Emma: Legend Of 2005 White Sox Will Live Forever
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Standing on the sweltering bricks outside U.S. Cellular Field on Saturday, three different men who hail from three different backgrounds grasped their greatest baseball accomplishment.
That 2005 World Series trophy united Ozzie Guillen, Kenny Williams and the chairman, Jerry Reinsdorf. The three joined together and held it while posing for pictures with giant grins.
Longtime friends Joe Crede and Aaron Rowand reconnected over the memories of that magical season. Dustin Hermanson and Chris Widger shared the emotions of how their small-town upbringings changed with a world championship.
Even 10 years later, that World Series is something to be cherished, because it was just as sweet for Chicago then as it is now, on the White Sox's 2005 reunion weekend. Such is the case because of how characters like Guillen, Williams, Reinsdorf, Paul Konerko, Frank Thomas, Mark Buehrle and so many more made this long-awaited local dream a reality.
"What recognition do you need other than a trophy," Reinsdorf asked Saturday. "It's a memory you never lose."
That trophy remains on display in the main lobby of U.S. Cellular Field, and the moments that led to it are forever in the fabric of the White Sox organization.
Who could forget the incredible postseason pitching of Buehrle, Jon Garland, Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez and Freddy Garcia? Or Scott Podsednik's walk-off home run in Game 2 of the World Series or Geoff Blum's heroic home run in the 14th inning of Game 3?
"People asking me about it never gets old," Blum said of his home run. "It was career-changing, it brought a new light to my career."
Destiny seemed to find the White Sox in 2005, bringing a tight-knit group of eccentric personalities together to form a title team.
Names like Konerko, Thomas and Buerhle carry meaning on the South Side for having distinguished careers, but those of Blum, Crede and Rowand -- among so many others -- are remembered for their roles on such a special team.
Now 10 years later, it really sinks in how close the team was then -- even as time has pulled them apart.
"Looking backing back at it, all you say is, 'Wow, that was a special group, and it felt special doing it,'" Konerko said. "You don't think that way while doing it. Now 10 years later, you say that group was special for a lot of reasons."
Before 2005, the White Sox's last championship came in 1917. Two years later, much of that team threw the World Series in what's now known as the Black Sox scandal. Those players live in infamy.
Legends live forever in sports. The only thing greater are champions.
Like that trophy that united this remarkable team and the moments that made it happen, what the White Sox accomplished in 2005 will stand the test of time.
"It will be there forever," Konerko said. "It's something they can never take away from you."
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.
