Chicago White Sox Stats

Chicago White Sox History

The Chicago White Sox has a history that has, at one point, been marred by controversy. The controversy in White Sox history is the 1919 World Series, where the White Sox faced the Cincinnati Reds. At the beginning of the match-up, the Reds were huge underdogs but would win the World Series. An investigation into the conduct of the White Sox players due to large amounts of bets on the Reds stemming from rumors that White Sox players would fix the World Series game.

The assumption was that the White Sox threw the World Series in exchange for money from Arnold Rothstein, who ran a gambling syndicate in New York City. It would lead to a public trial of eight White Sox players accused of fixing the World Series. The scandal would be known as the Black Sox scandal and would cost them a chance at the AL Pennant in 1920 due to the suspension of seven players for the last three games of the season.

Even though Bill Burns, who was part of the fixing scandal, testified that the White Sox did throw the games, the eight players charged with conspiracy to defraud were found not guilty. Even though the players avoided criminal prosecution, they would be permanently banned from professional baseball.

2022 Key Stats

The White Sox look to improve on a 2021 season that saw them rank fifth in runs scored in the AL while having a core pitching crew that finished second in the AL in ERA. The leader in ERA for the White Sox was Carlos Rodón, who the team let go to free agency at the end of the 2021 season. The loss of Rodón could hurt a White Sox pitching staff that was at the top of nearly all pitching stats.

The White Sox were able to pick up a bullpen asset in Kendall Graveman. Graveman posted a 5-1 record and 1.77 ERA during the regular season in 53 appearances. He also was 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA and 11 strikeouts during his postseason appearances with the Houston Astros. This upgrade in the bullpen may help keep the White Sox pitching at the top of the AL stats for 2022.

Championships Won by the Chicago White Sox

Since the team was founded in 1900, the White Sox have successfully won some titles in MLB. The White Sox have won three World Series titles, six AL Pennants, two AL West Division titles, and four AL Central Division titles. The White Sox would win their three World Series titles in 1906. 1917, and 2005. Their AL Pennants would come in 1901, 1906, 1917, 1919, 1959, and 2005.

When the White Sox were in the AL West, they would win that Division title in 1983 and 1993. After MLB moved them to the AL Central, the White Sox would win that Division title in 2000, 2005, 2008, and 2021.

Important Team Events

One of the most significant events for the White Sox is the Crosstown Classic that sees the White Sox face their Northside rivals, the Chicago Cubs. Many other names are also given to this event, such as The Windy City Showdown, the BP Crosstown Cup, and the Red Line Series. The first-ever postseason meeting between the two teams happened in the 1906 World Series. The White Sox would win the Series 4-2 and take home the World Series title that year.

Another great rivalry game for the White Sox is their games against the Detroit Tigers. The rivalry between these two heated back up at the end of 2021 when Tigers pitcher Alex Lange hit a White Sox player with a pitch in the ninth inning. This would lead to a bench-clearing between the two teams. A fight, however, didn’t break out as a result. But will that be the case in 2022 when the two teams face each other again?

Top Players

The White Sox have plenty of past, and present players considered top players for the team. Looking back in time, one of the best sluggers for the White Sox was a first baseman, Frank Thomas. His nickname was “The Big Hurt,” and for a good reason. Thomas is in the top ten in the AL for home runs (521), RBI’s (1,704), and walks (1,667) in his career. He was the man the White Sox counted on during his time with the team.

For 2022, the White Sox will lean on their pitching crew, who were some of the best in the AL for 2021. This crew consists of starting pitchers Dylan Cease, Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, and relief pitchers Kendall Graveman and Craig Kimbrel. The White Sox added Kimbrel during the 2021 season, and Graveman signed with the Sox at the end of the 2021 season.

Top Coaches

A few past coaches come to mind when you look at the White Sox. Fielder Jones, who managed the White Sox in their first World Series championship win, comes to mind. He also, to this day, still has the best overall winning average in White Sox history with a .591 winning percentage. Another top coach for the White Sox was former player Ozzie Guillén. Guillén would take over in 2004 and take the White Sox to their first World Series win in 87 years when they won in 2005.

For 2022 Tony La Russa will try to get to the World Series after they fell short in the 2021 postseason. He will be backed up by returning bench coach Miguel Cairo. Pitching coach Ethan Katz will be looking to keep his pitching staff at the top of the AL for 2022 after they had a great 2021. Russa, Katz, and Cairo were new to the White Sox 2021 coaching staff and will look to gel with the team more in 2022.