	3–3
Oakland Athletics	2–7
Seattle Mariners	6–3
Tampa Bay Devil Rays	4–2
Texas Rangers	3–6
Toronto Blue Jays	4–2
Arizona Diamondbacks	1–2
Chicago Cubs	3–3
Colorado Rockies	3–0
Los Angeles Dodgers	3–0
San Diego Padres	2–1
Interleague Play	12–6

2005 American League record v t e Sources:
Team	BAL	BOS	CWS	CLE	DET	KC	LAA	MIN	NYY	OAK	SEA	TB	TEX	TOR	NL
Baltimore	—	8–10	2–6	1–6	3–5	4–2	2–4	3–3	7–11	4–6	7–3	12–6	4–6	9–10	8–10
Boston	10–8	—	4–3	4–2	6–4	4–2	6–4	4–2	9–10	6–4	3–3	13–6	7–2	7–11	12–6
Chicago	6–2	3–4	—	14–5	14–5	13–5	4–6	11–7	3–3	2–7	6–3	4–2	3–6	4–2	12–6
Cleveland	6–1	2–4	5–14	—	12–6	13–6	3–5	10–9	3–4	6–3	7–3	4–6	3–3	4–2	15–3
Detroit	5–3	4–6	5–14	6–12	—	10–9	4–6	8–11	1–5	1–5	5–4	5–2	4–2	4–3	9–9
Kansas City	2–4	2–4	5–13	6–13	9–10	—	2–7	6–13	3–3	2–4	2–7	3–5	2–8	3–6	9–9
Los Angeles	4–2	4–6	6–4	5–3	6–4	7–2	—	6–4	6–4	10–9	9–9	4–5	15–4	1–5	12–6
Minnesota	3–3	2–4	7–11	9–10	11–8	13–6	4–6	—	3–3	4–6	6–4	6–0	3–6	4–2	8–10
New York	11–7	10–9	3–3	4–3	5–1	3–3	4–6	3–3	—	7–2	7–3	8–11	7–3	12–6	11–7
Oakland	6–4	4–6	7–2	3–6	5–1	4–2	9–10	6–4	2–7	—	12–6	4–5	11–8	5–5	10–8
Seattle	3–7	3–3	3–6	3–7	4–5	7–2	9–9	4–6	3–7	6–12	—	4–2	6–13	4–6	10–8
Tampa Bay	6–12	6–13	2–4	6–4	2–5	5–3	5–4	0–6	11–8	5–4	2–4	—	6–2	8–11	3–15
Texas	6–4	2–7	6–3	3–3	2–4	8–2	4–15	6–3	3–7	8–11	13–6	2–6	—	7–3	9–9
Toronto	10–9	11–7	2–4	2–4	3–4	6–3	5–1	2–4	6–12	5–5	6–4	11–8	3–7	—	8–10

Detailed records

American League Opponent Total Home Away RS RA AL Central Division Chicago White Sox – – – – – Cleveland Indians 14–5 5–4 9–1 80 75 Detroit Tigers 14–5 7–3 7–2 99 52 Kansas City Royals 13–5 8–1 5–4 96 73 Minnesota Twins 11–7 5–4 6–3 58 54 Total 52–22 25–12 27–10 333 254 AL East Division Baltimore Orioles 6–2 2–2 4–0 47 35 Boston Red Sox 3–4 2–2 1–2 36 36 New York Yankees 3–3 1–2 2–1 11 15 Tampa Bay Devil Rays 4–2 3–0 1–2 36 27 Toronto Blue Jays 4–2 1–2 3–0 31 29 Total 20–13 9–8 11–5 161 142 AL West Division Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 4–6 2–4 2–2 36 50 Oakland Athletics 2–7 0–3 2–4 34 50 Seattle Mariners 6–3 4–2 2–1 32 32 Texas Rangers 3–6 2–1 1–5 45 51 Total 15–22 8–10 7–12 147 183

National League Opponent Total Home Away RS RA Arizona Diamondbacks 1–2 1–2 – 17 24 Chicago Cubs 3–3 1–2 2–1 27 18 Colorado Rockies 3–0 – 3–0 26 9 Los Angeles Dodgers 3–0 3–0 – 15 6 San Diego Padres 2–1 – 2–1 13 9 Total 12–6 5–4 7–2 98 66

Notable transactions

• June 7, 2005: Lance Broadway was drafted by the White Sox in the 1st round (15th pick) of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft. Player signed June 13, 2005.^[10]
• July 31, 2005: White Sox acquire utility infielder Geoff Blum from the San Diego Padres in return for a left-handed minor-league pitcher named Ryan Meaux. This trade got in just before the trade deadline and at the time seemed "anonymous" and "unspectacular". However, the White Sox were rewarded later that postseason as Blum emerged as the unlikely hero by hitting the winning home run in the top of the 14th inning in Game 3 of the 2005 World Series.

Roster

2005 Chicago White Sox
Roster
Pitchers 37 Jon Adkins 57 Jeff Bajenaru 56 Mark Buehrle 52 José Contreras 46 Neal Cotts 34 Freddy García 20 Jon Garland 32 Dustin Hermanson 26 Orlando Hernández 45 Bobby Jenks 43 Dámaso Marte 41 Brandon McCarthy 18 Cliff Politte 65 David Sanders 10 Shingo Takatsu 51 Luis Vizcaíno 58 Kevin Walker		Catchers 31 Raul Casanova 12 A. J. Pierzynski 36 Chris Widger Infielders 27 Geoff Blum 27 Jamie Burke 24 Joe Crede 17 Ross Gload  1 Willie Harris 15 Tadahito Iguchi 14 Paul Konerko 62 Pedro López 38 Pablo Ozuna  5 Juan Uribe		Outfielders 44 Brian Anderson 25 Joe Borchard 23 Jermaine Dye  8 Carl Everett  7 Timo Pérez 22 Scott Podsednik 33 Aaron Rowand Other batters 35 Frank Thomas		Manager 13 Ozzie Guillén Coaches  3 Harold Baines (bench) 21 Don Cooper (pitching) 28 Joey Cora (third base) 53 Art Kusnyer (bullpen) 59 Man Soo Lee (bullpen catcher) 30 Tim Raines (first base) 29 Greg Walker (hitting)

