1959 Chicago White Sox season
Encyclopedia
The Chicago White Sox
season was the team's 59th season in the major leagues, and its 60th season overall. They finished with a record 94-60, good enough to win the American League
championship, five games ahead of the second place Cleveland Indians
. It was the team's first pennant
since 1919
and would be its last until their championship season of .
, thanks to the efforts of several eventual Hall of Famers – manager Al Lopez
, Luis Aparicio
, Nellie Fox
(the league MVP), and pitcher Early Wynn
, who won the Cy Young Award
at a time when only one award was presented for both leagues. Veteran catcher Sherm Lollar
provided quiet leadership on and off the field, leading the team in home runs and RBIs. The White Sox also acquired slugger Ted Kluszewski
, a local area native, from the Pittsburgh Pirates
for the final pennant push. Kluszewski gave the team a much-needed slugger for the stretch run, and he hit nearly .300 for the White Sox in the final month. Lopez had also managed the Cleveland Indians
to the World Series in , making him the only manager to interrupt the New York Yankees
pennant run between and .
After the pennant-clinching victory, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley
, a life-long White Sox fan, ordered his fire chief to set off the city's air raid sirens
. Many Chicagoans became fearful and confused since 1959 was the height of the Cold War
; however, they relaxed somewhat upon realizing it was part of the White Sox' celebration. The Sox won Game 1 of the World Series
11-0 on the strength of Kluszewski's two home runs, their last postseason home win until 2005
. The Los Angeles Dodgers
, however, won three of the next four games and captured their first World Series championship since moving to the west coast in 1958. 92,706 fans witnessed Game 5 of the World Series at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
, the most ever to attend a World Series game, or for that matter any non-exhibition major league baseball game. The White Sox won that game 1-0 over the Dodgers' 23-year-old pitcher Sandy Koufax
, but the Dodgers clinched the series by beating the Sox 9-3 two days later at Comiskey Park.
Fox became the last player in the 20th century to have five hits on Opening Day.
(4) vs. AL Chicago White Sox (2)
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
season was the team's 59th season in the major leagues, and its 60th season overall. They finished with a record 94-60, good enough to win the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
championship, five games ahead of the second place Cleveland Indians
1959 Cleveland Indians season
The 1959 Cleveland Indians season was the 59th in franchise history. The Indians finished in second place in the American League with a record of 89 wins and 65 losses, five games behind the AL Champion Chicago White Sox.- Offseason :...
. It was the team's first pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
since 1919
1919 Chicago White Sox season
The Chicago White Sox season was their 19th season in the American League. They won 88 games to advance to the World Series but lost to the Cincinnati Reds. More significantly, some of the players were found to have taken money from gamblers in return for throwing the series...
and would be its last until their championship season of .
Offseason
- December 1, 1958: 1958 rule 5 draftRule 5 draftThe Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
- Claude RaymondClaude Raymond (baseball)Jean Claude Marc Raymond was a pitcher for the Chicago White Sox , Milwaukee Braves/Atlanta Braves , Houston Colt .45's/Houston Astros and Montreal Expos...
was drafted by the White Sox from the Milwaukee BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. - Lou SkizasLou SkizasLouis Peter Skizas , is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball primarily as an outfielder and third baseman from 1956-1959.-Fast Facts:* Skizas is of Greek ancestry....
was drafted by the White Sox from the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
.
- Claude Raymond
Regular season
In , the team won its first pennant in 40 years1919 Chicago White Sox season
The Chicago White Sox season was their 19th season in the American League. They won 88 games to advance to the World Series but lost to the Cincinnati Reds. More significantly, some of the players were found to have taken money from gamblers in return for throwing the series...
, thanks to the efforts of several eventual Hall of Famers – manager Al Lopez
Al Lopez
Alfonso Ramon "Al" Lopez was an American catcher and manager in Major League Baseball, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977....
, Luis Aparicio
Luis Aparicio
Luis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel is a former shortstop in professional baseball. His career in Major League Baseball spanned three decades, from through . Aparicio played for the Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
, Nellie Fox
Nellie Fox
Jacob Nelson Fox was a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Chicago White Sox. Fox was born in St. Thomas Township, Pennsylvania. He was selected as the MVP of the American League in...
(the league MVP), and pitcher Early Wynn
Early Wynn
Early Wynn Jr. , nicknamed "Gus", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 25-year baseball career, he pitched for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox...
, who won the Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
at a time when only one award was presented for both leagues. Veteran catcher Sherm Lollar
Sherm Lollar
John Sherman Lollar was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , St. Louis Browns , and the Chicago White Sox...
provided quiet leadership on and off the field, leading the team in home runs and RBIs. The White Sox also acquired slugger Ted Kluszewski
Ted Kluszewski
Theodore Bernard "Big Klu" Kluszewski was a Major League first baseman from 1947 through 1961. He batted and threw left-handed.-Career:...
