ESPN sparked backlash after a 2025 MLB Draft graphic wrongly named Chris Burke, a Houston Astro, as a 2005 World Series champion. Photo Credit: ESPN
By Sam Neumann on

The White Sox gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their 2005 World Series title. It’s very much a championship that still means everything to the South Side of Chicago, even if the rest of the country forgot.

Over the weekend, the franchise paid tribute to the late Bobby Jenks, who recently passed away after a battle with cancer. Yes, Jenks was on the championship roster, as ESPN erroneously framed it, but he was also the one on the mound when the White Sox ended their 88-year title drought. He pitched in all four games and locked down saves in Games 1 and 4.

ESPN eventually corrected the framing, but the damage was done. A.J. Pierzynski and others didn’t hold back, calling it a slap in the face to a man who had just lost his battle with cancer. This isn’t just about Jenks, though. At its core, this was just another example of the Worldwide Leader forgetting what the White Sox actually pulled off in ’05.

According to The Athletic’s Jon Greenberg, local beat writers spent much of the reunion asking players if the 2005 team gets the respect it deserves, because the reality is, it doesn’t. ESPN and other national outlets have a long history of forgetting what that group achieved. And sure enough, during ESPN’s coverage of the 2025 MLB Draft, a graphic incorrectly touted Chris Burke — who played for the Houston Astros — as a 2005 World Series champion.

And it was called out by Pierzynski again.

At this point, Pierzynski was genuinely wondering if there was a joke he wasn’t in on. The Foul Territory co-host implored ESPN to “be better,” especially considering the Astros didn’t win a single game in the series they were falsely credited with.

Maybe ESPN can start making it right by greenlighting a 30 for 30 on that squad. Between running roughshod over the rest of the American League and then the Astros, Jenks’ untimely passing, and yes, the Vatican connection, there’s more than enough story to finally give the 2005 White Sox the respect they earned.

Or they could do one overlooking the White Sox, too.

About Sam Neumann

Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.

View all posts by Sam Neumann