What's in a Number?

The White Sox are a franchise of longstanding, which is not to be confused with success. Since 1901, the Sox have managed 90-plus wins all of twenty times. By contrast, the Reds have done it 22 times, eighteen alone since 1956. The ever-woeful Pirates have done it 29 times, the Cubs 25. So, what exactly does it mean to win 93 games? The 1959 team won the AL pennant with 94 but lost to the Dodgers in the World Series. The 2005 team went 99-63 and won everything. The 1990 Sox with such rookies as Robin Ventura and Frank Thomas went a very entertaining 94-68. That’s what this team reminds me of. Jose Abreu is a lot like Carlton Fisk, but with personality. Lucas Giolito could pass for Jack McDowell, and Liam Hendriks is now what Bobby Thigpen was then. It’s mix-and-match, past and present. Jeff Torborg managed the Sox in 1990. Of his eleven seasons managing, Torborg finished above .500 twice, both time with the Sox, 1990-91. We all know who manages the team now. We have a HOFer at the helm. With any luck at all, he has the questionable lineup and pitching decisions out of his system e.g., leaving Reynaldo Lopez in long enough for him to give up three runs in the ninth inning against the Tigers. A seven-game winning streak going into the postseason would’ve been nice. Then we’d have 94 wins, just like in ’90. Oh, well. We do go into Houston with a HOF manager at the helm.