Chicago White Sox: Jermaine Dye’s tenure was underrated

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jermaine Dye #23 of the Chicago White Sox at bat against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 13, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jermaine Dye #23 of the Chicago White Sox at bat against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 13, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

The Chicago White Sox have had some great players but one superstar went a bit under the radar in their all-time team history.

The greatest moment in the history of the Chicago White Sox is probably when they won the World Series in 2005. There were so many things that happened that year that led to that historic moment that will forever be remembered by the fans of this team. They are currently trying to build back up to those great moments that we remember so fondly.

Of course, you need great players to have success like that. When people remember that 2005 team, they think of guys like Paul Konerko, A.J. Pierzynski, and Mark Buehrle. One player who was a part of the core that is a bit underrated is Jermaine Dye. Dye was the World Series MVP in that magical run but it doesn’t seem like he gets his proper appreciation in comparison to other players who were a part of that team.

Dye wasn’t just good in 2005 either, he was tremendous during his entire tenure with the Chicago White Sox. He played five seasons for the White Sox; they were the last five years of his career. In those five years, he slashed .278/.344/.525. He had 164 home runs, 461 RBIs, and 419 runs scored as a member of the White Sox. He was one of the best players this team has had in the history of the franchise.

He followed up that World Series MVP year with an incredible 2006 season. He was so good that he came in 5th place in MVP voting. He had 44 home runs and 120 RBIs in that MVP caliber year. It was one of the two seasons that saw him participate in the All-Star Game as well. With all of this in mind, you have to think of Jermaine Dye as one of the most underrated athletes in Chicago sports history.

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Dye had an incredible career away from the White Sox as well. He had a 20.3 career WAR in his 14-year career split between the Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, and Chicago White Sox. He hit a total of 325 career home runs, 1072 RBIs, and 984 runs scored. His career slash line of .274/.338/.488 is definitely something to be proud of. Everyone should appreciate the 2005 World Series MVP a little bit more.