History of Twins–White Sox rivalry in Timeline

The Twins–White Sox rivalry is an MLB rivalry between the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox, both AL Central division members and AL founding teams, playing each other since 1901. Though the White Sox lead the series 1,193–1,130–15, the rivalry intensified in the 2000s due to frequent competition for the AL Central title. Despite their long history, the teams have never met in the MLB postseason.

1901: Teams play each other annually since 1901

In 1901, both the Twins (then the Washington Senators) and the White Sox (then the White Stockings) were founding members of the American League (AL). They have played each other annually since then.

1901: Series dates back to 1901

In 1901, the series between the White Sox (then the White Stockings) and the Twins (then the Washington Senators) began.

1961: Senators move to Minnesota and become the Twins

In 1961, the Washington Senators moved to Minnesota and became the Twins, marking the start of the teams' regional rivalry.

1965: Twins win the pennant by seven games.

In the 1965 season, the Twins and White Sox finished first and second in the American League Standings, with the Twins winning the pennant by seven games.

1969: Teams placed in the AL West

In 1969, both the Twins and White Sox were placed in the AL West following the realignment.

1991: Twins win AL West

In 1991, the Twins won the AL West by eight games over the second place White Sox on their way to a second World Series title in five years.

1993: White Sox win division

In 1993, the White Sox won the division.

1994: Teams placed in AL Central

In 1994, both the Twins and White Sox were placed in the newly formed AL Central.

2002: Twins win division title

In 2002, the Twins won the division title, with the White Sox coming in second place.

2003: Twins win division title after pivotal sweep

In the 2003 season, Minnesota completed a pivotal three-game sweep of Chicago from September 16–18, holding the White Sox to a combined seven runs and extending its division lead from a half-game to 3+1⁄2 games. Minnesota would win the division by four games after trailing Chicago by 7+1⁄2 games at the All-Star Break.

2004: Twins win division title

In 2004, the Twins won the division title, with the White Sox coming in second place.

2005: White Sox win World Series title

In 2005, the White Sox dominated the AL Central en route to their World Series title.

2006: Twins retake division

In 2006, the Twins retook the division, finishing one game ahead of the Detroit Tigers and just six ahead of the third-place White Sox. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen referred to the Twins players as "little piranhas".

2008: Twins and White Sox force a tie-breaker game

In 2008, the Twins swept the White Sox in the penultimate series of the season from September 23–25 to take a half-game lead. The White Sox won a make-up game against the Detroit Tigers, leaving the Sox and Twins tied atop the AL Central at 88–74, forcing a tie-breaker game to decide the division champion.

2008: White Sox win AL Central tie-breaker game

In 2008, the White Sox and Twins finished the season with identical records, necessitating an American League Central tie-breaker game. The White Sox won the game 1–0, with Jim Thome hitting the home run.

2010: Twins win division

In the 2010 season, the Twins came back from down 5+1⁄2 games behind the White Sox in mid-July to win the division by 6 games; The Twins won 10 of 12 head-to-head meetings over the White Sox late in the season.

May 3, 2011: Francisco Liriano throws no-hitter

On May 3, 2011, Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano threw a no-hitter in a 1–0 win over the White Sox, the only no-hitter in the series between the two teams.

2017: Minnesota makes playoff appearance

In 2017, Minnesota made a playoff appearance.

2019: Minnesota makes playoff appearance

In 2019, Minnesota made a playoff appearance.

2020: Twins win AL Central and make postseason

In the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, the Twins won the AL Central with a record of 36–24, finishing just one game ahead of the White Sox and the Cleveland Indians. Both the Twins and White Sox made it to the postseason, marking the first time both teams would qualify. However, both lost their respective Wild Card Series.

May 17, 2021: Yermín Mercedes hits controversial home run

On May 17, 2021, with the White Sox leading the Twins 15–4 in the top of the ninth inning, White Sox catcher Yermín Mercedes hit a home run off of Twins position player Willians Astudillo on a 3–0 count. This was criticized by his own manager Tony La Russa. The next day, Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey threw behind Mercedes, was ejected, and suspended for two games.