Top 10 Chicago White Sox of the 2000's

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The 2000's have been kind to the Chicago White Sox.  

The White Sox ended their World Series drought with a championship in 2005.  The new millennium includes three American League Central Division titles and nine of 11 seasons with a record of .500 or better.  The Sox have always been in the running for the AL Central title.

Here is my list of the 10 best players for the Sox since the turn of the century.

10. A.J. Pierzynski

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A.J. arrived in Chicago in 2005.  Pierzynski provided the lift the team needed as the Sox won the World Series at the end of the year.

A .285 lifetime hitter, Pierzynski is a gamer.  He plays as hard as he can everyday.  Pierzynski provides the intensity the White Sox need.

 

Honorable Mention: Carlos Quentin, Carlos Lee, Alexei Ramirez, Scott Podsednik, Jose Contreras and Freddy Garcia

9. Joe Crede

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Crede was another key component for the White Sox's World Series title run.

As a member of the White Sox, the third baseman hit 125 home runs and drove in 422 runs 

In 2006, Crede's best season with the White Sox, he hit .283 with 30 home runs and 94 RBI.

8. Magglio Ordonez

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Magglio Ordonez spent five productive years with the Chicago White Sox.  

A lifetime .309 hitter, Ordonez hit 139 home runs and drive in 510 RBI with the White Sox.  

Ordonez was a solid hitter in the middle of the lineup that offered consistent production.

7. Jon Garland

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Jon Garland was key component of the World Series squad.  Garland, along with Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras and Freddy Garcia combined to be the best pitching staff in baseball in 2005.

During his time in Chicago, Garland was 92-81.  His best season was in 2005, when Garland went 18-10 with a 3.50 earned run average.

6. Bobby Jenks

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Another key piece of the 2005 World Series Championship team, Bobby Jenks was a shutdown closer during his time in Chicago.

From 2005 through 2010, Jenks notched 173 saves and two All-Star game appearances.  With an electric fastball that hummed in the upper 90's, Jenks was an elite closer with the Sox.

5. Jim Thome

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Thome put a few "on the board" during his three-and-a-half years with the White Sox.

The designated hitter launched 134 home runs and drove in 446 runs in his short time with the club.

While he didn't spend much time in the field, Thome was still a valuable member of the team.  His time in Chicago reach its peak when he hit his 500th career home run while wearing a Sox uniform. 

4. Jermaine Dye

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Jermaine Dye was the best offensive player on the 2005 World Series championship team during the playoffs.  During the World Series, Dye hit .438.

However, Dye's best season with the White Sox was in 2006, when he hit .315 with 44 home runs and 120 RBI.

Now retired, Dye finished his career with 325 home runs, 1,072 RBI and one of the best outfield arms of his generation.

3. Frank Thomas

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In my opinion, Frank Thomas is the best player to ever wear a White Sox uniform.  

While a portion of the 2000's was spent on the disabled, the "Big Hurt" still remained an offensive threat.

Frank's best year of the millennium was 2000 when he hit .328 with 43 home runs and 143 RBI.  Nobody has been able to put up numbers like that for the White Sox.

Thomas finished his career with 521 home runs, 1,704 RBI and a .301 average.  He will be in Cooperstown, you can put that on the board. 

2. Mark Buehrle

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The staff ace for the White Sox since 2001.  Mark Buehrle has had a very successful run in Chicago.

His career in Chicago has included a no-hitter, perfect game, 155 wins and an ERA of 3.82.

A source of stability and leadership for the White Sox pitching staff, Buehrle has thrown over 200 innings every year since 2001.

Buehrle has been the best pitcher for the White Sox for the past 10 years.

1. Paul Konerko

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Our captain. An easy choice for No. 1.

Paul Konerko has hit 350 home runs since the turn of the century.  A constant force in the heart of the White Sox lineup, Konerko seems to get better with age. 

He's been the face of the franchise for a decade and the team's leader on and off the field.  A class act  everybody in the baseball community respects.