The 2004 Chicago White Sox season was a year of progress and offensive fireworks under first-year manager Ozzie Guillen, as the team finished with a solid 83-79 record and a second-place finish in the AL Central. The South Siders led the American League with a powerful 242 home runs, driven by Paul Konerko’s 41 homers and 117 RBIs along with Carlos Lee’s 31 home runs. Fans at U.S. Cellular Field were treated to several highlights, including a dominant pitching staff anchored by Mark Buehrle and the emergence of a competitive core that laid the essential groundwork for their championship run the following year. A two-time American League MVP and 2014 Hall of Fame inductee, Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas was a legendary first baseman and designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox who retired with 521 home runs and a .301 career batting average.