White Sox DVD premieres in Chicago

11/22/2005
CHICAGO -- A few years ago, television executives from a major network decided to put a few average citizens on a deserted island, film their life and then dubbed it Reality TV.
Since that particular historic moment, this genre has evolved into everything from picking a soul mate for your mother or father to Jose Canseco, Amarosa from "The Apprentice" and Balki from the television show "Perfect Strangers" living in the same house together. But to gain an understanding of what reality entertainment truly is all about, then take a close look at the White Sox 2005 World Series DVD.
The precise and entertaining storytelling of the South Siders' improbable run to its first championship since 1917, put together by Shout! Factory and Major League Baseball Productions, becomes available to the public next Tuesday, Nov. 29. At least one person close to the title run labeled it as a must-see for the holidays after attending the premier Monday night at the Esquire Theater in the heart of Chicago.
"On a scale of 1 to 10?" asked Oney Guillen, manager Ozzie Guillen's second of three sons and a college student in Chicago. "It's a 25. It's amazing. To see what happened on the screen, it gave me goosebumps."
Oney Guillen was the White Sox first family representative, as he joked that the weather was a little too cold for his father, who currently is back in Venezuela. But Oney was not the only one close to the team in attendance.
Center fielder Aaron Rowand and third baseman Joe Crede chatted casually with the media prior to the DVD's debut. Rowand then gave a short speech to the invite-only crowd in attendance, imploring the White Sox fans with a laugh to "tell their friends" if they liked what they viewed.
Both players were featured prominently in the DVD, expertly narrated by Chicago actor Michael Clarke Duncan. There were the obvious moments of excitement to be included, from Scott Podsednik's walk-off home run in Game 2 of the World Series to the final out of this historic achievement being recorded at Minute Maid Park. But in between, there was plenty of inside information to show how this team came together and had more fun than should be allowed in the process.
A few of the highlights, without giving away the ending of the production, involved Rowand stating 'That really hurt' after he ran into the wall during a play in Game 1 of the Division Series against Boston. Rowand wore a microphone for much of the postseason, including the World Series.
There also were interesting little insights such as catcher A.J. Pierzynski sarcastically calling his memorable ninth-inning strikeout in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series "the biggest strikeout of my career." Pierzynski also broke down the seconds ticking off immediately after Juan Uribe threw out Orlando Palmeiro to complete the four-game sweep, stating that he jumped on Bobby Jenks because he didn't want the burly closer to jump on him.
It was a moving experience for everyone in the White Sox organization who played some part in this championship. It was equally moving to watch it at the Esquire on Monday night.
"That was awesome," said Rowand, after watching the DVD and prior to signing autographs and taking pictures with the guests in attendance. "They did a great job putting it together. They really shed some light on what it was all about for us. It was great.
"This was my first walk in the park, as far as being part of something like (the DVD). It's great to relive it and watch it again. I think back about all the great moments, and it's interesting to see the way I saw them in my eyes and the way they were shown on camera."
Rowand will have quite a positive memory of these past two days in general. On Sunday, sporting his Dick Butkus jersey, Rowand stood on the sideline at Soldier Field and watched his beloved Bears improve to 7-3 with a 13-3 whipping of Carolina. Rowand returns on Dec. 4 to serve as an honorary captain for the Bears in a game against the Packers.
Both Rowand and Crede, who joined Rowand on the sideline Sunday at Soldier Field, took the approach that a second championship during the same one-year time frame in Chicago is not out of the question. After all, the Patriots and Red Sox did the job last year.
For now, the duo is relaxing and winding down from the 2005 championship. Of course, their focus soon will return to a repeat effort in 2006 and a second world premier DVD.
"Any time I can share this with the fans, I'm all for it," said Crede, who watched the DVD for the first time Monday. "People come up to me and tell me how this changed their life in some way. It's neat to hear all the stories.
"It's special for me to know we were able to do that. I mean, words can't describe what an unbelievable year this was, and the feeling it was to be part of this championship."

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/