1968 Chicago White Sox season
Encyclopedia
The 1968
Chicago White Sox
season was the team's 68th season in the major leagues, and its 69th season overall. They finished with a record 67-95, good enough for eighth place in the American League
, 36 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers
.
, Bud Selig
's group contracted with Chicago White Sox
owner Arthur Allyn
to host nine White Sox
home games at Milwaukee County Stadium
in 1968. A 1967 exhibition game between the White Sox and Minnesota Twins
had attracted more than 51,000 spectators, and Selig was convinced the strong Milwaukee fan base would demonstrate the city would provide a good home for a new club.
The experiment was staggeringly successful - those nine games drew 264,297 fans. In Chicago that season, the Sox drew 539,478 fans to their remaining 58 home games. In just a handful of games, the Milwaukee crowds accounted for nearly one-third of the total attendance at White Sox games. In light of this success, Selig and Allyn agreed County Stadium would host Sox home games again the next season.
1968 Major League Baseball season
The Athletics played their first season in Oakland this year, following the team's relocation from Kansas City. It was also the last season of play before each of the two leagues were split into divisions for the following season.-The Year of the Pitcher:...
Chicago White Sox
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 68th season in the major leagues, and its 69th season overall. They finished with a record 67-95, good enough for eighth place in 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...
, 36 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers
1968 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers won the 1968 World Series, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4 games to 3. The 1968 baseball season, known as the "Year of the Pitcher," was the Tigers' 68th since they entered the American League in 1901, their eighth pennant, and third World Series championship...
.
Offseason
- October 16, 1967: Smoky BurgessSmoky BurgessForrest Harrill "Smoky" Burgess was an American professional baseball player, coach and scout. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1949 to 1967. Later in his career, he became known for his ability as a pinch hitter, setting the major league career record for career pinch-hits...
was released by the White Sox. - October 26, 1967: Marv StaehleMarv StaehleMarvin Gustave Staehle is an American former Major League Baseball second baseman. He played for the Chicago White Sox , Montréal Expos , and the Atlanta Braves . He stood tall and weighed .Staehle attended Western Illinois University and originally signed with his hometown White Sox...
was sent by the White Sox to the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
to complete an earlier deal (the White Sox traded Jim King and a player to be named later to the Indians for Rocky ColavitoRocky ColavitoRocco Domenico "Rocky" Colavito, Jr. is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the Cleveland Indians. He wore a #6, #7 or #21 jersey during his MLB career...
) made on July 29, 1967. - November 29, 1967: Don BufordDon BufordDonald Alvin Buford is a former Major League Baseball player. An infielder/outfielder, the switch-hitting Buford played for the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles ....
, Roger NelsonRoger Nelson (baseball)Roger Eugene Nelson is a former professional baseball pitcher. Nelson pitched all or part of nine seasons in Major League Baseball between 1967 and 1976 with a record of 29 wins, 32 losses, and 5 saves....
and Bruce HowardBruce Howard (baseball)Bruce Ernest Howard is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1963 to 1968 for the Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and Washington Senators. Listed at 6' 2", 180 lb., Howard was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed. A native of Salisbury, Maryland, he attended...
were traded by the White Sox to the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for 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...
, Russ SnyderRuss SnyderRussell Henry Snyder was an outfielder for the Kansas City Athletics , Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers ....
and John MatiasJohn MatiasJohn Matias is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Chicago White Sox in 1970, playing 58 games and hitting .188 with 2 homers. He was traded at the end of the season to the Kansas City Royals but never played in the majors again.-External links:...
. - December 15, 1967: Tommie AgeeTommie AgeeTommie Lee Agee was a Major League Baseball center fielder most noted for making two of the greatest catches in World Series history, both of which occurred in game three of the 1969 World Series.-Cleveland Indians:...
and Al WeisAl WeisAlbert John Weis is a former Major League Baseball infielder.Weis grew up in Bethpage, New York, and graduated from Farmingdale, New York, High School in 1955...
were traded by the White Sox to the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for Tommy DavisTommy DavisHerman Thomas Davis, Jr. is an American former Major League Baseball left fielder and third baseman. He played from 1959-1976 for ten different teams, but he is best known for his years with the Los Angeles Dodgers. During an 18-year baseball career, Davis batted .294 with 153 home runs, 2,121...
, Jack FisherJack FisherJohn Howard Fisher was a Major League Baseball pitcher. The right-hander was signed by the Baltimore Orioles as an amateur free agent on June 24, 1957. He played for the Orioles , San Francisco Giants , New York Mets , Chicago White Sox , and Cincinnati Reds...
, Billy WynneBilly WynneBilly Vernon Wynne Billy Vernon Wynne Billy Vernon Wynne (born July 31, 1943, at Williamston, North Carolina is a retired American professional baseball player. A right-handed pitcher, he appeared in 42 games played, 30 as a starting pitcher, for the New York Mets, Chicago White Sox and California...
, and Buddy BookerBuddy BookerRichard Lee "Buddy" Booker is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for two seasons. He played for the Cleveland Indians in 1966 and the Chicago White Sox in 1968....
. - February 13, 1968: Dennis HigginsDennis HigginsDennis Dean Higgins is a former professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of seven seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals...
, Steve JonesSteve Jones (baseball)Steven Howell Jones is a former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1967 to 1969 for the Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators and Kansas City Royals. He is the brother of fellow former major leaguer Gary Jones.Prior to playing professional baseball, he attended Whittier...
