Category / Baseball

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#234 – Will Ohman

Will+OhmanName: Will Ohman

Rank: 234

Position: P

Years With White Sox: 2011-2012

Will Ohman signed a 2 year deal with the White Sox on January 8, 2011.  He joined the bullpen for a team expected to compete for a division title, but which instead unraveled under the watchful eye of Ozzie Guillen.  Ohman was competent, putting up a 4.22 ERA in 59 appearances.

2012 was worse for Ohman.  Under new manager Robin Ventura, the team was actually contending, spending most of the season in first place.  Ohman, however, saw his ERA jump up to 6.41.  As June was coming to an end, so was his time on the White Sox.  He was designated for assignment on June 27 and eventually released on July 3.

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

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#235 – Neil Allen

frontName: Neil Allen

Rank: 235

Position: P

Years With White Sox: 1986-1987

Neil Allen joined the White Sox on February 13, 1986 along with Scott Bradley and an unknown minor leaguer from the Yankees in exchange for Ron Hassey, Matt Winters, and two additional minor leaguers who would never be heard from.  Allen started the ’86 season in the bullpen, but was given a chance to start after developing an effective offspeed pitch.  He was moved in to the starting rotation on May 4th and put up a 7-2 record with 3.82 ERA before going down with an injury that, for all intents and purposes, ended his season in July.

1987 started with Allen penciled in as manager Jim Fregosi’s third starter.  Things went south quickly, though, as Allen went 0-7 in 10 starts before being banished back to the bullpen.  Things boiled over in a shouting match with Fregosi in early August the led to Allen demanding to be released.  By the end of the month, the White Sox complied with his request, sending him on his way and ending his career on the south side.

Allen’s numbers in a White Sox uniform were:

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#236 – Joe Borchard

WhiteSox-joeborchardName: Joe Borchard

Rank: 236

Position: RF

Years With White Sox: 2002-2005

Joe Borchard was the 12th overall draft pick in the 2000, receiving a then-record bonus to dissuade him from focusing on football.  Borchard made his major league debut on September 2, 2002 against the Blue Jays, blasting a home run in his second at bat as the White Sox most touted prospect since Frank Thomas.

Borchard returned to Triple A in 2003, at least until Willie Harris went down in late May with a sprained shoulder.  He did not stay long, appearing in 16 games, and batted only .184.

2004 gave Borchard his first extended opportunity in the big leagues, thanks to injuries to Frank Thomas and Magglio Ordonez.  Unfortunately, he still had trouble producing, as he hit only .174 in 63 games, although he did set the US Cellular Field record for the longest home run with a 504 foot blast against Brett Myers of the Phillies.

Borchard returned to the minor leagues in 2005, appearing in just 7 games for the eventual World Series champions.  The next spring, with a little more than a week to go before the start of the season, Borchard was traded to the Mariners in exchange for relief pitcher Matt Thornton, which, ultimately, may have been his biggest contribution to the organization.

Borchard’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were: Continue reading →

by admin

Food-a-palooza

baconIn addition to the previously announced change in pizza vendors, the White Sox have a few other interesting new food items on tap for the 2014 season.  The ones available to me that I won’t be particularly interested in are a pork chop sandwich, an adobe mango chicken sausage, a supreme corned beef sandwich, an ultimate turkey club, and a host of new beer offerings.

The switch to Beggars Pizza means that I will be purchasing pizza at the ballpark for the first time in years.  In addition to that, there will be the intriguing bacon on a stick, a thick cut, premium slice of Danish bacon seasoned with black pepper.  Depending on the cost, this could become a new favorite.

chickenwaffleFor the lucky folks who are able to access the Club Level, Diamond Suite, or Stadium Club, there are a few more new offerings that seem appealing, but will stay just out of reach.  First off is a chicken and waffle sandwich, a crispy cornflake breaded chicken served between two house-made waffles and brushed with honey butter and maple syrup.  Next, for the low price of $17 comes the banana split sundae helmet, featuring four scoops of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream and drizzled with caramel and strawberry sauces and chocolate syrup then topped with whipped cream and cherries.  This three pound creation would be an occasional treat if I had access to those special areas of the park.  I guess it is better for both my wallet and my waistline that I do not.

bansplit

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#237 – Rick Wrona

wronaName: Rick Wrona

Rank: 237

Position: C

Year With White Sox: 1993

Rick Wrona signed a minor league deal with the White Sox prior to the 1993 season.  When starting catcher Ron Karkovice went down with a shoulder injury in June, and with owner Jerry Reinsdorf fighting with Carlton Fisk, who would be released days later, the White Sox recalled Wrona, along with Mike LaValliere.

