The sum is greater than the parts. As I look at the White Sox World Series roster, I do not see any possible future Hall of Famers. (Frank Thomas is injured.) In fact, out of the eight post-season teams, this is the only one of which I could say that. (San Diego would come close, with just Trevor Hoffman.) Buehrle should finish in the top three for Cy Young this year. Konerko would be the backup first baseman on my AL All-Star team, and Garland would make the pitching staff. Iguchi should finish in the top five for ROY. But that’s about it. I do not see a lot of stars or household names on this team. But the team sum is greater than the individual parts.
Balance. I do see a lot of guys having very good years, near All-Star years, all at the same time. A balance of home runs and small ball. A balance of speed and power. No glaring weaknesses. Defense, starting pitching, relief pitching, fundamentals--good throughout.
Team chemistry. They seem to be a very unified bunch, working together well, having fun. And they’re gritty, scrappy, in game.
Opportunistic. They make the most of their chances. Timely hitting. Clutch performances.
This is not a team for the ages. This is not the 1927 Yankees or the 1975 Big Red Machine. And yet--and yet--here are the White Sox, a wire-to-wire first-place club, the best record in the league in the regular season (99-63), 10-1 so far in the post-season, with a chance tonight to go 110-64 overall--one of the best one-year runs in baseball history!
"This is not a team for the ages. This is not the 1927 Yankees or the 1975 Big Red Machine."
Every year, one team must step up to claim the World Series. They may or may not be ready for greatness, but when the time comes, and the hard work is done, the Championship finds them. Your post is very well put...this is a team with all the pistons firing just right!