The White Sox have seen several second basemen and shortstops who have bucked the trend of the “light-hitting middle infielder.” The team has had four of its middle infielders get inducted into the Hall of Fame and all of them rank high in team history in several statistical categories.

The Best Middle Infielders in Chicago White Sox History

Second Basemen

Honorary Mentions – Don Kolloway was in Chicago for eight seasons (1940-43 and 45-49) while the team worked its way back into contention. In 1942, “Butch” hit .273 with 60 runs batted in while posting career highs with 72 runs scored, 164 hits, 40 doubles (which also led the American League), and 16 stolen bases. Despite missing two years during World War II, Kolloway totaled 708 hits and 246 RBIs in 683 games.

Gordon Beckham started his career at third base for a year before moving to his more customary position. His best season was 2012 when he drove in 60 runs and set career highs with 62 runs, 123 hits, and 16 home runs. Beckham was a great fielder, posting a .985 fielding percentage in seven seasons with the White Sox (2009-14 and ’15) and also earning the Wilson Defensive Player Award at second base in 2013. In 839 games, he had 681 hits, 67 homers, and 296 RBIs.

5. Minter “Jackie” Hayes – He spent nine years with the White Sox (1932-40) and helped the team achieve a winning record in his final four seasons. Hayes’s best year was 1933 when he reached career highs with 65 runs and 138 hits to go along with 47 runs batted in. A solid fielder, he had 820 hits, 384 RBIs, and a .264 average in 809 games.

4. Jorge Orta – He was a solid hitter and fielder with Chicago for eight seasons (1972-79). Orta was an All-Star in 1975 when he hit .304 with 165 hits, 26 doubles, 10 triples, 11 home runs, and 83 runs batted in. Overall, he batted .281 and had 442 runs, 1,002 hits, 79 homers, and 456 RBIs in 990 games. After leaving the White Sox, he went to the Royals and was part of the team’s run to the championship in 1985.

3. Ray Durham – The two-time All-Star was a solid fielder who had 150 or more hits six times, scored more than 100 runs and had 20 or more doubles five times apiece, and stole more than 30 bases four times in eight seasons with Chicago (1995-2002). Durham ranks fifth in team history in stolen bases (219) and ninth in both runs (784) and doubles (249). In addition, he has 1,246 hits, 53 triples, 106 home runs, 484 RBIs, and a .278 average in 1,146 games.

2. Eddie Collins – He started and ended his 25-year career with the Philadelphia Athletics, but he had a 12-year run with the White Sox in the middle (1915-26). Collins was the reigning MVP when he was purchased by Chicago for $50,000, and he soon showed he was well worth the investment. Despite missing half of the 1918 season due to service with the Marine Corps during World War I, Collins was essential to the team’s success. In the 1917 World Series victory, he had nine hits, four runs scored, two runs batted in and three stolen bases.

Two years later, amidst the “Black Sox” Scandal, he had seven hits and scored two runs. However, the White Sox locker room was split between those in favor of Charles Comiskey’s ownership (which Collins, as team captain, was seen as their leader) and those who were against his penny-pinching ways (most notably, first baseman Chick Gandil). Even after the scandal took effect, Collins proved to be a stellar player. In 1920, he scored 117 runs, and added 13 triples and 76 RBIs while setting career highs with a .372 average, 38 doubles, and 224 hits, which is also a team record.

A six-time fielding champion, Collins recorded his 3,000th hit in 1925, becoming the sixth player in Major League history to reach the mark. He hit .300 or better ten times, had nine seasons with at least 80 runs scored and 150 hits, eight with at least 20 doubles and six with double-digit triples and at least 40 stolen bases (he led the league three times).

Nicknamed “Cocky” for his Ivy League education and overabundance of self-confidence, Collins is the all-time franchise leader with 360 stolen bases, and he ranks second in batting average (.331), tied for third in triples (102), fifth in hits (2,007) and runs (1,065), sixth in total bases (2,570), seventh in doubles (266) and RBIs (803) and tied for seventh in games played (1,670). He is also the all-time Major League leader with 512 sacrifice bunts. Collins was released and went back to the A’s in 1927 and spent his final four seasons with Philadelphia. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.

1. Nellie Fox – After being traded by the Athletics to the White Sox, he become one of the best fielders of his (or any) era, winning three gold gloves in 14 seasons (1950-63). Fox finished in the top ten of the MVP voting six times and was named MVP in 1959 after posting 84 runs, 191 hits, 34 doubles, 70 RBIs, and a .306 average to beat out teammates Luis Aparicio and Early Wynn for the award. “Mighty Mite” had 12 straight seasons with at least 160 hits (and was a four-time league leader), had 20 or more doubles 11 times, at least 80 runs scored nine times, and hit over .300 in six seasons.

Fox was a 15-time All-Star (three times, he went twice in a season when the MLB had two games), and he had nine hits, four runs scored, and three runs batted in during the 1959 World Series. He hit .291 during his White Sox tenure, and he ranks second in hits (2,470), tied for second in triples (104), third in games (2,115) and runs (1,187), fourth in doubles (335) and tenth in RBIs (740). Fox was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veteran’s Committee in 1997.

Shortstops

Honorable Mentions – George “Buck” Weaver started his career with four seasons as a shortstop and played a fifth at the position in 1918. He had 672 hits, 201 RBIs and 91 stolen bases in 694 games at shortstop, but he was suspended for life in 1920 as part of the “Black Sox” Scandal.

George Davis was a star with the New York Giants in the 1890s before jumping to the American League. He played with Chicago in 1902 and 1904-09, with a four-game stint with New York mixed in thanks to some legal back-and-forth between the two teams. Davis had 15 triples, 69 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases in 1904, and he drove in 80 runs two years later, his best total with Chicago. He had 785 hits, 377 runs batted in, and 162 steals in 856 games Davis had four hits, three doubles, four runs scored and six RBIs in the 1906 World Series. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veteran’s Committee in 1998.

Current starter Tim Anderson has earned two All-Star selections and the 2020 silver slugger award during his eight seasons with the White Sox (2016-present). He led the league with a .335 average in 2019 and 45 runs in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, but his best year was 2021, when he was an All-Star after hitting .309 with a career-best 94 runs to go along with 163 hits, 17 home runs and 61 runs batted in. So far, Anderson has batted .283 with 514 runs, 988 hits, 173 doubles, 98 home runs, 334 RBIs, and 115 stolen bases in 863 games. However, his detractors will note his attitude issues and temper as strikes against him.

5. Alexei Ramirez – Before Anderson, there was Ramirez, who began his career as a second baseman before moving one spot to his right. He hit .290 with 21 home runs and a career-best 77 runs batted in to win Rookie of the Year in 2008. Ramirez earned his only All-Star selection in 2014 when he hit .273 with 82 runs, 170 hits, 35 doubles, 15 homers, 74 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases. He was also a two-time silver slugger and a Wilson Defensive Player Award winner in 2012. Over eight seasons (2008-15), Ramirez had 563 runs, 1,272 hits, 227 doubles, 104 home runs, 542 RBIs, and 135 stolen bases in 1,226 games. He went 3-for-12 with two RBIs in a loss to the Rays in the 2008 Division Series.

4. Alfonso “Chico” Carrasquel – He was a four-time All-Star (and the first Latin-born player to appear in an All-Star Game) who also won three fielding titles in six seasons with the White Sox (1950-55). Carrasquel’s best season was 1954 when he set career highs with 106 runs, 158 hits, 12 home runs, and 62 runs batted in. Overall, he hit .265 with 410 runs, 825 hits, and 307 RBIs in 837 games.

3. Ozzie Guillen – Before he led the team to the 2005 World Series championship as a manager, he spent 13 years with the White Sox as a player (1985-97). Guillen was a three-time All-Star and a 1990 gold glove winner who began his career by winning the Rookie of the Year award in 1985. In the 1993 ALCS, he had six hits, four runs, and two RBIs in a loss to the eventual-champion Blue Jays. Guillen hit .265 with 693 runs, 240 doubles 565 RBIs, and 163 stolen bases in his Chicago tenure. He ranks sixth in games played (1,743), seventh in hits (1,608), and tenth in total bases (2,056) and triples (68).

2. Luis Aparicio – He won the Rookie of the Year award in 1956 after hitting .266 with 56 runs batted in and a league-leading 21 stolen bases. “Little Louie” was an eight-time All-Star and a seven-time gold glove winner who led the American League in steals each of his first seven seasons, had 150 or more hits six times, and scored at least 80 runs five times.

