Chicago White Sox All-Decade Team

(Picture from http://www.b12partners.net/)

Being that the decade is coming to a close, it seems only necessary to take a stroll back down memory lane. It seems like yesterday that people were worried about Y2K instead of the end of the Mayan calendar (and according to Lil' Wayne and others, the end of the world). So I got to thinking, who would be on the All-Decade team for the Chicago White Sox? I couldn't find an answer, so I decided it would be a brilliant idea to waste my time and provide a starting lineup for those wondering the same type of question. This of course is extremely biased, personal, and complete make believe. If I miss someone that you believe should be in the lineup, give us a comment or send us an email, and I'll take it into consideration. Oh and by the way, the Sox had a total record of 857-764, 93-games over .500. The Sox were AL Central Champions three-times, and were WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS in 2005 (in case any of you Cub fans forgot).

So here we go, The Manchise's All-Decade Team:

1. In my lead off spot, there was only one person right for the job! Ray Durham at second base. Durham played in 399-games in the new millennium for the White Sox, adding 438-hits, 68-stolen bases and 188-RBI's. He had a .272-batting average, and .362-on base percentage during these three years. He was with the team from 1995-2002, making himself one of the most recognizable lead-off hitters in the game. From 2000-2002, Durham posted at least 15-home runs, 100-runs, 20-steals, a .450 slugging percentage, and 65 RBI's. He was the 10th player all-time to post such numbers. When he left Chicago he was the all-time leader in lead off home runs (20), and fifth in steals (219).

2. Starting at short stop, and in the two-hole, Jose Valentin. Valentin was the definition of utility player for the White Sox early this decade. He played 672-games in five years (2000-2004) and added 602-hits, 403-runs, 379-RBI's, and 47-stolen bases. This decade for the South Siders, he had a .246-batting average, a .483-slugging percentage, and a .318 on base percentage. He was known as one of the most powerful shortstops during his tenure in Chicago (136 long balls).

3. Starting in right field (just edging out JD) Magglio Ordonez. This was a hard choice between Maggs and Dye but Maggs had the better numbers. Maggs spent his first eight years in the MLB with the White Sox, and collected over 70-extra base hits from 2001-2003. From 2000-2004 Maggs played 678-games and scored over 442-runs. He slammed 139-home runs, 806-hits, and 510-RBI's in this time as well. Add the fact that he had a .541-slugging percentage, and Maggs was the "nose to nose" winner over JD.

4. Starting in LF and wearing number #45, Carlos Lee! Lee was extremely consistent while on the South Side. He played in 753 games while scoring 467-runs. He accumulated 813-hits in five years, and hit 136 home runs. He was in the running for rookie of the year as a South Sider (1999), and finished 18th for MVP in 2003. He had a batting average of .286 in this decade as the White Sox left fielder, with a slugging percentage of .492. He was an absolute monster, and the three headed dog of Big Frank, Carlos Lee, and Pauly could have been the best power hitting threesome in Sox history.

5. At DH, The Big Hurt. Enough said. The guy was just a hitter. He was a specimen for his time, but did it the right way. The guy was huge. He may have been a cocky SOB, but I wouldn't of wanted it any other way. Frank Thomas you are still my childhood hero (besides Bo Jackson), and you were the easiest person to name in this little fantasy of mine. Although he had injuries later in his career here in Chicago, he is still one of the best players to ever wear a Sox uniform. He has over 500 home runs in his career and they were all legit, now that is what you want in a DH. He was in the running for MVP in 2000 and 2003 as well.

6. (In my best Gene Honda voice) Playing first, number 14, PAULLLLLLLLLL KONERRRRRRRRKO! The Captain is the only person that has played all 10-seasons in the decade. His career as a White Sox has been spectacular. He has a .276-batting average on the South Side, 295-home runs, 1,491-hits, 790-runs scored, 941-RBI's, and a slugging percentage of .492. The Captain has been the centerpiece to this team for some time now, and will continue to be, going into 2010. Pauly is frustrating from time to time, but the guy can play and wants to play; something that he will pass down to the young team under him.

7. There was only one third basemen this decade that had the ladies love him, and the fella's want to be him (at least in Chicago). Joe Crede. He played in 798 games, which was way more than any other third basemen this decade. He was a town hero, coming through in late innings with huge hits and bombing home runs (121 total in a White Sox uniform). With his flowing hair and shaggy beard, it made the plays he made at third base look all the better. Crede was a vacuum when healthy, and when he wasn't coming through on offense, he was surely coming through on defense. It does hurt to see one of my favorite White Sox of this decade in a Twins uniform, but I'm glad he's healthy and playing.

8. Starting at catcher, A.J Pierzynski. Considering that before A.J. came to town in 2005, the Sox had four different catchers that started. Since A.J. has worn a Sox uniform, he has played in 676 games. He has scored 303 runs, with a .279-batting average. Tack on 279-RBI's and A.J. has been the most productive catcher since Carlton Fisk.

9. And finally, wrapping up the starting lineup for The Manchise's Chicago White Sox All-Decade Team, Aaron Rowand in center field. The flying, crash test dummy, covered so much ground in center field, that every Sox fan knew that there was no such thing as a gap shot. Rowand would do anything to catch pop flys, and the whole outfield was his. He had heart and hustle, and played every game as if it was going to be his last. He only had 16 errors in five years. On top of his amazing fielding, he added 211-RBI's, 97-doubles, and 54-home runs on offense. He hit .283 as a South Sider.

And for shits and giggles I am going to keep two people on my bench, Scotty Pods and Juan Uribe. Pods (in his three good seasons: 2005, 2006, 2009) had 129-stolen bases, 447-hits, an on base percentage of .344, and a .285 batting average. Throw in a World Series ring, and his amazing walk off home run in Game 2 off Brad Lidge, and there was no possible way I could leave him out of my All-Decade Team. Now, Juan Uribe is a special case because he is one of my favorite White Sox players for three reasons: 1. He dyed his chin beard blonde. 2. He made two memorable plays to get the final outs in the 2005 World Series. 3. He may have killed a man, adding to the "South Side" stereotype. He played in 672-games, and played shortstop, third, and second amazingly. I almost cried when we sent him to San Fran.

So there you have it folks, my Chicago White Sox All-Decade Team. It may not be perfect, and some might disagree with my selections, but these players were stars in my book. They all added their own little flare to the South Side, and all played their asses off. Thank you for the great decade worth of baseball and giving the South Side a World Series trophy!