2008 Chicago White Sox

	2008 Chicago White Sox ;
	Major league affiliations
	American League (Since 1901) American League Central (Since 1994); ;
	Location
	U.S. Cellular Field (Since 1991); Chicago (Since 1900);
	2008 Information
Owner(s)	Jerry Reinsdorf
Manager(s)	Ozzie Guillen
Local television	Comcast Chicago, WGN, WCIU
Local radio	WSCR
Baseball-Reference	2008 Chicago White Sox

Record: 89-74, Finished 1st in AL Central Division (2008 AL)

Clinched Division: September 30, 2008, vs. Minnesota Twins

Managed by Ozzie Guillen

Coaches: Harold Baines, Don Cooper, Joey Cora, Jeff Cox, Juan Nieves and Greg Walker

Ballpark: U.S. Cellular Field

History, Comments, Contributions[edit]

Off-season[edit]

Coming off a disappointing 72-90 record in 2007, the 2008 Chicago White Sox looked to re-load and become a contender again. Pitcher Jon Garland was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for shortstop Orlando Cabrera on November 18, 2007, and Nick Swisher was acquired from the Oakland Athletics for a package of prospects, lead by Ryan Sweeney. The biggest move, however, was the acquisition of leftfielder Carlos Quentin from the Arizona Diamondbacks for prospect Chris Carter. The team also signed Alexei Ramirez, a former Cuban national team player who had moved to the US. Alex Cintron, Darin Erstad, Scott Podsednik, Luis Terrero were among the players not retained from 2007.

Regular season[edit]

The regular season started March 31st in Cleveland for a three-game series against the Indians. The White Sox started 5-2, helped out with a road sweep of the Detroit Tigers. However, the rest of the month, the White Sox were inconsistent, and finished 14-12. To start May, they played the Toronto Blue Jays in a series that was controversial for the Sox. Manager Ozzie Guillen was heavily criticized for allegedly using "blow-up dolls." The White Sox had an 8-game winning streak from May 14 to May 22, sweeping the San Francisco Giants and Indians in the process.

2008 Opening Day Lineup[edit]

Player	Position
Nick Swisher	LF
Orlando Cabrera	SS
Jim Thome	DH
Paul Konerko	1B
Jermaine Dye	RF
Alexei Ramirez	CF
A.J. Pierzynski	C
Joe Crede	3B
Juan Uribe	2B
Mark Buehrle	LHP

2008 Draft[edit]

Round	#	Player name	School
1	9	Gordon Beckham	Georgia

Awards and Honors[edit]

All-Stars: Joe Crede and Carlos Quentin
AL Silver Slugger Award: Carlos Quentin (OF)
2008 Topps All-Star Rookie Team: Alexei Ramirez (2B)

Postseason[edit]

ALDS vs. Tampa Bay Rays[edit]

Game	Score	Date	Starters	Time (ET)
1	Chicago White Sox 4 Tampa Bay Rays 6	October 2	Javier Vazquez (0-1) James Shields (1-0)	2:30 p.m.
2	Chicago White Sox 2 at Tampa Bay Rays 6	October 3	Mark Buehrle (0-1) Scott Kazmir (1-0)	6:00 p.m.
3	Tampa Bay Rays 3 Chicago White Sox 5	October 5	Matt Garza (0-1) John Danks (1-0)	5:05 p.m.
4	Tampa Bay Rays 6 Chicago White Sox 2	October 6	Andy Sonnanstine (1-0) Gavin Floyd (0-1)	5:05 p.m.

Team[edit]

Chicago White Sox
Designated hitters: Jim Thome
Infield
Catchers: A.J. Pierzynski, Toby Hall	First basemen: Jim Thome, Nick Swisher, Paul Konerko
Second basemen: Juan Uribe, Alexei Ramirez, Pablo Ozuna	Third basemen: Joe Crede, Pablo Ozuna
Shortstops: Orlando Cabrera, Juan Uribe, Alexei Ramirez
Outfield
Left fielders: Carlos Quentin, Nick Swisher, Pablo Ozuna	Right fielders: Jermaine Dye, Carlos Quentin
Center fielders: Nick Swisher, Alexei Ramirez, Brian Anderson, Pablo Ozuna
Pitchers
Starting: Mark Buehrle, Javier Vazquez, John Danks, Jose Contreras, Gavin Floyd
Relieving: Bobby Jenks, Octavio Dotel, Scott Linebrink, Matt Thornton, Boone Logan, Ehren Wassermann, Nick Masset
Other
Coaches: Harold Baines, Don Cooper, Joey Cora, Jeff Cox, Juan Nieves, Greg Walker	Manager(s): Ozzie Guillen