Aparicio finished second in the MVP voting in 1959 after totaling 157 hits and 51 RBIs and setting career highs with 98 runs and 56 stolen bases. He had eight hits, a run scored, and a stolen base in the World Series loss to the Dodgers. In 10 seasons (1956-62 and 68-70), Aparicio hit .269 with 223 doubles, 54 triples, and 464 RBIs. He ranks second in franchise history in stolen bases (318), seventh in runs (791), eighth in hits (1,576), and ninth in games played (1,511). Aparicio became the first player from Venezuela to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.

1. Luke Appling – He was nicknamed “Old Aches and Pains” due to his penchant for complaining, usually to excuse his average defense. However, he was the club’s best offensive weapon for two decades and, despite missing the 1944 season due to World War II, he still put together a 20-year career with the White Sox (1930-50). The seven-time All-Star and two-time batting champion hit better than .300 an astounding 16 times. He also had 13 seasons with at least 20 doubles, 11 with 150 or more hits and eight with at least 80 runs scored.

Appling finished second to Lou Gehrig in the American League MVP race in 1936 when he set career highs with 111 runs, 204 hits, 128 runs batted in, and a .388 average, a mark that also led the league and is a team record. He is the all-time franchise leader in games played (2,422) and hits (2,749), and he ranks second in runs (1,319) and doubles (440), third in RBIs (1,116), tied for third in triples (102), eighth in stolen bases (179) and tied for eighth in batting average (.310). Appling was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964.

Previous Series

A look back at the Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Catchers and Managers
Chicago Cubs First and Third Basemen
Chicago Cubs Second Basemen and Shortstops
Chicago Cubs Outfielders
Chicago Cubs Pitchers

A look back at the Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox Catchers and Managers
Boston Red Sox First and Third Basemen
Boston Red Sox Second Basemen and Shortstops
Boston Red Sox Outfielders and Designated Hitters
Boston Red Sox Pitchers

A look back at the Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles Catchers and Managers
Baltimore Orioles First and Third Basemen
Baltimore Orioles Second Basemen and Shortstops
Baltimore Orioles Outfielders and Designated Hitters
Baltimore Orioles Pitchers

A look back at the Atlanta Braves

Catchers and Managers
First and Third Basemen
Second Basemen and Shortstops
Outfielders
Pitchers

A look back at the Arizona Diamondbacks

Catchers and Managers
First and Third Basemen
Second Basemen and Shortstops
Outfielders
Pitchers

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Oh, right, that’s why you’re here. A strange season for the Blue Jays has left them out of the headlines throughout the majority of the season, but with the playoffs drawing closer, it’s clear to see that they are a talented bunch. But they might only finish third in their division. So, do they have what it takes to win in the postseason? Let’s jump into why this squad could truly be championship-caliber.

3 Reasons the Toronto Blue Jays Will Win in the Postseason

This Lineup is Deep and Really, Really Good

How many teams can boast Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as their fourth-best hitter by wRC+? That’s a pretty wild observation. Guerrero Jr has a 114 wRC+ on the season, which is still a good contribution to a competing team. But it isn’t the Guerrero Jr we know and love.

But a breakout is coming. The underlying metrics still point to a star player, lurking beneath the surface. He is hitting the ball as hard as anybody in the league, and hitting it hard just as often. He ranks in the 98th percentile for max exit velocity and 96th percentile for hard-hit percentage.

It’s quite possible that Guerrero has just been unlucky. His actual numbers (.265 batting average, .335 wOBA) are much lower than his expected stats (.301 batting average, .385 xwOBA). And for a little bonus, he’s striking out a little less and walking a little more.

One aspect of Guerrero’s game to watch going forward is his groundball rate. He has always had a higher groundball rate than league average, so as much as he mashes, sometimes he just mashes it into the ground. His flyball rate has remained relatively steady, however. Unless Guerrero Jr turns into a pumpkin, the Blue Jays will be content with a 114 wRC+ hitter, sit back, relax, and wait for him to start whacking those balls out of the park again.

As mentioned, Guerrero isn’t even the most productive player on his team this year. Bo Bichette, Brandon Belt, and Matt Chapman all have had more productive seasons. Bichette, specifically, has proven he is one of the best hitters in baseball this season.

This lineup has interesting players one through nine, besides the star names. Whit Merrifield and Kevin Kiermaier were fascinating additions over the past year. They are both in the latter portions of their career, but they provide on-base threat with solid defense.

Merrifield continues to be a great well-rounded player. He might not be praised as a star, but he fits into the lineup perfectly. He boasts a 113 wRC+ with a low strikeout rate, speed on the basepaths, and good defense. Kiermaier is still wrangling in flyballs all over the place and has been slightly better than league-average with the bat.

Cavan Biggio and Daulton Varsho are wonderful role players, as well. They are not going to carry this team, but they fill out the rest of the roster with credible options. Biggio’s season stats aren’t impressive, but he has a 120 wRC+ since May 1. Varsho is an incredible defender, tied for the league lead with 20 Outs Above Average. He is a below-average hitter but has enough peak power to sneak in some pop throughout the season.

The Blue Jay’s offense has not been a dominant force throughout the entire season, but the potential is easy to see. They have the seventh-best team strikeout rate in baseball, and second-best in the American League, only behind the Houston Astros. They have plenty of individual players capable of hitting a key homer or starting a rally. If they heat up for the playoffs, they will be as dangerous as anyone in the American League.

Starting Pitching Turnaround

The rotation looks quite different than expected after Alek Manoah‘s great 2022 season. Instead, Jose Berrios is looking like the guy the Jays expected when they first signed him. Hyun Jin Ryu is back from injury. Yusei Kikuchi could be an ace in the making. Chris Bassitt has been a heavy lifter, leading the team in innings while providing above-average pitching. Oh, and Kevin Gausman has a decent chance at winning the American League Cy Young award.

The Blue Jays have, at the very least, four starting pitchers that Toronto would feel happy about taking the mound. That’s much more depth than most Wild Card teams.

Let’s take a deeper look at Berrios’ resurgence. He has meaningfully improved in nearly every area of his game. He is striking out more batters than last season, giving up fewer barrels, and has drastically reduced his hard-hit percentage.

His pitch mix has changed significantly over the past season, as well. He is throwing his changeup at a career-high rate and cut his four-seam fastball usage from 27.7% to 21.7%. This swap has made a massive difference. Both pitches are performing better. In using his 4-seam fastball less often, the expected wOBA against it has dropped from .440 (yikes!) to .327. His changeup has become a great wipeout pitch, with the whiff percentage jumping from 24.3% to 34.1% this season.

Yusei Kikuchi went from being one of the worst pitchers in baseball to a truly valuable piece in this rotation. His biggest flaw was just how much hard contact he allowed last season. He was in the bottom 5% of pitchers in average exit velocity, maximum exit velocity, expected wOBA against, and hard-hit percentage…Okay, you get the idea.

His bounce back has been fueled by the ability to limit that hard contact. Once again, some changes to the pitch arsenal could be behind this. He virtually didn’t throw a curveball before this season, but now uses it almost 17% of the time. It’s been the pitch to induce the most whiffs for Kikuchi this season. His slider has seen some changes, as well. He now throws the pitch two miles per hour harder than last season. His fastball has been much more effective as he has been able to avoid the barrels on opponents’ bats more. The xwOBA against the pitch dropped from .423 to .309.

Calling for Backup

The Blue Jays might not even need their lineup to start hitting like their bats are on fire with the bullpen they have backing up their starters. As a group, the Jays’ relievers have the fourth-lowest ERA in baseball. They have one of the best relief corps in both racking up strikeouts and avoiding walks.

Here are the four key Blue Jays’ relievers and their season ERA.

Jordan Romano: 2.66 (along with 30 saves)
Erik Swanson: 3.23 ERA
Trevor Richards: 2.96 ERA
Tim Mayza: 1.05 ERA

There are even more contributors, like Jay Jackson, who flies under the radar.

Jordan Romano is one of the best closers in baseball. By Stuff+, a pitch quality metric, he has the third-best slider in all of baseball. And the sixth-best fastball. A lockdown bullpen is pretty useful in the playoffs, it turns out. With a starting rotation as deep and strong as Toronto’s, they could find themselves in situations where they could use their 1-2-3 relievers in multiple playoff games. An elite defense, a lockdown bullpen, and a roster that could explode at any moment seem like a fantastic foundation for a playoff team.

Main Image: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

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• New York Yankees – Eight losses in a row (60-64 record overall)
• Chicago White Sox – Seven losses in the last 10 games (49-75)
• Los Angeles Angels – 5-13 in August (61-64)
• St. Louis Cardinals – Four losses in the last five games (55-70)
• San Diego Padres – 4-10 in last 14 (59-66)

There’s a lot to discuss and word will fail to describe the letdown some of these teams have produced. But, it’s worth a try.

The Dog Days of August

New York Yankees

There are a lot of places to start with a team that was expected to compete for the World Series. Their team batting average is .230 which is second-worst in baseball behind only the hapless Oakland A’s. Only two batters have an OPS+ over 100 and only three active batters have one over 90. The rotation has only one pitcher with an ERA+ over 100. With one of the largest payrolls, .500 ball would be a disappointment; they are four games below the .500 mark. However, let’s look at the top-down of this team.

The Yankees at this point have all but given up. To be fair, with the front office doing nothing, the team has followed suit. The Yankees weren’t a playoff team before the trade deadline and the message that was sent was that there wasn’t going to be an effort to improve otherwise. Aaron Boone, their manager is starting to run out of excuses. Typically, he’ll say that they need to play better. The problem is, he says that after every loss. It’s getting old, like the antics that get him ejected and the roster that suits up on a daily basis.

This team is destined to finish below .500, something the Yankees haven’t done since 1992. It creates an offseason ahead where change will be demanded. Not just from the roster, but an overhaul of the franchise. This season was years in the making and now, the Yankees have to pay the price and start rebuilding from the top all the way down.

Chicago White Sox

What particularly hurts about the White Sox’s awful season is the wasted year Luis Robert is having. He is playing at an MVP level, slashing .270/.325/.563 with 33 home runs and 252 total bases along with a 4.7 WAR. Yet, his remarkable year almost goes unnoticed.

This in part is because of the rest of the team which is bad to put it lightly. The rotation entered the season with high hopes but a combination of underachievers and lack of depth left it in shambled. The lineup outside is Robert had one bat that provided power (Jake Burger, who was traded) but now there are only two active hitters with 10 home runs or more in the lineup. The team collectively can’t field, a problem amplified by power hitters (who are struggling at the plate) playing in the field every day.

The White Sox, while disappointing, have an avenue to contention. This year has made the future look bleak but there are a few things to look forward to. The core, which has been a letdown, is young, as five everyday players are 29 or younger. The other bright spot is playing in a division that is there for the taking any given year as the American League Central Division is the weakest in baseball. The White Sox have been awful this year and look at times like a minor league roster but at least for them, there is hope.

Los Angeles Angels

They made the bold decision to keep Shohei Ohtani and not trade him. On top of that, the Angels bought in, acquiring Lucas Giolito, Mike Moustakas, and Reynaldo Lopez ahead of the trade deadline. Yet, they got worse, winning only five games after signaling they were going all-in (making the Yankees’ decision to do nothing seem defensible).

Call the Halos cursed. Maybe this is a sign that they will never win. Maybe this was by design. The bottom line is that the Angels look like a franchise heading nowhere and their one hope to avoid that, was by possibly trading Ohtani, who is no longer available. Sure, they can re-sign him but this is a team that despite having a generational talent (two actually) that can’t reach the postseason. The best move would have been to trade him for a surplus of prospects and try to field a competitive team down the road but now, they have no path towards competitiveness.

St. Louis Cardinals

The irony is that the Cardinals have a good lineup this year. They average 4.61 runs per game and have a handful of batters putting together strong seasons. Unfortunately, being awful on the mound and in the field has given them their worst season of this century.

Almost every game the Cardinals play feels like a 6-2 or 7-3 one that they’ll cruise to a victory with. Then, they’ll allow a few runs in one frame, a lot of runs in another frame, and lose 10-6 or 11-7. The pitching can’t hold a lead from their rotation to their bullpen and even worse, their fielding makes any ball put in play, a likely rally builder for the opposition.

The Cardinals this year oddly reminds me of the San Francisco Giants last year. Specifically, one issue created a chain reaction that made them a hapless team. With the Cardinals, the pitchers pitch to contacts which requires a good field behind them to make the pitchers formidable. The pitching looks worse because of the fielding and with the shift ban, the fielding is easy to scrutinize this year. It makes every loss deflating and a season that looked confusing at first is now shaping up to be a symptom of a poorly designed club.

San Diego Padres

It’s crazy to think that Xander Bogaerts was seen by many as the missing piece, the player that would take the Padres and put them over the top. Beogarts in his defense has been playing well, slashing .265/.339/.395 and compiling a 2.5 WAR but it’s the depth, which was an issue entering the season that has been exploited.

The Padres have a top-heavy roster. The problem is when Juan Soto goes through a slump or Fernando Tatis Jr. deals with an injury, the team both relies on the stars to do too much and asks the depth, which isn’t there to step up. Gary Sanchez had to be brought in just to add stability to the lineup and the catcher position. Rich Hill, at 43 years old, was acquired at the trade deadline to add reinforcements to the rotation. Manny Machado has been asked to be a top-five player in the league, especially with the pile-up of injuries, he’s not even a top-five player on his team (he’s seventh in WAR for those keeping track).

Like the Yankees, they have invested in a team where .500 ball should be considered a disappointment. They are seven games below .500 and six games out of a wild card spot. Like the Angels, they are a team that can be seen as cursed and similarly, could have traded away key players like Blake Snell to plan for the future. However, they are left with a team that is overpriced and heading nowhere.

For the Padres, the future seems non-existent in large part because they went all-in this year and many people saw this roster as the one to win the World Series. Now, the clock is ticking on Soto, who becomes a free agent in a few years. Snell is a free agent this winter. Josh Hader, who remains one of the best relievers in the game, is approaching free agency soon as well. The Padres wasted a year they couldn’t afford to waste and the uphill battle to return to a competitive state got steeper.

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Many teams up to this point (Braves, Red Sox, and Cubs) have seen the outfielders as the stars on offense, that will not be the case with the White Sox. Their best players come mostly from the infield, especially first base, where they have had three bona fide stars over the past 30 years.

The Best Corner Infielders and DHs in Chicago White Sox History

First Basemen

Honorable Mentions – Joe Kuhel was a starter during some of the club’s down years in the 1930s and ’40s. His best season was in 1940 when he set career highs with 111 runs and 27 home runs to go along with 169 hits, 94 runs batted in, and a .280 average. In eight seasons with the White Sox (1938-43 and 46-47), Kuhel totaled 523 runs, 874 hits, 75 home runs and 382 RBIs in 899 games.

Greg Walker was a starter for Chicago for nine seasons (1982-90). He had a sold year in 1985 and set career bests with 85 runs scored, 27 home runs, and 94 runs batted in two years later. Walker had 746 hits, 113 homers, and 444 RBIs in 841 games. He went 1-for-3 for the White Sox during the 1983 American League Championship Series.

5. Frank Isbell – He was the starter during the White Sox’s first decade (1901-09), which includes the team’s first championship. Nicknamed “Bald Eagle,” Isbell’s best season was the club’s first. He set career highs with 93 runs, 70 runs batted in, and a league-leading 52 stolen bases in 1901. In 1,074 he amassed 484 runs, 1,019 hits, 447 RBIs, and 250 steals (third-most in team history). Isbell had eight hits, four runs scored, four doubles, and four runs batted in during the team’s World Series victory over the Cubs in 1906.

4. Earl Sheely – He took over for Chick Gandil after the “Black Sox” Scandal and had six straight seasons with at least 150 hits and 80 runs batted in. Sheely’s best season was 1925 when he set career highs with 93 runs, 189 hits, 43 doubles, and 111 RBIs. “Whitey” played seven seasons with the White Sox (1921-27) and had 479 runs, 1,051 hits, 580 RBIs, and a .305 average in 948 games.

3. Jose Abreu – The Cuban-born slugger earned three All-Star selections and three silver slugger awards during his nine years in Chicago (2014-22). Abreu hit .317 with 80 runs, 176 hits, 36 home runs, and 107 RBIs in 2014 to win the Rookie of the Year award. He led the league with 123 RBIs in 2019 and won the MVP and Hank Aaron awards the following year after leading the league with 76 hits and 60 runs batted in to go along with 43 runs, 19 home runs, and a .317 average in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. “Oso” (Spanish for “Bear”) hit .292 in 1,270 games with the White Sox. He ranks third in franchise history with 234 home runs and also is fifth in RBIs (868), sixth in doubles (303), seventh in total bases (2,509), and tenth in both runs (697) and hits (1,445). Abreu had nine hits, a home run, and five RBIs in seven playoff games with the White Sox. He signed with the Astros for the 2023 season.