Game log

2005 regular season game log: 99–63
April: 17–7 (Home: 7–3; Away: 10–4) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time (CT) Attendance Record Box 1 April 4 Indians 1–0 Buehrle (1–0) Westbrook (0–1) Takatsu (1) 1:51 38,141 1–0 box 2 April 6 Indians 4–3 Marte (1–0) Wickman (0–1) 2:55 10,520 2–0 box 3 April 7 Indians 5 – 11 (11) Rhodes (1–0) Vizcaíno (0–1) 3:56 10,800 2–1 box 4 April 8 @ Twins 5–1 Hernández (1–0) Lohse (0–1) 2:46 48,764 3–1 box 5 April 9 @ Twins 8–5 Garland (1–0) Radke (0–2) Takatsu (2) 2:37 41,533 4–1 box 6 April 10 @ Twins 2–5 Santana (2–0) Buehrle (1–1) Nathan (2) 2:29 28,089 4–2 box 7 April 11 @ Indians 2–1 García (1–0) Millwood (0–1) Takatsu (3) 2:39 42,461 5–2 box 8 April 13 @ Indians 5–4 (10) Vizcaíno (1–1) Howry (0–1) Hermanson (1) 2:54 14,410 6–2 box 9 April 14 @ Indians 6–8 Betancourt (1–0) Hernández (1–1) Wickman (3) 3:25 12,470 6–3 box 10 April 15 Mariners 6–4 Garland (2–0) Piñeiro (0–1) Hermanson (2) 2:39 16,749 7–3 box 11 April 16 Mariners 2–1 Buehrle (2–1) Franklin (1–1) 1:39 25,931 8–3 box 12 April 17 Mariners 4–5 Meche (1–0) García (1–1) Guardado (3) 2:52 23,324 8–4 box 13 April 18 Twins 5–4 Vizcaíno (2–1) Lohse (1–2) Takatsu (4) 2:47 27,018 9–4 box 14 April 19 Twins 3–1 Hernández (2–1) Radke (1–3) Marte (1) 2:40 18,310 10–4 box 15 April 20 @ Tigers 9–1 Garland (3–0) Ledezma (1–1) 2:19 16,887 11–4 box 16 April 21 @ Tigers 4–3 Buehrle (3–1) Bonderman (2–2) Takatsu (5) 2:21 19,334 12–4 box 17 April 22 @ Royals 8–2 García (2–1) Hernández (1–3) 2:36 15,832 13–4 box 18 April 23 @ Royals 3–2 (10) Marte (2–0) MacDougal (1–1) 3:24 19,641 14–4 box 19 April 24 @ Royals 4–3 Cotts (1–0) Camp (0–2) Takatsu (6) 2:57 15,331 15–4 box 20 April 25 @ Athletics 6–0 Garland (4–0) Zito (0–4) 2:20 10,206 16–4 box 21 April 26 @ Athletics 7–9 Duchscherer (1–0) Marte (2–1) Dotel (5) 3:06 20,412 16–5 box 22 April 27 @ Athletics 1–2 Duchscherer (2–0) Marte (2–2) 2:42 14,172 16–6 box 23 April 29 Tigers 2–3 (11) Walker (1–0) Takatsu (0–1) Germán (1) 4:10 18,313 16–7 box 24 April 30 Tigers 4–3 Hernández (3–1) Johnson (2–2) Hermanson (3) 2:50 30,189 17–7 box
May: 18–10 (Home: 10–3; Away: 8–7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time (CT) Attendance Record Box 25 May 1 Tigers 8–0 Garland (5–0) Ledezma (1–2) 2:23 20,862 18–7 box 26 May 3 Royals 5–4 Buehrle (4–1) Sisco (0–1) Takatsu (7) 2:13 12,362 19–7 box 27 May 4 Royals 4–2 García (3–1) Hernández (1–4) Hermanson (4) 2:39 12,712 20–7 box 28 May 5 Royals 2–1 Contreras (1–0) Greinke (0–3) Takatsu (8) 2:10 15,389 21–7 box 29 May 6 @ Blue Jays 5–3 Hernández (4–1) Frasor (1–2) Hermanson (5) 3:03 21,769 22–7 box 30 May 7 @ Blue Jays 10–7 Garland (6–0) Lilly (1–3) 2:51 23,078 23–7 box 31 May 8 @ Blue Jays 5–4 Buehrle (5–1) Chacin (4–2) Marte (2) 2:38 20,946 24–7 box 32 May 9 @ Devil Rays 2–4 Carter (1–0) García (3–2) Báez (3) 2:45 8,774 24–8 box 33 May 10 @ Devil Rays 6–7 Colomé (1–0) Takatsu (0–2) 3:17 9,389 24–9 box 34 May 11 @ Devil Rays 5–2 Hernández (5–1) Brazelton (1–7) Hermanson (6) 2:51 9,414 25–9 box 35 May 12 Orioles 3–2 Garland (7–0) Chen (4–2) Hermanson (7) 2:21 29,031 26–9 box 36 May 13 Orioles 5–3 Buehrle (6–1) Williams (3–3) Hermanson (8) 2:29 28,188 27–9 box 37 May 14 Orioles 6–9 Cabrera (3–2) García (3–3) Ryan (10) 3:14 37,311 27–10 box 38 May 15 Orioles 2–6 Bédard (4–1) Contreras (1–1) 3:00 34,030 27–11 box 39 May 16 Rangers 6–7 Regilio (1–1) Marte (2–3) Cordero (13) 3:01 26,889 27–12 box 40 May 17 Rangers 5–2 Garland (8–0) Astacio (1–5) Hermanson (9) 2:22 18,333 28–12 box 41 May 18 Rangers 7–0 Buehrle (7–1) Drese (3–4) 2:24 16,255 29–12 box 42 May 20 @ Cubs 5–1 (10) García (4–3) Maddux (2–2) 2:28 38,988 30–12 box 43 May 21 @ Cubs 5–3 Contreras (2–1) Wuertz (2–2) Hermanson (10) 3:09 39,461 31–12 box 44 May 22 @ Cubs 3–4 Prior (4–1) Vizcaíno (2–2) 2:16 39,334 31–13 box 45 May 23 @ Angels 0–4 Santana (1–1) Garland (8–1) 2:18 40,991 31–14 box 46 May 24 @ Angels 2–1 (11) Marte (3–3) Yan (0–1) 2:50 35,182 32–14 box 47 May 25 @ Angels 4–2 García (5–3) Washburn (3–3) Hermanson (11) 2:30 42,716 33–14 box 48 May 26 @ Angels 2–3 Lackey (5–2) Contreras (2–2) Shields (6) 2:29 39,128 33–15 box 49 May 27 @ Rangers 2–6 Young (5–2) McCarthy (0–1) Cordero (16) 2:30 31,149 33–16 box – May 28 @ Rangers Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for August 30 50 May 29 @ Rangers 4–12 Park (5–1) Garland (8–2) 2:53 36,265 33–17 box 51 May 30 Angels 5–4 Politte (1–0) Shields (4–2) 2:49 38,685 34–17 box 52 May 31 Angels 5–4 Politte (2–0) Donnelly (2–1) 2:40 19,864 35–17 box
June: 18–7 (Home: 10–6; Away: 8–1) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time (CT) Attendance Record Box 53 June 1 Angels 7–10 Byrd (5–4) Walker (1–0) 3:15 19,393 35–18 box 54 June 3 Indians 6–4 Hernández (6–1) Westbrook (2–8) Hermanson (12) 2:27 23,132 36–18 box 55 June 4 Indians 6–5 Garland (9–2) Davis (2–2) Hermanson (13) 2:53 26,365 37–18 box 56 June 5 Indians 4–6 (12) Riske (2–2) Hermanson (0–1) 4:11 26,146 37–19 box 57 June 6 @ Rockies 9–3 García (6–3) Kennedy (3–6) 2:31 25,030 38–19 box 58 June 7 @ Rockies 2–1 Contreras (3–2) Kim (0–5) Hermanson (14) 2:37 21,576 39–19 box 59 June 8 @ Rockies 15–5 Hernández (7–1) Francis (5–3) 3:26 23,268 40–19 box 60 June 10 @ Padres 4–2 Garland (10–2) Williams (2–4) Hermanson (15) 2:19 38,126 41–19 box 61 June 11 @ Padres 1–2 Linebrink (3–1) Hermanson (0–2) 2:23 41,020 41–20 box 62 June 12 @ Padres 8–5 (10) Politte (3–0) Hoffman (0–3) 3:22 38,306 42–20 box 63 June 13 D-backs 1–8 Estes (5–4) Contreras (3–3) 2:33 32,952 42–21 box 64 June 14 D-backs 4–10 Vázquez (7–4) Hernández (7–2) 2:49 24,831 42–22 box 65 June 15 D-backs 12–6 Garland (11–2) Ortiz (4–6) 2:43 24,499 43–22 box 66 June 17 Dodgers 6–0 Buehrle (8–1) Houlton (2–1) 2:24 28,870 44–22 box 67 June 18 Dodgers 5–3 Politte (4–0) Brazobán (2–2) 2:34 36,067 45–22 box 68 June 19 Dodgers 4–3 Politte (5–0) Sanchez (1–3) Hermanson (16) 2:48 27,350 46–22 box 69 June 20 Royals 11–8 Cotts (2–0) Jensen (3–2) Hermanson (17) 3:16 34,345 47–22 box 70 June 21 Royals 5–1 Garland (12–2) Greinke (1–8) 2:23 28,206 48–22 box 71 June 22 Royals 5–1 Buehrle (9–1) Howell (1–2) 2:04 24,544 49–22 box 72 June 24 Cubs 12–2 García (7–3) Mitre (2–3) 2:42 39,610 50–22 box 73 June 25 Cubs 2–6 Maddux (7–4) Contreras (3–4) 2:51 39,241 50–23 box 74 June 26 Cubs 0–2 Prior (5–1) Garland (12–3) Dempster (11) 2:14 39,143 50–24 box 75 June 28 @ Tigers 2–1 Buehrle (10–1) Robertson (3–6) Hermanson (18) 2:29 23,602 51–24 box 76 June 29 @ Tigers 4–3 (13) Takatsu (1–2) Rodney (1–1) 3:59 19,931 52–24 box 77 June 30 @ Tigers 6–1 García (8–3) Maroth (5–9) 2:52 23,447 53–24 box
