How good (historically) is this Chicago White Sox team?

[MudCat]

The White Sox started off the season with the best record, hovering right around .800 for the first several months. They maintained around a .700-.765 winning percentage through the first half.

Then, after the All-Star break, they continued to win at a very good clip, at one point having, I believe, an 18-game lead.

Then, at the very end of the season, they lost something like 18-25, and with the Indians catching fire, that lead dwindled at one point to 1 1/2 games.

So, here's the question:

Take away that downturn toward the end of the year. Let's say they won that 18-25 stretch, (which wouldhave made their record (117-65),then add the decimation of the Red Sox and Angels, and the way they've pretty much had their way with the Astros, do they qualify as one of the best teams ever?

[matt57]

no, simply because you can't "take away games" like you said. if that's the case our '96 team was undefeated if you "take away" the L's to MSU and UMASS because we beat both of those teams once anyway.

but, i think pitching wise this staff has been as good as any we will ever see. it's not just 2 guys pitching like stars. the whole staff has been NASTY. buherle, garland, contreas, garcia, and el duque' just a tough, tough team to beat twice in a row let alone four times...

[MudCat]

matt57 wrote: no, simply because you can't "take away games" like you said. if that's the case our '96 team was undefeated if you "take away" the L's to MSU and UMASS because we beat both of those teams once anyway.

but, i think pitching wise this staff has been as good as any we will ever see. it's not just 2 guys pitching like stars. the whole staff has been NASTY. buherle, garland, contreas, garcia, and el duque' just a tough, tough team to beat twice in a row let alone four times...

Very good point, and after posting this last night and shutting down, I got to thinking.I guess my point was, I wonder if this team will get credit for being as dominating as they really were all year, due to the fact that they had that little hiccup for about two weeks?

You're right, you can't take away wins and losses, but I hope that the team gets credit where it's due.

[wyldkatzky]

11-1 in the post season, only the 99 yankees who went 11-1 did that well, and the cincy reds that went 7-0.



Definetly one of the top postseason teams of all time. They got a few calls yes, but still won, not a bunch of blowouts, but they did what they needed to, how they wanted to. Pitching and hitting big when it came down to it.

[RP_McMurphy]

Based on their hot start they would have been top 5 all time but I can't rank them that high now based upon their cruise control mode in August and September which almost cost them the Division. Truly great teams never put it in cruise control and keep that boot on the other teams throat throughout the whole season.