Name: Scott Linebrink

Rank: 484

Position: P

Years With White Sox: 2008-2010

From 2003 through 2007, Scott Linebrink had become the premier set-up man in the National League, averaging 68 games per year, which prompted Kenny Williams to sign him a 4 year, 19 million dollar deal prior to the 2008 season.  Little did anyone know how horrible things would go.

The 2008 season started off well, with Linebrink filling the set-up role successfully.  Things started to go south when closer Bobby Jenks went down with an injury and Linebrink was asked to slide from the 8th inning to the 9th inning, where things did not go as smoothly.  Unfortunately, when Jenks came back and Linebrink could be returned to his 8th inning comfort zone, the damage, whatever it was, was done.  Whether it was his confidence, the switch to the AL, overuse during his past (he had over 70 appearances in each of the past 3 years), or undisclosed arm problems, he just wasn’t the same pitcher he had been.

For each of the next two seasons, there was hope that Linebrink would return to his prior form, but it just never happened.  Finally, following the 2010 season, Kenny Williams defied expectations and found a taker for Linebrink, trading him to Braves while picking up the majority of his salary.  For whatever reason, things just did not work out for Linebrink on the South Side.

Linebrink’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were:

Wins	Losses	ERA	Saves	IP	Hits	Runs	ER	Walks	Strike Outs	HR	HBP	Appearances
2	1	3.68	1	44	40	19	18	18	44	6	2	43
8	11	4.28	3	159.667	170	85	76	49	147	28	6	159