July: 15–11 (Home: 6–7; Away: 9–4) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time (CT) Attendance Record Box 78 July 1 @ Athletics 2–6 Harden (5–3) Contreras (3–5) 3:08 15,293 53–25 box 79 July 2 @ Athletics 5–3 Garland (13–3) Saarloos (4–5) Hermanson (19) 2:13 45,712 54–25 box 80 July 3 @ Athletics 2–7 Zito (5–8) Buehrle (10–2) 2:20 22,596 54–26 box 81 July 4 Devil Rays 10–8 Vizcaíno (3–2) Nomo (5–7) Hermanson (20) 3:11 37,351 55–26 box 82 July 5 Devil Rays 6–4 Politte (6–0) Carter (1–2) Hermanson (21) 2:29 21,555 56–26 box 83 July 6 Devil Rays 7–2 Contreras (4–5) Fossum (3–7) 2:37 24,773 57–26 box 84 July 8 Athletics 2–4 Saarloos (5–5) Garland (13–4) Street (5) 2:55 33,623 57–27 box 85 July 9 Athletics 1–10 Zito (6–8) Buehrle (10–3) 2:39 38,318 57–28 box 86 July 10 Athletics 8–9 (11) Street (3–1) Vizcaíno (3–3) 3:47 33,221 57–29 box All-Star Break: AL defeats NL, 7–5 at Comerica Park 87 July 14 @ Indians 1–0 Contreras (5–5) Millwood (3–8) Hermanson (22) 2:56 21,472 58–29 box 88 July 15 @ Indians 7–1 García (9–3) Sabathia (6–6) 3:01 29,684 59–29 box 89 July 16 @ Indians 7–5 Buehrle (11–3) Westbrook (6–12) Marte (3) 2:46 27,114 60–29 box 90 July 17 @ Indians 4–0 Garland (14–4) Elarton (6–4) 2:42 24,548 61–29 box 91 July 18 Tigers 7–5 Vizcaíno (4–3) Spurling (2–1) Politte (1) 2:52 37,556 62–29 box 92 July 19 Tigers 1–7 Bonderman (12–6) Contreras (5–6) 2:35 31,008 62–30 box 93 July 20 Tigers 6–8 Robertson (5–7) García (9–4) Dingman (1) 3:20 39,146 62–31 box 94 July 21 Red Sox 5–6 Schilling (2–3) Vizcaíno (4–4) 3:17 36,784 62–32 box 95 July 22 Red Sox 8–4 Garland (15–4) Wakefield (8–9) 2:49 37,511 63–32 box 96 July 23 Red Sox 0–3 Miller (3–4) Hernández (7–3) Schilling (2) 2:39 39,408 63–33 box 97 July 24 Red Sox 6–4 Contreras (6–6) Arroyo (8–6) Hermanson (23) 3:16 37,168 64–33 box 98 July 25 @ Royals 14–6 García (10–4) Greinke (3–12) 3:28 15,515 65–33 box 99 July 26 @ Royals 1–7 Lima (4–8) Buehrle (11–4) 2:24 19,175 65–34 box 100 July 27 @ Royals 5–6 (13) Camp (1–2) Vizcaíno (4–5) 4:25 17,378 65–35 box 101 July 29 @ Orioles 7–2 Hernández (8–3) Bédard (5–3) 3:25 45,267 66–35 box 102 July 30 @ Orioles 9–6 Cotts (3–0) Ray (0–3) Hermanson (24) 3:15 40,100 67–35 box 103 July 31 @ Orioles 9–4 García (11–4) López (9–6) 3:27 31,982 68–35 box
August: 12–16 (Home: 4–8; Away: 8–8) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time (CT) Attendance Record Box 104 August 1 @ Orioles 6–3 Buehrle (12–4) Cabrera (8–9) Hermanson (25) 3:09 47,823 69–35 box 105 August 2 Blue Jays 3–7 Towers (8–8) Garland (15–5) 2:28 32,162 69–36 box 106 August 3 Blue Jays 3–4 Bush (2–5) Hernández (8–4) Batista (18) 2:52 28,116 69–37 box 107 August 4 Blue Jays 5–4 Vizcaíno (5–5) Speier (1–2) Hermanson (26) 3:13 32,027 70–37 box 108 August 5 Mariners 2–4 Piñeiro (4–7) García (11–5) Guardado (26) 2:37 39,165 70–38 box 109 August 6 Mariners 4–2 Buehrle (13–4) Moyer (9–4) Hermanson (27) 2:19 37,529 71–38 box 110 August 7 Mariners 3–1 Garland (16–5) Harris (0–1) Hermanson (28) 2:29 35,706 72–38 box 111 August 8 @ Yankees 2–3 Mussina (11–7) Hernández (8–5) Rivera (30) 2:58 54,871 72–39 box 112 August 9 @ Yankees 2–1 Contreras (7–6) Chacón (0–1) Hermanson (29) 3:20 53,946 73–39 box 113 August 10 @ Yankees 2–1 (10) Cotts (4–0) Rivera (5–3) Hermanson (30) 2:58 54,635 74–39 box 114 August 12 @ Red Sox 8–9 Bradford (1–0) Buehrle (13–5) 2:57 35,132 74–40 box 115 August 13 @ Red Sox 4–7 Wakefield (12–9) Garland (16–6) 2:49 35,055 74–41 box – August 14 @ Red Sox Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 5 116 August 15 Twins 2–4 Lohse (8–11) Contreras (7–7) Nathan (30) 2:51 39,160 74–42 box 117 August 16 Twins 4–9 (17) Romero (3–3) Adkins (0–1) 5:09 34,533 74–43 box 118 August 17 Twins 1–5 Santana (12–6) Buehrle (13–6) 2:34 33,158 74–44 box 119 August 19 Yankees 1–3 Mussina (12–7) Garland (16–7) Rivera (33) 2:55 39,496 74–45 box 120 August 20 Yankees 0–5 Chacón (2–1) Hernández (8–6) 3:07 38,938 74–46 box 121 August 21 Yankees 6–2 Contreras (8–7) Johnson (11–8) 2:18 39,480 75–46 box 122 August 23 @ Twins 0–1 Santana (13–6) García (11–6) Nathan (32) 2:08 33,572 75–47 box 123 August 24 @ Twins 6–4 Buehrle (14–6) Mays (6–9) Hermanson (31) 2:33 32,687 76–47 box 124 August 25 @ Twins 2–1 (10) Hermanson (1–2) Crain (9–3) Jenks (1) 2:45 26,895 77–47 box 125 August 26 @ Mariners 5–3 (12) Vizcaíno (6–5) Nelson (1–3) Hermanson (32) 3:36 40,431 78–47 box 126 August 27 @ Mariners 4–3 Contreras (9–7) Piñeiro (5–9) Marte (4) 2:53 37,326 79–47 box 127 August 28 @ Mariners 2–9 Moyer (11–5) García (11–7) 2:39 36,868 79–48 box 128 August 29 @ Rangers 5–7 Dominguez (2–3) Buehrle (14–7) Brocail (1) 2:24 27,819 79–49 box 129 August 30 @ Rangers 6–8 Wilson (1–6) Garland (16–8) Cordero (29) 2:39 N/A 79–50 box 130 August 30 @ Rangers 8–0 McCarthy (1–1) Vólquez (0–1) 2:43 28,183 80–50 box 131 August 31 @ Rangers 2–9 Loe (7–4) Hernández (8–7) 2:42 23,493 80–51 box
September / October: 19–12 (Home: 10–7; Away: 9–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time (CT) Attendance Record Box 132 September 1 Tigers 12–3 Contreras (10–7) Johnson (7–11) 2:32 20,743 81–51 box 133 September 2 Tigers 9–1 García (12–7) Douglass (5–3) 2:30 25,502 82–51 box 134 September 3 Tigers 6–2 Buehrle (15–7) Robertson (6–12) 2:21 30,509 83–51 box 135 September 4 Tigers 2–0 Garland (17–8) Bonderman (14–12) 2:07 30,931 84–51 box 136 September 5 @ Red Sox 5–3 McCarthy (2–1) Schilling (5–7) 3:11 35,673 85–51 box 137 September 6 Royals 6–5 Hernández (9–7) Lima (5–14) Hermanson (33) 2:45 14,571 86–51 box 138 September 7 Royals 1–0 Contreras (11–7) Wood (4–6) Hermanson (34) 2:37 18,513 87–51 box 139 September 8 Royals 2–4 Howell (2–5) García (12–8) MacDougal (18) 2:50 17,701 87–52 box 140 September 9 Angels 5–6 (12) Donnelly (9–3) Hermanson (1–3) 3:45 28,059 87–53 box 141 September 10 Angels 5–10 Colón (19–6) Garland (17–9) 3:03 26,538 87–54 box 142 September 11 Angels 1–6 Lackey (12–5) Hernández (9–8) 2:36 29,321 87–55 box 143 September 13 @ Royals 6–4 Contreras (12–7) Wood (4–7) Jenks (2) 3:01 9,535 88–55 box 144 September 14 @ Royals 9–10 Demaria (1–0) Hermanson (1–4) 3:03 9,922 88–56 box 145 September 15 @ Royals 5–7 Burgos (2–5) Buehrle (15–8) MacDougal (19) 2:58 9,258 88–57 box 146 September 16 @ Twins 2–1 (10) Jenks (1–0) Crain (10–5) 2:49 26,951 89–57 box 147 September 17 @ Twins 0–5 Santana (14–7) Hernández (9–9) 2:50 24,866 89–58 box 148 September 18 @ Twins 2–1 Contreras (13–7) Rincón (6–6) Jenks (3) 2:17 23,559 90–58 box 149 September 19 Indians 5–7 Betancourt (4–3) Marte (3–4) Wickman (44) 3:31 35,748 90–59 box 150 September 20 Indians 7–6 (10) Hermanson (2–4) Riske (3–4) 3:31 26,147 91–59 box 151 September 21 Indians 0–8 Elarton (11–7) Garland (17–10) 2:47 36,543 91–60 box 152 September 22 Twins 1–4 (11) Crain (11–5) Jenks (1–1) Nathan (39) 3:12 25,112 91–61 box 153 September 23 Twins 3–1 Contreras (14–7) Lohse (9–13) 2:19 28,003 92–61 box 154 September 24 Twins 8–1 García (13–8) Mays (6–10) 2:27 37,699 93–61 box 155 September 25 Twins 4–1 Buehrle (16–8) Liriano (0–2) 1:53 30,402 94–61 box 156 September 26 @ Tigers 3–4 Rodney (2–3) Politte (6–1) 2:43 10,840 94–62 box 157 September 27 @ Tigers 2–3 Robertson (7–15) McCarthy (2–2) Rodney (9) 2:21 13,983 94–63 box 158 September 28 @ Tigers 8–2 Contreras (15–7) Douglass (5–5) 2:46 17,221 95–63 box 159 September 29 @ Tigers 4–2 García (14–8) Grilli (1–1) Jenks (4) 2:22 13,494 96–63 box 160 September 30 @ Indians 3–2 (13) Politte (7–1) Cabrera (2–1) Jenks (5) 4:17 41,072 97–63 box 161 October 1 @ Indians 4–3 Garland (18–10) Westbrook (15–15) Jenks (6) 2:48 41,026 98–63 box 162 October 2 @ Indians 3–1 McCarthy (3–2) Elarton (11–9) Hernández (1) 2:56 41,034 99–63 box

