1977 Chicago White Sox season
Encyclopedia
The Chicago White Sox
season was a season in American baseball
. The team finished third in the American League West
, 12 games behind the Kansas City Royals
.
tried a new philosophy during the offseason: figuring that if he could not compete with the bigger spending clubs for free agents, he would "rent" them, even if only for one year. With this strategy in mind, he traded for Richie Zisk
(who had one year remaining on his contract) and Oscar Gamble
(also in the final year of his contract), hoping that he would be able to continue the practice financially.
, the White Sox played the Toronto Blue Jays
in the first game in Blue Jays history.
The White Sox, who came to be called the "South Side Hitmen", were in solid contention for most of the season, battling the division-winning Royals and Minnesota Twins
most of the way. moved into first place in the AL West on July 1 and remained there until August 12. Their primary weapon was their power hitting. As a team, the White Sox hit 192 home runs, a record which lasted until 1996. Their displays of power caused fans to cheer for "curtain calls," where players came out of the dugout after hitting a home run to acknowledge those cheers. Some Royals players greatly resented this, and called such behavior "bush" and "unprofessional." The climax of this came on August 5, when White Sox pitcher Bart Johnson
and Royals catcher Darrell Porter
had a fistfight in a game at Kansas City.
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
season was a season in American baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
. The team finished third in the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
, 12 games behind the Kansas City Royals
1977 Kansas City Royals season
The 1977 Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing first in the American League West with a record of 102 wins and 60 losses...
.
Offseason
White Sox owner Bill VeeckBill Veeck
William Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...
tried a new philosophy during the offseason: figuring that if he could not compete with the bigger spending clubs for free agents, he would "rent" them, even if only for one year. With this strategy in mind, he traded for Richie Zisk
Richie Zisk
Richard Walter Zisk is a retired Major League Baseball player currently in charge of pro scouting in Florida for the Chicago Cubs.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
(who had one year remaining on his contract) and Oscar Gamble
Oscar Gamble
Oscar Charles Gamble is a former outfielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball. He played for 17 seasons, from 1969 to 1985, on seven different teams: the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees on two separate occasions, as well as the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland...
(also in the final year of his contract), hoping that he would be able to continue the practice financially.
Notable transactions
- October 6, 1976: Minnie Miñoso was released by the White Sox.
- October 21, 1976: Phil RoofPhil RoofPhillip Anthony Roof is an American former professional baseball player, coach and minor league manager. He played for 15 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball in and from to , most notably for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics and the Minnesota Twins...
was traded by the White Sox to the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
for a player to be named later. The Blue Jays completed the deal by sending Larry Anderson to the White Sox on January 5. - November 26, 1976: Eric SoderholmEric SoderholmEric Thane Soderholm is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who played for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, and New York Yankees from 1971 to 1980...
was signed as a free agent by the White Sox. - December 5, 1976: Royle StillmanRoyle StillmanRoyle Eldon Stillman is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of three seasons in the majors, from until , for the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox.-Sources:...
was signed as a free agent by the White Sox. - December 10, 1976: Goose GossageGoose GossageRichard Michael "Goose" Gossage is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During a 22-year baseball career, he pitched from 1972-1994 for nine different teams, spending his best years with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. The nickname "Goose" is a play on his surname...
and Terry ForsterTerry ForsterTerry Jay Forster is a retired left-handed relief pitcher who played for 16 seasons in the Major Leagues. He played for five teams in his career and recorded 127 saves during his time in the majors....
were traded by the White Sox to the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
for Richie ZiskRichie ZiskRichard Walter Zisk is a retired Major League Baseball player currently in charge of pro scouting in Florida for the Chicago Cubs.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
and Silvio MartínezSilvio MartínezSilvio Ramón Martínez Cabrera is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Martínez pitched all or part of five seasons in the majors, from until , for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.-Sources:...
. - January 11, 1977: Mark EsserMark EsserMark Gerald Esser is a former professional baseball pitcher. He appeared in two games in Major League Baseball, one week apart, in for the Chicago White Sox....
was drafted by the White Sox in the 8th round of the 1977 Major League Baseball Draft1977 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1977 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :The White Sox raised some brows when they passed on right-handed pitcher Bill Gullickson, a native of nearby Orland Park, IL, and selected outfielder Harold Baines as the number one...
