Chicago White Sox facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chicago White Sox
2025 Chicago White Sox season
Established in 1894 Based in Chicago since 1900
Team logo Cap insignia
Major league affiliations
American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) West Division (1969–1993)
Current uniform
Retired numbers	2 3 4 9 11 14 16 19 35 56 72 42
Colors
Black, silver, white
Name
Chicago White Sox (1904–present) Chicago White Stockings (1900–1903) St. Paul Saints (1895–1899) Sioux City Cornhuskers (1894)
Other nicknames
The Sox The Chi Sox The South Siders The Pale Hose The Good Guys The Black Sox (1919)
Ballpark
Guaranteed Rate Field (1991–present) Comiskey Park (1910–1990) Milwaukee County Stadium (1968–1969) South Side Park (1900–1910) Lexington Park (1897–1899)
Major league titles
World Series titles (3)	1906 1917 2005
AL Pennants (7)	1900 1901 1906 1917 1919 1959 2005
WL Pennants (1)	1894
AL West Division titles (2)	1983 1993
AL Central Division titles (4)	2000 2005 2008 2021
Wild card berths (1)	2020
Front office
Principal owner(s)	Jerry Reinsdorf
General manager	Chris Getz
Manager	Will Venable

The Chicago White Sox are a professional baseball team from Chicago. They play in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the American League (AL) Central Division. Their home games are played at Guaranteed Rate Field on Chicago's South Side. The White Sox are one of two MLB teams in Chicago, the other being the Chicago Cubs.

The team started as the Sioux City Cornhuskers in 1894. They moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota, becoming the St. Paul Saints, and then to Chicago in 1900. In 1901, they became the Chicago White Stockings when the American League became a major league. The team changed its name to the White Sox in 1904. They first played at South Side Park before moving to Comiskey Park in 1910. They played there until 1990, then moved to their current stadium in 1991. This stadium was first called Comiskey Park, then U.S. Cellular Field, and now Guaranteed Rate Field.

The White Sox won their first World Series in 1906, beating the Cubs. This team was called "the Hitless Wonders" because they focused on defense. They won again in the 1917 World Series against the New York Giants. Their 1919 World Series appearance was famous for the Black Sox Scandal. Eight White Sox players were found to have worked with gamblers to lose games on purpose. The new Commissioner of Baseball, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, banned these players from baseball for life.

Since that scandal, the White Sox have been to the World Series two more times. They lost in 1959 to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Finally, they won their third championship in 2005 against the Houston Astros. It took the White Sox 88 seasons to win the World Series again, which was the longest wait in the American League.

Team History: From Cornhuskers to Champions

The 1919 "Black Sox" team.

Ed Walsh has the lowest career earned run average (ERA) in baseball history.

The White Sox began as the Sioux City Cornhuskers in the Western League, a smaller baseball league. In 1894, Charles Comiskey bought the team and moved them to St. Paul, Minnesota, calling them the St. Paul Saints. In 1900, Comiskey moved the Saints to Chicago, renaming them the Chicago White Stockings. This was the old name of Chicago's National League team, the Cubs.

In 1901, the Western League became the new major league, the American League. The White Stockings won the first AL championship that year. The team, now called the Chicago White Sox, played in their first World Series in 1906. They beat the Cubs in six games.

The White Sox won another championship in 1917, defeating the New York Giants with star players like Eddie Cicotte and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. In the 1919 World Series, the Sox were expected to win easily. However, they lost to the Cincinnati Reds. It was later discovered that some players had worked with gamblers to lose the series on purpose. This event became known as the Black Sox Scandal. The baseball commissioner banned eight players for life. This scandal greatly affected the team, and they did not win another championship for 88 years.

The White Sox had a good period from 1951 to 1967, with 17 winning seasons in a row. This team was known as the "Go-Go White Sox" because they focused on speed and getting on base. They had famous players like Minnie Miñoso, Nellie Fox, and Luis Aparicio. In 1959, the White Sox won their first championship since 1919, ending the New York Yankees' winning streak. They lost the 1959 World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Al López, manager of the "Go-Go Sox".

During the late 1960s and 1970s, the White Sox struggled. In 1977, under new owner Bill Veeck, the team won 90 games and was called the "South Side Hitmen." However, the team's success did not last. In 1979, a famous event called Disco Demolition Night caused problems at the ballpark.

