NewsRelive White Sox memories on DVD
Complete look at the highs and lows of the historic franchise
By Jennifer Jezierski / Special to MLB.com
06/16/09 10:00 AM ET
From the moment clips of the 2005 championship parade and Barack Obama's congratulatory speech begin, White Sox fans will feel a wave of pride and adoration for the South Siders they have come to know and love.Available at the MLB.com Shop for $19.99, White Sox Memories, from MLB Productions and Shout Factor, is a DVD chronicling the greatest moments in the history of a proud franchise.
This must-have DVD will highlight not only the good but also the bad, providing a complete look at the Chicago White Sox.
Joining the fledgling American League in 1901, the "Hitless Wonders" White Sox fought their way to wins with stellar pitching. In 1919, the White Sox endured the worst scandal in the history of the club, if not all of baseball, when eight members of the team were accused of throwing games in the World Series against the Reds and were banned from baseball for life.
White Sox fans tolerated teams that were good but never great after the Black Sox Scandal. The "Go-Go Sox" of 1959 were the best of these decades, and the "Southside Hitmen" of the late 1970s led to the "Winning Ugly" team of the early 1980s.
After buying the team in 1981, owners Jerry Reinsdorf and Eddie Einhorn wanted respect to return to the South Side of Chicago. They began by signing Carlton "Pudge" Fisk to anchor the White Sox, along with free agent Greg "The Bull" Luzinski, and the revamped 1983 roster started off the season slowly before exploding after the All-Star break, winning the AL West.
"White Sox Memories" chronicles the youth movement of the '90s, when the Sox called up players like Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura and Jack McDowell. In addition to these new players, Bo Jackson made his triumphant return to baseball after hip surgery.
Chicago won the ultimate prize in 2005, winning the World Series by sweeping the Houston Astros. The 2005 White Sox played games with intensity and a mastery of "Ozzie-ball" under second-year manager Ozzie Guillen. The pitching staff set the tone for the offense, and defensive plays highlighted the season. The 2005 postseason was filled with many highlights for the White Sox, from Joe Crede's home runs to Paul Konerko's grand slam in Game 2 of the World Series against the Astros. The pitching staff accomplished a rare feat when they pitched four consecutive complete games against the Angels in the ALCS, and the Sox finished the postseason with an 11-1 record and their first World Series title in 88 years.
Woven seamlessly with the narration provided by Curt Chaplin are video clips and newspaper snapshots from the beginning of the franchise through the present. Interviews with current and former players and managers, historians, famous fans and White Sox staff members give insights to how this team has grown and developed with the times. Hearing the thoughts of fans such as actors Michael Clarke Duncan and George Wendt give Sox fans an additional perspective of the team.
"White Sox Memories" includes not only the good moments (such as the three World Series championships) and the bad moments (such as the Black Sox scandal), it also includes ugly moments, such as the infamous Disco Demolition in 1979 and less than stellar playoff appearances.
This DVD features an all-time Team, highlighting the best of the best throughout White Sox history. This team of greats covers players from Shoeless Joe Jackson to Red Faber to Jermaine Dye. There is a segment dedicated to Southside Characters, including A.J. Pierzynski and the late broadcaster Harry Caray, whose famous persona was born on the South Side. "Bonus Features" include postseason clinchers, the ninth innings of White Sox no-hitters, Jim Thome's 500th career home run and legendary organist Nancy Faust on "This Week in Baseball."
Not only does "White Sox Memories" recount the history of the White Sox in a little more than two hours, it reminds White Sox fans, both young and old, that being a fan is all about tradition and family.
Jennifer Jezierski is author of the top-10 MLBlog A Diatribe from a Journalism Student. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
