Overview
- The White Sox secured a postseason berth with a 9-1 win over the Kansas City Royals that clinched their spot on Thursday, Sept. 24, completing a rebound from three straight 100-loss seasons.
- Manager Will Venable and team leaders say the turnaround reflects better pitching and offense, citing starter Sean Burke and hitters Miguel Vargas, Colson Montgomery and Munetaka Murakami as key contributors.
- Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native and long‑time White Sox fan, was asked aboard the papal plane about the run and replied with a smile, 'No comment,' adding that 'Great things happen in Chicago,' which amplified national and social media attention.
- The team and local clergy have actively linked the pope to the season with promotions such as the Aug. 11 'Pope Hat' giveaway to nearly 41,000 fans and a photographed presentation of a team-branded mitre at the Vatican.
- Chicago now heads into the final regular‑season series with playoff seeding unresolved and fans expecting October games to deepen civic pride and boost economic activity on the South Side if the team advances.