Jerry Reinsdorf and Eddie Einhorn bought the team in 1980. The team won their division in 1983, led by manager Tony La Russa and players like Carlton Fisk and Harold Baines. La Russa later became one of the winningest managers in baseball history.

Harold Baines playing in 1986.

Frank Thomas in 1997.

The White Sox had a good run in the 1990s and early 2000s. Frank Thomas became a team legend, setting many team records. Other important players included Robin Ventura and Ozzie Guillén. The Sox won their division in 1993. The 1994 season was canceled due to a player strike, but the Sox were in first place.

In 2004, Ozzie Guillén became the team's manager. In 2005, the White Sox won 99 games and the Central Division title. They swept the Boston Red Sox in the playoffs and beat the Los Angeles Angels to win their first championship in 46 years. The White Sox then swept the Houston Astros in the 2005 World Series, winning their first World Championship in 88 years.

After 2005, the White Sox won the Central Division again in 2008 after a special tie-breaker game against the Minnesota Twins. In 2017, the team started a "rebuilding" period, trading away star players for younger talent. In 2020, Lucas Giolito pitched a no-hitter, and the White Sox made the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Jose Abreu won the AL MVP award that year. In 2021, Carlos Rodon also pitched a no-hitter. The White Sox won their division in 2021.

In 2024, the White Sox had a very tough season, setting a new team record for most losses in a single season.

Home Ballparks: Where the Sox Play

A view from the upper deck of what was then U.S. Cellular Field in 2006.

In the late 1980s, the White Sox almost moved to Florida. But the Illinois government approved money for a new stadium in Chicago. The new stadium, called new Comiskey Park, opened in 1991. It was later renamed U.S. Cellular Field in 2003 and Guaranteed Rate Field in 2016.

The stadium was built for baseball, with great views for fans. It has been updated many times to make it more modern and fun. For example, in 2004, the top part of the upper deck was removed, making the stadium smaller but more comfortable. New areas for kids, like the FUNdamentals Deck, were added in 2005. The old blue seats were replaced with green ones by 2007.

Past Homes of the White Sox

Batting practice at Comiskey Park in 1986.

Before the current stadium, the White Sox played at South Side Park. This park had very large dimensions, meaning not many home runs were hit there.

After 1909, the team moved to the first Comiskey Park. It was known as the "Baseball Palace of the World" and could hold over 50,000 fans. It had unique features like an outdoor shower and an "exploding scoreboard." When it closed in 1990, it was the oldest ballpark still used in Major League Baseball.

Spring Training Ballparks

The White Sox have trained in many different places for spring training. Since 2009, they have shared Camelback Ranch in Phoenix, Arizona, with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This facility has modern baseball fields and a large stadium.

Team Look: Logos and Uniforms

The Chicago White Sox logo from 1912–1917, 1919–1929, 1931, and 1936–1938.

The White Sox are known for changing their uniforms often. In 1960, they were the first major sports team to put players' last names on their jerseys.

In 1912, the team used a large "S" logo with smaller "O" and "X" letters inside it. This logo was worn by the 1917 championship team and the 1919 Black Sox. The team colors were usually navy blue and red.

Uniform design from 1971 to 1975.

From 1949 to 1963, the logo was the word "SOX" in a fancy, slanted style. The main color was black, with red trim. This was the look during the "Go-Go Sox" era.

In 1971, the team's main color changed to red, including their pinstripes and caps. In 1976, the colors went back to navy blue. The uniforms had a modern "SOX" logo with "CHICAGO" written across the jersey. They even tried wearing shorts for a game in 1976, which was very unusual!

Uniform designs from 1976–1981

An alternate logo, used on the road uniform (1991–2010) and on the black alternate uniform (1993–present).

In 1980, fans helped design new uniforms. The word "SOX" was written across the front with blue and red stripes. These uniforms were worn when the team won the AL West in 1983.

In 1990, the White Sox brought back a simplified version of their 1949–63 "SOX" logo. They also introduced black pinstripes with silver trim. This style, with small changes, is still used today. The team sometimes wears special throwback uniforms, like the ones from 1972 or 1982. In 2021, they wore special uniforms for the "Field of Dreams" game and new "City Connect" uniforms.

Paul Konerko wearing the White Sox's current home uniform in 2006.

Aaron Rowand wearing the White Sox's sleeveless alternate home uniform in 2005.

James McCann wearing the White Sox's current road uniform in 2019.

