SR0509 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0509 LRB094 15060 RAS 50205 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Chicago White Sox, owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, won the 2005 Major League Baseball World Series Championship on October 27, 2005 with a 1-0 victory over the Houston Astros in game four, sweeping the series; and

WHEREAS, The World Series MVP, Jermaine Dye, singled home the only run of game four, while pitcher, Freddy Garcia, and relievers, Cliff Politte, Neal Cotts, and rookie closer, Bobby Jenks, combined on a five-hit shutout and shortstop, Juan Uribe, made two remarkable fielding plays to end the game, capturing the 2005 World Series trophy; and

WHEREAS, During the playoffs, the Chicago White Sox went on one of the most dominant playoff runs in baseball history; the White Sox went 11-1 in the postseason, beating the Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Houston Astros, as their starting pitchers gave them at least seven innings in eleven of the twelve games; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago White Sox, led by manager, Ozzie Guillen, amassed an American League best ninety-nine wins during the regular season with strong pitching, flawless defense, and clubhouse togetherness; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago White Sox reside on the South Side of Chicago and play at US Cellular Field, once known as the new Comiskey Park, which is located directly across the street from old Comiskey Park where the White Sox played from 1910 until 1990; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago White Sox have earned the title of World Champions for the first time since 1917 when the team defeated the New York Giants four games to two; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago White Sox had not made the trip to the World Series since 1959, when the Sox played the Los Angeles Dodgers in the last year that the city of Chicago and the State of Illinois hosted a Major League Baseball World Series; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago White Sox, during the regular season and playoff run, brought much excitement and great joy to not just Chicago, but to all of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize and applaud the 2005 Chicago White Sox for their accomplishments during the 2005 season, the talent and teamwork they displayed on the field, their excellence and humility off the field, the outstanding coaching staff leading the team, and the brilliant ownership and management that crafted and built the 2005 World Series Champion Chicago White Sox; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we acknowledge and thank Owner and Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, General Manager Ken Williams, Manager Ozzie Guillen, the Chicago White Sox players: Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia, Jose Contreras, Jon Garland, Orlando Hernandez, Neal Cotts, Cliff Politte, Dustin Hermanson, Damaso Marte, Luis Vizcaino, Bobby Jenks, A.J. Pierzynski, Chris Widger, Geoff Blum, Joe Crede, Willie Harris, Tadahito Iguchi, Paul Konerko, Frank Thomas, Pablo Ozuna, Juan Uribe, Jermaine Dye, Timo Perez, Scott Podsednik, Aaron Rowand, and all of the other players, coaches, and staff for their hard work this season and for bringing the World Series title back to Chicago; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we declare November 2, 2005 as Chicago White Sox Day in the Illinois Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Reinsdorf family, Chicago White Sox General Manager Ken Williams, Manager Ozzie Guillen, and the entire Chicago White Sox organization.