2. Frank Thomas – Although many fans remember him as a first baseman, he actually played more games as a designated hitter, so he gets the top spot at that position. The “Big Hurt” led the American League with 46 home runs in 1992 then won back-to-back MVP awards. In 1993, he totaled 106 runs, 174 hits, 36 doubles, 41 home runs, 128 runs batted in, and a .317 average. The following year, he hit .353, equaled his run total (which also led the league), and he added 34 doubles, 38 homers, and 1,010 RBIs. Thomas made the All-Star team five times in seven seasons at first base (1992-97), won the 1995 All-Star Home Run Derby, earned two silver slugger awards, and went 6-for-17 with a home run and three RBIs in the 1993 ALCS.

In his 16-year career (1990-2005), he hit over .300 and drove in at least 100 runs ten times each, scored over 100 runs and had at least 30 doubles nine times apiece and had 150 or more hits and smacked 30 or more home runs eight times each. Thomas is the all-time franchise leader in runs (1,327), doubles (447), home runs (448), and RBIs (1,465). The Hall of Famer also ranks second in total bases (3,949), fourth in both games played (1,949) and hits (2,136) and is tied for tenth in average (.307).

1. Paul Konerko – Thomas was able to shift to designated hitter because of Konerko’s production at first base. In 16 years with the White Sox (1999-2014), Konerko had 150 or more hits 11 times, had at least 30 doubles eight times, scored more than 80 runs and hit at least 30 home runs seven times apiece, drove in at least 100 runs six times and hit better than .300 in four seasons.

The six-time All-Star and 2014 Roberto Clemente Award winner was especially good in the playoffs, totaling 18 hits, seven home runs, and 17 RBIs in 19 postseason games. Konerko earned the ALCS MVP award in 2005 after going 6-for-21 with two home runs and seven runs batted in, and he followed that up with a homer and four RBIs in the World Series sweep of the Astros. He is the all-time franchise leader in total bases (4,010) and he ranks second in games played (2,268), home runs (432) and RBIs (1,383), third in hits (2,292) and doubles (406) and fourth in runs (1,141).

Third Basemen

Honorable Mentions – Lee Tannehill started as a shortstop and moved to the “hot corner” during his 10-year stint in Chicago (1903-12) which included the team’s first championship in 1906. The light-hitting Tannehill had 833 hits and 346 RBIs while hitting just .220 in 1,090 games. George “Buck” Weaver was a good fielder who saw his career come to a premature end due to his part in the “Black Sox” Scandal (he didn’t take bribes, but he knew about the others and said nothing).

Weaver spent his nine-year career (1912-20) split between shortstop and third base. His best season was his last, driving in 74 runs and setting career highs with a .331 average, 102 runs, 208 hits, and 34 doubles in 1920. Weaver hit .272 with 623 runs, 1,308 hits, 198 doubles, 420 runs batted in, and 173 stolen bases in 1,254 games. He had seven hits, three runs, and an RBI in the 1917 championship victory and 11 hits and four runs scored in the World Series two years later. Weaver became a pharmacist in Chicago after he received his lifetime ban from baseball.

Pete Ward also spent time in left field during his seven-year run in Chicago (1963-69). He finished second to teammate Gary Peters in the 1963 Rookie of the Year voting, then put together his best season the following year, hitting .282 and adding career-bests with 23 home runs and 94 runs batted in. Ward had 753 hits, 97 homers, and 407 RBIs in 899 games played.

Current White Sox star Yoan Moncada was known to the baseball community before he came up to the big leagues. He was the MVP of the MLB Futures Game in 2016 after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning. Moncada’s best season was 2019 when he set career highs with a .315 average, 83 runs, 161 hits, 34 doubles, 25 homers, and 79 runs batted in. In seven seasons (2017-present), he has 351 runs, 655 hits, 86 homers, and 317 RBIs in 690 games. Moncada also has five hits and three runs scored in seven postseason contests.

5. Joe Crede – He spent just five of his nine seasons (2000-08) as a starter but one of those was the team’s championship campaign. Crede won a silver slugger award in 2006 after batting .283 and setting career highs with 76 runs, 154 hits, 30 home runs, and 94 runs batted in. The 2008 All-Star totaled 712 hits, 125 homers, and 403 RBIs in 798 games. Crede hit .289 with 13 hits, three doubles, four home runs, and 11 RBIs during the 2005 playoffs.

4. Jimmy Dykes – He started as a second baseman and played all four infield positions during his 15 years with the Philadelphia Athletics (which included two titles), and he continued to be a versatile player in seven seasons with the White Sox (1933-39). Dykes was a two-time All-Star who appeared in the first game in 1933. He had his best season the following year when he hit .269 with 52 runs, 122 hits, seven home runs, and 82 runs batted in. Overall, Dykes batted .272 with 551 hits and 307 RBIs in 580 games.

3. Bill Melton – He was a solid power hitter during his eight-year stint in Chicago (1968-75). “Big Bill” had back-to-back seasons with 33 home runs, and he led the American League and earned his only All-Star selection during his second of those years in 1971. He hit at least 20 home runs five times and drove in 80 or more four times with the White Sox. Overall, Melton had 448 runs, 901 hits, 154 homers (ninth-most in team history), and 535 RBIs in 976 games.

2. Willie Kamm – He was a solid fielder who played with only two winning teams in his nine seasons (1923-31) with the post “Black Sox” team in Chicago. Kamm had five seasons with at least 30 doubles, and he drove in 80 or more runs four times. He totaled 545 runs, 1,136 hits, 243 doubles, 67 triples, 588 runs batted in, and a .279 average in 1,171 games.

1. Robin Ventura – He was known for his slick fielding and timely hitting during his ten seasons with the White Sox (1989-98). The 1992 All-Star and five-time gold glove winner had his best season in 1996 when he hit .287 with 105 runs batted in and career highs with 96 runs scored and 34 home runs. Ventura had six seasons with at least 80 RBIs and five with more than 80 runs scored and 20 home runs.

He ranks seventh in team history with 171 home runs and sits ninth with 741 RBIs, while also totaling 658 runs, 1,244 hits, 219 doubles, and a .274 average in 1,254 games. Ventura homered and drove in five runs in the 1993 ALCS, but his three greatest moments were winning the gold medal with Team USA in the 1988 Summer Olympics, his “fight” with Nolan Ryan during a game in 1993, and his game-winning “grand slam single” for the Mets against the Braves in Game 5 of the 1999 National League Championship Series.

Designated Hitters

5. Greg Luzinski – The four-time All-Star with the Phillies earned two Designated Hitter of the Year awards (now called the Edgar Martinez Award) with the White Sox. His best season was 1982 when he batted .292 with 170 hits, 18 home runs, and 102 runs batted in. Luzinski had 496 hits, 84 homers, and 317 RBIs in 992 games with Chicago. He went 2-for-15 with a double in the 1983 ALCS loss to the Orioles.

4. Adam Dunn – His career seemed to usher in the “all or nothing” era we have seen in the past few years. “Big Donkey” hit just .201 in four seasons with the White Sox (2011-14), but he showed plenty of power. In 2012, he was an All-Star despite hitting .204 due to his 41 home runs and 91 runs batted in, plus league-leading totals of 105 walks and 222 strikeouts (also a career-high). Dunn had 106 homers, 278 RBIs, and 720 strikeouts in 528 games with Chicago.

3. Jim Thome – He was coming off elbow and back injuries when he was traded from the Indians to the White Sox after the 2005 season. Thome responded in 2006 with 108 runs scored, 42 home runs, and 109 runs batted in to win the Comeback Player of the Year award and earn his only All-Star selection with Chicago. He played four seasons with the White Sox (2006-09) and totaled 335 runs, 469 hits, 134 home runs, and 369 RBIs in 529 games. Thomas was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.

2. Harold Baines – He split his 14 seasons with Chicago (1980-89, 96-97, and 2000-01) evenly between right field and designated hitter. As a DH in the later part of his White Sox tenure, Baines was selected to a pair of All-Star games, was a two-time Designated Hitter of the Year winner, and was named a silver slugger in 1989.

Although his numbers tailed off at the end of his career, he totaled ten seasons with 20 or more doubles, eight with at least 80 runs batted in, and seven each with at least 150 hits and 20 home runs. Baines hit .288 and ranks fourth in franchise history in home runs (221) and RBIs (981), fifth in doubles (320), sixth in hits (1,773), tied for seventh in games played (1,670) and eighth in runs scored (786). He also had a double and a run scored during the 2000 Division Series. Baines was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veteran’s Committee in 2019, a move that has led to many an argument over Hall of Fame induction standards.

