The White Sox honored Paul Konerko & the '05 champs on July 13, but fell to the Guardians 6-2. See how past glory met present struggles in a frustrating loss.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Guaranteed Rate Field was buzzing with nostalgia Sunday, a sea of black and white celebrating the heroes of 2005. Ozzie, Paulie, and the gang were back. For a moment, it felt like anything was possible. Then the game started. The festive pre-game ceremony honoring the 20th anniversary of the World Series champions gave way to a familiar, frustrating story, as the current White Sox fell to the Cleveland Guardians 6-2, dropping their fifth game in the last seven.
Cardinal Blase Cupich presented Paul Konerko with a No. 14 jersey autographed by Pope Leo XIV.
Before the first pitch, the South Side took a trip back in time. Twenty-three players from the magical 2005 squad, led by the one and only Ozzie Guillen, took the field to a thunderous ovation. The ceremony was filled with memorable moments, none more unique than when Cardinal Blase Cupich presented team captain Paul Konerko with a No. 14 jersey signed by Pope Leo XIV. It was a perfect tribute to a team that captured the city's heart. Unfortunately, that championship aura couldn't propel the 2025 club to victory. After the Sox tied the game 2-2 in the fourth, the Guardians systematically pulled away, with Kyle Manzardo's go-ahead solo shot off Jordan Leasure in the sixth proving to be the decisive blow.
While the final score was a letdown, there were encouraging signs from the team's youth movement. Rookie catcher Kyle Teel, who has been a revelation, once again provided all the offense. His clutch two-run single in the fourth inning was a display of the poise the team has been desperate for. On the mound, starter Sean Burke delivered a solid outing, holding a tough Cleveland lineup to just two runs over five innings while striking out five. He gave the team a chance to win, which is all you can ask. The bullpen, however, couldn't hold the line, a recurring theme that continues to plague the Sox.
The gap between the 2005 legends and the current roster highlights the importance of the ongoing rebuild. General manager Chris Getz has made it clear that building a sustainable winner starts with talent up the middle. With the MLB Draft just around the corner, reports indicate the Sox are zeroing in on high school shortstops with their 10th overall pick, with names like JoJo Parker and Billy Carlson being floated. This strategy is already bearing fruit in the minors, where top prospect Colson Montgomery is impressing at Triple-A. The presence of the '05 team was a reminder of the goal; the focus on the farm system is the roadmap to get there.
Sunday was a day of whiplash for White Sox fans. A joyous celebration of the past slammed right into the harsh reality of the present. The loss stings, but seeing the heroes of '05 should serve as inspiration, not just nostalgia. The path back is long, paved with the development of players like Teel and Burke and smart drafting. The 2025 season is about finding those building blocks. For now, we celebrate the past while keeping a hopeful eye on the future, knowing that championship banners aren't hung overnight.