, a local area native, from the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
for the final pennant push. Kluszewski gave the team a much-needed slugger for the stretch run, and he hit nearly .300 for the White Sox in the final month. Lopez had also managed the Cleveland Indians
1954 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians advanced to the World Series for the first time in six years. It was the team's third American League championship in franchise history...
to the World Series in , making him the only manager to interrupt the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
pennant run between and .
After the pennant-clinching victory, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley
Richard J. Daley
Richard Joseph Daley served for 21 years as the mayor and undisputed Democratic boss of Chicago and is considered by historians to be the "last of the big city bosses." He played a major role in the history of the Democratic Party, especially with his support of John F...
, a life-long White Sox fan, ordered his fire chief to set off the city's air raid sirens
Civil defense siren
A civil defense siren is a mechanical or electronic device for generating sound to...
. Many Chicagoans became fearful and confused since 1959 was the height of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
; however, they relaxed somewhat upon realizing it was part of the White Sox' celebration. The Sox won Game 1 of the World Series
1959 World Series
The 1959 World Series featured the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers beating the American League champion Chicago White Sox, four games to two. It was the first pennant for the White Sox in 40 years . They would have to wait until 2005 to win another championship...
11-0 on the strength of Kluszewski's two home runs, their last postseason home win until 2005
2005 American League Division Series
-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. New York Yankees:†: Game was postponed due to rain on October 8-Game 1, October 4:U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois...
. The Los Angeles Dodgers
1959 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished in a first-place tie with the Milwaukee Braves, then won the pennant as they swept the Braves in a best-of-three playoff series. They went on to defeat the Chicago White Sox in the 1959 World Series in just their second season since leaving Brooklyn.- Offseason :*...
, however, won three of the next four games and captured their first World Series championship since moving to the west coast in 1958. 92,706 fans witnessed Game 5 of the World Series at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team...
, the most ever to attend a World Series game, or for that matter any non-exhibition major league baseball game. The White Sox won that game 1-0 over the Dodgers' 23-year-old pitcher Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax
Sanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
, but the Dodgers clinched the series by beating the Sox 9-3 two days later at Comiskey Park.
Fox became the last player in the 20th century to have five hits on Opening Day.
Notable transactions
- May 1, 1959: Lou SkizasLou SkizasLouis Peter Skizas , is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball primarily as an outfielder and third baseman from 1956-1959.-Fast Facts:* Skizas is of Greek ancestry....
and Don RudolphDon RudolphFrederick Donald Rudolph was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. During a six-year baseball career, the left-hander pitched from 1957-1964 for four different teams....
were traded by the White Sox to the Cincinnati RedlegsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Del EnnisDel EnnisDelmer Ennis was an American left and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Philadelphia Phillies. From 1949 to 1957, Ennis accumulated more runs batted in than anyone besides Stan Musial and was 8th in the National League in home runs...
. - May 2, 1959: Ray BooneRay BooneRaymond Otis Boone was an American Major League Baseball player. He batted and threw right-handed.Boone was born in San Diego, California. An infielder, he broke into the major leagues on September 3, , with the Cleveland Indians...
was traded by the White Sox to the Kansas City AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for Harry SimpsonHarry SimpsonHarry Leon "Suitcase" Simpson was an African American outfielder and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for a number of teams. He played in the World Series with the New York Yankees in 1957, where they lost....
. - May 11, 1959: Claude Raymond was returned by the White Sox to the Milwaukee Braves.
Opening Day lineup
- Luis AparicioLuis AparicioLuis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel is a former shortstop in professional baseball. His career in Major League Baseball spanned three decades, from through . Aparicio played for the Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
, ss - Nellie FoxNellie FoxJacob Nelson Fox was a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Chicago White Sox. Fox was born in St. Thomas Township, Pennsylvania. He was selected as the MVP of the American League in...
, 2b - Jim LandisJim LandisJames Henry Landis is a retired American baseball player. Landis was signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent in 1952 shortly after graduating from Richmond High School...
, cf - Sherm LollarSherm LollarJohn Sherman Lollar was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , St. Louis Browns , and the Chicago White Sox...
, c - Norm CashNorm CashNorman Dalton Cash was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who spent almost his entire career with the Detroit Tigers...
, 1b - Al Smith, rf
- Johnny CallisonJohnny CallisonJohn Wesley Callison was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1960 to 1969...
, lf - Bubba PhillipsBubba PhillipsJohn Melvin "Bubba" Phillips was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball who attended the University of Southern Mississippi...
, 3b - Billy PierceBilly PierceWalter William Pierce is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Chicago White Sox. He was the team's star pitcher between 1952 and 1961, and was named the American League's top pitcher in 1956 and 1957 after being runner-up in both 1953...
