They are not the first players you would name off the 2005 World Series team, but try re-watching games from that now-11-year-old romp to immortality without being struck by the presence of Joe Crede and Aaron Rowand. They weren’t stars, but solid all-around regulars, contributing everywhere, even if their defense was more consistent than their bats ever were. They were also the White Sox's last successful drafted-and-developed homegrown position players, despite being selected during Ron Schueler’s tenure as general manager.
Since Gordon Beckham’s fall from grace, the only possible end to this drought, which has choked the White Sox talent pipeline and torn holes in the major league lineup faster than Kenny Williams.