MLB: Top 10 Moments from U.S. Cellular Field in the Past Decade
Over the past, decade many moments have been shared by White Sox fans on the South Side.
A World Series has been won, playoffs have been made, and records have been broken.
Baseball legends have graced the turf of U.S. Cellular Field.
Defensive giants Omar Vizquel and Andruw Jones, home run sluggers Manny Ramirez and Frank Thomas, and all-time greats Jim Thome and Ken Griffey Jr. have all donned the White Sox jersey.
The question with all of this is, "What are the top ten events from U.S. Cellular Field to occur in the past decade?"
10) Web Gem
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Opening Day, 2010, would set the stage for all web gems for the entire season.
Mark Buehrle was on the mound and a ground ball dribbled up the first base line. As he dashed for the ball, Buehrle knew he would have to make a quick play.
He straddled the ball, and flipped it through his legs to a bare handed catch by Paul Konerko to get the out.
This play was something special for all those who watched it occur. Not only was it repeated all season long, but it also made runner-up for plays of the year on ESPN.
9) Trophies
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2010 brought one of the proudest and awe-inspiring photo opportunities on the South Side.
Standing on pedestals at home plate were four gleaming trophies: the Bears 1985 Super Bowl trophy, the White Sox 2005 World Series trophy, the Bulls 1998 Championship trophy and the Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup.
This was a once in a life time opportunity to witness the spoils of four incredible journeys that all ended in Chicago sporting glory.
8) A Blackout Win
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This win was truly one for White Sox history.
The White Sox played the 163rd game of the season against the division rival Twins.
The Chicago Tribune preformed a blitz of a campaign in support of the Sox postseason push. They printed inserts in their newspaper prompting fans to wear black the day of the game and dubbed the game a “blackout”.
The game was incredibly hard fought, but it came down to one swing from Jim Thome's mighty bat to win the game and put the Sox in the playoffs that year.
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7) A Fight
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What White Sox fan could forget the fight that occurred after the home plate collision between the always controversial A.J. Pierzynski and Michael Barret?
After tumbling to the ground, A.J. made his way to the plate and slammed his hand down.
This motion, along with the collision, infuriated Barret, causing him to punch Pierzynski across the face.
This act symbolized the city's rivalry that runs decades old. The way Pierzynski reacted after the strike to the chin fueled White Sox fans and secured its place at No. 7 on this list.
6) A Scoreless Streak
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Although these two moments did not only take place on the South Side, a part of them did.
Bobby Jenks was the first to accomplish the feat, as he lasted through 41 consecutive batters without giving up a hit. During the magical run, Sox fans enjoyed a feeling that quickly faded after the streak ended, a guaranteed save.
Mark Buehrle did not let Jenks get much more than his 15 minutes of fame before coming through and breaking the record. After his perfect game, Buehrle kept retiring batters to notch 45 consecutive batters out. This record still stands today.
5) A Post-Season Grand Slam
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It was Game 2 of the World Series and The White Sox were trailing late.
The stage was set for Paul Konerko.
After helping get his team through the ALDS and ALCS, it was his time once more.
He stood at the plate and blasted a shot deep, landing in the seats for a grand slam. This blast put the Sox ahead and primed them for the win.
The landing spot of this memorable home run can be seen still at U.S. Cellular Field. It is marked by the off-colored seat.
4) A 500th Home Run
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Jim Thome came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Dustin Moseley started his delivery as Thome steadied his bat.
As the pitch came in, Thome swung his bat, giving the ball a ride over the fence.
This walk-off home run had all but been predicted that day.
It was Jim Thome bobble head day at U.S. Cellular Field. Even the season tickets had Thome's image printed on it.
Only one personal accomplishment was more magical than this one.
3) a Walk-off
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Once again, it was Game 2 of the World Series.
Scott Podsednik stepped up to the plate with nobody on base.
With no home runs through the course of the season, all the fans were looking for speedy Pods to just get on base and work his magic.
Podsednik apparently had other ideas.
With one mighty swing of his bat, he sent the ball flying over the wall.
The walk-off shot finds itself at number three on the list for being the World Series game-winning home run and for the surprise power that nobody expected in the leadoff hitter's bat.
2) "The Catch" and the Game
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Bottom of the ninth inning with one out, no walks, no hits and Mark Buehrle still on the mound.
It was a perfect game.
With one swing from Gabe Gross' bat, Buehrle saw his bid for the perfect game fade, as the ball headed towards the outfield wall.
DeWayne Wise took aim as he tracked the ball to the wall. As he approached the wall, he jumped up and caught the home run.
Wise, with one heroic leap, saved the perfect game and became a South Side hero for life.
This catch and the perfect game rank second on this list for the magical feeling everyone got in the stadium and at home watching the game.
1)A Monumental Strikeout
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In the bottom of the ninth of Game 1 of the World Series, the Houston Astros had Jeff Bagwell at the plate.
This time, the feared slugger quickly found out he was no match for Jenks' high heat.
Big Bad Bobby brought fastball after fastball at Bagwell, topping triple digits on the radar gun.
In what resulted as a perfect symbolism of the White Sox '05 run, Bagwell could not catch up to the pitches and Jenks blew him away for the strikeout and the save.
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