# White Sox players believed playoff berth possible

> White Sox players always believed their playoff berth was possible despite years of struggle.
- Title: White Sox players believed playoff berth possible | Shortify
- Summary: White Sox players always believed their playoff berth was possible despite years of struggle. White Sox players maintained confidence in their playoff…
- Keywords: white sox, al wild card, mlb, chicago, playoff berth, trevor richards, colson montgomery, miguel vargas, sean burke, chicago sun-times, news, local
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2026/09/24/white-sox-players-always-believed-their-stunning-playoff-berth-was-possible-sean-burke-chris-getz-will-venable-davis-martin-colson-montgomery-miguel-vargas
- Published: 2026-09-25T01:17:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: white sox, al wild card, mlb, chicago, playoff berth, trevor richards, colson montgomery, miguel vargas, sean burke, chicago sun-times, news, local
## 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
## Key takeaway

White Sox players maintained confidence in their playoff chances since spring training, clinching the AL wild card after three straight seasons of 100+ losses.