White Sox sweep Astros to advance to American League Division Series, owner Langsdorf praises rebuilding results

The White Sox advance to the American League Division Series. (AFP)

[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] In G2 of the American League Wild Card Series, the White Sox defeated the Astros 7-3 today, sweeping their opponents with 2 consecutive victories, and will meet the Guardians in the American League Division Series. Jerry Reinsdorf, the 90-year-old White Sox owner, said frankly that this was really unbelievable. "First of all, losing 121 games (referring to 2024) is unbelievable in itself. It was a really frustrating time."

The White Sox suffered the worst record in history with 121 defeats in 2024. In the past three years, they have lost at least 100 times in a single season. This year's regular season record was 84 wins and 78 losses, ranking second in the American League Central Division, and qualified for the playoffs as the third American League wild card. Now the White Sox have swept the Astros in the Wild Card Series. This is the first time in 21 years that the White Sox have won a playoff series.

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White Sox owner Langsdorf. (Reuters)

Langsdorff was interviewed in the lounge after the game and said that he originally hired Chris Getz as the general manager in the middle of the 2023 season. "When I hired Chris, I lived up to the trust you all placed in me," he said. "I am very happy. The final result proves that you were right to praise my decision to hire him."

Langsdorf mentioned that losing 121 games was frustrating, "but then you start to see the rebuilding process of the team start. After working with Chris, the first thing I noticed was the organizational structure he was building. Just like building a building, the most important thing is to lay the foundation first."

Gates has gradually built the current lineup through a series of operations. Among the nine players starting today, five will join the White Sox in 2024, including pioneer Sam Antonacci, who was selected in the fifth round that year. The White Sox will send away ace left-hander Garrett Crochet in December 2024, and the three players in exchange for Kyle Teel, Chase Meidroth, and Braden Montgomery are also the main players of the White Sox today.

"It's a process," Langsdorf said. "I didn't expect to see results so soon. I really didn't expect it. I really thought we wouldn't have a chance to be a contender until 2027. But no one told these players that they couldn't do it."

In addition, Roman Catholic Pope Leo XIV (Pope Leo XIV) is a loyal fan of the White Sox. Before the playoffs started, Pope Leo XIV sent a letter of blessing to the White Sox. Langsdorff was interviewed and said frankly, "Imagine a Jewish kid from Brooklyn receiving a letter from the Pope... I might convert to Catholicism."