By The Numbers – 36

In 1929, uniform numbers appeared on the back of baseball jerseys for the first time, thanks to the Indians and the Yankees.  By 1937, numbers finally appeared across all uniforms, both home and away, across both major leagues.  Since that time, 81 distinct numbers have been worn by members of the White Sox, while the Cubs boast 76.

Today, we continue our look at those players, picking our favorite, if not the best, player to wear each uniform number for both Chicago teams with #36.  83 different players have donned #36 while playing in Chicago, 54 for the White Sox and 29 for the Cubs.

Acquired by the Cubs, along with Bob Dernier and Porfi Altamirano, from the Phillies for Bill Campbell and Mike Diaz near the end of spring training in 1984, Gary “Sarge” Matthews, wearing #36, became a spark plug that helped lead the Cubs to their first ever division title.  Leading the league in walks and OBP, Matthews set a career high with 101 runs scored and finished 5th in MVP voting, behind teammates Ryne Sandberg and Rick Sutcliffe.  He saw a big drop-off in 1985, appearing in only 97 games and hitting a career low .235.  He bounced back a bit in 1986, appearing in 123 games and hitting 21 home runs, his highest total since 1979.  Reduced to a bench player in 1987, Matthews had 42 ABs in 44 games when he was traded to the Mariners on July 11 for a minor league player to be named later.

On the south side of town, Jerry Koosman donned #36 when he joined the White Sox on August 30, 1981 after coming to the White Sox via trade from the Twins.  Koosman appeared in 8 games down the stretch, starting 3, as the White Sox finished 6th in the second half of the crazy strike season.  He returned in 1982, working mostly out of the bullpen but still starting 19 games as the White Sox squandered a quick start to finish in 3rd place.  The veteran lefty spent most of the 1983 season in the starting rotation, but saw his ERA inflate to a career high 4.77.  However, after a shaky start, the White Sox caught fire and Koosman was the starting pitcher on September 17, when the White Sox clinched their first division title.  Koosman made one relief appearance during the ALCS against the Orioles, throwing 1/3 of a disastrous inning in the Game 3 blowout, giving up 1 hit, 2 walks, and 3 runs (2 earned).  He re-upped with the White Sox following the season, but was sent to the Phillies the following spring to complete the trade for Ron Reed.

#139 – Jerry Koosman

main_1-Jerry-Koosman

Name: Jerry Koosman

Rank: 139

Position: P

Years With White Sox: 1981-1983

Jerry Koosman joined the White Sox on August 30, 1981 when he was acquired via trade with the Twins for 2 minor leaguers, cash, and a player to be named later that eventually became Randy Johnson (no, not that Randy Johnson).  Koosman appeared in 8 games down the stretch, starting 3, as the White Sox finished 6th in the second half of the crazy strike season.

Koosman returned in 1982, working mostly out of the bullpen but still starting 19 games.  The White Sox got off to a quick start, winning 20 out of their first 30 games, but leveled off and finished in 3rd place in their division.

1983 would see different results for both the White Sox and Koosman.  The veteran left hander spent most of the season in the starting rotation, but saw his ERA inflate to a career high 4.77.  However, after a shaky start, the White Sox caught fire and ran away with the division crown, winning a league best 99 games.  Koosman was the starting pitcher on September 17, when the White Sox clinched their first division title and first post-season appearance since 1959.

Koosman made one relief appearance during the ALCS against the Orioles, throwing 1/3 of a disastrous inning in the Game 3 blowout, giving up 1 hit, 2 walks, and 3 runs (2 earned).  Koosman re-upped with the White Sox following the season, but was sent to the Phillies the following spring to complete the trade for Ron Reed.

Koosman’s numbers in a White Sox uniform were:

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#264 – Ron Reed

Ron_ReedName: Ron Reed

Rank: 264

Position: P

Year With White Sox: 1984

After 18 seasons in the National League, Ron Reed moved to the American League for the first time when he was traded from the Phillies to the White Sox on December 5, 1983 for Jerry Koosman.  Reed was supposed to be a stabilizing factor at the back end of the bullpen as the White Sox looked to repeat as AL West champs.  The 41 year old Reed pitched well enough, but the White Sox fell apart, finishing 5th in their division.

Following spring training in 1985, Reed was released and he decided to retire.

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