Remember when the Chicago White Sox were the biggest joke in baseball? That wasn't exactly ancient history. Just two years ago, they lost 121 games and set a modern MLB record that nobody in Chicago particularly wanted to celebrate.
Well, look who's going to the playoffs.
Thursday's 9-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals officially punched Chicago's ticket to October for the first time since 2021. Better yet, the White Sox became the first team in MLB history to reach the postseason immediately following multiple consecutive 100-loss seasons. Chicago managed to do it after three.
For a fan base that has endured three miserable summers, that's quite a turnaround.
White Sox complete a turnaround nobody has ever seen
Let's appreciate just how ridiculous Chicago's transformation has been.
The White Sox followed their historically awful 2024 campaign with another 102 losses in 2025. After three consecutive seasons with at least 100 defeats, another rebuilding year wouldn't have shocked anybody.
Instead, Chicago enters its final three regular-season games with an 82-77 record and a guaranteed postseason appearance.
And Thursday's clincher wasn't particularly close.
Kyle Teel homered and reached base five times, while five different White Sox drove in runs. David Sandlin held Kansas City to one run over six innings, giving Chicago more than enough breathing room to enjoy the afternoon.
Perhaps the most remarkable part is how quickly the organization's outlook has changed.
A franchise that couldn't escape the bottom of the standings suddenly has a young core producing meaningful September victories. Miguel Vargas has developed into an All-Star, while Teel and the rest of Chicago's emerging talent have given fans something they haven't had in quite some time.
A reason to look forward to October.
Chicago's playoff celebration might be just the beginning
Here's where things get particularly interesting.
The White Sox haven't finished chasing Cleveland for the AL Central championship. Chicago has three games remaining against Colorado, while the Guardians finish their season against Kansas City.
Winning the division could also give Chicago a first-round bye, allowing its pitching staff additional rest before the postseason.
That's a considerably different conversation from the one surrounding this franchise just two years ago.
There are still questions about Chicago's postseason rotation, and the White Sox will face considerably tougher competition once October arrives. Nobody should mistake their historic turnaround for a guarantee of playoff success.
But that's a conversation for another day.
The White Sox have already accomplished something that no other franchise in baseball history has managed. They went from three consecutive 100-loss seasons to the postseason, giving their fans an October they could barely have imagined during the depths of that miserable 2024 campaign.
And with the division still within reach, they might not be finished celebrating just yet.
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