(670 The Score) With a barrage of home runs in the early innings, the White Sox raced out to a big lead and earned a 7-2 road win against the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a doubleheader Thursday afternoon to clinch their first AL Central crown in 13 years.
"We were excited as a team, and hitting a home run to put your team up early was exciting," shortstop Tim Anderson said after his two-homer day. "We showed how to battle through some tough injuries. It was a blessing to clinch today. We wanted that game more than them, and it showed when we went up 7-0 in the second inning. I am just glad we took care of business."
Directing the White Sox to the AL Central crown was veteran manager Tony La Russa, who returned to the organization last October for a second stint, more than 34 years after he had been fired in the middle of the 1986 season. The hiring of La Russa drew scrutiny, but he helped the White Sox earn their second straight playoff berth, the first time they've done that in franchise history.
"We didn't like the bad taste we got last year," Anderson said in reference to the White Sox losing to the Athletics in the opening round of the playoffs in the shortened 2020 season. "Look at where we are at now. We just won a division, and we understand it just starts here. We are going to continue to push each other and be great teammates and have fun. I think that way we will get where we need to be."
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This marked the second division crown that La Russa has led the White Sox to, as his 1983 club accomplished the feat.
"Even though I was kicked out of the family, I always was a White Sox fan," La Russa said. "This is like a fantasy island for me. No one would ever think I would get this opportunity, especially with this club being so good. Here we are – division champs. Winning never gets old. It gets better."
The team's energizer and tone setter, Anderson homered in the first and second innings. Center fielder Luis Robert and left fielder Eloy Jimenez also homered in the second inning as the White Sox took control quickly.
"I was just happy that the team was so ready to play today," La Russa said. "The team was very happy, and it was a well-deserved win. Tim is our igniter. Today is a great example of that."
Thursday also brought a moment of reflection for a White Sox organization that began a full rebuild in earnest shortly after the conclusion of the 2016 season.
"One of the things we wanted five years ago and lamented was the fact this (franchise) had never gone on an extended run of success," general manager Rick Hahn said. "(Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf) said that if we were going to go down to brass tacks and rebuild the organization, it had to be with the end goal of us going on a run and win multiple championships. We haven't done that yet, but we did go to the postseason for the first time in consecutive years. This is a good milestone and a good first step. This club has had to go through a lot. Every one of them should take a moment and enjoy what this team has done – even though we know the concentration and focus is on three more celebrations like this one."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