1. Frank Thomas – While his full career was discussed in his first base profile, he spent nine of his 17 seasons as a designated hitter (1991 and 98-2005). In that time, Thomas won two silver slugger awards and had three seasons with at least 30 home runs and four with 100 or more runs batted in. Despite not being an All-Star at the position, he hit .285 and totaled 646 runs, 1,053 hits, 232 doubles, 223 homers, and 720 RBIs in 1,041 games. The “Big Hurt” saw his final two seasons marred by a foot injury, which led to his retirement. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014, his first year of eligibility.

Previous Series

A look back at the Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Catchers and Managers
Chicago Cubs First and Third Basemen
Chicago Cubs Second Basemen and Shortstops
Chicago Cubs Outfielders
Chicago Cubs Pitchers

A look back at the Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox Catchers and Managers
Boston Red Sox First and Third Basemen
Boston Red Sox Second Basemen and Shortstops
Boston Red Sox Outfielders and Designated Hitters
Boston Red Sox Pitchers

A look back at the Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles Catchers and Managers
Baltimore Orioles First and Third Basemen
Baltimore Orioles Second Basemen and Shortstops
Baltimore Orioles Outfielders and Designated Hitters
Baltimore Orioles Pitchers

A look back at the Atlanta Braves

Catchers and Managers
First and Third Basemen
Second Basemen and Shortstops
Outfielders
Pitchers

A look back at the Arizona Diamondbacks

Catchers and Managers
First and Third Basemen
Second Basemen and Shortstops
Outfielders
Pitchers

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The Chicago White Sox began play when the American League declared itself a major league in 1901. However, the club got its start a few years earlier. Charles Comiskey, a first baseman who played and managed against the other Chicago team, the Cubs (then known as the White Stockings) in the World Series in 1885 and ’86 as a member of the American Association’s St. Louis Browns, bought the Sioux City franchise in the Western League in 1895. He moved the team first to Minneapolis for five years and then to Chicago. 

While his father, a former city council member, was disappointed in his son’s career choice (John wanted him to become a plumber), Charles turned baseball into a lucrative business, at least for himself. The White Sox were competitive right away, winning the pennant in the American League’s first season. The early hitting was not great, but the pitching was spectacular, with starters Ed Walsh and Doc White carrying the light-hitting bunch called the “Hitless Wonders” to a World Series title over the crosstown rival Cubs in 1906.

Comiskey showed love to the fans and the city of Chicago, building a new stadium in 1910 (which he, of course, named after himself) and also buying the best talent in the game, but he did his best to hold down player salaries, including forcing the players to pay their own uniform cleaning fees in 1916. That incident, NOT the far worse one three years later, was the first use of the term “Black Sox” because their uniforms turned black from the dirt after a while. The White Sox won the World Series again in 1917, with Comiskey taking the uniform cleaning fee from their bonus. 

The penny-pinching ways of their owner divided the locker room into rival cliques, with the less-educated, blue-collar players such as Eddie Cicotte and Chick Gandil demanding better treatment and established leaders like Ray Schalk and captain Eddie Collins siding with Comiskey. As the story goes, eight players (although there is some question about at least two) turned to gamblers and agreed to lose the 1919 World Series to the Reds in exchange for $100,000. However, the full amount was never paid and some of the players reconsidered before the gamblers turned to death threats to get their point across, and the Reds won the series 5 to 3. “Shoeless” Joe Jackson tried to alert Comiskey of the fix, but the owner refused to meet with him. All the players were tried and acquitted of conspiracy charges, but new baseball commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis banned all eight players for life in late 1921. 

Comiskey’s team didn’t win another pennant after the Scandal for 40 years. Although he alienated many of his players, he was beloved by other owners and executives, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. Comiskey died in 1931 and his son, Lou, passed away in 1940. When a trust run by First National Bank tried to sell the team, Lou’s widow, Grace, took control, giving 54 percent to her daughter, Dorothy, and 46 percent to her son, Chuck. Dorothy wanted to sell to her brother in 1959 but sold to longtime executive Bill Veeck instead after Chuck low-balled an offer to his own sister. On the field, Chicago went from a team unwilling to run to the “Go-Go” White Sox, a team that led the league in stolen bases 11 straight seasons and challenged for the pennant several times in the 1950s, finally going to the World Series in 1959, where they lost to the Dodgers. 

Veeck and former Tigers great Hank Greenberg sold their controlling stake in the team to businessmen brothers Arthur and John Allyn in 1961. Chuck Comiskey refused to sell to the Allyns, but he did sell his share of the team to Bill Bartholomay and the LaSalle Corporation, with the understanding that they would be able to buy out the Allyns. When that was proven not to be possible, Bartholomay sold the shares to the Allyns and used the money to buy the Milwaukee Braves instead. 

Arthur Allyn sold his shares to his brother, John, who then sold a majority interest in the team for $10 million back to Veeck and Greenberg in 1975. Veeck wanted to sell to Eddie DeBarolo in 1981, but the other owners declined because he lived in Ohio instead of Illinois. DeBartolo instead bought the NFL’s 49ers, who have had far more success than the White Sox. Instead, the team was sold to Chicago Bulls owner and real estate developer Jerry Reinsdorf and former sports television executive Eddie Einhorn for $50 million.

In the 45 years from 1959 to 2004, the White Sox went to the playoffs just three times, with American League Championship losses in 1983 and ’93, as well as a loss in the Division Series in 2000. Chicago finally broke its 88-year championship drought in 2005 when former shortstop Ozzie Guillen led his team to 99 wins and a sweep of the Astros in the World Series. Since that time, the White Sox have been to the playoffs three times, with losses coming in the Division Series in 2008 and 2021 and a defeat in the Wild Card round in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. 

Throughout the upcoming articles, there will be players from all eras of White Sox baseball, especially from the team’s high points in its first two decades and the recent era around the 2005 championship. 

The Best Catchers and Managers in Chicago White Sox History

Catchers

Honorable Mention – Billy Sunday was with the team for its first 13 years (1901-12 and 13), playing 1,052 games and registering 692 hits and 325 RBIs in that span. His best season was his first with the club, hitting .245 and posting career highs with 90 hits and 56 runs batted in. Sunday was a starter on the “Hitless Wonders” when they won the World Series in 1906 and he certainly personified that nickname. He hit just .207 for his career and went 0-for-21 in the series against the Cubs. 

5. Mike Tresh – He was with the White Sox during their 40-year playoff drought and spent 11 seasons in Chicago (1938-48). Tresh was a 1945 All-Star who had 788 hits and 297 RBIs in 989 games. His best season was 1940, when he totaled career highs with a .281 average, 62 runs, 135 hits, and 64 runs batted in. 

4. A.J. Pierzynski – He was a solid contributor for eight seasons (2005-12) and became popular during Chicago’s run to the 2005 World Series (even appearing in matches for NWA-TNA Wrestling). Pierzynski was an All-Star in 2006 and earned a silver slugger in 2012 when he hit .278 with 27 home runs and 77 runs batted in, both career highs. Overall, he hit .279 with 1,087 hits, 198 doubles, 118 homers, and 460 RBIs in 1,068 games. Pierzynski had 16 hits, three home runs, and 10 RBIs in 16 career playoff games and drove in three runs in the sweep of the Astros in the 2005 World Series. 

3. Sherm Lollar – He was another backstop who appeared in the World Series after a long playoff drought. Lollar was an eight-time All-Star and a three-time gold glove winner during his 12 seasons in Chicago (1952-63). His two best seasons were 1956 when he drove in 75 runs and set career highs with 28 doubles and a .293 average, and 1959 when he posted career bests with 134 hits, 22 home runs, and 84 runs batted in. Overall, Lollar had 1,122 hits, 124 homers, and 631 RBIs in 1,358 games. He homered and drove in five runs in the loss to the Dodgers in the 1959 World Series. 

2. Ray Schalk – His long run in Chicago lasted 17 years (1912-28) and saw the franchise through the “Black Sox” scandal. In fact, he was the player who first suspected something was amiss and notified manager Kid Gleason. When everything hit the fan in 1920 Schalk, like many others on the team, had a career year, hitting .270 and setting career highs with 64 runs scored, 131 hits, 25 doubles, and 61 runs batted in. Despite his reputation as a defensive standout, he was also a solid offensive player, recording 579 runs, 1,345 hits, 593 RBIs, and 177 stolen bases (a mark that is ninth-best in team history and includes 30 in 1916) in 1,757 games played (which ranks fifth on the all-time franchise list). “Cracker” hit .286 with two RBIs in 14 World Series Games. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veteran’s Committee in 1955. 

