There always have been good reasons to hate the White Sox, who have conspired to throw a World Series since they last won a World Series.
The Sox built the last new ballpark that hearkens back to the era of big, bad baseball stadiums. “New” Comiskey Park, a strip mall constructed around a baseball diamond, isn’t even as good a ballpark as “old” Comiskey, both of which were surrounded by neighborhoods where, it was once famously said, hope went to die.
They once wore softball uniforms, even shorts. They employ pompom-waving announcers.
Owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who blew up the Jordan Bulls, long has refused to treat his Sox like a large-market team. Frank Thomas allowed whining to overshadow his greatness.
The White Sox employed the single-most hated manager of the modern era — incompetent, bile-spewing Terry Bevington.
And all Minnesota Twins fans need to know is that while their team was winning three consecutive division titles, the Sox were underachieving and sniping at their superiors.
For years you had to ask yourself, what was to like?
Today, the question is, what’s not to like?
This season, the White Sox established themselves as the best team in the league, then became the first team ever to see a lead of 15 games or more reduced to two or less.
I called it a choke. Statistically speaking, I was right. Now, though, it’s obvious I was picking on the wrong guys.
Because, Twins fans, if there is one team in the playoffs you should root for, it is the Men in Black.
While the Twins collapsed down the stretch, producing just the sort of infighting and underachieving the White Sox were once known for, the White Sox were mastering the Twins’ game.
They became the best team in one-run games.
It was their chatty, former shortstop and current manager who made all the right moves.
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It was their players who mastered fundamentals such as bunting and base stealing.
And it was their lone former Twin — catcher A.J. Pierzynski — who demonstrated what it means to compete, even when everybody in the stadium thinks the inning’s over.
I’ve never been around a tougher player than Pierzynski. In terms of sheer will, he deserves a ring as much as any player.
It’s hard work, being a White Sox fan. They should get to celebrate once a century.
If the Sox complete their impressive season with a World Series championship, a lot of Minnesotans will probably wear black in mourning.
I’ll consider wearing black because it looks good on the guy crazy enough to think the White Sox could win — the constructively wacky Ozzie Guillen.