White Sox reveling in first division title since 2008
CLEVELAND — The Chicago White Sox entered 2021 with high expectations.
Any one of numerous serious injuries could have derailed their season.
Instead, the team accomplished its first goal Thursday, clinching the American League Central title for the first time since 2008 with a win over the Indians. The White Sox likely will face the Astros in the division series starting Oct. 7, unless Houston passes Tampa Bay for the best record in the AL.
“Obviously, we haven’t won any championships yet, but (Thursday), for the first time in franchise history, we were able to make the postseason in consecutive years, and that’s a good milestone, that’s a good first step,” White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. “Given the adversity this team has had to face over the course of this year, whether it’s the injuries to core players early on or the jump to 162 games up from (a pandemic-shortened) 60 (in 2020) or the mere fact we continue to play through a pandemic, this team has had to go through a lot.”
All-Star closer Liam Hendriks struck out former Astros outfielder Myles Straw for the final out in the seven-inning game, and White Sox players and coaches hugged and shook hands near the first-base dugout in acknowledgment of the accomplishment.
“It’s obviously nice getting the cart off our backs, per se, being able to clinch, make sure there’s nothing that is hindering us trying to move forward or trying to press too much to get that done quicker,” Hendriks said. “We’re the first team to clinch the division in baseball this year, which is something cool.
“But now out focus is on making sure that we get the momentum going through the rest of the season.”
This road wasn’t easy for the South Siders because of the major injuries throughout the season.
Outfielders Eloy Jimnez, Luis Robert and Adam Engel and catcher Yasmani Grandal missed significant time because of injuries. Tim Anderson had two stints on the injured list.
Starting pitching has been a strength throughout, with Lance Lynn and Carlos Rodon earning AllStar selections.
Lynn, acquired in an offseason trade, is a candidate for the AL Cy Young award. Rodon, who was nontendered in December before re-signing in February, pitched a no-hitter against the Indians in April. Dylan Cease has made steady progress while Lucas Giolito has been sharp in the second half.
Hendriks, a top freeagent signing in the offseason, has been among the major league leaders in saves.
Offensively, 2020 AL MVP Jose Abreu is again among the league leaders in RBIs. Yoan Moncada has been a steady presence at third. Grandal and Robert have been the team’s hottest hitters since returning.
The White Sox had to rely on a variety of players to fill some of those injury holes.
Yermin Mercedes made a splash in April before cooling off and eventually heading to Triple-A Charlotte. Others such as rookies Gavin Sheets and Andrew Vaughn and veterans Billy Hamilton and Brian Goodwin stepped in to make contributions while Leury Garcia has been plugged in all over the field.
“It comes from the front office down,” Hendriks said. “They put together a team that on paper looked fantastic. And then, obviously, we had some injuries, we had some things going on, but we were able to turn that and have that ‘next man up’ attitude.”
Manager Tony La Russa and his staff have had to navigate through the injuries.
“I know Tony said it to Eloy, and I think he may have said it to Luis, as well, right when they got hurt or soon thereafter: ‘You guys do your part to get healthy and get back and help us win, and we’ll do our part to make sure we’re in a position to win when you’re ready,’ ” Hahn said. “And everyone involved in that kept up their sides of the bargain, which was awfully impressive.”
Back on the bench for the first time since 2011, La Russa earned his second division title with the White Sox — the other coming in 1983.
“To come back, it’s like Fantasy Island,” La Russa said. “You would have never of thought that I could get this opportunity. Especially with the club being this good. And here we are, the division champs.”
The White Sox brought back La Russa, who has three World Series titles as a manger, to take that next step. After being eliminated in the wild card series against the Oakland Athletics last season, now they’ll have the chance.
“One thing you experience over the years, winning never gets old, it gets better,” La Russa said. “It just gets better because you appreciate more what everybody had to do to get here. And that’s the message for all the guys, the first timers, it gets better.
“And in fact it can get better this year — if we can play well in the division series.”