2005 White Sox Postseason Game Log
American League Division Series (3–0) (Best of 5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time (CT) Attendance Record Box 1 October 4 Red Sox 14–2 Contreras (1–0) Clement (0–1) 2:56 40,717 1–0 box 2 October 5 Red Sox 5–4 Buehrle (1–0) Wells (0–1) Jenks (1) 2:29 40,799 2–0 box 3 October 7 @ Red Sox 5–3 García (1–0) Wakefield (0–1) Jenks (2) 3:28 35,496 3–0 box
American League Championship Series (4–1) (Best of 7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time (CT) Attendance Record Box 4 October 11 Angels 2–3 Byrd (1–0) Contreras (1–1) Rodríguez (3) 2:47 40,659 3–1(0–1) box 5 October 12 Angels 2–1 Buehrle (2–0) Escobar (1–1) 2:34 41,013 4–1(1–1) box 6 October 14 @ Angels 5–2 Garland (1–0) Lackey (0–1) 2:42 44,725 5–1(2–1) box 7 October 15 @ Angels 8–2 García (2–0) Santana (1–1) 2:46 44,857 6–1(3–1) box 8 October 16 @ Angels 6–3 Contreras (2–1) Escobar (1–2) 3:11 44,712 7–1(4–1) box
World Series (4–0) (Best of 7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time (CT) Attendance Record Box 9 October 22 Astros 5–3 Contreras (3–1) Rodríguez (0–1) Jenks (3) 3:13 41,206 8–1(1–0) box 10 October 23 Astros 7–6 Cotts (1–0) Lidge (0–2) 3:11 41,432 9–1(2–0) box 11 October 25 @ Astros 7–5 (14) Marte (1–0) Astacio (0–1) Buehrle (1) 5:41 42,848 10–1(3–0) box 12 October 26 @ Astros 1–0 García (3–0) Lidge (0–3) Jenks (4) 3:20 42,936 11–1(4–0) box

