Chicago White Sox: Looking back at 2005 ALCS Game Two
The Chicago White Sox were given a gift in the 9th inning of game two in the 2005 American League Championship Series and it changed everything.
Last week was the anniversary of one of the most bizarre and important moments in Chicago White Sox history. It all was during the 2005 American League Championship Series between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They were tied 1-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning when A.J. Pierzynski swung and missed a ball that the catcher caught near the dirt. As he started to walk back to the dugout to get ready for extra innings he decided to take a chance and run to first base.
The umpires awarded him first base as part of the drop third strike rule. When you watch the replay, it is so clear that it was the wrong call as Angels catcher Josh Paul clearly caught it clean and the inning should have been over. Paul and Angels manager Mike Scioscia argued about it with the umpires for a while but it was a battle they were never going to win. It was the wrong call but it was a good play by Pierzynski to take the chance and run anyway.
That is A.J.’s signature moment of his career and one of the biggest moments in White Sox history. Instead of the Angels coming up to bat in the 10th inning, speedy Pablo Ozuna came in to pinch run for Pierzynski. He then stole second base to get himself into scoring position. Then Joe Crede hit double that would score Ozuna and the White Sox walked off the Angels. That tied the series up at one and the White Sox would not lose another playoff game the rest of the postseason en route to winning the World Series.
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It was certainly a magical moment in team history and one that fans won’t soon forget. It has been a while since this happened but it is something that everyone will remember fondly. This play put the White Sox in position to win the game and they went on to win the whole thing. A.J. is a legend in Chicago White Sox fan’s minds and for good reason. This is definitely a moment to look back on forever.