Chicago's Jim Thome celebrates after the White Sox defeated Minnesota. Thome's home run was decisive in the White Sox's 1-0 victory Tuesday night in Chicago.

Chicago ? Jim Thome and Ken Griffey Jr. have been waiting years for a shot at the World Series. For the first time in more than a century, Chicago has two chances at a championship.

A big swing by Thome, a strong throw from Griffey and the marvelous pitching of John Danks helped the White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins, 1-0, on Tuesday night to decide a winner finally in the AL Central.

The White Sox joined the crosstown Cubs in the postseason, the first time since 1906 that both Chicago teams made it. And just as the Cubs did when they clinched the NL Central crown, several White Sox players came back on the field after the final out and sprayed fans with champagne.

“Special. It just proves that Chicago is a great baseball city,” Thome said. “We’re so happy from our end that Sox fans get to enjoy this.”

Next up for the South Siders, a first-round matchup with the surprising Rays. Game 1 is Thursday at Tampa Bay, which won the AL East.

Danks pitched eight innings of two-hit ball on short rest, Thome broke a scoreless tie with a mammoth homer, and Griffey threw out a runner at the plate with a tough tag by A.J. Pierzynski as the White Sox won a 163rd-game tiebreaker.

“I was telling my wife before I left the house, ‘You know if we get in, I’m going to really cherish every moment of it,”‘ Thome said.

Thome’s long drive on a 2-2 pitch from rookie Nick Blackburn cleared two rows of shrubs in center field, traveling an estimated 461 feet to snap a scoreless tie in the seventh. It was the 541st homer for Thome, who raised his right fist as he rounded first base. He hadn’t been to the playoffs since 2001 with Cleveland.

Griffey, who came to the White Sox in a trade with the Reds so he could have a chance at playing in the postseason, cut down Michael Cuddyer with a nice throw in the fifth. Griffey, who like Thome is 38, will be making his first postseason appearance since 1997 with Seattle.

“He did a heck of a job,” Thome said. “I’m so happy for him, too.”

Bobby Jenks worked a perfect ninth for his 30th save in 34 chances. After replacing Griffey in center field, Brian Anderson ended it with a diving catch of Alexi Casilla’s blooper.