Mark Buehrle wearing the White Sox's current alternate uniform with home pants in 2009.

Tim Anderson wearing the White Sox's current alternate uniform with road pants in 2017.

Lucas Giolito wearing the White Sox's 1982–86 home uniform in 2019, used as a Sunday throwback alternate from 2013–23.

Awards and Achievements

White Sox players in their dugout during the 1917 World Series.

The Chicago White Sox have won several major awards and championships throughout their history.

World Series Championships

The White Sox have won the World Series three times:

• 1906: Beat the Chicago Cubs 4–2.
• 1917: Beat the New York Giants 4–2.
• 2005: Swept the Houston Astros 4–0.

American League Championships

The White Sox have won the American League championship seven times:

• 1900, 1901, 1906, 1917, 1919, 1959, 2005.

Award Winners

Many White Sox players and managers have won important awards:

Luis Aparicio (1956–62, 1968–70).

Luke Appling (1930–43, 1945–50).

Carlton Fisk (1981–1993).

Nellie Fox (1950–1963).

Shoeless Joe Jackson (1915–1920).

Ted Lyons (1923–1942, 1946).

Minnie Miñoso (1951–57, 1960–61, 1964, 1976, 1980).

• Most Valuable Player (MVP)
  • Nellie Fox (1959)
  • Dick Allen (1972)
  • Frank Thomas (1993, 1994)
  • Jose Abreu (2020)

• Cy Young Award (Best Pitcher)
  • Early Wynn (1959)
  • LaMarr Hoyt (1983)
  • Jack McDowell (1993)

• Rookie of the Year Award
  • Orestes "Minnie" Miñoso (1951)
  • Luis Aparicio (1956)
  • Gary Peters (1963)
  • Tommie Agee (1966)
  • Ron Kittle (1983)
  • Ozzie Guillén (1985)
  • José Abreu (2014)

• Manager of the Year Award
  • Tony La Russa (1983)
  • Jeff Torborg (1990)
  • Gene Lamont (1993)
  • Jerry Manuel (2000)
  • Ozzie Guillén (2005)

Retired Numbers

The White Sox have retired 12 jersey numbers. This means no other player can wear these numbers to honor the great players who wore them. Number 42 is retired across all of MLB for Jackie Robinson.

Nellie Fox 2B   Retired May 1, 1976 Harold Baines RF, DH Coach Retired August 20, 1989 Luke Appling SS Coach Retired June 7, 1975 Minnie Miñoso LF Coach Retired May 8, 1983 Luis Aparicio SS   Retired August 14, 1984 Paul Konerko 1B   Retired May 23, 2015 Ted Lyons P  Manager Retired July 25, 1987 Billy Pierce P   Retired July 25, 1987 Frank Thomas 1B, DH   Retired August 29, 2010 Mark Buehrle P   Retired June 24, 2017 Carlton Fisk C   Retired September 14, 1997 Jackie Robinson 2B   Retired By all of MLB 1997

Baseball Hall of Famers

Many players and people connected to the White Sox have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Some of these include:

Team Culture and Fun Facts

Team Nicknames

The White Sox were first called the White Stockings, like the Cubs. Newspapers shortened the name to Stox or Sox. Charles Comiskey made "White Sox" the official name.

The team is often called "the South Siders" because their stadium is on Chicago's South Side. Other nicknames include "the ChiSox" (to tell them apart from the Boston Red Sox) and "the Good Guys." Fans usually just call them "the Sox." In Spanish, they are sometimes called Medias Blancas, which means "White Socks."

Some famous White Sox teams have had special nicknames:

• The Hitless Wonders (1906 team): They won the World Series even though they didn't hit many home runs.
• The Black Sox (1919 team): Named after the scandal where players purposely lost games.
• The Go-Go White Sox (1959 team): Known for their fast players and focus on getting on base.
• The South Side Hitmen (1977 team): A team known for hitting many home runs.
• The Winning Ugly White Sox (1983 team): This name came from a rival manager who said they weren't playing well but still winning.

Mascots

Southpaw.

For many years, a clown named Andy the Clown entertained fans at Comiskey Park. He was very popular. Later, the team introduced official mascots called Ribbie and Roobarb, but fans didn't like them as much.

The White Sox's current mascot is SouthPaw, who was introduced in 2004 to connect with younger fans.

