Famous Moments & People in Rate Field History

• Paul Konerko – He has a statue, he helped win the Sox a World Series for the first time in almost 90 years.  Six-time all-star, an ALCS MVP in 2005 and won a Clemente Award in 2014.  He was traded twice before finding his footing as a big-leaguer, then spent the final, and best, 16 years of his career, in a White Sox uniform.  Arguably the best White Sox player in the history of this ballpark.   

• Konerko’s World Series Grand Slam – Game 2, 2005 World Series – Konerko turned a 4-2 deficit into a 6-2 White Sox lead in one swing.   His fist pump as he approached first base is now his state in left field. 

• Scott Podsednik’s World Series Walk-Off! – game 2, 2005 World Series – Just two innings after Pauly rings up the greatest hit in the history of the new Sox ballpark, which was in its 15th season, Podsednik hammers a Brad Lidge pitch to right-center for the walk-off winner!  The homer gives the White Sox a 2-0 series lead in the Fall Classic, setting the stage for the four-game sweep.  This caps off arguably the most entertaining three innings in the 35-year history of this ballpark.  

• Ken “Hawk” Harrelson – He spent 33 years in the Sox booth, becoming a fan favorite.   Known for calls like “He gone”, “Stretch” and “You can put it on the boooaaaarrrdd”, Hawk was a legend of baseball.  He also played 9 years in the big leagues with four teams, reaching the 1968 All-Star Game with the Boston Red Sox.  

• “The Catch” – Dewayne Wise Saves Buehrle’s PG! – July 23rd, 2009 – Dewayne Wise was called into the game for defensive purposes in the 9th inning with Mark Buehrle three outs away from just the 18th perfect game in the history of baseball.   Gabe Kapler led off the 9th and hammered a ball to deep left-center field.  Wise robs a homer, Buehrle gets his PG, and the spot where Wise caught the ball is marked on the outfield wall.  

• Buehrle ALSO threw a No-No! – April 18th, 2007 – Mark Buehrle spent the first 12 years of his career in a White Sox uniform and provided two of the greatest moments in the history of Rate Field.  The perfect game is hard to top, but he also threw a no-hitter! The no-no came against Sammy Sosa and the Texas Rangers.  He walked just one batter, Sosa, who was promptly picked off 1st base.   Buehrle threw 106 pitches and struck out eight Rangers en route to his first no-hitter.  

• The Big Hurt – Frank Thomas, one of the greatest sluggers in MLB history, played his rookie season in 1990 at the original Comiskey Park, then opened New Comiskey Park by swinging his way to a league-leading .453 OBP and 1.006 OPS in 1991.  Hurt would spend the first 16 years of his career in a White Sox uniform.  He won back-to-back AL MVP Awards in 1993 and 1994.  He made 5 All-Star Games, won the 1997 batting title and won four Silver Slugger Awards.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.  

• The 2005 Team – A.J., Pauly, Dye, Tad, Rowand, Crede, Jenks, Freddy, Garland, Buerhle and company won it all!  What a team!  What a run!  Plus, the Pope was there at Game One! 

• Thome’s Game 163 Solo Blast – September 30th, 2008 – Jim Thome, who spent three-plus seasons of his HOF career in a Sox uniform, hits a solo homer in the 7th inning against the Twins in the winner-take-all game!  It stands as the only run in the game, and the Sox would go on to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS, with the Rays winning the series, three games to one.