1. Carlton Fisk – He was a four-time All-Star and a three-time silver slugger winner who followed his Red Sox career with 13 more solid seasons with the White Sox (1981-93). “Pudge” had his best season for Chicago in 1985, when he scored 85 times, had 129 hits, and set career highs with 37 home runs and 107 RBIs. His 33 homers at catcher that season set a single-season record for the position at the time. Fisk broke the Major League record for career home runs by a catcher by hitting his 328th in 1990, and he set the games played record by a catcher when he reached 2,226 in 1993. During his time with the White Sox, Fisk had 649 runs, 1,259 hits, and 214 doubles. He also ranks fifth on the franchise list in home runs (214, including four seasons with 20 or more), eighth in RBIs (762), ninth in total bases (2,143), and tenth in games played (1,421). Fisk had three hits in the loss to the Orioles in the 1983 American League Championship Series. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.

Managers

Honorable Mentions – Rick Renteria went 239-309 in four seasons with the White Sox (2017-2020), and he led them to the Wild Card round in 2020. Gene Lamont spent parts of four seasons in Chicago (1992-95), and his clubs produced a 258-210 record and a trip to the American League Championship Series in 1993. William “Kid” Gleason had the unfortunate distinction of being the manager during the “Black Sox” scandal. Over four seasons (1919-23), he went 392-364, took the team to the World Series in 1919, and led the team to 96 wins the following year despite all of the distractions (the very public trial, a new commissioner and the continued cheap and miserly decisions of the team’s owner). Paul Richards led the White Sox during their return to respectability. His teams went 406-362 over five seasons (1951-54 and 1976) but never finished higher than third. Jerry Manuel ranks fifth in team history in victories, going 500-471 over six seasons (1998-2003). He took the White Sox to the Division Series in 2000. Tony LaRussa is tied for third on the all-time franchise list with a 678-644 mark, and he is one of only two managers to lead the White Sox to the playoffs twice. He spent 10 years in Chicago in two stints (1979-86 and 2021-22), leading the club to 99 wins and an ALCS berth in 1983, and also overseeing the club’s run to the Division Series in 2021. However, by that time, it was clear that the game had passed him by at age 77. The 1983 Manager of the Year and the man who ranks second in Major League history with 2,901 victories was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Expansion Era Committee in 2014. 

5. Jimmy Dykes – An infielder-turned-manager, Dykes is the all-time franchise leader in victories, having amassed an 899-940 record in 13 seasons (1934-46). The White Sox finished at .500 or better six times during that span but never finished better than third in the American League.

4. Clarence “Pants” Rowland – Although he was only a Major League manager for four seasons (1915-18), he led the White Sox to some of their best performances. Rowland steadily led Chicago up the standings, setting a franchise record with 100 wins in 1917 and leading the team to a World Series victory that would end up being their last for a very long time. He finished with a 339-247 record. 

3. Fielder Jones – Like many teams of the day, the White Sox employed a player-manager strategy in the early 1900s. Jones played center field and led the team to a 426-293 record during his five seasons at the helm (1904-08). Under his watch, the “Hitless Wonders” won 93 games and defeated their crosstown rivals the Cubs in the 1906 World Series. 

2. Ozzie Guillen – The slick-fielding former White Sox shortstop turned into a fiery, outspoken manager for the team. In eight seasons (2004-11), he led Chicago to a 678-618 record (tied for third in team history), and he is the only other manager besides LaRussa to lead the team to multiple playoff appearances. The White Sox went to the Division Series in 2008, but Guillen is best remembered for helping the team break their 88-year championship drought in 2005. That year, Chicago went 99-63, then swept Houston for their first World Series title since before the “Black Sox” Scandal. Guillen also was named Manager of the Year for his team’s performance. Guillen’s one drawback was his mouth. He was suspended for making comments about Cuban dictator Fidel Castro while he was managing the Marlins. 

1. Al Lopez – A two-time All-Star catcher, he led the Indians to 111 wins and the pennant in 1954 and took over the White Sox three years later. The nervous, jittery Lopez brought the long-struggling franchise back to the top of the American League, leading the White Sox to a winning record in each of his first nine seasons and reaching 90 wins five times in that span. The club’s best season was 1959 when the “Go Go White Sox” won 94 games and reached the World Series, where they lost to the Dodgers in six games. Lopez retired due to a chronic stomach condition in 1965, and he spent the next two years as team vice president. He returned to the bench during the 1968 season, but an appendectomy and other health issues forced him to retire for good in May of the following year. Lopez ranks second in team history with an 840-650 record in 11 seasons (1957-65 and 68-69), and he was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veteran’s Committee in 1977.

Previous Series

A look back at the Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Catchers and Managers
Chicago Cubs First and Third Basemen
Chicago Cubs Second Basemen and Shortstops
Chicago Cubs Outfielders
Chicago Cubs Pitchers

A look back at the Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox Catchers and Managers
Boston Red Sox First and Third Basemen
Boston Red Sox Second Basemen and Shortstops
Boston Red Sox Outfielders and Designated Hitters
Boston Red Sox Pitchers

A look back at the Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles Catchers and Managers
Baltimore Orioles First and Third Basemen
Baltimore Orioles Second Basemen and Shortstops
Baltimore Orioles Outfielders and Designated Hitters
Baltimore Orioles Pitchers

A look back at the Atlanta Braves

Catchers and Managers
First and Third Basemen
Second Basemen and Shortstops
Outfielders
Pitchers

A look back at the Arizona Diamondbacks

Catchers and Managers
First and Third Basemen
Second Basemen and Shortstops
Outfielders
Pitchers

Main Image: The Enquirer/Fred Straub, Cincinnati Enquirer via Imagn Content Services, LLC

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By August 17, the Blue Jay’s arms were leading the majors in Earned Runs Average (ERA) with 3.70, ranked second in ERA+ (113) and had the ninth-lowest walks plus hits ratio to innings pitched (WHIP) with 1.24. The uncertainty days before the All-Star Game break, when the starting rotation was a concern and only had four reliable names because Alek Manoah was trying, unsuccessfully, to find himself on the mound, appear to be a distant memory.

The Blue Jays pitchers are carrying the team on their shoulders… and arms

Fortunately, many positive and unexpected stories have come together in Toronto: Yusei Kikuchi is having a breakthrough year, Jose Berrios looks as dominant as he was with the Twins, and Hyun Jin Ryu has had a successful comeback after 14 months of inactivity. The fact that Manoah was not the lighthouse of the rotation and that the Jays supporting staff claim the limelight for themselves was unimagined by MLB writers when the season started. Excluding Manoah’s numbers, the starting rotation had a 3.51 ERA after their series against the Philadelphia Phillies in Rogers Centre. Even considering the shaky performance of the demoted 2022 American League Cy Young finalist, the starters make the MLB top five (3.82).

Kikuchi, who was with Berrios one of the big question marks in the starting pitching after putting up modest numbers in 2022, has been the organization’s most pleasant surprise from the mound. After the All-Star break, he has a better ERA (1.29) than Gerrit Cole (2.52) and Shohei Ohtani (2.67) and has issued only eight walks in six outings and 35 innings pitched. His renovated confidence on the mound has translated into his best global numbers in several categories as wins (nine), ERA (3.58), walks per nine innings pitched (2.45), and the best strikeouts/walks issued ratio (3.77), as well as a .301 on-base percentage against.

The flamethrower lefty has become the most consistent pitcher in manager John Schneider‘s rotation even though he is theoretically the fourth in the order: since July 21, he has pitched five or more episodes and allowed one or fewer runs.

The last eight of nine outings have shown that Berrios is committed to proving he deserves to be part of the Birds until 2028: he has pitched five or more acts and allowed four or fewer runs, giving his team a chance to win. The 2021 Cy Young candidate’s ERA ranks 12^th in the American League (3.53).

It is a small sample (only three outings since he was activated from the injured list), but Ryu has provided more depth than one usually expects from a fifth starter. He has a win/lose record of 1-1 and a 2.57 ERA in 14 innings pitched. His curveball has proven to be still deceiving.

One bullpen of a kind

The bullpen is worth a deep look as well and deserves a lot of credit. Jordan Romano is back from the injured list and has resumed his closing duties. In his first outing (against Philadelphia), he looked sharp and efficient: got his 29^th save, punched out two, and only threw 11 pitches.

Jordan Hicks preceded Romano and showed his electric repertoire. He got the hold and demonstrated why he is one of the best at avoiding hard contact: his percentage (1.9%) of barrels per plate appearance (Brls/PA%) ranks 13^th, according to Statcast.

Tim Mayza with a Brls/PA% of 3.0 has been another strong asset and Jays’ most reliable lefty reliever all year long.