Team Songs and Music

The White Sox have several songs that are special to the team and its fans:

• "Let's Go Go Go White Sox" by Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers: This is the team's unofficial fight song, especially popular since the 2005 World Series win.
• "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" by Steam: The team's organist, Nancy Faust, started playing this song when opposing pitchers were taken out of the game. It became a huge hit with fans.
• "Sweet Home Chicago" by The Blues Brothers: This song is played after White Sox home games.
• "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC: This rock song is played when White Sox players are introduced. Fans love it!
• "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey: This song became the team's rally song during their 2005 World Series season. The lead singer, Steve Perry, even celebrated with the team after they won.

Team Rivalries

Crosstown Classic: White Sox vs. Cubs

Fielder Jones of the White Sox hits the ball against the Cubs at West Side Grounds in 1905.

The Chicago Cubs are the White Sox's biggest local rivals. This rivalry is special because the teams didn't play official games against each other until 1997, except for the 1906 World Series. The White Sox won that World Series against the favored Cubs.

The White Sox currently lead the regular-season series against the Cubs. Games between these two teams are often very exciting. In one famous game in 2006, White Sox catcher A. J. Pierzynski crashed into Cubs catcher Michael Barrett at home plate, leading to a big fight between the teams.

Other Rivalries

The White Sox also have rivalries with other teams:

• Minnesota Twins: This rivalry grew in the 2000s as both teams often competed for the AL Central title. In 2008, the White Sox beat the Twins in a special tie-breaker game to win the division.
• Detroit Tigers: This is one of the oldest rivalries in baseball, as both teams joined the American League in 1901. They have played each other for over 120 seasons.

Community Involvement

The White Sox care about their community. In 1990, they started Chicago White Sox Charities. This group helps local organizations in Chicago. They focus on helping kids learn to read, encouraging high school graduation, and promoting health and wellness. They have donated over $27 million to different causes.

Minor League Teams

The Chicago White Sox have several minor league teams where younger players develop their skills before playing in the major leagues. These teams are:

• Triple-A: Charlotte Knights
• Double-A: Birmingham Barons
• High-A: Winston-Salem Dash
• Single-A: Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Rookie: ACL White Sox and DSL White Sox

Images for kids

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  1919 "Black Sox" team photo

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  Ed Walsh holds the record for lowest career earned run average (ERA), 1.82.

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  Al López, manager of the "Go-Go Sox"

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  Harold Baines at the plate in 1986

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  Frank Thomas in 1997

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  The White Sox celebrate after winning a tie-breaker game against the Minnesota Twins for a spot in the 2008 playoffs.

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  View from the upper deck of then U.S. Cellular Field in 2006

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  Batting practice at Comiskey Park, 1986

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  The 1912–1917, 1919–1929, 1931, and 1936–1938 Chicago White Sox logo

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  Uniform design from 1971 to 1975

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  Uniform design from 1976–1981

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  Uniform design from 1976–1981

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  Alternate logo, used on the road uniform (1991–2010) and on the black alternate uniform (1993–present).

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  Paul Konerko wearing the White Sox's current home uniform in 2006

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  Aaron Rowand wearing the White Sox's sleeveless alternate home uniform in 2005

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  James McCann wearing the White Sox's current road uniform in 2019

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  Mark Buehrle wearing the White Sox's current alternate uniform with home pants in 2009

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  Tim Anderson wearing the White Sox's current alternate uniform with road pants in 2017

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  Lucas Giolito wearing the White Sox's 1982–86 home uniform in 2019, used as a Sunday throwback alternate from 2013–23

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  Eddie Murphy, John "Shano" Collins, Joe Jackson, Happy Felsch, and Nemo Leibold in their dugout during the 1917 World Series

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  Luis Aparicio (1956–62, 1968–70)

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  Luke Appling (1930–43, 1945–50)

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  Carlton Fisk (1981–1993)

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  Nellie Fox (1950–1963)

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  Shoeless Joe Jackson (1915–1920)

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  Ted Lyons (1923–1942, 1946)

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  Minnie Miñoso (1951–57, 1960–61, 1964, 1976, 1980)

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  Southpaw

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  Fielder Jones of the White Sox hits the ball against Cubs at West Side Grounds, 1905

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  Elson in the 1940s

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  Harrelson in the broadcast booth in 2007

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  Bill Veeck, White Sox owner (1959–61, 1975–80) who revolutionized baseball by introducing many innovations in promotion

See also

In Spanish: Chicago White Sox para niños