White Sox Celebrate 2005 World Series with Special Tribute from Pope Leo XIV

The South Side is alive with nostalgia as the Chicago White Sox commemorate the 20th anniversary of their 2005 World Series victory. Among the festivities, a remarkable gesture unfolded when Paul Konerko, the team's iconic first baseman, received a unique gift from an unexpected admirer: Pope Leo XIV.

The jersey, emblazoned with "Konerko" and "Pope Leo" above the number 14, was presented to Konerko, who expressed his disbelief at the honor. "It's kind of surreal," he remarked, hinting that his mother might be eager to claim it for herself.

In a light-hearted exchange, Konerko mentioned his intention to send an autographed jersey back to the pope. "I'm not sure he's going to be as excited for mine to arrive, but we'll see," he quipped.

Born in Chicago, Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, has been a lifelong White Sox supporter. His election in May marked a historic moment as he became the first U.S.-born pontiff in Catholic Church history. Prevost's connection to the team runs deep; he attended the 2005 World Series opener against the Houston Astros, witnessing the White Sox's 5-3 victory from Section 140.

The celebration continued with the unveiling of a statue honoring pitcher Mark Buehrle at Rate Field, making him the third member of the 2005 championship team to receive such recognition. Konerko's statue was revealed in 2014, while Hall of Famer Frank Thomas was honored in 2011.

Many key players from that legendary team gathered for Saturday's game against the Guardians, including World Series MVP Jermaine Dye and manager Ozzie Guillen. They reminisced about their triumphant postseason run and shared heartfelt moments with fans. "It's just great to be back in the ballpark where we won a World Series," Dye said, reflecting on the camaraderie that remains strong among former teammates.

Joe Crede echoed this sentiment, noting how special it is to reconnect with his teammates. "You know, it's great to see these guys, and like I said, we never missed a beat," he said.

The 2005 season was a historic one for the White Sox, who dominated the American League Central division with 99 wins. Their playoff performance was equally impressive, finishing with an 11-1 record and achieving four consecutive complete game victories in the ALCS against the Angels—an unprecedented feat in MLB postseason history.

Scott Podsednik reflected on the significance of their achievement over the years. "You have to do a lot of things right... it just speaks to the character and heart of those guys," he stated.

A.J. Pierzynski emphasized the team's legacy, asserting that they should be remembered as one of the greatest teams ever. "Wire to wire, 11-1 in the postseason... I think this team was incredible," he declared confidently.

Amidst the celebrations, there was also a poignant remembrance for Bobby Jenks, the team's closer who passed away from stomach cancer just days before the reunion. His family joined former teammates on the field to honor his memory.

Konerko threw out the first pitch to Pierzynski before the White Sox faced off against the Guardians in their series. The Guardians emerged victorious with a score of 6-2, taking a 2-1 lead in the series ahead of Sunday’s finale.