Jay Jackson and his overall .156 batting average against and 0.82 WHIP as well as Yimi Garcia with his 1.02 WHIP in 15 appearances after the All-Star game have also shown their stamina on the mound. Erik Swanson has looked better recently (he only allowed one hit in 4.1 acts between August 7 and 16) and has converted all his three saving opportunities since July.

Bullpen is getting stronger thanks to Chad Green and the versatile Trevor Richards return. Another piece of good news for Toronto in a year that has seen a depleted offense, one that has scored only 4.5 runs per game. If the starters are able to keep the momentum and the relievers continue to hold their nerve in close games, the Jays could be looking to go further this season, despite their often-cold bats.

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3 Underrated Players to Watch on Non-Contenders

Zack Gelof, Oakland Athletics

There are always intriguing rookies who go unnoticed in the Rookie of the Year voting, and the influx of young players like Zack Gelof and Tyler Soderstrom was one of the few bright spots for Oakland this year.

Gelof has been an especially exciting find for Oakland. He brings a high power profile with a high strikeout rate. He is athletic, ranking in the 93rd percentile for sprint speed, but that hasn’t yet translated to fantastic defensive performance.

Gelof’s offensive output is the primary reason to be excited, though. He leads all rookies with at least 100 plate appearances with a 157 wRC+. He has eight home runs through his first 27 games. He probably will not have a high batting average, but his power supply should be valuable. The main concern is his strikeout rate. Even in Triple-A this season, he ran a 27.9% strikeout rate. In the majors so far, he has a 28.9% strikeout rate. He is still adjusting to the majors, so he should be able to reduce that number in time. However, if that stays in the high-20s, it might limit his offensive ceiling.

Maikel Garcia, Kansas City Royals

The Royals have seen some promising young players pop up in recent years, and Maikel Garcia might be flying under the radar. He has showcased an interesting offensive profile as well as elite defense at third base.

He has a .290 batting average and a .721 OPS in his rookie season. That is just slightly below league average, but the bat-to-ball ability is promising. He rarely whiffs and chases even less. He has a 50% hard-hit percentage, which is good enough for the top 9% in the league. Despite this consistent contact, he has been unable to hit many home runs as he has a very low barrel percentage. At only 23 years old, his development at the plate will be interesting to watch. His average exit velocity is good, but tapping into some more high-end power could make for a fascinating high-average player with 10+ home runs and 20+ stolen bases a year.

His defense is the most entertaining attribute to his game. He is currently tied for first among all third basemen with eleven Outs Above Average. Put him alongside Bobby Witt, Jr. at shortstop, and the left side of the Royals infield starts to look exciting.

Lars Nootbaar, St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals hope to bounce back from a disappointing year by jumping right back into contention for 2024. Lars Nootbaar will be a significant factor in that goal. After plenty of preseason hype, Nootbaar has delivered.

The World Baseball Classic added to the excitement around Nootbaar, but it took some time for him to break out with some injury concerns. By the end of May, he had a 117 wRC+. That’s still solid, but not the jump expected after his impressive rookie season.

He missed half of June, but he has been exceptional since then. Since June 19, he has a 147 wRC+ while displaying a great plate approach. He has twelve home runs, but with a high max exit velocity, he might be able to push a little higher than that. Even if his power output is not elite, he builds on that with his plate discipline. He is in the 84th percentile for whiffs and the 95th percentile for walks. He has a stellar eye for the zone, ranking in the 97th percentile for chase rate.

He has developed into a well-rounded player for the Cardinals and adds to a powerful lineup built around Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. According to Fangraphs, he has been the 16th most valuable outfielder this season with 3.1 WAR. He figures to be a key player in the Cardinals’ hope for a quick turnaround next season. If this year was any sign, he will be up to the task.

Main Image: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

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During their current run, the Dodgers have flexed every aspect that distinguishes the franchise as one of the best in all sports. Let’s examine some of the major headlines that have come out of this great run that has the Dodgers leading the division by nine games. 

Dodgers Notes: Praise and Enhancing Farm System

High Praise From Roberts

After sweeping the Colorado Rockies during their 4-game weekend series, the Dodgers manager had high praise that could only encourage the organization to continue their great results. “This is my favorite team that I’ve ever had,” Dave Roberts said after the series. 

Entering the second half of the season, the Dodgers were battling for the top of the National League West. Their ability to land a top pitcher during the trade deadline seemed underwhelming to the standards that the front office has set for fans in the past. 

Instead of bringing in household names like Yu Darvish or Max Scherzer, the Dodgers traded for Lance Lynn and Ryan Yarbrough. Yet, the Dodgers find themselves nine games ahead of the National League West, having won eight games in a row, and currently have two of the top National League MVP contenders. 

A quote like Dave Roberts can only continue to motivate the Dodgers to find ways to win, regardless of the depleted starting rotation and their weakened depth chart. All it takes is someone believing in the players, thankfully for the Dodgers, their number one fan is their manager. 

Refining Their Farm System

Since the beginning of the season, the Dodgers have dealt with many road bumps. Whether it’s a starting rotation that’s missing key figures like Clayton Kershaw, or an infield that needs extra support when players like Miguel Rojas land on the injured list, the Dodgers’ farm system is always there to come and save the day.

With the number of obstacles facing the Dodgers, the front office is able to flex their development muscle. Since the beginning of the season, the Dodgers have used 5 different players from their farm system. Bobby Miller and James Outman have become staples of the team. 

At the beginning of the month, the Dodgers demonstrated how strong their developmental department really is by poaching Korea’s number one high school prospect, Hyun-Seok Jang. The 6 foot 4 inches 19-year-old immediately became the Dodgers’ 22nd prospect in the organization. 

Coming into the organization, Jang brought with him his 3-pitch arsenal: a fastball that reaches 95 mph, a slider that tops at 87 mph, and a curveball that hits 82 mph. With his youth on his side, the upside to signing is immense. Can’t wait to see him in the rotation four years from now. 

The starting rotation after this season is up in the air. Kershaw, Urias, and Lynn are all free agents after this season. The only guarantees they have are Tony Gonsolin, Bobby Miller, and Walker Buehler. Adding a top prospect into an organization that has developed pitchers like soon-to-be first-ballot Hall of Famer Kershaw is only promising for the future of Hyun-Seok Jang.

Main Image: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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America’s Pastime Is Back With Vengeance

Dwindling Numbers

From 1876, America and its people have been fascinated and lives were intertwined with baseball. Baseball was beloved, it was second to none. A baseball game, a hot dog, and a beer were part of American Culture.

But as the years rolled on, leagues such as the NFL, NBA, and NHL have also grown. The NFL took over as the most popular sport amongst Americans. They’re sitting at 17.1 and 16.7 million viewers for the regular season over the last two years. All while baseball and the MLB slipped. Today’s baseball stars were not household names compared to football or even basketball stars.

The attendance numbers for MLB from 2012 through 2022 (minus 2020 COVID-19 Year) has gone down. The average attendance per game dropped over that time from 30,806 to 26,566. Viewership numbers followed suit. The game was deemed “boring” by the casual fans.

Sometimes Change Is Good

In recent years and largely to start 2023, commissioner Rob Manfred and MLB had made big changes to the game. With rule changes and additions such as a shift ban, pitch clock, and bigger bases, the dynamic of the game changed a bit and the pace of play has been sped up drastically.

More action on each pitch, less downtime, and less so-called “wasted” time for the viewers. Helping make the game more enjoyable for the average person, bringing attendance and TV viewership numbers sky-high.

The league has become dynamic and ever-changing. New players and new championship-contending teams each year have helped. Teams like the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, and Texas Rangers making playoff pushes has helped energize fan bases that have been left to dream of good times for a few years now.

The proof is in the numbers. Overall the average game attendance stands at 29,120 currently which is about a 10% increase so far in one season. Viewership numbers are also increasing by about 11% for the regular season. 2023 Opening Day viewership was up as much as 10% to 42% on certain platforms.

Superstars Growing The Game

MLB has become loaded with young stars and superstars. The influx of young players has been a breath of fresh air. This has been a driving point for the young fans/kids interested in the game. Having these energetic, electric, and captivating stars are key to growth.

Players like Aaron Judge chasing down the American League Home Run record in 2022, Ronald Acuña Jr. and his historic 2023 season, Adley Rutschman, Corbin Carroll, Julio Rodríguez, Elly De La Cruz, and the unicorn that is Shohei Ohtani.

The game is littered with excitement, energy, and light that had previously been dimmed. The average age of baseball fans in 2017 was about 57 years old. That was the highest of any of the major sports. But the numbers are starting to even back out.