Player stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; BB = Base on balls; SO = Strikeouts; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases

Player	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	AVG	SB
Brian Anderson, OF	13	34	3	6	1	0	2	3	0	12	.176	1
Geoff Blum, 1B, 3B, SS, 2B	31	95	6	19	2	1	1	3	4	15	.200	0
Joe Borchard, OF	7	12	0	5	2	0	0	0	0	4	.417	0
Mark Buehrle, P	33	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	0
Jamie Burke, 1B	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
Raul Casanova, C	6	5	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.200	0
José Contreras, P	32	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	.000	0
Joe Crede, 3B	132	432	54	109	21	0	22	62	25	66	.252	1
Jermaine Dye, RF	145	529	74	145	29	2	31	86	39	99	.274	11
Carl Everett, DH, OF	135	490	58	123	17	2	23	87	42	99	.251	4
Freddy García, P	33	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	0
Jon Garland, P	32	2	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	.500	0
Ross Gload, OF,1B	28	42	2	7	2	0	0	5	2	9	.167	0
Willie Harris, 2B, SS	56	121	17	31	2	1	1	8	13	25	.256	10
Orlando Hernández, P	24	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.333	0
Tadahito Iguchi, 2B	135	511	74	142	25	6	15	71	47	114	.278	15
Paul Konerko, 1B	158	575	98	163	24	0	40	100	81	109	.283	0
Pedro Lopez, 2B, SS	2	7	1	2	0	0	0	2	0	1	.286	0
Brandon McCarthy, P	12	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000	0
Pablo Ozuna, SS, OF,2B	70	203	27	56	7	2	0	11	7	26	.276	14
Timo Perez, OF	76	179	13	39	8	0	2	15	12	25	.218	2
A. J. Pierzynski, C	128	460	61	118	21	0	18	56	23	68	.257	0
Scott Podsednik, LF	129	507	80	147	28	1	0	25	47	75	.290	59
Cliff Politte, P	68	1	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	1.000	0
Aaron Rowand, CF	157	578	77	156	30	5	13	69	32	116	.270	16
Frank Thomas, DH	34	105	19	23	3	0	12	26	16	31	.219	0
Juan Uribe, SS	146	481	58	121	23	3	16	71	34	77	.252	4
Chris Widger, C	45	141	18	34	8	0	4	11	10	22	.241	0
Team Totals	162	5529	741	1450	253	23	200	713	435	1002	.262	137

Pitching

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; HR = Home runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

Player	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K
Jon Adkins	0	1	8.64	5	0	0	8.1	13	8	8	0	6	1
Jeff Bajenaru	0	0	6.23	4	0	0	4.1	4	3	3	2	0	3
Mark Buehrle	16	8	3.12	33	33	0	236.2	240	99	82	20	44	149
José Contreras	15	7	3.61	32	32	0	204.2	177	91	82	23	77	154
Neal Cotts	4	0	1.94	69	0	0	60.1	38	15	13	1	34	58
Freddy García	14	8	3.87	33	33	0	228.0	225	102	98	26	62	146
Jon Garland	18	10	3.50	32	32	0	221.0	212	93	86	26	50	115
Dustin Hermanson	2	4	2.04	57	0	34	57.1	46	17	13	4	21	33
Orlando Hernández	9	9	5.12	24	22	1	128.1	137	77	73	18	51	91
Bobby Jenks	1	1	2.75	32	0	6	39.1	34	15	12	3	18	50
Dámaso Marte	3	4	3.77	66	0	4	45.1	45	21	19	5	37	54
Brandon McCarthy	3	2	4.03	12	10	0	67.0	62	30	30	13	17	48
Cliff Politte	7	1	2.00	68	0	1	67.1	42	15	15	7	25	57
David Sanders	0	0	13.50	2	0	0	2.0	3	3	3	1	1	1
Shingo Takatsu	1	2	5.97	31	0	8	28.2	30	19	19	9	17	32
Luis Vizcaíno	6	5	3.73	65	0	0	70.0	74	30	29	8	35	43
Kevin Walker	0	1	9.00	9	0	0	7.0	10	7	7	1	6	5
Team Totals	99	63	3.61	162	162	54	1475.2	1392	645	592	167	501	1040

Postseason

Chicago began its eighth trip to the postseason in 2005.^[11] The last time they reached the playoffs, during the 2000 season, they were swept by the wild card Seattle Mariners in three games after having the best record in the American League that season. The White Sox' power, or lack thereof in the series, ultimately doomed them. The pitching, which had been average at best all year, collapsed against Seattle.^[12]

The time before that, after their 1993 AL West Division title, the White Sox won two games against the eventual World Series Champion Toronto Blue Jays. Expectations were pretty high for the 2005 playoffs, especially if they could erase that 88-year World Series drought.

American League Division Series- White Sox vs. Boston Red Sox

Game 1

Manager Ozzie Guillén reminded his team not to feel happy just to be in the playoffs, and the White Sox took it to heart. The "South Siders" pounded the Red Sox 14–2 behind two home runs from A. J. Pierzynski. Paul Konerko, Juan Uribe, and Scott Podsednik added solo home runs. Podsednik's homer was his first of the season.^[13] The White Sox also got another solid performance from starter José Contreras, who went 72⁄3 innings, allowing only two runs, and striking out six. The White Sox beat up on former Cub Matt Clement, as his day was done after just 31⁄3 innings, giving up eight runs.^[13] The White Sox played a just about flawless game all together, with plays like Tadahito Iguchi's surprise throw to third to nail Trot Nixon, taking some momentum out of the Red Sox. Everything was looking up for the White Sox, but Boston was the defending champion, so they weren't counting out the Red Sox that easily. Final score: White Sox 14, Boston 2.

Game 2

White Sox ace Mark Buehrle got his chance in this game to turn in a solid postseason performance. Buehrle was with the White Sox in 2000 for their last playoff run, and pitched 1/3 scoreless inning of relief back then.^[14] But given his first chance to start, he looked to help his team put the Red Sox in a 2-0-hole that would be awfully hard to get out of. Buehrle was a little substandard, giving up four runs and eight hits over seven innings. However, he still got the win partially thanks to Boston second baseman Tony Graffanino, a former White Sox. With one out and Joe Crede on first in the fifth inning, Juan Uribe hit a ground ball up the middle. Graffanino took his eyes off the ball and started to flip the ball to shortstop Édgar Rentería before he had actually fielded it.^[13] The ball went through his legs and into the outfield. This allowed Crede to move to third, allowing a prime scoring opportunity for the White Sox.

Scott Podsednik spoiled the first chance, fouling out to third. That sent Tadahito Iguchi up to bat with the White Sox down 4–2. Iguchi sent a curveball from pitcher David Wells into the left field seats for a 5–4 lead. The White Sox never relinquished this lead, as Bobby Jenks came on in the eighth inning to claim the two inning save.^[13] The Sox had just won their second postseason game in a row, and headed to Boston, up two games to none. However, the Red Sox had come back from three down in the American League Championship the year before on their way to winning the World Series, so no one was taking Boston lightly. Final Score: White Sox 5, Boston 4.

Game 3

Game 3 proved to be perhaps the most exciting of the whole series. The White Sox headed into Boston, taking on Johnny Damon, Manny Ramirez, and David Ortiz, and were confident. Freddy García was starting, ready to nail down his second clinching win of the season (He had been the winning pitcher in the game where the White Sox clinched the Central Division title.). The White Sox took a 2–0 lead in the top of the third inning with some key hits. However, García did not have a very good start, which kept the Red Sox in the game. He gave up two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the game. But Paul Konerko, the White Sox' number one run producer the whole season, stepped to the plate in the top of the sixth inning with Jermaine Dye on base. He sent a pitch over the left field wall to put the White Sox ahead 4–2, and keep a lead that they never lost.^[13] A particularly tense point came in the sixth inning. García gave up a mammoth home run to Manny Ramirez to bring Boston to within one, and then Boston loaded the bases with a single and two walks. That prompted manager Ozzie Guillén to bring on Orlando "El Duque" Hernández, who was brought to Chicago for his incredible postseason track record while with the New York Yankees.^[13] With no outs, Hernández got Jason Varitek and Tony Graffanino to pop up in consecutive at-bats. Then after Johnny Damon drew a full count from Hernández, El Duque got him to miss, ending the inning^[15] and putting the Red Sox down to rest. Hernández pitched two more scoreless innings, allowing only one more hit. The White Sox added a run in the top of the ninth inning for security, leading to Bobby Jenks closing out his second game of the series and sending Chicago into the American League Championship Series. Final Score: White Sox 5, Boston 3.

This was the White Sox first postseason series win since the 1917 World Series.

