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White Sox get ready for championship series

Monday, October 10, 2005

October 10, 2005 (WLS) -- The White Sox are getting ready for the winner of the New York Yankees/Los Angeles Angels series. The south siders held a light workout at U.S. Cellular Field on Sunday. They will practice again today.

The White Sox will play the winner of the Yankees-Angels series at the Cell Tuesday night. They should know their opponent for the American League Championship Series tonight. The White Sox will have home field advantage through the rest of the playoffs. Their next game is scheduled for Tuesday at US Cellular Field.

The Yankees stayed alive in their series with a come-from-behind win over the Angels late last night. Both teams then flew overnight to the west coast and they will play again tonight in a deciding Game 5.

The Chicago White Sox came home to a banner-waving crowd Saturday. The Sox swept the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox out of the playoffs with a 5-to-3 victory Friday at Fenway Park.

"White Sox are No. 1. Whether it is the Yankees, whether it is the Angels, they give 110 percent effort. Go White Sox! Guess what, Chicago? We're going to the World Series soon," said Dwayne Richter, White Sox fan.

Windy weather and overcast skies couldn't stop some diehard White Sox fans from welcoming home their conquering heroes. The Sox players aren't willing to say there is going to be a World Series victory, but the fans are.

"We're just excited. We're going all the way. They gelled at the right time. They have fun. They've got the right guys on the field," said Peter Fricano, White Sox fan. "It is our time. Our time is now." With rain threatening, about 100 of the Sox faithful waited outside Midway Airport to greet players after they swept away the champion Boston Red Sox. Most say they just had to be a part of the celebration, because it has been 88 years since the team won a post-season series.

"It's a once in a lifetime, my lifetime anyway," said Shawn Zarenba, White Sox fan.

"I've waited for this my entire life, and now it's here and it's coming. This is our year, and we are very, very happy and proud," said Bob Kirstle, White Sox fan.

Excitement filled the air as the team's plane approached for landing. Triumphant players then drove a gauntlet of screaming fans still basking in their victory.

"It's just awesome to see all these people here. It's amazing. They've waited a long time for this and they deserve it," said Chris Widge, White Sox catcher.

With their 5-to-3 win over Boston, the Sox will have home field advantage in the American League Championship Series against either the New York Yankees or The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Fans say it doesn't matter who they play as long as they win.

"We want to beat all the best teams. We wanted to beat Boston, New York and the Cardinals," said Matt Goffin. "Then nobody can say nothing," added fellow Sox fan Brandi Tucker.

It appears as though the White Sox, who have traditionally been a South Side team, are now a Chicago team. There was one lone Cubs fan that stood across the street, probably for his own safety, saying that he was going to support the White Sox in their push for the pennant, but he was still a Cubs fan.

With Friday night's win, Chicago's biggest White Sox fan, Mayor Richard Daley, won a bet with Boston's mayor. Daley says he is excited to feast on the Boston-themed meal he was promised.

"Lobster. What else? Clam chowder. There's a variety of things. I'll display them when we get them all," said the mayor.

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