Just two years ago, the Chicago White Sox were the worst team in baseball and one of the worst in the league’s recent history.
Now? They are in the MLB Playoffs after a remarkable turnaround that some think is down to some divine intervention.
The White Sox have enjoyed a remarkable turnaround, becoming the first team in major league history to reach the postseason after three-straight 100-loss seasons.
Their dramatic turnaround comes after Chicago native and White Sox fan Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV last year.
Shortly after he was chosen as America’s first Pope, footage emerged of him watching the White Sox in the 2005 World Series Game 1.
His brother, John, cleared up any doubt about his allegiances in an interview with WGN-TV, stating: ‘He was never a Cubs fan, so I don’t know where that came from. He was always a Sox fan.’
Chicago White Sox fan Pope Leo XIV responded to the fact his team has made the MLB Playoffs
The first American Pope famously watched the White Sox in the 2005 World Series Game 1
And against that backdrop, a Chicago-based reporter traveling with the Pope to Paris took the chance to ask him about the White Sox’s remarkable turnaround to reach the postseason.
‘Some have called it a miracle,’ the reporter said. ‘Did you have anything to do with that?’
Pope Leo XIV shook his head with a smile and said ‘no comment’ before he added: ‘Great things happen in Chicago.’
He is not the only famous fan of the franchise, with 44th President Barack Obama also a passionate White Sox supporter.
After their playoff berth was confirmed, he shared a photo of himself throwing out a first pitch at a White Sox game and shared a message suggesting they could even target a return to the World Series.
Not forgetting the city’s other team, Obama wrote: ‘Congrats to my White Sox (and Cubs) on making the playoffs! Let’s ride a hot streak all the way to the World Series.’
Obama is not the only one aiming bigger. Star slugger Munetaka Murakami, who chose to join the team in his move from Japan, said among the clubhouse celebrations:
‘This is what the White Sox is. We come together… and this is not the end. We´re going to start from here.’
The White Sox celebrated reaching the postseason after a shocking turnaround this year
The White Sox had three 100-loss seasons coming into 2026 but now have a winning record
Infielder Miguel Vargas added: ‘This means a lot for us. We’ve been chasing this moment for a long time. It’s special for us. It’s special for the whole organization. This is a special group of guys, and this is the most fun we can have.’
The White Sox still have their sights set on the American League Central division title, entering a three-game set against the Colorado Rockies just a game back of the Cleveland Guardians.
They beat the Rockies 6-1 in the first game of the final homestand, although the Guardians also won over the Royals.
‘They know what this is about,’ White Sox manager Will Venable said after clinching the playoffs in Kansas City. ‘This comes with the expectation that this was going to happen, which is really cool.
‘They’re definitely letting loose right now, we’ll have a fun plane ride, but then back to business tomorrow.’
