McCann We Talk? Sox Job Isn’t Finished, But You Can Still Celebrate
September 26, 2021 at 9:12 p.m.
McCann We Talk? Sox Job Isn’t Finished, But You Can Still Celebrate
By Connor McCann-
It was an October night in 2005, I was only in the second grade. I had been playing baseball for a few years at this point, and my love for the game was reaching obsession status. Luckily for me, the team on the south side of Chicago was crushing everything in its path, fighting for the team’s first title in 88 years.
I remember the night like it was yesterday. I remember Juan Uribe’s spectacular catch in the ninth inning, and I remember his throw to first that clinched the trophy a few minutes later. I can still recite John Rooney’s call of the final out. I remember mobbing my dad with a hug, tears in our eyes. It’s funny to think about so many years later. I’m a 24-year-old man who peaked at age eight.
The White Sox had already become my first love at that point. After October 26, 2005, it was till death do us part.
After that title, I was certain it was the beginning of a dynasty. My team had just won it all, had a great manager, a great pitching staff, and some heavy hitters. Everything was pointing to the Sox dominating the league for years to come in this kid’s head.
As the AFC Richmond supporters in the popular show Ted Lasso will tell you, “It’s the hope that’ll kill you.”
Myself and Sox fans from all over have held out that hope for a long, long time. After clinching the A.L. Central for the first time since 2008 Thursday, the Sox are heading back to the playoffs for just the third time since 2005. In fact, in the 117-year history of the team, this marks the very first time that the team has made the playoffs two consecutive years.
Which brings me to my point. The job is far from over. Eleven games still need to be won for the Pale Hose to lift up that trophy once again. With the way the team has played since the All-Star Break, it’s easy to push the panic button and worry about how they’ll match up against Houston, Tampa Bay, and if all goes well, whoever emerges out of the N.L. Trust me, I’m worried too. I’ve lost more than my fair share of sleep in recent weeks agonizing on which version of Craig Kimbrel is going to show up, if the bats are going to fall asleep at the worst possible time and most importantly of all, if the Sox will be healthy.
But when Liam Hendriks got that strike out and the celebration 13-years in the making set in, I thought about it. I thought for a long time. I realized something, and I’d like to share it with all of you. There’s still a long way to go, but it’s still important to stop and smell the roses.
As I mentioned earlier, I’m 24-yars-old. I was too young to remember the White Sox first playoff appearance of my lifetime in 2000. I’ve seen playoff baseball played by favorite team three times before this year.
By any metric, my guys are one of the most unsuccessful teams in baseball history.
We survived the rebuild. We survived the decade prior of coming up short. We’ve been through it all, and are finally able to reap the benefits on the other side. For now, I think it’s important to stop worrying about what happens next. The White Sox faithful deserve some happiness. We deserve to take a step back and enjoy a glimmer of success we’ve waited what feels like an eternity for. Don’t worry, once October hits, I’ll be pacing around my apartment, sweating out every pitch. But until then, enjoy the most successful stretch of Pale Hose baseball in team history. The best is hopefully yet to come.
In Tony we trust.
On a side note, I’d like to thank Warsaw and the surrounding communities for making my transition to your sports editor so seamless. I’ve enjoyed getting out there and covering your games, telling your stories. If you see me at a game, feel free to come up and say hi. You’ll see my bald head from a mile away. I look forward to continuing to grow my relationship with you all, and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of your daily lives. We’ve got some big things coming, so stay tuned!
It was an October night in 2005, I was only in the second grade. I had been playing baseball for a few years at this point, and my love for the game was reaching obsession status. Luckily for me, the team on the south side of Chicago was crushing everything in its path, fighting for the team’s first title in 88 years.
I remember the night like it was yesterday. I remember Juan Uribe’s spectacular catch in the ninth inning, and I remember his throw to first that clinched the trophy a few minutes later. I can still recite John Rooney’s call of the final out. I remember mobbing my dad with a hug, tears in our eyes. It’s funny to think about so many years later. I’m a 24-year-old man who peaked at age eight.
The White Sox had already become my first love at that point. After October 26, 2005, it was till death do us part.
After that title, I was certain it was the beginning of a dynasty. My team had just won it all, had a great manager, a great pitching staff, and some heavy hitters. Everything was pointing to the Sox dominating the league for years to come in this kid’s head.
As the AFC Richmond supporters in the popular show Ted Lasso will tell you, “It’s the hope that’ll kill you.”
Myself and Sox fans from all over have held out that hope for a long, long time. After clinching the A.L. Central for the first time since 2008 Thursday, the Sox are heading back to the playoffs for just the third time since 2005. In fact, in the 117-year history of the team, this marks the very first time that the team has made the playoffs two consecutive years.
Which brings me to my point. The job is far from over. Eleven games still need to be won for the Pale Hose to lift up that trophy once again. With the way the team has played since the All-Star Break, it’s easy to push the panic button and worry about how they’ll match up against Houston, Tampa Bay, and if all goes well, whoever emerges out of the N.L. Trust me, I’m worried too. I’ve lost more than my fair share of sleep in recent weeks agonizing on which version of Craig Kimbrel is going to show up, if the bats are going to fall asleep at the worst possible time and most importantly of all, if the Sox will be healthy.
But when Liam Hendriks got that strike out and the celebration 13-years in the making set in, I thought about it. I thought for a long time. I realized something, and I’d like to share it with all of you. There’s still a long way to go, but it’s still important to stop and smell the roses.
As I mentioned earlier, I’m 24-yars-old. I was too young to remember the White Sox first playoff appearance of my lifetime in 2000. I’ve seen playoff baseball played by favorite team three times before this year.
By any metric, my guys are one of the most unsuccessful teams in baseball history.
We survived the rebuild. We survived the decade prior of coming up short. We’ve been through it all, and are finally able to reap the benefits on the other side. For now, I think it’s important to stop worrying about what happens next. The White Sox faithful deserve some happiness. We deserve to take a step back and enjoy a glimmer of success we’ve waited what feels like an eternity for. Don’t worry, once October hits, I’ll be pacing around my apartment, sweating out every pitch. But until then, enjoy the most successful stretch of Pale Hose baseball in team history. The best is hopefully yet to come.
In Tony we trust.
On a side note, I’d like to thank Warsaw and the surrounding communities for making my transition to your sports editor so seamless. I’ve enjoyed getting out there and covering your games, telling your stories. If you see me at a game, feel free to come up and say hi. You’ll see my bald head from a mile away. I look forward to continuing to grow my relationship with you all, and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of your daily lives. We’ve got some big things coming, so stay tuned!
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