Wrona managed to get 1 hit is his 8 at bats in a White Sox uniform before being sent back to the minor leagues.  After the season, he was allowed to leave the organization as a free agent.

Wrona’s numbers in a White Sox uniform were: Continue reading →

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#238 – Dallas McPherson

Dallas_McPherson_White_Sox_4_headerName: Dallas McPherson

Rank: 238

Position: 3B

Year With White Sox: 2011

Dallas McPherson joined the White Sox as a minor league free agent after the 2010 season.  He opened the 2011 season at Triple A Charlotte but got a chance to return to the major leagues after Mark Teahen went down with a strained oblique.

Unfortunately for McPherson, and the White Sox, he continued to struggle at the major league level, as he had for his entire career.  He was DFA’d after hitting .133 in 11 games.

After making it through waivers, he was returned to Triple A.  In August, however, he was released from Charlotte in order to make room for the newly acquired Tommy Manzella.

McPherson’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were: Continue reading →

by jim

2014 Predictions

MLB: Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles DodgersThe 2014 baseball season is scheduled to officially kick off tonight, last week’s trip to Australia not withstanding.  For the fourth consecutive year, I’ve looked into the crystal ball to make my picks for the upcoming season.

American League

East: Rays

Central: Tigers

West: Angels

Wild Cards: Red Sox, Rangers

AL Champion: Tigers

Cy Young: David Price

MVP: Mike Trout

National League

East: Nationals

Central: Cardinals

West: Dodgers

Wild Cards: Braves, Giants

NL Champion: Dodgers

Cy Young: Stephen Strasburg

MVP: Jason Heyward

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#239 – Donnie Hill

donnie-hillName: Donnie Hill

Rank: 239

Position: 2B

Years With White Sox: 1987-1988

Donnie Hill was acquired by the White Sox as the player to be named later in the earlier trade that sent Gene Nelson to the A’s.  The 1987 season was painful for him, both physically and emotionally.  An eye infection struck him in May and lingered for nearly 2 months, making it difficult to see.  As a result, his batting average plunged to .239.  “It was just a pain in the tail,” Hill said. “I don’t know how I got the problem.  Whatever I did only seemed to make it worse.  It was a distraction, but I’m not using it as an excuse.”

Going in to the 1988 season, Hill was slated to platoon at second base with Fred Manrique.  Things did not improve for Hill, though, as he appeared in only 83 games and his average dropped to .217.  “I never should have tried to change what I did in Oakland,” Hill said, “but I’m still confident in my ability. I know there are some things I need to do in the off-season-drop a little weight and get stronger. I’m not finished.”

The White Sox were just about finished with him, though.  Hill came to spring training in 1989, but was released on March 9, about a week into the Grapefruit League schedule.

Hill’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were: Continue reading →

by admin

All Time Team Records

MLB: Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles DodgersAnother exciting baseball season is upon us, and it is time once again to look at the all-time team records for games that I have attended.  Some changes from last year:

– A horrible 2013 dropped the winning percentage for the White Sox 9 points.

– The Miami Marlins join the roster of teams I have seen in person

All-Time Team Records

TeamName Won Loss Winning Pctg
California Angels 1 0 1.000
Arizona Diamondbacks 12 2 0.857
Florida Marlins 15 8 0.652
Philadelphia Phillies 10 6 0.625
Toronto Blue Jays 9 6 0.600
Chicago White Sox 220 187 0.541
Tampa Bay Rays 7 6 0.538
Colorado Rockies 7 6 0.538
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 15 13 0.536
New York Yankees 9 8 0.529
Chicgao Cubs 191 170 0.529
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by jim

Active Pitching Leaders – Through 2013

MLB: Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles DodgersLast week, we looked at the active leaders in games I’ve attended through 2013 on the offensive side of the ball.  With spring training winding down and opening day less than a week away, let’s take a look at the pitchers.

Wins

Name Total
Mark Buehrle 31
Gavin Floyd 24
Carlos Zambrano 21
John Danks 15
Jake Peavy 11

Losses

Name Total
Mark Buehrle 16
Carlos Zambrano 15
Continue reading →