Tale of the Tape: White Sox 5, Astros 3

Here at Sox On 35^th, we will be continuing our game recaps this offseason with a throwback to the 2005 Playoffs. Each day that, 14 years ago, the White Sox had a playoff game, we will recap it for you! Make sure to vote for Player of the Game every game, so that we can determine who you, the fans, thought were the MVPs of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox! Now, let’s take this journey back to October 22, 2005…

For the first time since 1959, the Chicago White Sox hosted a World Series game. In a matchup between veterans, Jose Contreras out-dueled Roger Clemens, who left after two innings with an injury. Contreras threw seven strong innings, and the White Sox’ offense remained steady in a 5-3 Game 1 victory in the 2005 World Series.

W: Jose Contreras (3-1) | L: Wandy Rodriguez (0-1) | S: Bobby Jenks (3)

The Good

• Jermaine Dye: 1-for-2, HR, RBI, 2 BB

• Juan Uribe: 1-for-2, RBI, 2 BB

• Jose Contreras: 7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 7 Swinging Strikes

The Bad

• Tadahito Iguchi: 0-for-5, K

Moment of the Game

Some people have been waiting a lifetime for this moment. Today, they got it: a White Sox World Series game win. What an incredible atmosphere.

Stats On 35^th: Let’s Break this One Down by the Numbers

Today’s Numbers:

20.3, 132, 5, 3

20.3

Today’s MVP, in terms of Win Probability Added (WPA) is Bobby Jenks (20.3%). Pitching for the first time in over two weeks, Jenks came on for 1.1 innings of work, striking out three batters on his way to the save. The atmosphere was as electric as his fastball as he closed out the game.

132

Both the White Sox and Astros have come into this World Series matchup after years of disappointment. The Astros are in their first World Series in a team’s 44 year history, while the White Sox are currently in the midst of an 88 year World Series championship drought. With 132 years of combined disappointment between these teams, one bad streak is about to end.

5

With his first inning home run, Jermaine Dye became the fifth White Sox player in team history to hit a home run in the World Series. Later in the game, Joe Crede became the sixth ever Sox player to homer in the World Series. Incredibly, it was the first time in team history that two Sox players homered in the same World Series game.

3

One step closer. Three more wins to the ultimate title.

The Game Ahead: Look for a Commanding Series Lead

• Mark Buehrle (2005: 16-8, 3.12 ERA) vs. Andy Pettite (2005: 17-9, 2.39 ERA), 7:15 PM CT

Player of the Game

Who will come out on top in Game 1 of the 2005 World Series POTG voting?!?

2005 Forever: Relive the Magic

ALDS

• Game 1: Red Sox 2, White Sox 14
• Game 2: Red Sox 4, White Sox 5
• Game 3: White Sox 5, Red Sox 3

ALCS

• Game 1: Angels 3, White Sox 2
• Game 2: Angels 1, White Sox 2
• Game 3: White Sox 5, Angels 2
• Game 4: White Sox 8, Angels 2
• Game 5: White Sox 6, Angels 3

World Series

• Game 1: Astros 3, White Sox 5
• Game 2: Astros 6, White Sox 7
• Game 3: White Sox 7, Astros 5 (14 innings)
• Game 4: White Sox 1, Astros 0

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