The Chicago White Sox lost their third straight game Monday night, putting their record at 8-9 during the pandemic-shortened 60 game season. They are currently in fourth place and have won just six of their 13 games against divisional opponents. Although they have had a six-game winning streak this season, they have been inconsistent whether on offense, defense, and with their pitching, but injuries have hurt them the most. Given the results so far this season with the high expectations they had at the start, the White Sox are beginning to resemble the team of 19 years ago.
Before the start of the 2001 season, the expectations were extremely high as the team was coming off its first divisional title in seven seasons, and many viewed the White Sox as a World Series favorite. In 2000, the team had the best offense in all of baseball and won an American League-best 95 games. During the offseason leading up to the 2001 season, the team traded for 20-game winner David Wells, signed catcher Sandy Alomar Jr, and acquired defensive shortstop Royce Clayton. The moves to shore up the starting rotation and defense led the team to buy into its hype, promoting the slogan, It’s Time, referencing the team being on the verge of winning its first World Series title since 1917.
The White Sox’s 2001 season has always been viewed as a massive letdown, due to injuries and a terrible start to the season. The team began the season with a record of 15-29 as the team lost its best hitter in Frank Thomas in mid-April after a triceps tear ended his season. The White Sox would also be without their top three starters as Wells, Cal Eldred, and Jim Parque all spent a majority of the season on the disabled list. For as bad as things were early in the season for the team, Chicago would finish the 2001 season with an 83-79 record and find a few stars vital to the 2005 championship team four years later. Those highlights were overshadowed by the lofty expectations set at the beginning of the season.
This year’s White Sox team appears to be heading in the same direction as injuries, and inconsistent play has hampered the team’s ability to win consistently. Chicago currently has Tim Anderson, Nick Madrigal, Reynaldo Lopez, Carlos Rodon, Aaron Bummer, and Edwin Encarnacion all sidelined with injuries. On Monday night, both shortstop Leury Garcia and first baseman Jose Abreu were unable to finish the game due to injuries.
Similar to the 2001 season, the offseason leading up to the 2020 season featured several moves intended to make the team a significant contender as pitcher Dallas Keuchel, catcher Yasmani Grandal, and Encarnacion were signed to help improve the offense. The White Sox have not scored more than four runs in their last seven games. the offensive struggles could be due to Anderson and Madrigal being out of the lineup, but players like Eloy Jimenez and Grandal have struggled to hit since the White Sox’s winning-streak ended last week.
Unlike in 2001, where the team was able to salvage the season, the 2020 team is at risk of losing a tremendous chance at making the playoffs. With 43 games left in the season, the White Sox must now contend with both the Indians and Tigers for the second playoff spot in the American League central. The team has the talent to compete as displayed with their six-game winning streak earlier this season, but they need to find consistency before its too late. Many felt the 2020 season provide fond memories as the season the White Sox became relevant again, but now it appears that the season could be remembered negatively.
