2008 Chicago White Sox season

A one-game playoff, a Jim Thome home run, and the AL Central title.

The 2008 Chicago White Sox won the American League Central for the first time since 2005. They finished the regular season tied with the Minnesota Twins at 88–74 and won a one-game tie-breaker for the division title, 1–0 on a Jim Thome home run, before losing the 2008 American League Division Series to the Tampa Bay Rays. The year featured the breakout season of offseason acquisition Carlos Quentin and a strong rookie season from infielder Alexei Ramírez, and the club set a new home record at U.S. Cellular Field of 54–28.

Quick Facts

Season: 2008
League: American League
Division: Central
Ballpark: U.S. Cellular Field
City: Chicago, Illinois
Record: 89–74 (.546)
Divisional place: 1st
Owners: Jerry Reinsdorf

Facts from the source article.

Background

After finishing fourth in the division in 2007 with the lowest batting average and on-base percentage in the majors, the Sox remade the lineup: Orlando Cabrera came from the Angels for Jon Garland, Carlos Quentin from Arizona, Nick Swisher from Oakland for three prospects including Gio González, and the Cuban infielder Alexei Ramírez signed, while Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel joined the bullpen. Gavin Floyd came within one out of a no-hitter against the Twins on May 6, broken up by Joe Mauer's ninth-inning double.