Chicago White Sox get unexpected Barack Obama message after season-ending defeat

Barack Obama has sent the Chicago White Sox a message of support after their heartbreaking season-ending defeat to the Cleveland Guardians.

The former US president remains a supporter of the South Side team and was paying close attention as the White Sox’s surprising postseason run came to an end.

Obama has a long connection with the White Sox. In 2005, while serving as a junior senator from Illinois, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch before an American League Championship Game at Rate Field.

Barack Obama backs White Sox after unexpected postseason run

The White Sox had not reached the ALCS since that 2005 season and that run of 21 years was extended after Cleveland won a winner-take-all ALDS Game 5 on Saturday.

Obama still found plenty to celebrate from Chicago’s campaign. He wrote on his official X account: “Proud of you, White Sox, for making the jump this year! Next year will be even better!”

His support for the team goes back further than his ceremonial first pitch. In 2005, Obama introduced a resolution on the Senate floor recognising the White Sox’s World Series sweep of the Houston Astros.

Chicago White Sox get unexpected Barack

This year’s turnaround was particularly impressive given where Chicago had been. The White Sox had lost at least 100 games in three consecutive seasons, including a modern-record 121 losses in 2024.

Chicago bounced back in 2026 to finish 84-78 and claim an AL wild-card berth. A youth movement and the emergence of first-year slugger Munetaka Murakami played a major role in changing the team’s fortunes.

The White Sox then stunned the Astros with a two-game sweep in their AL wild-card series before taking a 2-0 lead over Cleveland in the Division Series.

The Guardians responded by winning three straight games to reach the ALCS. For the White Sox, the season ended painfully, but Obama’s message offered a reminder of just how far the team had come in a single year.

Chicago will now have to build on that progress next season as they look to turn an unexpected postseason appearance into a deeper run.

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