With all of the big news pouring out of Oregon football, I almost forgot there was a World Series going on. Lucky for me, I caught the ninth inning of game two Sunday night, and after looking over the first two games of the 2005 series, I came to realize that this could be one of the most exciting series of all time to start 2-0.
The final inning of game two was a fall classic in itself. The White Sox had Houston on the ropes with the final out of the game looming until the Astros’ Jose Vizcaino came off the bench as a pinch-hitter for Adam Everett in the ninth inning with two on. Unlike in game one, Chicago’s closer Bobby Jenks could not pick up the save Sunday as he gave the 16-year veteran Vizcaino an ill-fated breaking pitch on the outside corner which was laced into left field for a two-run single tying the game at six.
It made for one of the biggest and most forgettable hits in World Series history thanks to Scott Podsednik, who lined a 2-1 pitch from Brad Lidge into the right-center field bleachers, settling the score at 7-6 and sending the Southside into bedlam.
The right-handed closer Lidge turned to watch Podsednik’s walk-off shot disappear into the night sky at U.S. Cellular Field, but did not see where it landed. He didn’t have to. Instead he brooded over the lost opportunity of knotting the series at 1-1 and paced toward the packed Astros’ dugout.
“I’m frustrated by it, but I’m not changing a darn thing” Lidge told reporters after the game. “I’m ready to get out there and as quickly as possible.”
Lidge is right not to want to change his strategy. He surrendered only five home runs during the regular season but has now given up two in the playoffs – both game-winners.
One day earlier, the White Sox knocked Roger Clemens out of game one after two innings en route to a 5-3 win. Jose Contreras worked for his third win of the post-season and Chicago’s bullpen stayed the course during the game that featured three home runs, five pitching changes and 17 hits.
The Astros are now one loss away from being swept out of their franchise’s first World Series, but luckily for them they will have a home crowd on tap at Minute Maid Park for game four tonight and five tomorrow. Winning games on the road has not been a problem for the White Sox this postseason however. The Red Sox couldn’t beat them at Fenway and Chicago stole three wins in Anaheim.
It’s hard for me to see how Chicago would even need to return home to wrap this thing up. They’ve already taken care of the Astros’ two aces, Clemens and Andy Pettitte, and aren’t strangers to scoring big. The White Sox should have the franchise’s first world title since 1917 in a matter of days and I expect to see White Sox fans showing their colors on campus next week.
This postseason, white appears to be the new red.

[email protected]