Dear Delmon Young: A White Sox Fan's Letter of Hope

Dear Delmon Young,

Thank you.

This particular letter may be premature, but I feel I owe you a debt of gratitude. With one swift swing of your right arm, you, Delmon, may have jump-started the 2011 Chicago White Sox season.

How, you ask?

On July 27, 2004, the White Sox and the Minnesota Twins hooked up for a night game in Chicago. While it was the middle of the season, the race was already down to Sox-Twins; the rest of the division was doing its usual underachieving act (with the Tigers as master of ceremonies). The Twins were leading the contest when Torii Hunter attempted to score from second on a single. As there was a play at the plate, then-Sox catcher Jamie Burke stood ready to block the plate and tag Hunter when the ball arrived.

Unfortunately for poor Jamie, Torii got to home plate well before the ball. Even though you were in Tampa Bay at the time, you might have heard about what happened next: Hunter steamrolled Burke, separating his shoulder.

The next day, Sox outfielder Carlos Lee failed to break up a potential double play, prompting Ozzie Guillen to say Lee slid "as if his grandmother was turning the double play." The Twins went on to win the division for the third straight season as the Sox faded away down the stretch.

So why is this pertinent to you, Delmon? What's the point?

Well as you remember from the August 17 Sox-Twins contest, you had a similar situation: play at the plate with the throw coming home and a Sox catcher blocking the plate. This time, you had A.J. Pierzynski in your sights.

Unlike Torii, however, whose shot at Burke was hard but clean, you deigned to throw a shot at A.J.'s face, in a transparent "attempt" to knock the ball free. Additionally, you were called out, though the Twins did go on to win the game and the division once again as the White Sox faded down the stretch.

Video: (Young's shot at Pierzynski)

Once again, so what? Why the letter of hope?

After the Hunter-Burke incident became a microcosm of the '04 Sox season, they retooled their image, walked over the division in 2005 and won the World Series. You know this because you watched it from your living room in the Tampa area.

This year, after your shot at Pierzynski, you may recall Sergio Santos throwing a few pitches high and tight to J.J. Hardy. One of those pitches ironically hit the Target sign directly behind home plate.

Video: (Santos goes in high on Hardy)

Ironically indeed.

The Twins have made the playoffs three straight seasons but have not figured out how to get out of the first round—or how to beat the Yankees. Such a stretch is comparable to Wilt vs. Russell in the '60s or Jordan's Bulls vs. the Pistons in the early '90s: "How do we beat these guys?"

The Sox have to ask themselves the same question after finishing the season 5-13 against Minnesota. Fortunately, the answers are clear: a healthy pitching staff, Sergio Santos moving to the closer's role and the long-awaited rejuvenation of Carlos Quentin will put the Sox on top.

Of course, it's a long ways until March or even February, but the seed of hope was planted as soon as you put that forearm shiver to A.J.'s mask.

So thank you, Delmon. Thank you for making the White Sox and their fans realize how tough the Twins are.

We aren't taking you lightly anymore.

Sincerely,

JS