Chicago White Sox are the 2021 American League Central champions. This is their first division title since 2008, also first team to clinch division title in 2021.
And they won the division crown in style with a 7-2 thumping of Cleveland on Thursday afternoon at Progressive Field in the opener of a split doubleheader that officially eliminated the Indians from postseason contention.
White Sox manager Tony La Russa wins his 13th division title as a manager and his first since 2009 with the Cardinals. La Russa’s initial division championship came with the 1983 White Sox, who finished 99-63 to claim the AL West crown. La Russa also has won six pennants and three World Series titles, hoping to pad his resume in each category with his original team.
“Even though I was kicked out of the family, I’ve always been a White Sox fan, as everybody knows,” La Russa said. “Still a lot of people in the organization that were there when I was there. To come back, it’s like Fantasy Island. Would have never thought that I could get this opportunity, especially with the club being this good.
“Here we are, the division champs. One thing you experience over the years, winning never gets old, it gets better. It just gets better because you appreciate more what everybody had to do to get here. And that’s the message for all the guys, the first timers, it gets better, and in fact it can get better this year if we can play well in the division series.”
Whit Sox players celebrate their division title win in style
Once the postseason starts, hopefully we keep that same momentum and keep pushing,” Anderson said. “We all understand that this is just a start. We’re going to celebrate this and put it behind us and keep moving, keep pushing, and hopefully we can do something special.”
“Everyone should take a moment to exhale and enjoy what this club has accomplished so far before moving on to the next thing,” Hahn said.
“I’m just honored to be a part of this team, especially with the first time in franchise history of being able to go to the playoffs in back-to-back years, which blows my mind by the way,” Hendriks said. “But the fact we’re able to do it, it’s a tribute to what Rick and [chairman] Jerry [Reinsdorf], and the crew have done in supporting this team, and making sure they get the right people in this clubhouse.”
