Mlb 2005 World Series

This was a great series for Chicago and actually may have even gotten a few of the rival Cub fans to root for the White Sox. As a Yankee fan I always prefer to see the Yankees in the World Series. But I enjoyed seeing the White Sox win. They had the greta closer in Jenks and the fire and gambling style that Chicago probably hasn't seen since the go-go Sox of Aparicio and Fox in the 1950s. 1959 was the one year that they were able to top the vaunted Stengel Yankees but they couldn't overcome the new Los Angeles Dodgers. Playing the World Series in the LA Colliseum in 59 allowed for amazing single game attenfence records. Too bad they couldn't have done better in that series. But who thought that it would take another 46 years for them to finally get a championship! I would have to say that after the tough Workd Series loss to the Big Red Machine in 1975 I didn't think it would take the Red Sox another 29 years to finally claim another championship! But nobody talked about the Babe Ruth junx back then, The Red Sox had a great team. They were just unfortunate to be up against an even greater Reds team.

The White Sox steamrolled their way through this World Series after getting past the tough playoff competition in the AL. Fast but not as fast as the 59 Sox, this team had much better power hitting and batting power in general. They definitely earned their World Series rings. But Chicago will not be a truly happy baseball town until the Cubbies finally win! That could be coming if they stop complaining about the jinx of the goat.

I thought it was nice to see the Houston Astros finally make it to the World series. Too bad they couldn't put up a better fight with their killer bees. But the White Sox had a tough road having to get by the Red Sox and then the Angel team that managed to get by the Yankees one more time for Mike Scoscia.

The producers literally hit it out of the park with this DVD release, commemorating the Chicago White Sox and their thrilling World Championship season. Most of the focus of this DVD is on the four World Series games vs. the Houston Astros, however there are nice features from the Divisional Series vs. the Red Sox and also the ALCS vs. the Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim). Michael Clarke Duncan's narration is brilliant and the musical score is fantastic as well; both compliment the atmosphere and the dramatics that unfolded throughout the series, especially "take your breath away" moments such as the grand slam by Paul Konerko and the game-winning home run by Scott Podsednik in Game #2. A tip of the cap to the producers, who wisely incorporated play-by-play and commentary from ALL sources (including John Rooney and Ed Farmer of ESPN Radio Chicago and Milo Hamilton, "the Voice of the Astros" among others) and not solely from ESPN and FOX's game coverage. This DVD would have been an unmitigated disaster if we had to once again endure FOX's Tim McCarver and Joe Buck's incessant moaning and groaning about all of the "bad calls" that the Sox were able to "benefit from" (which was suspiciously downplayed when Jason Lane of the Astros hit his "alleged home run" off of Jon Garland in Game #3, but I digress). The player interviews are excellent, as well as the use of the wireless player microphones throughout the series. I also enjoyed Sox infielder Willie Harris' "play-by-play" from the dugout in the bottom of the 6th inning of Game 4, as well as the pregame footage of eventual Game #3 hero Geoff Blum (talk about catching lightning in a bottle!), not to mention the comical moment from Game #1 when manager Ozzie Guillen extends his arms to signal calling in "Big Guy" Bobby Jenks. DVD extras are plentiful and enjoyable as well. Long story short, any White Sox fan will cherish this DVD as a keepsake from a most magical season.

I see folks are asking for a complete set of the White Sox' tremendous 2005 playoff and World Series run in addition to the highlight video sold here. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune on November 19, 2005 (written by Ed Sherman), in March 2006, a DVD set will be issued that will show all four World Series games as they were broadcast. However, the article does not state whether the games against the Red Sox in the ALDS or the Angels in the ALCS will be included. Hopefully they will be, but in the meantime, get the highlight video. The early reviews are great!