The younger kids and young adults are finding themselves back into baseball. Recently, MLB had the most attendees between the ages of 12-17 per attendance number per each franchise.

So, baseball never really left, the fans were still there, but the feel, and energy that has come rushing back is special. More and more people are talking about baseball again. The game has all the tools to continue to build off of these things and to continue to prove their point of being America’s Pastime, but also be both America’s and the rest of the World’s future.

Main Image: Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

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The list of the best right-handed starting pitchers in Chicago Cubs history includes no less than five Hall of Famers. There are so many good options that the list will spill over the five-person limit. The lefties may not have the same depth, but they are solid at the top, and the team also boasts two Hall of Fame closers.

The Best Pitchers in Chicago Cubs History

Right-Handed Starters

Left-Handed Starters

5. Dick Ellsworth – He played for the Cubs before Holtzman and Jenkins, going 84-110 in eight seasons (1958 and 60-66). Ellsworth was an All-Star in 1964, but his best season was the one before, when he set career-bests with a 22-11 record, a 2.11 ERA, 19 complete games, 185 strikeouts in 290 2/3 innings. Ellsworth had 905 strikeouts and 71 complete games with the Cubs, but he led the league with 22 losses in 1966 and was traded to the Phillies after the season.

4. Larry French – He amassed a 95-84 record while pitching on two pennant-winning teams in his seven seasons with the Cubs (1935-41). French won 15 or more games four times and led the league in shutouts twice, but his only All-Star season came in 1940, when he went 14-14 with a 3.29 ERA and a career-high 107 strikeouts. He went 0-2 in five postseason appearances with the Cubs and sits in a tie for tenth in franchise history with 21 shutouts.

3. Ken Holtzman – He played second fiddle to Jenkins during his nine seasons with Chicago (1965-71 and 78-79), posting double-digit wins four times including back-to-back 17-win seasons. His best year with the Cubs was 1970, when he went 17-13 with 15 complete games and a career-high 202 strikeouts in 287 2/3 innings. Overall, Holtzman went 80-81 with 988 strikeouts in 1,447 innings.

2. Jon Lester – He was part of two championship teams with the Red Sox and starred for the Cubs during their own run to the World Series in 2016. Lester went 19-5 with a 2.44 earned run average and 197 strikeouts in the regular season, then went 3-1 in the postseason, helping the Cubs break their championship drought and winning NLCS co-MVP along the way. Two years later, he earned his second All-Star selection after leading the league with an 18-6 record to go along with a 3.32 ERA. In six seasons with the Cubs (2015-2020), Lester went 77-44 with 940 strikeouts in 1,002 2/3 innings.

1. Hippo Vaughn – After two subpar seasons, he came to Chicago in 1913 and won 17 or more games in seven straight years and won at least 20 five times. In 1918, he won the pitching Triple Crown after leading the league in wins (22-10), ERA (1.74) and strikeouts (148). Vaughn was involved in what may have been the greatest pitching duel of all-time, going out for out with Cincinnati’s Fred Toney on May 2, 1917. Each had a no-hitter going through nine innings, but Vaughn gave up a run on two hits in the tenth, while Toney retired the Cubs in order to preserve the no-no and the 1-0 win. Vaughn ranks second in team history in shutouts (32), tied for seventh in complete games (177), eighth in wins (151-105), innings (2,216 1/3) and strikeouts (1,138) and ninth in ERA (2.33) and games started (270). Despite only allowing three runs in 27 innings, Vaughn went 1-2 in the 1918 World Series loss to the Red Sox. His weight ballooned to near 300 pounds at the end of his career (which gave Jim Vaughn his nickname), and he went 3-11 with a 6.01 ERA in 1921 before being released and never pitching in the Major Leagues again.

Relief Pitchers

Honorable Mentions – Ryan Dempster was a started with the Marlins at the beginning of his career, went to the bullpen when he came to the Cubs and then converted back to the rotation halfway through his nine-year Chicago tenure (2004-12). He ranks fifth in team history with 87 saves (with a high of 33 in 2005) and eight with 374 games pitched. Dempster’s only All-Star selection came in 2008, his first after re-converting to being a starter. He posted career-bests with a 17-6 record and a 2.96 ERA. Overall, he went 67-66 with a 3.74 ERA and 1,070 strikeouts in 1,118 2/3 innings.

Hector Rondon was the closer during the team’s resurgence in the middle part of the last decade. In five seasons (2013-17), he went18-13 with 77 saves. His best season was 2015, when he went 6-4 with a 1.67 ERA and 30 saves in the regular season, then posted two more saves in five postseason appearances. The next year, Rondon had 29 saves but was pushed back to the setup role in the playoffs when the Cubs acquired Aroldis Chapman to help them win the title.

5. Carlos Marmol – He spent eight of his nine big league seasons with the Cubs (2006-13), amassing a 23-32 record with 117 saves (third in team history) in 483 games pitched (second). In addition, he struck out 703 batters in 542 1/3 innings for a rate of 11.7 per nine innings. Marmol was an All-Star as a setup man in 2008 and two years later, he had a 2.55 ERA and a career-high 38 saves. He had 34 the following year, but his ERA steadily rose until he was traded to the Dodgers in 2013.

4. Don Elston – He pitched in an era before specialized reliever and was an innings eater out of the bullpen. “Every Day” led the league in games pitched twice and threw more than 90 innings in five straight seasons. He was a two-time All-Star whose best season was 1959, when he went 10-8 with a career-high 14 saves in a league-leading 65 games. In nine seasons with the Cubs (1953 and 57-64), Elston had a 49-54 record with 64 saves in 449 games (fourth-best in team history).

3. Randy Myers – He spent just three years with the Cubs but was named an All-Star twice and the year he wasn’t, he set the team’s single-season record for saves with 53 in 1993. He added 21 the following year and 38 more in 1995, his second time leading the league while in a Cubs uniform. Overall, he went 4-11 and his 112 saves rank fourth in team history.

2. Bruce Sutter – He was an All-Star and had at least 25 saves in four of five seasons with the Cubs (1976-80). Although he was the unquestioned closer, Sutter routinely pitched multiple innings to get his saves. He went over 80 innings in all five seasons with Chicago and reach 100 three times. In 1979, he became the third reliever to win the Cy Young Award after going 6-6 with a 2.22 ERA, a league-leading 37 saves and 110 strikeouts in 101 1/3 innings. Sutter finished his Cubs tenure with a 32-30 record, a 2.39 ERA, 494 strikeouts in 493 innings and 133 saves, which rank second in team history. He spent four years with the Cardinals and three with the Braves before retiring in 1988. Sutter was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.

1. Lee Smith – One of the most feared pitchers of the last half-century was called up to the Cubs in 1980 after five years in the minor leagues. Once Sutter went to the Cardinals, Smith took over as the closer and his eight-year Cubs career (1980-87) included five straight seasons with at least 25 saves. Like Sutter, he pitched a lot of innings and racked up even more saves. Smith earned his first All-Star selection in 1983, when he went 4-10 with a 1.65 ERA, a league-leading 29 saves and 91 strikeouts in 103 1/3 innings. He had 33 saves in each of the next two seasons and had a save in the 1984 NLCS, which was Chicago’s first playoff appearance since 1945. Smith used his 6-foot-6 frame and intimidating scowl on the mound to earn two All-Star selections and amass a 40-51 record, a 2.92 ERA, 644 strikeouts in 681 1/3 innings and a club record 180 saves. After leaving the Cubs in 1988, Smith pitched for seven teams over the next 10 seasons and retired after spending the 1997 season with the Expos. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.

The next series will feature Chicago’s other team the White Sox.

Previous Series

A look back at the Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Catchers and Managers
Chicago Cubs First and Third Basemen
Chicago Cubs Second Basemen and Shortstops
Chicago Cubs Outfielders

A look back at the Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox Catchers and Managers
Boston Red Sox First and Third Basemen
Boston Red Sox Second Basemen and Shortstops
Boston Red Sox Outfielders and Designated Hitters
Boston Red Sox Pitchers

A look back at the Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles Catchers and Managers
Baltimore Orioles First and Third Basemen
Baltimore Orioles Second Basemen and Shortstops
Baltimore Orioles Outfielders and Designated Hitters
Baltimore Orioles Pitchers

A look back at the Atlanta Braves

Catchers and Managers
First and Third Basemen
Second Basemen and Shortstops
Outfielders
Pitchers

A look back at the Arizona Diamondbacks

Catchers and Managers
First and Third Basemen
Second Basemen and Shortstops
Outfielders
Pitchers

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