My World Champions

Where was all the drama? Was it always this easy to win a World Series? These are after all my Chicago White Sox. A team that teases, not delivers. The White Sox had four 8 game winning streaks during the regular season, but the 8 game winning streak they had in the postseason is the one that has the "experts" comparing them to the greatest teams of all time. They can't be talking about my White Sox can they?

It has been 3 days since Wednesday night when Juan Uribe gunned (having seen Uribe throw all season there is no word that better describes that rifle he calls a right arm) down pinch hitter Orlando Palmeiro by a half step. What that throw did still has not sunken in for this lifelong White Sox fan. I had started watching Game 4 at Murphy's in Forest Park with friends. We were there until the 4th inning. The bar's TV's had an annoying delay with the sound that was driving us all crazy. We ran over to Brian's house a few blocks away to watch the rest on his big screen. I have never been as nervous in my life as I was watching that game. Even when Jermaine Dye hit a single to score Willie Harris and finally give the White Sox a 1-0 lead, it only made me more nervous. The White Sox were six outs away from being World Champions.

Finally we were in the bottom of the 9th inning. Stud closer/Cult hero Bobby Jenks was in the game after throwing 50 pitches the night before in the marathon known as Game 3. I of course, was nervous. Jason Lane led the inning off with a single. Terrific. Brad Ausmus then bunted Lane over to second base, one out. Nervous. Then a play happened that released all tension from my body. After I had been pacing back and forth behind all my friends watching the game Chris Burke hit a pop up that was drifting towards the seats. There was Juan Uribe(there is that name again) running as fast as he could to get to it. He lunged into the seats, and then the ball landed in his glove. At that moment I was a 7 year old boy again. "He caught it!! He caught it!! He caught it!!!!!" I screamed while jumping up and down in the air, knees hitting my chin. What a trememdous play. There was still one out to go. Orlando Palmeiro then hit that chopper up the middle of the infield and it began.


White Sox players begin to mob Bobby Jenks after the final out of Game 4

The celebration in Brian's living room was just beginning too. I picked Kevin up in a huge bear hug amidst the celebration, and we were tackled by Joe. It wasn't long until all 8 of us (Kevin, Joe, Marty, Brian, Mike, Sarah, Saranya, and I.) were on the ground in a big pile. I'm also not ashamed to admit I was crying a bit. I've loved baseball since I was a toddler, and this was a long time coming to me. Shortly after that we were all outside. Kevin, Joe and I were popping open bottles of champagne in the street and spraying them all over the place. Brian was setting off fireworks ("If we start any fires, it's okay. I'm a fireman." he said.)


Kevin (right) and I outside shortly after Game 4

Of course the White Sox at the time were in the middle of their clubhouse celebrations. Luckily I was recording all of this at home so I didn't miss any of it. Getting to see my favorite players celebrate meant just as much to me as my celebration. This team worked hard all year to get where they were, and they deserve everything they get.


Paul Konerko celebrates in White Sox clubhouse

Aaron Rowand had talked earlier in the season about when he was a boy and saw the parade in Chicago for the 85 Bears. He talked about how he wanted to win a World Series so bad in this city so he could be a part of it. The buses, and ticker tape falling from the sky. Millions of fans lining the streets of downtown Chicago cheering them on. An entire part of the city completely shutting itself down for them. Well on Friday October 28th Aaron got his wish. This city I've grown up in and loved doesn't win much, but when we do, we know how to throw a party.


Ozzie Guillen waving to the crowd during the ticker tape parade

It really is sad to see all this end. This team will never be together again. Sure most of the names will be the same, but they will lose a guy here and there. (I pray Paul Konerko is NOT one of those guys we lose.) Also maybe it's a little too early, but what's to say this team doesn't do it again next year? They have a young team, a dominant pitching staff, a dominant closer, and an offense that always gets the job done. The season has been over for 3 days, and I'm already dying for Spring Training.

Life is Good, and thats the way I see it.