Flashback #47: White Sox Win AL Central (2000)
As of 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary on January 3rd, the station has begun to reveal (in chronological order) the Top 100 Chicago Sports Stories that have occurred since they first went on the air 20 years ago. Once all 100 of these "flashbacks" have been revealed, fans will be able to vote for which stories they believe are the most significant in the 20 year history of The Score. To see all of the Flashbacks that The Score has posted so far, please visit 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary page.
September 24, 2000 - White Sox win the AL Central
Entering the 2000 season, the White Sox had little hopes of actually reaching the playoffs.
The team finished the 1999 season in second place in the AL Central with a record of 75-86. After a lackluster offseason, expectations were low. In fact, the White Sox marketing campaign for the 2000 season was the same as the 1999 season: "Hey, the Kids Can Play!"
The slogan referred to the White Sox's young group of players in Ray Durham, Paul Konerko, Carlos Lee and Magglio Ordonez.
The White Sox started off the season hot, finishing April with a record of 17-8. But a slow start to the month of May left the team clinging to their first-place position in the AL Central. The team started May with a record of 2-10, including a three-game sweep by the Royals in which they gave up 28 runs.
June was the exact opposite for Chicago, as it got off to an 8-2 clip. The White Sox were 20-7 in June, boosting their overall record to 50-29 and increasing their divisional lead to 9.5 games.
In July, the White Sox remained competitive, finishing the month with a record of 64-41 and a 10.5 game lead in the division standings.
The second-place Indians gained some momentum during August, cutting into the White Sox's first-place lead. Heading into the final month of the season, the White Sox owned a seven-game lead in the division.
The Sox would ultimately clinch the division on Sep. 24 in an extra-inning thriller against the Twins. Matt Lawton hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the tenth to solidify the AL Central crown for the South Siders.
The celebration didn't last long, however, as the team was swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Seattle Mariners.
The Score will continue to release a new Flashback each weekday until they reach 100. Check back tomorrow for a new one, or check out all of the previous Flashbacks: 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary »
