The Chicago White Sox celebrated their first World Series title in 88 years with a parade through the streets of Chicago on Friday. Fans wearing black and white lined the streets as the motorcade, consisting of double-decker buses that contained the team and their families, strolled through the local neighborhoods. Confetti was thrown from the buildings lining LaSalle Street as the buses headed toward the stage area on Wacker Drive, where the team addressed the fans. "The passion on this team is like I've never seen before in my 15 years here," said Frank Thomas, who missed most of the second half of the season, as well as the entire playoff run, with a foot injury. "I want to thank these guys for pulling my big butt across this finish line." The victory rally began with the singing of the national anthem before the team was introduced by radio broadcaster Ed Farmer. Manager Ozzie Guillen was announced last as he brought the World Series trophy to the stage. Ken "Hawk" Harrelson then took over emcee duties as a video montage was shown, retracing the season and playoff run. "All year we had to listen to people out there...telling us we didn't have the team to do this," said Paul Konerko. "I'm trying to think in my mind what would make people think we're a good team. The only thing I could come up with is, maybe we will have to do this one more time next year." The first baseman spoke over the chants of "re-sign Pauley," as Konerko was among the 62 players who filed for free agency on Thursday, one day after the World Series win. He led the White Sox in the postseason with five homers and 15 RBI, and was honored as the American League Championship Series MVP, when the White Sox finished off the Angels in five games. Konerko finished off his speech by giving the ball used to make the last out of the World Series to team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. "Getting this ball from Konerko is the most emotional moment in my life," Reinsdorf said. The White Sox wrapped up the 2005 World Series with a 1-0 victory on Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park to complete a four-game sweep of the Houston Astros. "When we put this team together, I never believed it would happen so fast. I'll tell you one thing right now, I will be back next year," said Guillen. World Series MVP Jermaine Dye expressed his joy of signing with the White Sox prior to the start of the season. "It seems like just yesterday, I was sitting at breakfast with (general manager) Kenny Williams deciding on what the makeup of this team was going to be like and just going through a process of making my decision of where I was going to go. I guess I made the right choice," said Dye.