. - January 26, 1977: Blue Moon OdomBlue Moon OdomJohnny Lee Odom was a Major League Baseball pitcher who won three consecutive World Series championships with the Oakland Athletics in , and .-Early years:...
was released by the White Sox. - February 15, 1977: Fritz PetersonFritz PetersonFritz Fred Peterson is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, and Texas Rangers from 1966 to 1976...
was signed as a free agent by the White Sox.
Regular season
On April 7 in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, the White Sox played the Toronto Blue Jays
1977 Toronto Blue Jays season
The 1977 Toronto Blue Jays season was the first year of Major League Baseball played by the Toronto-based expansion franchise. The Blue Jays finished 7th in the American League East with a record of 54 wins and 107 losses.- Offseason :...
in the first game in Blue Jays history.
The White Sox, who came to be called the "South Side Hitmen", were in solid contention for most of the season, battling the division-winning Royals and Minnesota Twins
1977 Minnesota Twins season
The 1977 Minnesota Twins season was a season in American baseball. The team finished 84-77, fourth in the American League West.- Regular season :...
most of the way. moved into first place in the AL West on July 1 and remained there until August 12. Their primary weapon was their power hitting. As a team, the White Sox hit 192 home runs, a record which lasted until 1996. Their displays of power caused fans to cheer for "curtain calls," where players came out of the dugout after hitting a home run to acknowledge those cheers. Some Royals players greatly resented this, and called such behavior "bush" and "unprofessional." The climax of this came on August 5, when White Sox pitcher Bart Johnson
Bart Johnson (baseball)
Clair Barth Johnson is a retired American professional baseball player, a right-handed pitcher who played in the Major Leagues between – for the Chicago White Sox....
and Royals catcher Darrell Porter
Darrell Porter
Darrell Ray Porter was a former American professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers. He was known for his excellent defensive skills and power hitting...
had a fistfight in a game at Kansas City.
Opening Day lineup
- Ralph GarrRalph GarrRalph Allen Garr is a former Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox and California Angels. He batted left-handed and threw right...
, Left field - Alan BannisterAlan BannisterAlan Bannister is a retired professional baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Phillies , Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Houston Astros and Texas Rangers...
, Shortstop - Jorge OrtaJorge OrtaJorge Orta Núñez is a retired professional baseball player.He made his debut with the Chicago White Sox on April 15, 1972. Through the 1970s, he played usually second baseman but also third baseman and also some outfield...
, Second base - Richie ZiskRichie ZiskRichard Walter Zisk is a retired Major League Baseball player currently in charge of pro scouting in Florida for the Chicago Cubs.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
, Right field - Jim SpencerJim SpencerJames Lloyd Spencer was a Major League Baseball first baseman. Born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, the left-handed Spencer was recognized for his excellent fielding ability, but also served in later years as a designated hitter....
, First base - Oscar GambleOscar GambleOscar Charles Gamble is a former outfielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball. He played for 17 seasons, from 1969 to 1985, on seven different teams: the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees on two separate occasions, as well as the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland...
, Designated hitter - Eric SoderholmEric SoderholmEric Thane Soderholm is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who played for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, and New York Yankees from 1971 to 1980...
, Third base - Chet LemonChet LemonChester Earl Lemon is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. A three time All-Star, he was a member of the World Series champion 1984 Detroit Tigers.-Early years:...
, Center field - Brian DowningBrian DowningBrian Jay Downing is a former professional baseball player who had a 20-year MLB career with the Chicago White Sox, California Angels and Texas Rangers.- Chicago Years :...
, Catcher - Ken BrettKen BrettKenneth Alven Brett was a Major League Baseball pitcher and the second of four Brett brothers who played professional baseball, the most notable being the youngest, George Brett.Ken played for 10 teams in his 14-year MLB career.Born in Brooklyn, Ken Brett grew up in southern California and was an...