American League Championship Series- White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Game 1

By virtue of their sweep in the Division Series, the White Sox got to enjoy a three-day break in between the two series, while the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and New York Yankees battled it out. Due to a rain-out, the Angels had to fly from New York to Anaheim for Game 5 of the series, and then fly to Chicago in back to back nights. It was assumed that the White Sox had an advantage in this series, because they were very well rested and Los Angeles was very tired. However, that was not the case. The Angels were led by a home run from Garret Anderson in the second, and Chicago was unable to execute in the field, leading to two more Angel runs. The White Sox got on the board with a Joe Crede home run in the third. They added on another run to cut the lead to 3–2 with A. J. Pierzynski's RBI single in the fourth.^[13] However, that was all the production the Sox could muster, as they wasted opportunities in the later innings. A solid start by José Contreras couldn't save the Sox either. Contreras went 81⁄3 innings, giving up three runs. It was Contreras's first loss since August 15, when he suffered defeat to the Minnesota Twins.^[13] The White Sox were now in a hole, and faced a crucial Game 2, or risk going to Anaheim down 2–0 in the series. Final Score: Los Angeles 3, White Sox 2.

Game 2

Mark Buehrle was the mound in Game 2, and turned in an incredible outing. Through nine innings, he only gave up a Robb Quinlan home run in the fifth, and the White Sox scored a run in the bottom of the first via errors. With the score tied 1–1 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and Buehrle getting ready to start the tenth inning, A. J. Pierzynski stepped to the plate. He swung on a split-finger fastball in the dirt from Kelvim Escobar for strike three.^[13] Home Plate Umpire Doug Eddings^[13] called Pierzynski out on three strikes. Pierzynski began walking toward the dugout, but then ran to first base. Pierzynski claimed the ball was not caught. After much discussion between the umpires he was awarded first base, and the inning continued. Pablo Ozuna went in to pinch run, and on the first pitch, stole second base without a throw. Joe Crede, after taking two strikes, lined the next pitch from Escobar off the left field wall for a walk-off double. The White Sox pulled out a victory and evened the series. Final Score: White Sox 2, Los Angeles 1.

Game 3

The series now switched to Anaheim, where the White Sox had a history of playing poorly. But the White Sox disregarded tradition and won three straight. Jon Garland, who hadn't pitched in the Division Series, made his first career playoff start. Garland picked up right where Mark Buehrle had left off. Throwing a complete game of his own, Garland gave up only two runs on an Orlando Cabrera home run in the sixth inning while striking out seven.^[13] He was helped by his offense, specifically Paul Konerko, who hit a two-run home run in the top of the first inning, proving to be the game winning runs as the White Sox built a 3–0 lead after one.^[13] The lead was extended to 5–0 by the sixth before the Cabrera home run. The final score was 5–2, Chicago.

This game had no controversy, although Doug Eddings, the home plate umpire in Game 2 who ruled the third strike to A. J. Pierzynski hit the ground, did get booed while being introduced. The White Sox had put together a 2–1 series lead as well as back to back complete games in a postseason series for the first time since 1982, when it was accomplished by Tommy John and Bruce Kison for the California Angels.^[13] The Sox headed into Game 4 looking to take a three games to one lead. Final Score: White Sox 5, Los Angeles 2.

Game 4

Inspired by his teammate's performances the last two games of the series, Freddy García followed suit, tossing yet another complete game. García was masterful over the game, giving up only six hits and two runs. He was helped by a three-run lead in the first inning. This time, Paul Konerko hit a three-run homer. This complete game marked the first time a team had thrown three straight complete games in a postseason series since the 1973 National League Championship Series when Tom Seaver, Jon Matlack, and Jerry Koosman accomplished the feat for the New York Mets,^[13] despite Seaver's being a loss.

Another incident involving catcher A. J. Pierzynski took place in the second inning. There were runners on first and third at the time, and Steve Finley was at the plate. Finley swung and clipped Pierzynski's glove during his follow through. As Finley ran to first he looked back at the umpires and yelled for catcher's interference. However, the call was not made, and Finley eventually ended up grounding into an inning ending double play.^[13] The victory put the White Sox one victory away from heading to the World Series, and one step closer to ending their long World Series Championship drought. Final Score: White Sox 8, Los Angeles 2.

Game 5

José Contreras, who had pitched well in Game 1 but lost, was on the mound for Game 5, trying to send the White Sox to their first World Series since 1959. Contreras definitely did his part. Contreras fired a fourth complete game. He surrendered three runs on five hits over the game, but the White Sox offense scored enough runs to give him a 6–3 victory. The four consecutive complete games in a postseason was a League Championship Series record, and the first time since the New York Yankees got five complete games in a row from Whitey Ford, Tom Sturdivant, Don Larsen (which was a perfect game), Bob Turley, and Johnny Kucks during the 1956 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

The White Sox started the scoring in the second on Joe Crede's sacrifice fly. The Angels tied it in the third with an Adam Kennedy single. In the fifth, Jermaine Dye hit a two-out double that put the White Sox ahead 2–1. However, the Angels struck right back with a ground rule double from Chone Figgins and a sacrifice fly from Garret Anderson. However, it was all White Sox after that. Joe Crede hit a game-tying home run off Kelvim Escobar in the seventh. In the eighth, A. J. Pierzynski was at it again. He hit a slow rolling ground ball down the first base line and Escobar tagged him. However, replay showed Escobar tagged with his glove- while the ball was in his hand. Randy Marsh, the first base umpire, called Pierzynski out, but then the umpires talked it over after manager Ozzie Guillén ran out to argue. The call was reversed, and Pierzynski was rewarded first base with Aaron Rowand on second with two out.^[13] Joe Crede faced Angels closer Francisco Rodríguez, who set the major league record for saves in a season in 2008 with 62, and Crede laced a single up the middle to score Rowand and put the White Sox ahead for good.^[16] Paul Konerko added an RBI double in the ninth for insurance. Konerko won the ALCS MVP award^[13] as the White Sox looked to win their first World Series since 1917. Final Score: White Sox 6, Los Angeles 3.

This was the White Sox first pennant since 1959.

