Tag / Pirates

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All Time Playoff Team Records

baseballs3As the Cubs prepare for their second consecutive post-season appearance, it’s time to take an updated look at the team records for the now 20 playoff contests I have attended.  These contests come from the ALDS in 2000, 2005, and 2008, the NLDS in 2003, 2007, 2008, and 2015, the NLCS in 2003 and 2015, the ALCS in 2005, and, of course, the 2005 World Series.

Post-Season Team Records
Team Name Won Loss Winning Pctg
Florida Marlins 3 0 1.000
Seattle Mariners 2 0 1.000
New York Mets 2 0 1.000
Los Angeles Dodgers 2 0 1.000
Arizona Diamondbacks 1 0 1.000
Chicago White Sox 5 4 0.556
Tampa Bay Rays 1 1 0.500
Los Angeles Angels 1 1 0.500
Atlanta Braves 1 1 0.500
Chicago Cubs 2 9 0.182
St. Louis Cardinals 0 1 0.000
Houston Astros 0 1 0.000
Boston Red Sox 0 2 0.000
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2016 Predictions Revisited

baseballs2Six months ago, as the 2016 baseball season was scheduled to kick off, I made my annual predictions as to who would win what.  Now that the regular season has come to an end, it is time revisit those predictions and see what, if anything, I got right.

American League

East: Blue Jays

After winning their first division title since 1993 last year, I thought the Blue Jays had what it took to repeat.  I certainly didn’t see the Red Sox bouncing back from 2 straight last place finishes to take the AL East crown.

Central: Indians

My first correct prediction, as the Indians won their first division title since 2007.

West: Rangers

Another correct prediction, with the Rangers winning their second straight division title.

Wild Cards: Red Sox, White Sox

Well, I kind of flip-flopped the first two slots in the AL East, as the Blue Jays managed to take the first Wild Card slot.  The other pick looked good for the first 6 weeks of the season, as the White Sox sat at 23-10 before completely falling apart.  Instead, the Orioles took the second Wild Card slot, making it a good year for the AL East.

AL Champion: Blue Jays

Cy Young: Chris Sale

MVP: Mike Trout

All three of these may still be possible, with the Blue Jays still alive and Sale and Trout putting up superb numbers.

National League

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#64 – Jose DeLeon

deleonName: Jose DeLeon

Rank: 64

Position: P

Years With White Sox: 1986-1987, 1993-1995

Jose DeLeon was acquired by the White Sox on July 23, 1986 from the Pirates for Bobby Bonilla.  As the White Sox rolled towards a 5th place finish and a 90 loss season, DeLeon was a bright spot, going 4-5 in his 13 starts with a 2.96 ERA.

1987 was another disappointing year for the White Sox, but DeLeon was a stalwart of the rotation, going 11-12 with a 4.02 ERA.  The following February, he was traded to the Cardinals for Ricky Horton and Lance Johnson.

DeLeon rejoined the White Sox on August 10, 1993, acquired from the Phillies for Bobby Thigpen.   He appeared in 11 games over the final two months of the season, putting up a 1.74 ERA as the White Sox won their first division title in 10 years.  DeLeon did not appear in the ALCS, which the White Sox lost to the Blue Jays in 6 games.

DeLeon returned to the White Sox bullpen for the 1994 season, going 3-2 with a 3.36 ERA in 42 games before the strike ended the year on August 12.  When play resumed the following year, DeLeon had lost his mojo.  He went 5-3 with a 5.19 ERA in 38 games prior to being traded to the Expos on August 28 for Jeff Shaw.

DeLeon’s numbers in a White Sox uniform were:

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#82 – John Cangelosi

cangelosiName: John Cangelosi

Rank: 82

Position: OF

Year With White Sox: 1985-1986

John Cangelosi was selected by the White Sox in the 4th round of the 1982 January draft.  He made his major league debut on June 30, 1985, going 0-2 in the White Sox 4-3 loss to the Twins at Comiskey Park.  He appeared in 4 more games during the 1985 seasons, earning 1 additional plate appearance.

In 1986, Cangelosi surprised everyone by earning the center fielder job in spring training, beating out Rudy Law and Daryl Boston.  He finished the year with a .235 batting average, but set an American League rookie record with 50 stolen bases.

The following spring, Cangelosi did not repeat his impressive performance and, on March 27, he was traded to the Pirates for Jim Winn.  He returned to the organization on a minor league deal in 1991, but was traded to the Brewers for Esteban Beltre less than 2 months later.

Cangelosi’s numbers in a White Sox uniform were:

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#94 – Vance Law

vance-lawName: Vance Law

Rank: 94

Position: 3B

Years With White Sox: 1982-1984

As spring training was winding down in 1982, the White Sox acquired Vance Law, along with Ernie Camacho, from the Pirates in exchange for Ross Baumgarten and Butch Edge.  Law jumped around the infield for the White Sox, spending time at shortstop, third base, and second base.  In his first major league stint with regular playing time, Law responded by hitting .281 with 5 home runs.

