Earlier this week, we took our annual look at the all time leaders in pitching stats for the 720 games I’ve attended (and identified) between 1984 and 2013. With the full White Sox roster due in camp today, it’s time to take a look at the offensive stat leaders for those games, starting with our first category:
Home Runs
| Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Paul Konerko | 89 |
| Sammy Sosa | 42 |
| Aramis Ramirez | 41 |
| Derrek Lee | 40 |
| Jermaine Dye | 40 |
Hits
| Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Paul Konerko | 352 |
| Derrek Lee | 255 |
| Continue reading → |
White Sox pitchers and catchers report today, which means winter is winding down and it is finally time for Spring Training. To get ready, let’s take a look at the offensive stat leaders over all of the 658 games I’ve attended (and identified) between 1984 and 2011.
Home Runs
| Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Paul Konerko | 88 |
| Sammy Sosa | 42 |
| Aramis Ramirez | 41 |
| Derrek Lee | 40 |
| Jermaine Dye | 40 |
Hits
| Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Paul Konerko | 340 |
| Derrek Lee | 255 |
| Continue reading → |
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:
It’s February, which means that spring training is (thankfully) right around the corner. To get ready, let’s take a look at the offensive stat leaders over all of the 658 games I’ve attended (and identified) between 1984 and 2011.
| Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Paul Konerko | 85 |
| Sammy Sosa | 42 |
| Aramis Ramirez | 41 |
| Derrek Lee | 40 |
| Jermaine Dye | 40 |
| Name | Total |
|---|---|
| Paul Konerko | 308 |
| Derrek Lee | 255 |
| Continue reading → |
A career that showed much promise closed a chapter today, as the Cubs traded Carlos Zambrano, their one-time ace and current problem child, to the Florida Miami Marlins, where we he will join fellow former Chicagoans Ozzie Guillen and Mark Buehrle. Zambrano is almost the polar opposite of Buehrle, by far the more talented pitcher, but, due to his frequent meltdowns, was not able to utilize that talent. When he was on his game, which he was for much of his early career on the Northside, he was one of the best in the game. More recently, though, he has been known more for the troubles he has caused, whether it was fighting with Michael Barrett, Derrek Lee, and a Gatorade machine to finally walking out on the team after a disasterous start against the Braves last summer. This is one of those moves where it was probably best for all involved to move on.
Personally, it will be a little difficult to see him go. Discounting a brief callup the year before, Zambrano basically started his career in 2002, the year I first had season tickets to the Cubs. From the run to the NLCS in 2003, the frequent drubbings on opening day starts, the back-to-back sweeps in the 07 and 08 NLDS, and, sadly, the constant fights with teammates, it feels like we’ve been through it together.
Here are his career numbers in games I have attended: Continue reading →
Offensive stat leaders per season for the all the games I’ve attended from 1984 – 2011.
Home Runs
| Year | Name | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Paul Konerko | 17 |
| 2004 | Mosies Alou | 15 |
| 2004 | Corey Patterson | 13 |
| 2004 | Sammy Sosa | 13 |
| 2003 | Moises Alou | 12 |
| 2008 | Carlos Quentin | 12 |
Hits
| Year | Name | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Mark Grudzielanek | 67 |
| 2004 | Moises Alou | 57 |
| 2003 | Moises Alou | 57 |
| 2007 | Derrek Lee | 57 |
| 2006 | Orlando Cabrera | 56 |
Runs
| Year | Name | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Continue reading → |