CHICAGO -- A hearty 17-mph wind gusting out to center field during Sunday's contest between the White Sox and Mariners at U.S. Cellular Field certainly didn't hurt any of the nine drives clearing the fences, marking the third-highest single-game home run total in the history of the ballpark.

But the home run with the most historical significance, Joe Crede's solo shot in the third, didn't need the wind to get the job done. In fact, Crede's 411-foot blast down the left-field line was the longest of the five home runs hit by the White Sox and the four hit by the Mariners.

Crede's home run, which followed Paul Konerko's two-run shot, marked the 10th time White Sox hitters have gone back-to-back this season. It also was Crede's first home run since Sept. 1 at Kansas City.

The majestic clout also gave Crede 30 home runs for the first time in his career. Crede joins Jermaine Dye (43 home runs), Jim Thome (42) and Konerko (35) as the first quartet of White Sox players to have at least 30 home runs in the same season. It's the 10th time this feat has been accomplished in Major League history, but the White Sox join the 2000 Angels and Blue Jays as just the third American League squad to hit the elite target.

So, how did Crede celebrate the accomplishment? He took his normal trot around the bases and didn't really expound on it much during a postgame chat with the media.

"It felt better to get the win," Crede said.

Konerko, who has reached at least 30 home runs in four seasons, summed up Crede's accomplishment.

"That's obviously a big number for anyone who wants to be considered a power guy," Konerko said of Crede reaching 30 home runs. "Of all the things you can try to force in baseball, a home run is probably the last thing you can force to happen.

"You can probably make anything else happen. Home runs, you can go weeks or months without one or hit three in two games or something. He works hard and he's struggled a lot with his back and played through a lot of pain.

"He's a warrior," added Konerko of Crede. "He's played a lot of games not at his best, and that's how you judge a guy to me."

Prior to a sixth-inning single during Saturday's come-from-behind victory over Seattle, Crede was mired in a 0-for-28 hitless streak. He exited a Sept. 13 contest in Anaheim with a .300 average, 29 home runs and 93 RBIs. His home run on Sunday lifted Crede's average to .286 and produced his 94th RBI.

A combination of Crede's slump coinciding with the White Sox near-elimination has left the talented third baseman slightly little less than satisfied over the past 10 days.

"It's frustrating when you're not winning and you're not hitting up there, that adds to the frustration," Crede said.

"You always want to do well and help your team do well," he added.

When Crede was pressed as to whether his 0-for-28-funk represented an old-fashioned slump or was caused more by his on-going back pain, Crede pointed to the slump. He quickly pointed out how he avoided this sort of slump for most of the season, making it even more frustrating that it came at the end.

As for the back issues, Crede believes rest in the offseason will help him get healthy and ready for 2007.

"We will explore options and see what happens this winter," said Crede of his back. "But I don't think surgery is needed, and I was told by a specialist it's not needed. We will see what happens and go from there."

The White Sox third baseman, who has risen to All-Star status, is arbitration eligible for next season. He figures to return to the White Sox through at least a one-year deal.

According to Guillen on Sunday, home run No. 30 for Crede might have upped the ante salary-wise.

"Joe has been pushing himself real hard for that, and everyone in the dugout was real happy and excited," said Guillen of Crede, who earned $2.675 million this season. "He's played terrific all year long."