Juan Uribe's throw to Paul Konerko was just in time for the final out, setting off a wild celebration that was 88 years in the making.
The Chicago White Sox, believe it or not, are World Series winners for the first time since 1917.
Manager Ozzie Guillen emotionally embraced his sons in the dugout after a 1-0 win over the Houston Astros completed a series sweep, while the players skipped and raced across the field, whooping with joy as they jumped on each other at the pitcher's mound.
PHOTO: AFP
"Oh, my God. It's all hard to believe," third baseman Joe Crede said. "Everybody knew what we were capable of. This was the goal and it's an unbelievable feeling."
A noisy contingent of several thousand fans waved white flags emblazoned with "Sox." They stomped and sang songs, looking almost like a visiting soccer crowd. On the field, Geoff Blum, the hero of Game 3, carried his daughter and posed for pictures.
"Sweep Home Chicago," read one sign. "1917 WAS History, 2005 IS History," read another.
PHOTO: EPA
After a champagne and beer celebration in their clubhouse, the players returned to the field for a team picture, smoking cigars and taking turns hoisting the championship trophy above their heads.
"I'm here because I wanted to do this, bring emotion to Chicago," Guillen said.
"It's the best thing I've accomplished in my career."
Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf was right in the middle and the players began chanting: "Jerry! Jerry!"
Reinsdorf, who was chairman of the Chicago Bulls when they won six NBA titles, said he was still trying to comprehend what had finally come true.
"The instant the Red Sox won last year, I thought, `maybe we're next,'" Reinsdorf said.
The win over the Astros completed a remarkable run through October and gave the franchise its first World Series title since 1917.
"Unbelievable," said catcher A.J. Pierzynski, one of several key offseason acquisitions by general manager Ken Williams.
"I hope the people are partying. I hope they don't get too rowdy, hope they don't get into too much trouble, but I hope they live it up and party like it's 1917."
This was a team that was ever so close to letting a 15-game lead slip away late in the season, only to regroup and play its best baseball at the perfect time.
The White Sox won 16 of their final 17 games, starting with the last five of the regular season. They swept the Red Sox out of the first round, handled the Los Angeles Angels in five games in the ALCS and then swept away the Astros, as well.
"When we clinched in Detroit, I said we're going to sweep the Cleveland Indians," Guillen said. "Then, we went to Boston and then we went to Anaheim. I told my players the last 11 games we have to win are the toughest ones."
The major league's best road team, the White Sox were 6-0 in the playoffs away from Chicago and clinched all three of their playoff series on the road.
And as they have all season, the White Sox relied on contributions from a variety of sources.
Freddy Garcia won his third game of the playoffs and pitched his third clincher of the late run.
Little-used Willie Harris started the winning rally with a pinch-hit single and series MVP Jermaine Dye, one of only a few White Sox players with any World Series experience, delivered again with a run-scoring single.
Shortstop Juan Uribe made three late stellar plays, reaching high to grab a foul pop before falling into the stands in the ninth for the second out.
"Pitching and defense have been the keys all year long. We stuck with our game plan and it turned out really good for us. Defense played a huge part in this game," Crede said. "It's something we've done all year long, just playing together."
Burly rookie Bobby Jenks, the 122kg closer, survived a shaky situation in the ninth when the Astros got a runner on second with one out to get his second save of the series. Talk about pressure: He pitched in all four games -- not bad for a 24-year-old who didn't make his major league debut until July.
"Heck yeah, I was available," Jenks said. "There was no way I wasn't coming in."
Guillen, in just his second season, has done what so many before him could not.
Guillen has threatened to retire if the White Sox win, and who knows what the quotable and talkative manager will do next. It would be difficult to top what he's already accomplished.
"Today was the first time in my life -- the last two innings -- my heart was pounding like crazy," Guillen said. "I was so excited. So many people were waiting for this moment."
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