This is the story of the Under the Hill Gang, the Over the Hill Gang, and the Kid who came outta nowhere. This is the story of the unlikeliest World Series Champions in baseball history. This is the story of the 2009 Chicago White Sox.
This is the story of champions on their last legs, and of prospects who hadn't found their sea legs yet. It's the story of a kid pitcher who sacrificed everything to set himself free from oppression. It's a baseball story. It's an American story.
Carlos Quentin, the Sox' best hitter, is on the disabled list shortly after the season starts with a debilitating tendon injury in his foot. Nobody at 3rd base can catch a 2 hopper. Where's Joe Crede? Alexi Ramirez daydreams at shortstop as if he's on a 7th grade field trip to the zoo. Who's the guy at 2nd base? Don't worry about writing his name down. It'll be someone else next week.
Paulie's at 1st. OK. AJ's behind the plate. I'm feeling better. JD's in right. Beurhle's on the mound. Oz & Coop & Joey & Harold & Walk are in the dugout. I'm starting to feel real good about this.
Who's in center? Um, Twinkletoes.
Podsednik?
Yeah.
Uh oh.
He's hitting .315 with an obp 0f nearly .400
Pods?
Yeah.
You're kidding.
Nope.
What about the pitchers?
Buerhle, Danks, Floyd, Contreras, Colon, and Chapman may be one of the all-time greatest pitching staffs ever assembled. Bobby Jenks closes 'em out, and Thornton & Linebrink are lights out. Did I tell you about Carasco & Dotel?
Who's Chapman?
The Kid who came outta nowhere.
Pay attention, kiddies. Just like an old soap opera, every baseball season plays itself out slowly. And then it's over before you know it.
This old Sox fan sees something that he's seen many times before. The trophies won when nobody thinks you're in the game are much more valuable than the ones everyone expected you to win.
The old guys will donate some of their hard bark to the bare trees. The kid from nowhere will fit right in, even if he doesn't know where he is.
Even more than 2005, these guys are my guys.
Johnny
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