Sunday afternoon the Chicago White Sox hit a new low in their humiliating season. A Kansas City Royals victory over the Detroit Tigers, coupled with another White Sox loss to to the Red Sox resulted in a surprising fourth place tie at the bottom of the AL Central.

Just two years ago the Chicago White Sox were on top of the sporting world. A medium budget team that managed to win the World Series by playing baseball the way it was meant to be played. Two years later the White Sox have completely forgotten the form which took them to the 2004 World Series.

The results have been devastating. Picked by many before the season to be competing with Detroit and Cleveland for a division title, the White Sox are now being picked to be the next fire sale.

How did it come to this? Well in the last month the ‘lowly’ Royals have won series’ on the road against the LA Angels, Boston Red Sox, and Detroit Tigers, as well as beating the surprising Mariners at home. In the mean time the White Sox have been busy losing 5 of 7 to the Baltimore Orioles, not to mention a month of June in which they lost series’ to the Blue Jays, Yankees,Astros, Phillies,Pirates, Marlins, and Cubs.

What went wrong? How have the White Sox slipped so far, in such a short time? It starts their philosophy towards the game. The 2004 Championship team was one that was modeled heavily after the Minnesota Twins. The team utilized the speedy Scott Podsednik by stealing bases, and moving runners over by whatever means possible. When the White Sox signed Jim Thome in 2005, many figured that they were a lock to repeat as World Series Champions, but in retrospect it was a bad omen.

Instead of scrapping their way to victory, ever since the White Sox signed Jim Thome they have once again become a team that has lived and died by the long ball. Lately, its been most of the latter.

Perhaps more importantly, the White Sox pitching has turned to shit. While the starting staff has turned things around lately, their bullpen is one of the worst in the league. I know it clich?, but everyone knows that pitching wins championships.

All hope is not lost though.The White Sox struggles and injury problems have caused them to rely on a bevy of talented young players like Jerry Owens, John Danks, Ehren Wassermann, Boone Logan, and Josh Fields. If they start playing baseball the right way again in the Windy City, these kids could propel Chicago to another championship.