CHICAGO – The White Sox learned a lot about creating a winning culture during the 2020 campaign and that knowledge didn’t just come from their 35 wins in 60 games.
Take as an example the last 10 competitions of the team’s regular season. The White Sox became the first American League team to secure a playoff spot with a home win over the Twins on Sept. 17 and maintained a three-game lead at AL Central at the time. They lost eight of the next 10 games, including four in a row in Cleveland, and fell to No. 7 in the AL.
Four months later, with the White Sox pitchers and catchers reporting on Wednesday at Camelback Ranch and the full squad ready to act on Feb. 22, this hard stretch has been remembered and processed rather than completely erased.
“When we got the spot for the playoffs, we could have it, I wouldn’t necessarily say we let go of gasoline, but it was like a relief, like,‘ We got it. We got into the playoffs, “Lucas Arizona, a member of the White Sox, said on Tuesday from Arizona in a Zoom call.” Then we all know we did a bad stretch right after. It was definitely a big learning experience.
“After last year, we will really adopt this mentality in which we have to step on our throats, we have to try to kill other teams until the end. It doesn’t matter what our track record is, it doesn’t matter if we’re in the playoffs, if we lead the division. The only thing that matters is that we go out there hoping to win a game every day (regardless of April or September or the postseason) and we have that killer instinct, that killer mindset as a whole and we just got the job. done.
“I do not think there is more room for a premature celebration. That’s for sure. “
Any mention of the word “rebuild” has also been obtained from the vernacular language of the White Sox. That important but losing development phase, however, came to an end almost when Giolito threw six perfect innings during a first game win in Oakland in the AL Wild Card series.
Now, the main goal of the White Sox is much deeper than just getting to the playoffs. With Tony La Russa about to start his second career as manager of the White Sox, the goal is to win big and win big now.
“We want to win a ring. We want to win a World Series, “Giolito said.” For that to happen, we definitely need to improve in many areas. With the acquisitions of players and the acquisitions of coaches, we are already in a really good place. other teams have also been putting together some pieces, so we just have to stay focused on our day to day, on what we have to do each day individually and as a team to improve. I think we took the first steps last year.
“But there is still much more room to grow. This is what we want to do. Keep growing, get closer as a team and play a very solid baseball. Consistent baseball. And in the end we want to win a World Series. That is obviously the goal. “
Giolito arrived in Arizona a week ago and has already reunited with most of the new coaching additions and talked to new teammates, such as right-back Lance Lynn and right-back Adam Eaton. Giolito likes to show the vibration.
With the Cubs taking a step back after six years of great success, the South Siders have a chance to make Chicago a city for the White Sox. This label does not concern so much Giolito as the process required to become a championship team.
“Yeah, it would be great if more people cared about the White Sox in Chicago,” Giolito said. “But the only way it will happen is if we win. I wouldn’t say there’s too much conversation to hold on to, as everything will happen if we win games and go deeper and hopefully win a ring. ”