CHICAGO – The theme of We Are Family was made famous by Sister Sledge and of course the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, who claimed the World Series championship. But the 2021 White Sox are taking a page from that same book.

That idea has been on display all season, as the White Sox have played through significant injuries to cruise to their first American League Central title since 2008. It rang especially true in Detroit on Monday, when the entire team had the back of first baseman José Abreu after he was hit by an Alex Lange pitch in the ninth inning of an 8-7 victory.

Abreu was thrown out trying to take second on a potential wild pitch after the hit by pitch and exchanged words with Niko Goodrum after a hard slide into second. Benches and bullpens emptied, with the White Sox moving in full force following the 21st time Abreu had been hit by a pitch.

“It was crazy, but we support each other, so we were there for him,” said White Sox left fielder Eloy Jiménez, who was one of the players to hold back an angered Abreu. “He got too many hit by pitches this year, so at least he got mad yesterday. I don’t know how to say it because if you got 21 hit by pitches, how are you going to feel?

“We are family, so that is what it’s all about. That’s how we support each other. If you’ve got a problem, everybody has a problem.”

Abreu is one of the most professional and focused Major League players, balancing that intensity with a calm nature befitting of his team leader status. But even Abreu admitted Monday’s action was the second angriest he’s been in a game since joining the White Sox.

Part of that anger was focused on Lange, as Abreu explained to the media Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field.

“Yes because even when he hit me, he didn't apologize or say anything,” said Abreu through interpreter Billy Russo. “And that's fine, but then I slid into second base and he started chirping. That's not good, you don't do that. Why are you doing that? You threw the pitch that you're supposed to do, apologize or do something. You didn't and then you start talking to me? That's not the way that we play baseball.

“I feel good today. Just a normal day, another day. About what happened yesterday, it has been happening throughout the whole season and there's nothing new there. About the slide into second base, I just did what I usually do. I don't think it was anything wrong. If people want to criticize what I did or anything about my slide, to me, I didn't do anything wrong. That's the way that I play, I've been playing that way for my whole career.”

Those 21 hit by pitches rank Abreu third in the AL entering Tuesday’s series opener against the Reds. His 104 hit by pitches also rank Abreu third in White Sox history.

“Twenty-one hit by pitches seems like a lot, but I think that's just baseball,” Abreu said. “There's nothing else I can do. People can say some of them have been intentional, some of them not, I really can't say if they are or not. What I can say is I'm the one taking them.”

Pitching Abreu inside is a way to attack the accomplished hitter, a statement made by his current teammates who have faced him with the opposition. Monday’s reaction might have been partially about year-long frustration, and Abreu spoke Tuesday about wanting young fans to understand sometimes emotions get the best of you but that’s not the action you want to see from a baseball player.

Then again, Abreu also was appreciative of support from his friends and teammates.

“It was a really nice moment even for me to see the support of my teammates, everybody on the field trying to protect me. That meant a lot,” Abreu said. “It wasn’t the best moment or the best action, but that’s something that made me feel good and showed everybody how unified we are.”