They finished the regular season with a 99–63 record and a 6-game lead over Cleveland, winning their second American League Central title. Finishing strong, though, the White Sox began September by winning their first 7 games and ended the season by winning 8 of 10. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. They won 19 out of their next 24, including two 8-game winning streaks, and at the end of April were 17–7. The White Sox began their season by winning the first two games, and were 7–3 after the first 10 games. Pierzynski to Chicago after playing six years for division rival Minnesota, and one year for San Francisco. Iguchi proved his value all year long.įinally, the Sox decided to add a little fire into a mostly laid back and quiet clubhouse. Tadahito Iguchi came in from Japan to play second base and bat second behind Podsednik. Jermaine Dye was added for veteran leadership and provided an important bat and glove in the lineup. 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.Īnother important factor to Guillén's new plan was to have players who put the team ahead of personal accomplishments. Guillén wanted more quickness, so speedy Scott Podsednik was brought in to be the number one hitter and to create havoc for opposing pitchers. The Sox decided to clean up a bit and bring in players with the team first attitude. The Sox already had a feisty manager, solid pitching, and power hitters. Guillén envisioned his team playing small ball. He asked Williams for a makeover for his club. 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. Much that happened in 2005 was under the direction of manager Ozzie Guillén. The Chicago White Sox had a total attendance of 2,342,833 in 2005, 7th in the American League.
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