Until last week, the worst home opener for the Chicago White Sox was in 1991.
Detroit defeated, the White Sox, 16-0 to start the 1991 home season. It was the Sox’s first game in their new abode, known as Comiskey Park II, and not the Cell or Guaranteed Rate Field, at the time.
With a starting lineup of future Hall-of-Famer Frank Thomas, a young Sammy Sosa, and two future managers in Ozzie Guillen and Robin Ventura it was a shocker. Detroit led 16-0 after four innings and the two sides played out the string.
The 1991 White Sox had a cushion after falling to the Tigers. They started the season with a 6-1 record on the road. No, the Sox didn’t make the playoffs that season. It was American League Central rival Minnesota’s year which won the World Series.
The 1991 White Sox did finish with a winning record, 87-75.
After last weekend’s three-game series with the Tigers, many doubt the Sox will finish .500 or better. Detroit rallied to beat the Sox, 9-7
The Sox were 3-2 on the road to begin the season. And after seven innings last week, in less than desirable weather, the Sox led, 7-3.
What Detroit did, or the Sox didn’t do, last week was ugly. The Tigers scored one in the eighth inning then three in the ninth inning to tie the score at seven. Two runs by Detroit in the top of the 10th inning then gave Detroit a 9-7 victory.
Saturday, the Sox dropped a 6-1 decision to the Tigers. The Sox loaded the bases with no outs and did not score. Juan Minaya of the Sox in relief was a disaster. In the top of the ninth he faced four and walked four batters. Not surprisingly, Minaya’s next appearance will be in the minors. The Sox lost Sunday, 1-0.
The series last weekend with the Tigers was a false reading. The Sox will improve. The real question is how improved the White Sox will be as the season unfolds?