Tag / Damaso Marte

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#112 – Orlando Hernandez

elduqueName: Orlando Hernandez

Rank: 112

Position: P

Year With White Sox: 2005

Orlando Hernandez first became a member of the White Sox organization on January 15, 2003, when he was acquired from the Yankees for Antonio Osuna.  Mere moments later, he was shipped to the Expos, along with Rocky Biddle, Jeff Liefer, and cash, in exchange for Bartolo Colon.  Nearly 2 years later, he signed with the White Sox as a free agent.  As the 5th starter, he put up a decent 9-9 record, but with a high 5.12 ERA.

Hernandez moved to the bullpen for the 2005 post-season, where he permanently etched his name in White Sox lore.  With the White Sox looking to win their first post-season series since the 1917 World Series and clinging to a 4-3 lead in the 6th inning of game 3 of the ALDS against the Red Sox, Hernandez entered in relief of Damaso Marte with the bases loaded and nobody out.  He managed to induce pop-outs from both pinch hitter Jason Varitek and Tony Graffanino before getting Johnny Damon to chase a ball out of the strike zone on a 3-2 count to escape unscathed.  2 rounds later, he pitched a scoreless inning in the 14-inning game 3 of the World Series.

Nearly two months later, Hernandez was traded, along with Luis Vizcaino and Chris Young, to the Diamondbacks for Javier Vazquez.

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

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#193 – Damaso Marte

Name: Damaso Marte

Rank: 193

Position: P

Years With White Sox: 2002-2005

Damaso Marte was acquired by the White Sox from the Pirates towards the end of spring training in 2002 in exchange for Matt Guerrier.  The trade quickly paid dividends, as Marte became on of the most reliable arms in the White Sox bullpen during the 2002 season.  He compiled a 2.83 ERA in 68 games, converting 10 saves in the process.

In 2003, Marte was even more successful.  He lowered his ERA by over a run and saved 11 games in 71 appearances.  2004 started a slight decline for Marte, as his ERA jumped nearly 2 full runs.  He appeared in 74 games, but his innings pitched dropped from the year before.

Marte’s fortunes fell a little more in 2005, as he took on a new role in the bullpen.  While the White Sox held on to first place in the AL Central, Marte’s ERA rose again, while he put up his lowest totals in a White Sox uniform in games, saves, and innings pitched.

His most famous moment in a White Sox uniform, and perhaps his lowest, was his appearance in game 3 of the 2005 ALDS against the Red Sox.  After Freddy Garcia gave up a leadoff home run to Manny Ramirez in the bottom of the 6th to cut the White Sox lead to 1 run, Marte came in to replace him.  He gave up a single to Trot Nixon and then walked the next two batters before being replaced by Orlando Hernandez, leaving him the bases loaded and nobody out.

That likely would have been his final appearance with the White Sox, had game 3 of the World Series not gone 14 innings.  Marte entered the game in the bottom of the 13th, becoming the 8th pitcher of the evening for the White Sox.  He got through the 13th relatively unscathed, but ran in to some issues in the 14th, thanks to a walk and an error.  He was replaced by Mark Buehrle, who got the final out, giving Marte the win.

With the cleanup of the ticker tape parade barely completed, the White Sox shipped Damaso Marte out of town, sending him back to the Pirates in exchange for Rob Mackowiak.

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

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#240 – Antonio Osuna

osunaName: Antonio Osuna

Rank: 240

Position: P

Years With White Sox: 2001-2002

When Bill Simas went down for the entire 2001 season during spring training, GM Kenny Williams struck a deal with the Dodgers on St. Patrick’s Day, acquiring Antonio Osuna for a collection of minor league talent. Unfortunately for Williams and the White Sox, a cyst in Osuna’s pitching shoulder limited him to 4 poor appearances in April before requiring season ending surgery.

Osuna bounced back in 2002, appearing in 59 games and posting a 3.86 ERA.  He, along with Damaso Marte, replaced Keith Foulke as the team’s closer at the All Star break, converting 11 out of 14 save opportunities.

In January of 2003, Osuna was sent to the Yankees as part of the 3 team deal that brought Bartolo Colon to the White Sox and sent Orlando Hernandez, Rocky Biddle, and Jeff Liefer to the Expos.

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

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#315 – Rob Mackowiak

Chicago White Sox v Chicago CubsName: Rob Mackowiak

Rank: 315

Position: OF

Years With White Sox: 2006-2007

Following their World Series victory, the White Sox looked to retool for their title defense and one of their first moves was to send Damaso Marte, who had fallen out of favor after a poor outing against Boston in game 3 of the division series, to Pittsburgh in exchange for Rob Mackowiak.  Mackwoiak ended up getting more playing time than expected thanks to the failure of Brian Anderson.

The 2007 season took a downward spiral for the White Sox, and Mackowiak found himself moved at the trading deadline, heading to the Padres in exchange for pitcher Jon Link.

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

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