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 → |
After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended. That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.
From what I can tell, this undated CD was from the lost year of 2004. In addition to songs that were released in 2004, we also have an ode to former White Sox infielder Willie Harris, which I believe was popular at the ballpark back in 04.
The Muffs – Everywhere I Go
You may recognize this song from a popular Fruitopia commercial.
iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 5/11/2012
J. J. Abrams – Alias theme
This is currently my ring tone for people I work with.
iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 8/21/2012
Avril Lavigne – Don’t Tell Me
The first single from Lavigne’s second album.
iTunes stats: 1 plays, on 8/8/2008
Green Day – American Idiot
Nominated for 4 Grammys, this was Green Day’s first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 1/11/2013
Avril Lavigne – My Happy Ending
The second single from Lavigne’s second album.
iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/27/2009
Ashlee Simpson – Pieces Of Me
The debut single from Jessica’s little sister.
iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 9/16/2012
Sweet – Little Willy
The 1972 hit was reintroduced to White Sox fans whenever Willie Harris would do something worthwhile/
iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 11/9/2012
K’s Choice – Something’s Wrong
An album track from K’s Choice’s second album.
iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 1/2/2013
Nitty – Nasty Girl
Features a sample from the Archie’s hit Sugar, Sugar.
iTunes stats: Never played
Snoop Dogg – What’s My Name
The first single from Snoop’s solo debut.
iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 10/8/2012
Name: Bret Prinz
Rank: 327
Position: P
Year With White Sox: 2007
Bret Prinz joined the White Sox organization prior to the 2007 season. After putting up a sparkling 0.56 for Triple A Charlotte, he was recalled to the big league club, which was in the midst of their first losing season of the century. Unfortunately, Prinz was unable to duplicate his minor league success in the big leagues, appearing in only 4 games before being released. Prinz would bounce around the minor leagues for a few more seasons, but would never again wear a major league uniform.
Prinz’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were:
Fireworks Night
June 7
June 28
July 3
July 19
July 27
August 9
August 23 (Elvis Night)
September 14 (Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day)
Family Day (Replaces Kids Day)
April 7
April 21
April 28
May 26
June 9 (1983 White Sox Kids Jersey)
June 30
July 21
July 28
August 11 (Spirit & Mascot Day)
August 25
September 15
September 29
Other Fun Stuff
April 6 – 1983 White Sox Knit Bomber Hat
April 20 – White Sox Puzzle Cube
April 27 – Harold Baines Bobblehead
May 11- Paul Konerko Bobblehead
June 8 – Southpaw’s Birthday Party
June 29 – Billy Pierce Replica Statue
July 20 – 1983 White Sox Replica Batting Helmet
August 10 – Ron Kittle Bobblehead
Name: Brian Bruney
Rank: 328
Position: P
Years With White Sox: 2011-2012
Brian Bruney joined the White Sox as a free agent following the 2010 season. He made his debut with the big league club on May 31 against the Boston Red Sox, allowing 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning. In August, Bruney was given his unconditional release after refusing an assignment to Triple A.
After the season, Bruney resigned with the White Sox, accepting the minor league assignment he had refused the previous summer. Bruney spent most of the 2012 season in Charlotte, appearing in only 1 game for the big league club.
Bruney’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were:
Name: Brian Simmons
Rank: 329
Position: LF
Years With White Sox: 1998-1999
Brian Simmons joined the White Sox organization as their second round pick in the 1995 draft. He worked his way through the system, making his major league debut on September 21, 1998 as a defensive replacement against the Twins. 5 days later, against the Royals, Simmons set a major league record, needing the fewest career at bats to homer from both sides of the plate.
Simmons won the 1999 starting center field job in spring training, but a cut hand, thanks to Alex Rodriguez’s spike, late in spring training forced him to start the year in Triple A Charlotte instead of Chicago. In 2000, Simmons again had won a spot on the opening day roster, but he ruptured his Achilles’ tendon on the day the White Sox broke camp.
Following the White Sox disappointing loss to the Mariners in the 2000 ALDS, Simmons was packaged with Mike Sirotka, Kevin Beirne, and minor leaguer Mike Williams to the Blue Jays in exchange for David Wells and Matt DeWitt.
Simmons rejoined the White Sox following the 2001 season, but was released during spring training after still showing the effects of his 2000 injury.
Simmons’ numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were:
Name: Bryan Clark
Rank: 330
Position: P
Years With White Sox: 1986-1987
Bryan Clark signed with the White Sox as a free agent prior to the 1986 season and spent the majority of his two seasons in Triple A. In the minimal amount of time he did spend with the big league club, the highlight came in May of 1986, when he served up the 2000th hit of George Brett’s career.
After the 1987 season, after piling up nearly 27 innings pitched for the South Siders, Clark was granted free agency.
Clark’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both in games I’ve attended and overall, were:
The White Sox announced yesterday that the team will honor the 1983 AL West division champions by wearing a 1983 throwback for Sunday home games this season. The Sox had previously worn 1983 throwbacks for one game in both the 2003 and 2008 seasons for the 20th and 25th anniversary.
After introducing the idea of throwback uniforms with the first Turn Back The Clock day in 1990 to celebrate the closing of old Comiskey Park, the White Sox have mostly shied away from throwbacks after 2001, when they wore a 1917-based alternate on Sundays to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the American League. Last year, however, the team honored the 40th anniversary of the 1972 squad, featuring league MVP Dick Allen, by wearing the team’s red pinstripes at home on Sundays.
Name: Bryan Ward
Rank: 331
Position: P
Years With White Sox: 1998-1999
Bryan Ward joined the White Sox organization following the 1997 season when he was selected off of waivers from the Marlins. Ward pitched well in 1998 for the Double A Birmingham Barons before earning a call up to the big league club and making his major league debut on July 3 in mop-up duty against the Red Sox. Ward did well for himself, finishing the year with a 3.33 ERA in 27 innings.
Unfortunately, Ward’s success was short lived. He spent the entire 1999 season in Chicago, appearing in 40 games and finishing with a 7.55 ERA. As soon as the season finished, he was granted free agency, ending his White Sox career.
Ward’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both in games I’ve attended and overall, were:
Name: Carlos Martinez
Rank: 332
Position: 1B/3B
Years With White Sox: 1988-1990
Carlos Martinez was sent to the White Sox in 1986, along with Ron Hassey, by the Yankees in exchange for Ron Kittle, Joel Skinner, and Wayne Tolleson. He made his major league debut on September 2, 1988 against the Indians. Martinez spent most of 1989 with the big league club, setting his career highs in average, at-bats, hits, runs, and doubles. He was also named to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team.
In 1990, Martinez took over as the White Sox primary first baseman until August 2nd, when a rookie named Frank Thomas was brought up. With first base settled for the next decade or so, and pending legal issues in his homeland of Venezuela, Martinez was granted free agency in February of 1991, ending his White Sox career.
Unfortunately, Martinez passed away in 2006 at the age of 40 in his native Venezuela following a long illness.
Martinez’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were: