Although it’s hard to believe, 11 years ago today we witnessed one of the most iconic White Sox games of recent memory. Yes, it’s the anniversary of the American League Central tie-breaker game against the Minnesota Twins, dubbed the “Blackout Game.” I still remember it all like it was yesterday, and I’m sure you do too. John Danks threw the game of his life, Ken Griffey Jr. showed off the cannon to get Michael Cuddyer at the plate, Jim Thome hit a bomb to the fan deck, and Brian Anderson finished off the win with a diving catch. Everything went completely right in what was a magical run to send the 2008 team to the playoffs.
Here’s a look back at the White Sox starting lineup from that game and some of the key moments.
- Orlando Cabrera (SS): 1-4
- Dewayne Wise (LF): 0-4
- Jermaine Dye (RF): 2-4
- Jim Thome (DH): 1-3, HR (34), BB, RBI, run
- Paul Konerko (1B): 0-3
- Nick Swisher (1B): 0-0
- Ken Griffey (CF): 1-3, 2B (30)
- Brian Anderson (PR-CF): 0-0
- Alexei Ramirez (2B): 0-1, 2 BB
- A.J. Pierzynski (C): 0-3
- Juan Uribe (3B): 0-3
- John Danks (SP): 8.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
- Bobby Jenks (S, 30): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
?➡️?
9/30/08: Ken Griffey Jr. threw out Michael Cuddyer at the plate in the Blackout Game to end the top of the 5th. #TurnBacktheSox pic.twitter.com/lO2WyCcW5a
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) November 7, 2017
9/30/08: John Danks was ? in the Blackout Game, as the White Sox defeated Minnesota, 1-0. #TurnBacktheSox pic.twitter.com/9Xfo1c6gw3
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) November 15, 2017
9/30/08: Jim Thome crushes a solo HR to give the White Sox the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. #BlackoutGame #TurnBacktheSox pic.twitter.com/rkDjm6C9tE
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) January 25, 2017
Click here for the complete box score from September 30th, 2008.
Featured Photo: White Sox/Twitter
The first thing that came to my mind when glancing at the batting order was Jermaine Dye in RF and Jim Thome at DH. I immediately thought that RF and a high OBP/SLG left-handed power was exactly what the White Sox need to complete their own lineup for next season while also addressing the need for a veteran TOR starting pitcher. Maybe Zack Collins can morph into Thome at some point as the White Sox backup catcher and left-handed hitting DH but odds are that the White Sox next significant core lefty bat will also be their new right-fielder and come a via the trade this offseason.