3 takeaways as the White Sox wrap 2025 with win over Nationals

WASHINGTON — Chicago White Sox starter Shane Smith flirted with history in the final game of the 2025 season, taking a perfect game into the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals.

The right-hander retired the first 16 batters before Brady House singled to right field with one out in the sixth inning.

Smith and relievers Tyler Alexander, Jordan Leasure and Jonathan Cannon combined for a one-hitter as the Sox closed out 2025 with an 8-0 victory in front of 22,473 at Nationals Park.

“About as good as it gets and about as good as we’ve seen from him,” manager Will Venable said of Smith. “A great way to finish.”

Miguel Vargas and Dominic Fletcher hit two-run home runs. Brooks Baldwin had three RBIs, including a solo home run, as the Sox wrapped up the season with a 60-102 record.

Here are three takeaways from 2025:

The Sox display young talent

Smith allowed one hit and struck out eight to cap a remarkable rookie season.

“Me and (catcher) Kyle (Teel) were on the same page, I was able to locate really well,” Smith said. “I think the only 2-0 count I got in was the base hit, so pounding the zone with the four-seam and changeup. Using the two-seam a good amount.

“Glad that was how I finished it.”

A Rule 5 draft selection, Smith earned a starting spot after a strong spring training. He made the most of the opportunity, emerging as the team’s 2025 All-Star. And he finished the year with a nearly flawless performance, along with a 7-8 record and 3.81 ERA.

“We talk about all our young players and development and he’s a really good example of a guy who took a lot of steps forward this year,” Venable said.

Smith was one of several standout rookies for the Sox. Shortstop Colson Montgomery hit 21 home runs after making his MLB debut on July 4 — second on the team to Lenyn Sosa (22).

Catchers Teel and Edgar Quero finished with .273 and .268 averages, respectively. Second baseman Chase Meidroth had 114 hits. Mike Vasil was reliable out of the bullpen.

“They’re obviously very talented players, very thoughtful baseball players, the mental fortitude, the ability to handle the pressure,” Venable told the Chicago Tribune on Thursday. “These guys all have that.”

Venable also mentioned the guidance provided by veteran players.

“Yes, these kids that we’re acquiring are really good guys that are talented, but we’re also surrounding them with Michael Taylor and Martín Pérez and these really, really quality veteran guys that have a vested interest in helping younger guys,” Venable said. “Not to mention support from a really good staff, you put all those together and we think we’ve given these guys a chance to have success, and because they’re great players and great people, they’ve run with it.”

The 1-run defeats stick out in 102 losses

The Sox went 2-4 in their final trip of the season, losing all three against the New York Yankees before rebounding to take two of three from the Nationals. They couldn’t avoid a third consecutive 100-loss season.

They lost in just about every possible way in 2025, including going 15-36 in one-run games.

The first two games of their final series of the season were decided by one run. The Sox won Friday 10-9, with Colson Montgomery hitting a go-ahead, two-run home run in the ninth. They dropped Saturday’s game 6-5, stranding runners on the corners in the ninth.

Venable believes each experience will be beneficial moving forward.

“These are real game-changing events that are in the highest leverage situations that every rep you get in those, you just get better from,” Venable told the Tribune. “And I thought we benefited from having a lot of these really tight situations early in which we were able to take a little something from each one of these and apply it to the next one.”

Michael A. Taylor announces his retirement, and the Sox shift into offseason mode.

The Sox signed Taylor to a one-year deal in February to provide outfield depth and veteran presence. He played in 134 games this season, which turned out to be his final.

Taylor announced his retirement before Sunday’s game.

“I spent a good amount of time praying about it and talking with my wife, just trying to figure out if now is the right time,” Taylor said. “We have two little kids, and after praying and thinking, we agree that it’s best to maybe spend a little bit more time at home with the family, and I’m excited about that.

“And I think to be able to play my last games of my career here in this ballpark in front of these fans is just the icing on the cake. I think it’s all part of God’s perfect plan, so I’m very grateful for that.”

Taylor, 34, played in 1,216 career games over parts of 12 seasons for the Nationals (2014-20), Kansas City Royals (2021-22), Minnesota Twins (2023), Pittsburgh Pirates (2024) and Sox (2025). He received a standing ovation and tipped his helmet to the crowd before his first at-bat Sunday. He went 1 for 3 with one RBI.

Taylor prepares for his next phase. Same for the Sox.

One early offseason question is whether there will be any changes to Venable’s coaching staff. The Sox also have to decide if they will pick up the club option for center fielder Luis Robert Jr. — general manager Chris Getz has indicated that will likely be the case. And the club will have pitching plans to develop, including whether Grant Taylor will be stretched out to a starter for 2026 or remain in a late-inning bullpen role.

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