Tag / ALDS

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#329 – Brian Simmons

brian_simmons_autographName: Brian Simmons

Rank: 329

Position: LF

Years With White Sox: 1998-1999

Brian Simmons joined the White Sox organization as their second round pick in the 1995 draft.  He worked his way through the system, making his major league debut on September 21, 1998 as a defensive replacement against the Twins.  5 days later, against the Royals, Simmons set a major league record, needing the fewest career at bats to homer from both sides of the plate.

Simmons won the 1999 starting center field job in spring training, but a cut hand, thanks to Alex Rodriguez’s spike, late in spring training forced him to start the year in Triple A Charlotte instead of Chicago.  In 2000, Simmons again had won a spot on the opening day roster, but he ruptured his Achilles’ tendon on the day the White Sox broke camp.

Following the White Sox disappointing loss to the Mariners in the 2000 ALDS, Simmons was packaged with Mike Sirotka, Kevin Beirne, and minor leaguer Mike Williams to the Blue Jays in exchange for David Wells and Matt DeWitt.

Simmons rejoined the White Sox following the 2001 season, but was released during spring training after still showing the effects of his 2000 injury.

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

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And Then There Was One

A.J. Pierzynski’s White Sox career officially came to an end Thursday when the free agent catcher signed a contract with the Texas Rangers, leaving Paul Konerko as the last remaining member of the 2005 World Series champions to play for the South Siders and the White Sox without their most popular backstop since Carlton Fisk.

Pierzynski signed with the White Sox on January 6, 2005 following a year with the Giants that called his professionalism into question.  He rewarded the White Sox organization with 8 seasons of stability behind the plate the included 1 All-Star selection, 2 playoff appearances, and, of course, the 2005 World Series championship.  Over those 8 seasons, Pierzynski was involved in many key moments that endeared him to the White Sox faithful, including:

The walk-off home run, and resulting bat flip pictured to the left, against the Dodgers in 2005.

The two home runs in a thrashing of the Red Sox in game one of the 2005 ALDS, the first White Sox home postseason victory since 1959.

The controversial dropped third strike that led to a White Sox victory in game two of the 2005 ALCS against the Angels.

The 2006 brawl against the Cubs where Michael Barrett sucker-punched him after Pierzynski enthusiastically scored a run against the crosstown rivals.

Hanging on to the throw from Ken Griffey Jr. to preserve the shutout in the 2008 tie-breaker game that pushed the White Sox into the playoffs over the Twins.

Being behind the plate for Mark Buehrle’s no-hitter in 2007 and Philip Humber’s perfect game in 2012.

In games I have attended, Pierzynski ranks 2nd in games, doubles, at bats, runs, and hits, third in RBIs, sixth in triples, and seventh in home runs.

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

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#335 – Craig Wilson

Name: Craig Wilson

Rank: 335

Position: IF

Years With White Sox: 1998-2000

Craig Wilson, not to be confused with Craig Wilson or Craig Wilson, was the 13th round draft choice of the White Sox in 1992.  He made his major league debut on September 5, 1998 against the Yankees, going 3 for 4 with 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs.  Wilson spent parts of the next two seasons with the Sox, appearing in a career high 98 games in 1999.  After the Sox were swept in the 2000 ALDS against the Mariners, Wilson was released, and he never appeared in the major leagues again.

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

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#353 – Kevin Beirne

Name: Kevin Beirne

Rank: 353

Position: P

Year With White Sox: 2000

Kevin Beirne was drafted by the White Sox in the 11th round of the the 1995 draft as an outfielder, but was quickly converted to a pitcher and finally made it to the big leagues on May 17, 2000.  Beirne appeared in 29 games for the division winners, but did not make an appearance during the 3 game division series loss to the Mariners.

Following the season, Beirne was packaged along with Mike Sirotka, Brian Simmons and others in the trade that brought David Wells over from the Blue Jays.

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

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#388 – Jose Paniagua

Jose Paniagua spent parts of 8 seasons in the major leagues, and exactly one game, his final one as it turns out, with the 2003 Chicago White Sox.  He lasted one third of an inning against the Twins, giving up 3 hits, 1 walk, and 4 earned runs, finishing with a 108.00 ERA.  After then-manager Jerry Manuel mercifully removed him from the game, Paniagua went out with style by flipping off an umpire on his way off the field.  He was released the next day.

The only time I saw him pitch in person was against the White Sox as a member of the Mariners in the 2000 ALDS.  In that appearance, he managed to only give up 1 hit and 1 walk over 2 innings.