Chicago White Sox - 2005 World Series Champions!

Congratulations to the Chicago White Sox, the 2005 World Series Champions. Ozzie Guillen's crew earned the distinction after a 1-0 victory over the Houston Astros to clinch baseball's ultimate prize.

This game was a classic pitchers duel between Chicago's Freddie Garcia and Houston's Brandon Backe. Both starters were stingy, and were effective in getting out of the few jams they encountered.

The lone run of the game came in the 8th inning off of beleaguered Houston closer Brad Lidge. Willie Harris, all 4-foot-3 of him, singled and was sacrificed to second by Scott Podsednik. Harris then moved to third on a groundout to second by Carl Everett. By the way, there is no truth to the rumor that Everett's favorite rock band is Dinosaur Jr. World Series MVP Jermaine Dye then delivered Harris from third with a single up the middle.

The White Sox bullpen took over to preserve the lead and the game. Cliff Politte, Neal Cotts and Bobby Jenks shut down the Astros in the 8th and 9th innings, with a little defensive help from shortstop Juan Uribe, who made a terrific catch of a foul ball into the stands along the third base line for the second out of the 9th. Uribe then made the final play of the game, and the series on Orlando Palmeiro's grounder to give the White Sox their first World Series Championship since 1917.

Now people on Chicago's South Side (as well as the rest of the city and region) can rejoice the way we Red Sox followers did last autumn when our long championship drought ended. What is in store for the 2006 season? Will it be the Cubs' turn? Well, there are only 115 days until pitchers and catchers report to spring training!