White Sox clinch AL wild card

White Sox players promised they wouldn’t hold back in their celebration of a playoff berth after clinching the franchise’s first postseason berth in five years.

“We knew we kinda had to play it chill”

Team’s playoff belief since spring

White Sox players always believed their playoff berth was possible, starting from spring training through the 2024 season.

“This is what we do”

Trevor Richards’ final out

Trevor Richards, the rubber-armed reliever rescued from years of bouncing between the minors and majors, stepped on first base for the final out on Thursday.

Team’s celebration

White Sox players lined up for post-victory handshakes like it was any other win, but the celebration was subdued.

Colson Montgomery’s perspective

Shortstop Colson Montgomery said they knew they’d go nuts and go crazy once they got in the clubhouse after clinching the playoff berth.

“We knew we kinda had to play it chill”

Miguel Vargas’ confidence

Miguel Vargas, a human mood ring for the White Sox franchise over the last three seasons, said it was special for them and the organization.

“It’s special for us, it’s special for the organization”

Sean Burke’s optimism

Sean Burke, surveying the jubilant landscape with a cigar in hand, said this was what the White Sox are and that it wasn’t the end.

“This is not the end”

Clarence Carter’s anthem

The bawdy 80’s funk hit that became the de facto anthem for a Sox offense that shocked the league with best-in-AL production began playing after the game.

“Strokin’”

Kyle Teel’s celebration

Kyle Teel, who lifted his fifth home run of an injury-ravaged season, was being hoisted in the air by Mike Vasil after reaching base five times.

Davis Martin’s perspective

Davis Martin, the longest-tenured White Sox player, said when you’re 6-13 it’s real easy to go ‘we’re still rebuilding, we’re still not ready to compete.’

“When you’re 6-13, it’s real easy to go ‘we’re still rebuilding, we’re still not ready to compete’”

Manager Will Venable’s view

Manager Will Venable said the team’s playoff belief happened organically throughout the year.

“It happened organically throughout the year”

General manager Chris Getz’s view

General manager Chris Getz said the team’s playoff belief didn’t really matter what he thought because the group believed.

“It doesn’t really matter what I think”

Burke’s early belief

Burke, who debuted at the end of the wretched 121-loss 2024 season, said he felt it from the start even though the team was terrible.

“Honestly, man, when I first debuted I felt that way, even though we were terrible”