Tag / Russ Morman

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#216 – Russ Morman

russmormanName: Russ Morman

Rank: 216

Position: 1B

Years With White Sox: 1986, 1988-1989

With their second selection in the first round of the 1983 draft, the White Sox selected Russ Morman out of Wichita State.  He made his major league debut on August 3, 1986 in a White Sox blowout against the Tigers, where he became the second player in major league history to get two hits in the same inning during his first game.  Morman finished out the year in the big leagues, appearing in 49 games and hitting .252.

1987 saw Morman back in Tripe A for the entire season.  He managed to have multiple stints with the White Sox in 1988, appearing in 40 games, but seeing his average and power numbers drop.

1989 was more of the same for Morman.  He again split time between Triple A and the big leagues, and his games played and average both continued to drop.  Following the season, he was released.

Morman’s numbers in a White Sox uniform were:

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#322 – Joe DeSa

joedesaName: Joe DeSa

Rank: 322

Position: 1B

Year With White Sox: 1985

Joe DeSa joined the White Sox organization following the 1983 season.  After a strong spring training in 1985, he broke camp with the big league club.  With Greg Walker established at first base, DeSa was soon optioned back to Triple A Buffalo in order to get regular playing time.  He got another chance in August when Walker strained a knee and it became clear that Oscar Gamble’s usefulness to the team had run its course.  “I liked what Oscar did for the team,” manager Tony La Russa said.  “But he became the odd man out. Plus, DeSa has earned his shot.”

DeSa returned to Buffalo in 1986 and had another good year, being named the team MVP, but he was unable to make it back to the major leagues even with Greg Walker sidelined for half the year with a wrist injury, having been passed by Russ Morman and Bobby Bonilla.  Following the season, DeSa was released.

Sadly, DeSa would never get another chance to make it to the major leagues.  While participating in the Puerto Rican Winter League that December, DeSa died in a car accident.

DeSa’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were: Continue reading →