The offseason acquisitions of Jerry Dybzinski and Scott Fletcher meant Law could focus on third base for the 1983 season.  His offense suffered some, with his batting average dropping nearly 40 points, but he helped the White Sox secure their first post-season appearance since 1959.  Unfortunately, Law, like the rest of his teammates, struggled against the Orioles in the ALCS.  Law managed only 2 hits in the 4 game series.

While the White Sox regressed in 1984, Law put up arguably his best season as a pro.  He set a career high in games played and home runs, while his batting average rebounded to .252 and his OPS again surpassed the .700 mark.  Following the season, however, he was traded by the White Sox to the Expos for closer Bob James.

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

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#96 – Gary Redus

gredus

Name: Gary Redus

Rank: 96

Position: LF

Years With White Sox: 1987-1988

As spring training was winding down in 1987, the White Sox acquired Gary Redus from the Phillies for pitcher Joe Cowley.  “Our priorities have been to get a right-handed hitter with power or a right-handed hitter with speed to hit at the top of the order,” GM Larry Himes said at the time. “We like what we got with Redus. We traded a player who was going to play once every five days for a player who will play every five days.”  Redus played 130 games, but did not live up to the offensive promise that the White Sox were looking for when they acquired him.  He hit only .236 with 12 home runs, but did finish 3rd in the AL with 52 stolen bases.

Much to his surprise, Redus remained with the White Sox for the beginning of the 1988 season.  His offense improved somewhat, with his average rising to .263, but, after a hamstring injury kept him on the shelf for 2 weeks, he was traded to the Pirates for Mike Diaz.

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

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All Time Team Records

baseballs3Another 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.  Despite disparate seasons on the two sides of town last season, both the White Sox and the Cubs saw their overall winning percentage drop.  The 2016 season looks to be hopeful for both teams, so this trend should reverse itself.

All-Time Team Records
TeamName Won Loss Winning Pctg
California Angels 1 0 1
Arizone Diamondbacks 13 2 0.866666666666667
Florida Marlins 15 8 0.652173913043478
Philadelphia Phillies 10 6 0.625
Toronto Blue Jays 12 8 0.6
New York Yankees 12 9 0.571428571428571
Colorado Rockies 7 6 0.538461538461538
Los Angeles Angels 15 13 0.535714285714286
San Francisco Giants 8 7 0.533333333333333
Chicago White Sox 250 222 0.529661016949153
Chicago Cubs 197 177 0.526737967914439
Detroit Tigers Continue reading →
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2016 Predictions

MLB: Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles DodgersThe 2016 baseball season is scheduled to kick off today, with 3 games scheduled for the first time.  For the sixth consecutive year, I’ve looked into the crystal ball to make my picks for the upcoming season.

American League

East: Blue Jays

Central: Indians

West: Rangers

Wild Cards: Red Sox, White Sox

AL Champion: Blue Jays

Cy Young: Chris Sale

MVP: Mike Trout

National League

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Pirates All Time Leaders – Through 2015

pirates-primaryWith 1 month until baseball in Chicago returns, I thought it would be interesting to look at the all time leaders in both offensive and defensive categories for all 30 teams. We continue today with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pirates began life in 1887 as the Alleghenys, before taking on the Pirates moniker in 1891.  I’ve seen them play 42 times, including a double header sweep in 2003, enabling the Cubs to clinch their first NL Central title and a work outing in 2008 against the White Sox.

Home Runs

Name Total
Brian Giles 3
Jack Wilson 2
Nate McLouth 2
Carlos Garcia 2
Craig Wilson 2

Hits

Name Total
Jack Wilson 27
Jason Kendall 14
Aramis Ramirez 14

Runs

Name Total
Jack Wilson 16
Brian Giles 10
Nate McLouth 9

RBI

Name Total
Jason Kendall 12
Brian Giles 11
Jack Wilson 8

Doubles

Name Total
Freddy Sanchez 5
Aramis Ramirez 4
Abraham Nunez 4

Triples Continue reading →

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#114 – Mike LaValliere

Mike_LaValliere

Name: Mike LaValliere

Rank: 114

Position: C

Years With White Sox: 1993-1995

After being released by the Pirates just days into the 1993 season, Mike LaValliere signed a minor league deal with the White Sox.  He was recalled in June when Ron Karkovice landed on the disabled list.  He became the primary catcher after Carlton Fisk was released on June 28th, and moved back into a reserve role once Karkovice returned.  He finished the year with a .258 average in only 97 at bats.  LaValliere made two appearances during the ALCS against the Blue Jays, picking up 1 hit in 3 at bats.

LaValliere returned to the White Sox in 1994, again as a backup to Karkovice.  He hit a robust .281 in only 139 at bats before the season came to a premature end due to the player’s strike.

When baseball resumed in 1995, LaValliere was back behind the plate for the White Sox.  He again was used sparingly, ending the year with a .245 average in a scant 98 at bats.  Following the season, he became a free agent and retired.

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

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