, Pitcher
Notable transactions
- April 5, 1977: Bucky DentBucky DentRussell Earl "Bucky" Dent , is a former American Major League Baseball player and manager. He earned two World Series rings as the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees in and , and was voted the World Series MVP in 1978...
was traded by the White Sox to the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for Oscar GambleOscar GambleOscar Charles Gamble is a former outfielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball. He played for 17 seasons, from 1969 to 1985, on seven different teams: the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees on two separate occasions, as well as the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland...
, LaMarr HoytLaMarr HoytDewey LaMarr Hoyt is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who won the American League Cy Young Award.-Chicago White Sox:...
, Bob Polinsky (minors), and $200,000. - August 20, 1977: Steve Staniland (minors) was traded by the White Sox to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for Don KessingerDon KessingerDonald Eulon Kessinger is a former American professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop from to for the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago White Sox...
. - August 31, 1977: The White Sox traded players to be named later to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for Clay CarrollClay CarrollClay Palmer Carroll is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball with a 15-year career from 1964 to 1978. He pitched for the Milwaukee Braves & Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, St...
. The White Sox completed the deal by sending Nyls NymanNyls NymanNyls Wallace Rex Nyman is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of four seasons with the Chicago White Sox from until ....
to the Cardinals on September 2, and sending Dave HamiltonDave Hamilton (baseball)David Edward Hamilton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who won three World Series championships as a member of the Oakland Athletics in the early 1970s.-Oakland A's:...
and Silvio MartínezSilvio MartínezSilvio Ramón Martínez Cabrera is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Martínez pitched all or part of five seasons in the majors, from until , for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.-Sources:...
to the Cardinals on November 28.
Roster
| 1977 Chicago White Sox | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 114 | 322 | 88 | .273 | 10 | 44 | |
| 1B | 128 | 470 | 116 | .247 | 18 | 69 | |
| 2B | 144 | 564 | 159 | .282 | 11 | 84 | |
| 3B | 130 | 460 | 129 | .280 | 25 | 67 | |
| SS | 139 | 560 | 154 | .275 | 3 | 57 | |
| LF | 134 | 543 | 163 | .300 | 10 | 54 | |
| CF | 150 | 553 | 151 | .273 | 19 | 67 | |
| RF | 141 | 531 | 154 | .290 | 30 | 101 | |
| DH | 137 | 408 | 121 | .297 | 31 | 83 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 118 | 374 | 113 | .302 | 18 | 65 | |
| 69 | 169 | 48 | .284 | 4 | 25 | |
| 59 | 152 | 39 | .257 | 2 | 20 | |
| 52 | 124 | 39 | .315 | 4 | 22 | |
| 56 | 119 | 25 | .210 | 3 | 13 | |
| 39 | 119 | 28 | .235 | 0 | 11 | |
| 20 | 37 | 10 | .270 | 0 | 7 | |
| 9 | 28 | 5 | .179 | 1 | 6 | |
| 13 | 26 | 8 | .308 | 0 | 4 | |
| 7 | 23 | 6 | .261 | 1 | 4 | |
| 7 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 231.1 | 14 | 7 | 4.12 | 119 | |
| 31 | 207.1 | 15 | 12 | 4.51 | 124 | |
| 26 | 166.2 | 11 | 8 | 4.10 | 125 | |
| 27 | 146.1 | 12 | 7 | 4.80 | 103 | |
| 13 | 82.2 | 6 | 4 | 5.01 | 39 | |
| 8 | 53.1 | 5 | 0 | 3.54 | 36 | |
| 4 | 23.2 | 1 | 1 | 3.04 | 15 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 92 | 4 | 5 | 4.01 | 46 | |
| 8 | 34.2 | 0 | 1 | 3.63 | 25 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 3.61 | 45 | |
| 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5.18 | 24 | |
| 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5.57 | 10 | |
| 8 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3.75 | 9 | |
| 8 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4.76 | 4 | |
| 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9.35 | 7 | |
All-Stars
All-Star Game1977 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1977 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 48th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 19, 1977, at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York, New York the...
- Richie ZiskRichie ZiskRichard Walter Zisk is a retired Major League Baseball player currently in charge of pro scouting in Florida for the Chicago Cubs.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
, starter, outfield