Name: Josh Paul
Rank: 111
Position: C
Years With White Sox: 1999-2003
Evanston native Josh Paul was the second round draft pick of the White Sox in 1996. He earned a September call-up in 1999, making his major league debut on September 7 in the White Sox 14-1 loss to the Angels.
Paul broke camp in 2000 with the White Sox, starting the season as their back-up catcher. When Paul struggled to hit in May, he was sent back down to the minor leagues. He returned to the White Sox in September and did well enough to earn a spot on the post-season roster. He appeared in one game in the White Sox loss to the Mariners in the ALDS.
In 2001, Paul again started the year as the backup catcher. He again ended up splitting the year between Chicago and Charlotte, finishing the year with a .266 average and a career high 3 home runs and 18 RBIs. Paul began 2002 back in Charlotte, but eventually found his way back to Chicago, hitting .240 in 33 games.
Paul saw some success in 2003, though in very limited playing time, but got caught up in a numbers game behind veteran Sandy Alomar Jr. and rookie Miguel Olivo. On June 25, he was released, ending his White Sox career.
Paul’s greatest contribution to the White Sox came in 2005, when he was a member of the Angels. He was behind the plate in the 9th inning of game 2 of the ALCS when A.J. Pierzynski struck out and “stole” first base after Paul rolled the ball back to the mound. Home plate umpire Doug Eddings ruled that the pitch hit the ground and, since he wasn’t tagged out, Pierzynski was entitled to first base. A pinch runner, a stolen base, and a double later, the White Sox tied up the series at one game a piece and went on to win their next 7, leading to their first World Series title since 1917.
Paul’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were: