Unlike Astros, Sox weren't tight
The Astros' first trip to the World Series ended up looking a lot like the neighboring Rangers' previous trips to the post-season.
Houston was outpitched and outplayed. The Astros had far too many over-anxious, thrown-away at-bats. And going home to Minute Maid Park with an 0-2 deficit in the Series only seemed to add another weighty burden on the Astros' shoulders.
And so, the Chicago White Sox are World Series champions. Hopefully, all those medium- and small-market franchises out there were paying attention.
Not one of the White Sox' top four starting pitchers was signed as a free agent. Mark Buehrle was drafted by the Sox in the 38th round in 1998. Jon Garland came to the ChiSox in a trade during his second year of pro ball.
Freddy Garcia was obtained from Seattle in a five-player trade. The Yankees traded Cuba-born Jose Contreras to Chicago for Esteban Loaiza.
Next time you hear a radio talk-show caller whine, "When are the Rangers gonna spend some money and get some pitching?" show him the White Sox staff.
One last White Sox note. Jermaine Dye, who had the Series-winning hit Wednesday night, was signed as a free agent in the off-season.
The White Sox outbid two teams, the Giants and Rangers. Dye was signed for two years and earned $4 million this season. The Rangers opted for (cringe) Richard Hidalgo.
The Sox won 11 out of 12 playoff games and did what it takes to sweep the Astros in the World Series. Blustery Chicago weather or beautiful Houston autumn evenings the Sox had the better team in all of MLB. No shame in that. I remember Dawgie Hildago as an Astro...we let him go...
Posted by: michael adamcik | October 27, 2005 at 03:04 PM