2005 World Series- White Sox vs. Houston Astros

One of the two lion sculptures outside of the Art Institute of Chicago decorated to celebrate the White Sox for the World Series

White Sox players join President George W. Bush in the East Room during their celebratory White House visit honoring their victory

Game 1

Chicago's opponent in the 2005 World Series was the National League Champion Houston Astros, who defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series to clinch a trip to their first World Series in franchise history. The night was special for Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell, two longtime Astros making their first trip to the World Series. Game 1 was José Contreras vs. Roger Clemens. However, Clemens re-injured his hamstring in the second inning, and so his night was done early. In the fourth, with the score tied 3–3, Joe Crede took control of the game. He homered in the inning, and then, in the sixth, he made two diving stops to save runs and keep the White Sox ahead by one.^[13]

The story of the night, though, was the bullpen. After Contreras lasted seven plus innings, Neal Cotts relieved him. Willy Taveras had hit a leadoff double off Contreras, and then Cotts entered. He gave up a hard outfield single to Lance Berkman, which was hit at a fielder, and hit so hard that Taveras couldn't score, and stopped at third. However, Cotts then went on to strike out Morgan Ensberg and Mike Lamb, bringing up Bagwell. That prompted manager Ozzie Guillén to bring on closer Bobby Jenks. Jenks struck out Bagwell with his 100-mile per hour fastball. He then got the next three outs in the top of the ninth to give the White Sox a Game 1 victory.^[13] Final Score: White Sox 5, Houston 3.

Game 2

Fresh off a victory the night before, the White Sox tried to make it two in a row in the Series, but this time the opposing pitcher was Andy Pettitte, an excellent pitcher who was making his 34th career postseason start. This game was sloppy, as temperatures were cold and it was raining. Mark Buehrle wasn't throwing his best pitches, as he gave up four runs in seven innings. However, with the White Sox down 4–2 in the seventh, Paul Konerko took over. With the bases loaded, he sent the first pitch he saw from reliever Chad Qualls into the left field bullpen for a 6–4 White Sox lead on a grand slam. The slam was the first one in White Sox postseason history. However, the lead only lasted for an inning. Bobby Jenks, evidently not playing his best either, gave up two runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game. Fortunately enough for Jenks, Scott Podsednik came to the rescue. Hitting second in the ninth, Podsednik sent a pitch from Brad Lidge into the right field seats for a walk-off home run, his second homer of the whole season. It was the 14th walk-off home run in World Series history, and sent the White Sox to Houston up two games to none. Final Score: White Sox 7, Astros 6.

Game 3

This game was the longest game in World Series history time wise, and tied for the longest game in World Series history according to innings. In the first World Series game played in the state of Texas, the hometown Astros got off to a good start. They jumped out to a 4–0 lead through four innings. However, in the fifth, the White Sox scored 5 runs to take the lead 5–4 in a 46-pitch inning for Houston's Roy Oswalt. But the Astros tied the score in the bottom of the eighth, and as neither team scored in the ninth inning, the game went into extra innings.

The game kept going on and on until the top of the fourteenth inning when Geoff Blum stepped to the plate. Blum did not have a postseason at-bat for the White Sox since Game 1 of the Division Series. But he connected on a home run off Ezequiel Astacio to give the White Sox a one-run lead.^[17] They added another run later in the inning. After Dámaso Marte began the bottom half of the inning, Mark Buehrle came out and got the save for Chicago. After using nine pitchers to the Astros' eight, and playing for 5 hours and 41 minutes, the White Sox were just one win away from clinching their first World Series championship in 88 years. Final Score: White Sox 7, Houston 5.

Game 4

Heeding the words of Ozzie Guillén to win the World Series as soon as possible, the White Sox took it to heart in a trademark 1–0 win. Freddy García was on the mound against the young but talented Brandon Backe. Locked in a pitchers' duel through seven innings, Guillén decided to take García out and replace him with a pinch hitter in the top of the eighth inning. Willie Harris pinch-hit for García and started the inning off with a single. After moving to third with two outs, Jermaine Dye drove him in with a single up the middle against Brad Lidge, who had given up Scott Posednik's game-winning home run earlier in the series. Dye won World Series MVP honors for his good hitting throughout the series. After Cliff Polite and Neal Cotts pitched a scoreless eighth, Bobby Jenks came in to close the game out. He gave up a leadoff single, and got an out via a sacrifice bunt, but then it was all Juan Uribe. Uribe chased down a foul ball and dove into the stands to make the acrobatic catch. He then made the play on a slow, bouncing hit over the head of Jenks to throw out Orlando Palmeiro to win the game and the World Series for the White Sox. Final Score: White Sox 1, Houston 0.

With their 11–1 record, the White Sox tied the 1999 New York Yankees for the best record in a single postseason in the wild card era (since 1995). In calling the final out, White Sox broadcaster John Rooney's call of "A White Sox winner and a World Championship!" echoed Jack Buck's call of the St. Louis Cardinals winning the 1982 World Series: "That's a winner! That's a winner! A World Series winner for the Cardinals!" Following the series, Rooney coincidentally joined the Cardinals broadcasting team and announced their victory in the 2006 World Series.

Farm system

See also: Minor League Baseball

Level	Team	League	Manager
AAA	Charlotte Knights	International League	Nick Leyva and Manny Trillo
AA	Birmingham Barons	Southern League	Razor Shines
A	Winston-Salem Warthogs	Carolina League	Chris Cron
A	Kannapolis Intimidators	South Atlantic League	Nick Capra
Rookie	Bristol White Sox	Appalachian League	Jerry Hairston, Sr.
Rookie	Great Falls White Sox	Pioneer League	John Orton

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Kannapolis^[18]

References

1. Jermaine Dye at Baseball Reference
2. Dustin Hermanson at Baseball Reference
3. Scott Podsednik at Baseball Reference
4. Bobby Jenks at Baseball Reference
5. Orlando Hernández at Baseball Reference
6. A. J. Pierzynski at Baseball Reference
7. Tadahito Iguchi at Baseball Reference
8. Ozzie Guillén page at Wikipedia
9. "A.J. Pierzynski Stats, Fantasy & News". Major League Baseball.
10. Lance Broadway at Baseball Reference
11. Chicago White Sox at Baseball Reference
12. Chicago Tribune (2005). Believe It! The Story of Chicago's World Champions. Chicago: Triumph Books.
13. White Sox: 2005 World Series Champions. Grand Rapids: Sports, LLC, 2005.
14. "Mark Buehrle Stats, Fantasy & News". Major League Baseball.
15. 2005 American League Division Series#Game 3.2C October 7
16. "Francisco Rodríguez Stats, Fantasy & News". Philadelphia Phillies. Archived from the original on April 29, 2007.
17. "Ezequiel Astacio Stats, Fantasy & News". Major League Baseball.
18. Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007

External links

• 2005 Chicago White Sox at Baseball Reference
• 2005 World Series
• 2005 White Sox roster from Baseball Almanac