World
Series thrilling ride for baseball
addicts
Jesse
Munoz
Great pitching, some good old-fashioned small ball, one gutsy manager, and
four games—that’s all it took for the Chicago White Sox to finish
off the Houston Astros and become world champions for the first time since
1917.
I, for one, would have liked to have seen it go the full seven games. But either
way, man, what a series. Other than a couple extra games, what more could you
ask for?
In terms of television ratings, Fox said this was the lowest rated World Series
in history, but I would argue it was one of the best four-game series ever.
The antics of second-year Manager Ozzie Guillen were enough to keep me interested,
but you’ve also got to appreciate the dominate pitching performances
and timely execution up and down the lineup that carried the team to victory.
All four games were close, with the Sox never winning by more than two runs.
It was the result of a well-implemented game plan that included several aspects
of the small ball philosophy and a bend but don’t break defense. When
at the plate the White Sox excelled at getting runners on, getting them over,
and getting them in, doing all they could with a lineup that featured only
one legitimate power threat in first baseman Paul Konerko.
While in the field, White Sox pitchers did allow a multitude of Astro base
runners, but seemed to buckle down and get tough outs before much damage could
ever be done.
And who can forget the excitement generated when Scott Podsednik tagged Houston
closer Brad Lidge for a walk-off game winning home run in game two? Podsednik
didn’t have a single home run the entire season, but his World Series
shot is one that will forever be remembered as magical, not only in White Sox
history, but in World Series history.
The four games also included the longest game in World Series history. The
epic battle that was game three included five innings of free baseball, and
another dramatic go-ahead home run, this time coming off the bat of Geoff Blum
in the 14th inning. So in reality it was really a 4.5 game series.
The 2005 World Series also gave us the Astros’ first World Series appearance,
and the only two World Series games ever played in the state of Texas. It also
gave Roger Clemens, easily the best pitcher of this generation, another chance
at World Series greatness, this time in his home state. And although injuries
prevented him from being his normal dominate self, at this point in his career
any opportunity to see the legend that is Clemens take the mound is a welcome
one.
Another interesting aspect adding to the greatness of this World Series was
game four’s inclusion of an “All Latino Legends” team presentation
during the pre-game ceremonies. In a sign of respect and appreciation to the
contributions made to baseball by Latin American players, MLB allowed fans
to select eight position players, three starting pitchers and one reliever
of Latin American decent to be honored before the start of game four.
Throw in a Derek Jeter-esque diving catch into the stands in game four by White
Sox second shortstop Juan Uribe, and you have it all—maybe the greatest
four-game World Series ever.
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