Historic White Sox Playoff Return
White Sox Clinch Postseason Berth Following Historic Turnaround With Pope Reacting
Anonymous
The Chicago White Sox clinched a 2026 postseason berth with a 9-1 win over Kansas City, ending a playoff drought that began after 2021. After three consecutive 100-loss seasons, including a modern-era-record 121 losses in 2024, Chicago became the first MLB team to reach the playoffs after such a run. The White Sox entered the postseason race holding an AL Wild Card spot and remained in contention for the AL Central title. Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native and lifelong White Sox fan, was asked aboard his plane whether he had helped bring about the team’s “miracle” season; he smiled and replied, “No comment. Great things happen in Chicago.”
Key Points
1
Pope Leo XIV grew up in south suburban Dolton, and video later surfaced of him watching Game 1 of the White Sox’s 2005 World Series against Houston—the South Side’s first championship in 88 years.
2
The White Sox leaned into the pope connection: they gave away Sox-themed papal hats to nearly 41,000 fans at Rate Field on Aug. 11, and later a South Side priest delivered one to Leo at the Vatican.
3
Former President Barack Obama celebrated the playoff berth on social media, posting a photo of himself throwing out a first pitch and urging the White Sox to ride a hot streak to the World Series.
4
The pope has also teased Chicago’s other baseball team: after Milwaukee eliminated the Cubs last October, someone at a papal audience called out “Go Cubs!” and Leo responded with a jab at the team.
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