, p
Roster
| 1959 Chicago White Sox | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Pos | Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 140 | 505 | 63 | 134 | .265 | 22 | 84 | 4 | |
| 1B | 127 | 277 | 40 | 61 | .220 | 9 | 45 | 7 | |
| 2B | 156 | 624 | 84 | 191 | .306 | 2 | 70 | 5 | |
| 3B | 117 | 379 | 43 | 100 | .264 | 5 | 40 | 1 | |
| SS | 152 | 612 | 98 | 157 | .257 | 6 | 51 | 56 | |
| LF | 129 | 472 | 65 | 112 | .235 | 17 | 55 | 7 | |
| CF | 149 | 515 | 78 | 140 | .272 | 5 | 60 | 20 | |
| RF | 67 | 210 | 22 | 58 | .276 | 0 | 27 | 2 | |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104 | 268 | 21 | 67 | .250 | 1 | 28 | 3 | |
| 80 | 177 | 18 | 39 | .220 | 4 | 19 | 5 | |
| 53 | 126 | 20 | 37 | .294 | 5 | 25 | 0 | |
| 49 | 104 | 12 | 18 | .173 | 3 | 12 | 0 | |
| 58 | 104 | 16 | 25 | .240 | 4 | 16 | 1 | |
| 31 | 101 | 11 | 30 | .297 | 2 | 10 | 0 | |
| 26 | 96 | 10 | 21 | .219 | 2 | 7 | 0 | |
| 38 | 75 | 5 | 14 | .187 | 2 | 13 | 0 | |
| 69 | 66 | 12 | 11 | .167 | 1 | 5 | 0 | |
| 26 | 64 | 9 | 14 | .219 | 2 | 7 | 0 | |
| 21 | 58 | 1 | 14 | .241 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
| 9 | 21 | 3 | 5 | .238 | 1 | 5 | 1 | |
| 10 | 14 | 3 | 3 | .214 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| 8 | 13 | 3 | 1 | .077 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | 7 | 0 | 3 | .429 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | .250 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | .500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 255.2 | 22 | 10 | 3.17 | 179 | |
| 34 | 224 | 14 | 15 | 3.62 | 114 | |
| 31 | 179.2 | 9 | 10 | 3.66 | 71 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 230.2 | 18 | 6 | 2.69 | 89 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 8 | 5 | 14 | 2.24 | 54 | |
| 60 | 9 | 2 | 15 | 2.89 | 63 | |
| 34 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4.09 | 28 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9.00 | 1 | |
1959 World Series
NL Los Angeles Dodgers1959 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished in a first-place tie with the Milwaukee Braves, then won the pennant as they swept the Braves in a best-of-three playoff series. They went on to defeat the Chicago White Sox in the 1959 World Series in just their second season since leaving Brooklyn.- Offseason :*...
(4) vs. AL Chicago White Sox (2)
| Game | Score | Date | Location | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dodgers – 0, White Sox – 11 | October 1 | Comiskey Park Comiskey Park Comiskey Park was the ballpark in which the Chicago White Sox played from 1910 to 1990. It was built by Charles Comiskey after a design by Zachary Taylor Davis, and was the site of four World Series and more than 6,000 major league games... |
48,013 |
| 2 | Dodgers – 4, White Sox – 3 | October 2 | Comiskey Park Comiskey Park Comiskey Park was the ballpark in which the Chicago White Sox played from 1910 to 1990. It was built by Charles Comiskey after a design by Zachary Taylor Davis, and was the site of four World Series and more than 6,000 major league games... |
47,368 |
| 3 | White Sox – 1, Dodgers – 3 | October 4 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team... |
92,394 |
| 4 | White Sox – 4, Dodgers – 5 | October 5 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team... |
92,650 |
| 5 | White Sox – 1, Dodgers – 0 | October 6 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team... |
92,706 |
| 6 | Dodgers – 9, White Sox – 3 | October 8 | Comiskey Park Comiskey Park Comiskey Park was the ballpark in which the Chicago White Sox played from 1910 to 1990. It was built by Charles Comiskey after a design by Zachary Taylor Davis, and was the site of four World Series and more than 6,000 major league games... |
47,653 |
Awards and honors
- Nellie FoxNellie FoxJacob Nelson Fox was a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Chicago White Sox. Fox was born in St. Thomas Township, Pennsylvania. He was selected as the MVP of the American League in...
, American League MVP. Luis AparicioLuis AparicioLuis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel is a former shortstop in professional baseball. His career in Major League Baseball spanned three decades, from through . Aparicio played for the Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
, second place in MVP voting. - Early WynnEarly WynnEarly Wynn Jr. , nicknamed "Gus", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 25-year baseball career, he pitched for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox...
, Cy Young AwardCy Young AwardThe Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955... - Nellie FoxNellie FoxJacob Nelson Fox was a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Chicago White Sox. Fox was born in St. Thomas Township, Pennsylvania. He was selected as the MVP of the American League in...
, Gold Glove AwardRawlings Gold Glove AwardThe Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the... - Luis AparicioLuis AparicioLuis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel is a former shortstop in professional baseball. His career in Major League Baseball spanned three decades, from through . Aparicio played for the Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
, Gold Glove Award - Sherm LollarSherm LollarJohn Sherman Lollar was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , St. Louis Browns , and the Chicago White Sox...
, Gold Glove Award - Al LopezAl LopezAlfonso Ramon "Al" Lopez was an American catcher and manager in Major League Baseball, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977....
, Associated Press AL Manager of the Year