On this date (Jan. 27) in 2005, the White Sox signed second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, who had been one of the top players in the Japanese Pacific League between 1997 and 2004.
Iguchi’s signing turned out to be one of general manager Ken Williams’ best. Iguchi hit .278 with 15 home runs and 71 RBIs for the 2005 White Sox.
His steady play was a key element of the team’s charge to the World Series title.
Here are some of Tad’s 2005 highlights:
*First Japanese-born position player to play for a World Series champion
*Delivered the biggest hit of the Division Series against Boston when he launched a three-run home run off David Wells in the Sox 5-4 win in Game 2 at U.S. Cellular Field
*Became the first White Sox rookie to hit a postseason homer in Game 2 of the 2005 ALDS vs. Boston
*Started at second and batted second in each of the White Sox 11 postseason games in 2005
*Led the 2005 White Sox with six triples and tied Juan Uribe for the team lead with 11 sacrifices
*Became the first Japanese position player to play for the Sox on opening day 2005
*Finished fourth in the 2005 AL Rookie of the Year voting behind winner Huston Street, Robinson Cano and Jonathan Gomes
*His 18 homers in 2005 were the most ever by a Sox rookie second baseman and ranked third overall
*18 homers were the third-most by a Sox rookie infielder behind Zeke Bonura’s 27 in 1934 and Pete Ward’s 22 in 1963