Team bonding propels Sox from adversity to postseason
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CLEVELAND -- The raucous White Sox celebration after a two-game Wild Card sweep of the Astros certainly was befitting of the organization’s first playoff series win since 2005.
This young and talented crew, quickly becoming one of the more likeable teams in recent Major League Baseball memory as it approaches Saturday’s American League Division Series opener at Cleveland, doesn’t need a reason to have fun together.
It simply comes naturally.
“Everyone can be themselves. Everyone is not afraid to be themselves,” shortstop Colson Montgomery said. “No one in here is trying to be someone that they are not. That’s what is making it so fun. Go out and say and do whatever and not get judged.”
“Comments that we talk about this as kind of like a fraternity and a college team are very much true,” second baseman Chase Meidroth said. “We all love each other, and we're playing for each other every day. “
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Good vibes like those running throughout the White Sox don’t materialize overnight. But it’s grown to another level this season following three straight years with 100-plus losses. It began with some of these guys playing together in the Minors and continued with many of them playing significant roles during the team’s post-All-Star break turnaround in ’25.
Then there was the offseason connection.
Davis Martin hosted fellow pitchers Sean Burke, Jonathan Cannon, Drew Thorpe and Shane Smith at his family’s ranch in November. Montgomery and Burke lived together and worked out together in Nashville.
The bonding continued during the season. Munetaka Murakami took a big group for sushi in San Diego, and Sam Antonacci and Miguel Vargas dressed as Spider-Man to see the movie.
“What do people say: Angry August?” said right-handed pitcher Mike Vasil with a laugh. “Obviously at certain points, guys probably need their alone time, which is natural. I think most guys use this locker room as an escape from whatever. Everyone enjoys coming in every day, seeing each other and laughing together. That’s what makes it really special.”
“They love being around each other, whether it’s the clubhouse, away from the field, on the field,” White Sox assistant general manager Josh Barfield told MLB.com. “They love being around each other and competing together. That shows. You genuinely have 26 guys pulling in the same direction, which is unique in the big leagues.”
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Chemistry is something general manager Chris Getz, Barfield and other front office members considered when assembling this team.
“We are incredibly intentional with who we bring into this ecosystem,” Barfield said. “That’s something from Getzie to [manager] Will [Venable], very, very protective. It’s not just players; it’s staff. We just know how important that chemistry is. It’s something we take into consideration, even more so this year than we have in the past. Just seeing how important it is.”
“It’s just a good tight-knit group,” veteran southpaw Sean Newcomb said. “We have a bunch of young guys, and they are able to shrug some stuff off and move forward a little easier. They have good energy every day, win or lose. They are young, single guys, so a bunch of good energy for everybody.”
There were the normal moments of joy following the 7-3 Chicago victory Wednesday, from champagne bottles popping to beer flowing to cigars being smoked. There were the entertaining interviews with Murakami and players sliding down massage tables.
“Yeah, I’ve never seen that before,” said Vasil with a laugh.
For these close-knit White Sox, their success has been a byproduct of their team chemistry on and off the field.
“We definitely do believe, but the staff and everyone has put guys in situations to have success and set it up that way,” Vasil said. “The processes put together and the plans for everyone. So it is our job to go out and perform, but I think everything set in place to make it happen is also a huge part.”