White Sox advance after playoff series win over Houston

The Chicago White Sox defeated the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card Series and advanced to face the Cleveland Guardians in the Division Series, after Pope Leo XIV sent team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf a letter wishing the club well before the playoffs. Chicago’s series victory marks its first postseason series win since 2005, according to reports. The White Sox shared the letter on social media before their playoff opener against Houston. In it, Leo said he hoped the team would foster friendship and solidarity and invoked blessings on Reinsdorf and his loved ones. The letter was a reply to a message from Reinsdorf following a team event honoring the pope. Reports differ on the letter’s date: some give Sept. 5, while another gives Sept. 9. The team said it arrived at Rate Field on the day of the series opener. The available accounts do not resolve the date discrepancy. Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost, grew up in Chicago and is a White Sox fan. He attended the opening game of the 2005 World Series, when Chicago played Houston. The team held an event in his honor in August, distributing White Sox-themed pope hats to fans.