2013 Chicago White Sox Preview
Check back in the Spring for the White Sox 2013 Season Preview.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX INFORMATION:
Founded: 1900
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Stadium: U.S. Cellular Field
Conference: American League
Division: Central Division
Rivals: Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs
Notable Players: Frank Thomas, Carlton Fisk, Nellie Fox
Chicago White Sox World Series Title: 3, Last World Series Title: 2005
Chicago AL Championships: 6, Last AL Championship: 2005
The Chicago White Sox are one of the oldest franchises in the Major Leagues, dating back to 1901 when they were known as the Chicago White Stockings. Compared to the beloved Chicago Cubs, the White Sox have been the far more successful franchise in many ways. After changing their name to the White Sox in 1904, the new arrival to the American League quickly became one of the strongest teams in the game. The team would jump into the crosstown rivalry almost immediately in 1906, when they faced off against the Cubs in the first intra-city championship in Major League history. Although the series would prove extremely competitive, the White Sox were clearly the better team and would be victorious in six games.
In 1917, the White Sox made it to their second World Series behind the incredible play of pitcher Eddie Cicotte and the powerful lineup of Happy Felch, Chick Gandil and Eddie Collins. The 1917 team would prove to be the best in White Sox history, winning 100 games and taking the AL pennant with a nine game lead. The White Sox would make quick work of the New York Giants in the World Series to take their second title, but if you told fans back then, they wouldn't believe that it would be the last championship they would win in the 20th century.
Over the year, the White Sox suffered through the Black Sox cheating scandal and struggled to gain ground in the Chicago market against the Cubs, who had become everyone's loveable loser. Although the team featured a bevy of Hall of Famers over the years such as Carlton Fisk, Early Wynn, Goose Gossage and Luke Appling, the talent level couldn't translate into World Series wins.
After 88 years of futility, the White Sox finally broke through to the World Series in 2005, with a spectacular run with a team that many fans had written off. With the strong pitching of Mark Buehrle, Orlando Hernandez and Freddy Garcia, the White Sox overwhelmed the Anaheim Angels and took care of the scrappy Houston Astros in the World Series to secure their third World Series title.
The White Sox followed up their World Series win with a division championship in 2008, and they are slowly but steadily building on their success to make another run at the World Series in the foreseeable future.
See Also:
Chicago White Sox playoff tickets
Chicago White Sox Preview History