World Series experience overwhelming for former Redbird         

[NOV. 3, 2005]  NORMAL -- From February to October, former Redbird pitcher Neal Cotts worked every day to make himself better on the field for the Chicago White Sox. Now that the World Series is over and his team won, Cotts is finally getting his chance to relax and reflect on what will prove to be one of the most successful years of his professional baseball career.

"I don't think that the whole experience and the win have really set in yet," Cotts said. "The whole experience has been so mentally and physically draining for everyone involved. The weirdest part is that I'm sitting here today with nothing to do after going nonstop for the last nine months."

Cotts certainly earned the time off after he and his White Sox teammates went 11-1 in the playoffs to win the team's first World Series championship since 1917. His numbers in the World Series were nearly flawless. He gave up just one hit in four appearances in the fall classic and earned the Game 2 win after teammate Scott Podsednik homered off Houston Astros' closer Brad Lidge in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the game for Cotts and Chicago.

Cotts was glad that his name will forever be attached to World Series history, even though a little luck may have been involved.

"It's a great feeling and accomplishment to get a win in the World Series, and I guess I was in the right place at the right time to get that win," said Cotts. "But, that just goes to show what kind of team we had this year. Different people in different situations came up big all year long to help us win. I just got lucky that I was the pitcher of record in that game when it was Scott's turn to come up."

With the World Series now behind him and with a championship ring on the horizon, Cotts will take time this offseason to relax and recharge his body before focusing on preparing for the 2006 season when spring training begins in February. However, he will continue to reflect on the 2005 season and what he and his team accomplished.

"I just keep thinking how lucky and fortunate I was to be able to experience playing in the World Series and being on a championship team," said Cotts. "There are guys that play for years in professional baseball and never get the chance to feel what I am feeling now. I think this will all really set in when we get our rings on Opening Day next season and have that permanent reminder that we are the World Series champions."

[Illinois State University news release]

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