The best story in baseball gets a new chapter this week.
The Chicago White Sox, a team many left for dead at the start of the year, embarrassed the Kansas City Royals 22-1 on Friday night. Thatโs true.
22-1. Twenty two!
The loss improved the Sox to 42โ38 on the season and left them in sole possession of first place in the AL Central. Yes, the White Sox are in first place as we head into the All-Star break. The same team that finished 60-102 just a year ago.
WHITE SOX SURPRISE SEASON Faces struggling Giants as Davis Martinโs dominant pitching takes center stage
At this rate, they will surpass that win total by August. Amazing.
Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas hits a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Reith Field in Chicago, Illinois on June 26, 2026. (Patrick Gorski/Imagn Images)
Fridayโs defeat was historic for several reasons. Those 22 runs were the most by the White Sox since 1970 (!!!), while they tied the most runs ever given up by the Royals in franchise history.
Earlier in the year, Kansas City was chosen to make some noise. The White Sox were an afterthought and considered by many to be one of the worst teams in baseball.
Never listen to the experts guys.
White Sox score 10 runs in historic third inning
Lordi. What a blow. I played for the worst DIII college baseball team in history back in the day, so I can relate. Iโve lost many times in one of these games mannnnnnnnny, once.
This is the worst. It feels like it will never end. You pray for rain. You pray for mercy, but it usually never comes.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE โDonโt @ MEโ PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas hits a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Reith Field in Chicago, Illinois on June 26, 2026. (Patrick Gorski/Imagn Images)
The wheels really came off in the third inning when the Sox scored 10 runs and sent Royals pitcher Mitch Spenceโs ERA to an impressive 21.21. Iโm not sure Iโve ever seen an ERA this high.
Spence gave up eight hits and all 10 runs were earned.
Guys, this is called taking one on the team. This is the life of a pitcher. Sometimes youโll have to wear it on your chin to ensure the team has pitchers for the rest of the series.
Itโs a thankless job, but a necessary one.
Chicago White Sox center fielder Tristan Peters rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning at Reith Field in Chicago, Illinois on June 26, 2026. (Patrick Gorski/Imagn Images)
A total of four White Sox players hit home runs, two finished in three runs short of the cycle, everyone with a good look reached base, and eight players had at least two hits.
โIt was disgusting,โ first baseman Jacob Gonzalez said after the game. โThereโs no other way to put it.โ
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Yeah. That pretty much sums it up.
What a season.
Zach Dean is a writer for OutKick.