, and Ron HansenRon Hansen (baseball)Ronald Lavern Hansen is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox , Washington Senators , New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals...
were traded by the White Sox to the Washington SenatorsTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for Tim CullenTim CullenThis article is about the baseball player. For the article about the Wisconsin state politician, see Timothy Cullen . For the article about the former World Bank spokesman see Tim Cullen ....
, Buster NarumBuster NarumLeslie Ferdinand "Buster" Narum was a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Senators ....
and Bob PriddyBob PriddyRobert Simpson Priddy is a retired American professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1962 to 1971, with the exception of the 1973 season. Priddy batted right-handed, stood tall and weighed . He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
.
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 - Tommy McCrawTommy McCrawTommy Lee McCraw was a Major League first baseman and outfielder for the Chicago White Sox , Washington Senators , Cleveland Indians and California Angels ....
, 1b - Tommy DavisTommy DavisHerman Thomas Davis, Jr. is an American former Major League Baseball left fielder and third baseman. He played from 1959-1976 for ten different teams, but he is best known for his years with the Los Angeles Dodgers. During an 18-year baseball career, Davis batted .294 with 153 home runs, 2,121...
, lf - Pete WardPete WardPeter Thomas Ward is a retired professional baseball player who played 9 seasons for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees of Major League Baseball...
, rf - Ken BoyerKen BoyerKenton Lloyd Boyer was an American Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. During a 15-year baseball career, he played for 1955-1969 for four different teams, playing primarily for the St. Louis Cardinals...
, 3b - Duane JosephsonDuane JosephsonDuane Charles Josephson was an American professional baseball player, a catcher who played for the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball....
, c - Ken BerryKen Berry (baseball)Allen Kent Berry is a former Major League Baseball center fielder. He was signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent before the 1961 season. He played for the White Sox from 1962 until he was traded in 1970 to the California Angels. He also played for the Milwaukee Brewers and...
, cf - Tim CullenTim CullenThis article is about the baseball player. For the article about the Wisconsin state politician, see Timothy Cullen . For the article about the former World Bank spokesman see Tim Cullen ....
, 2b - Joel Horlen, p
Games in Milwaukee
To demonstrate there still was support for big-league ball in MilwaukeeMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, Bud Selig
Bud Selig
Allan Huber "Bud" Selig is the ninth and current Commissioner of Major League Baseball, having served in that capacity since 1992 as the acting commissioner, and as the official commissioner since 1998...
's group contracted with Chicago White Sox
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...
owner Arthur Allyn
Arthur Allyn, Jr.
Arthur Allyn, Jr. was the co-owner of the Chicago White Sox of the American League with his brother John Allyn from through...
to host nine White Sox
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...
home games at Milwaukee County Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium was a ballpark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1953 to 2000. It was primarily used as a baseball stadium for the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, but was also used for football games, ice skating, religious services, concerts and other large events...
in 1968. A 1967 exhibition game between the White Sox and Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
had attracted more than 51,000 spectators, and Selig was convinced the strong Milwaukee fan base would demonstrate the city would provide a good home for a new club.
The experiment was staggeringly successful - those nine games drew 264,297 fans. In Chicago that season, the Sox drew 539,478 fans to their remaining 58 home games. In just a handful of games, the Milwaukee crowds accounted for nearly one-third of the total attendance at White Sox games. In light of this success, Selig and Allyn agreed County Stadium would host Sox home games again the next season.
Notable transactions
- June 7, 1968: Rich McKinneyRich McKinneyCharles Richard "Rich" McKinney is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of seven seasons in Major League Baseball between and...
was drafted by the White Sox in the 1st round (14th pick) of the 1968 Major League Baseball Draft1968 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1968 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Los Angeles Dodgers laid the groundwork for their championship clubs of the 1970s with an outstanding draft...
. - July 20, 1968: Wayne CauseyWayne CauseyJames Wayne Causey was an Infielder for the Baltimore Orioles , Kansas City Athletics , Chicago White Sox , California Angels and Atlanta Braves ....
was traded by the White Sox to the California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
for Woodie HeldWoodie HeldWoodson George "Woodie" Held was a shortstop/outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels and Chicago White Sox. He batted and threw right-handed...
. - July 26, 1968: Don McMahonDon McMahonDonald John McMahon was a right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was signed by the Boston Braves before the 1950 season...
was traded by the White Sox to 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...
for Dennis RibantDennis RibantDennis Joseph Ribant is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Cincinnati Reds.-References:...
. - August 2, 1968: Tim Cullen was traded by the White Sox to the Washington Senators for Ron Hansen.
Roster
| 1968 Chicago White Sox | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 128 | 434 | 107 | .247 | 6 | 45 | |
| 1B | 136 | 477 | 112 | .235 | 9 | 44 | |
| 3B | 125 | 399 | 86 | .216 | 15 | 50 | |
| SS | 157 | 622 | 164 | .264 | 4 | 36 | |
| LF | 132 | 456 | 122 | .268 | 8 | 50 | |
| CF | 153 | 504 | 127 | .252 | 7 | 32 | |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 155 | 31 | .200 | 2 | 13 | |
| 40 | 87 | 20 | .230 | 1 | 4 | |
| 38 | 82 | 11 | .134 | 1 | 5 | |
| 10 | 24 | 3 | .125 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | 5 | 0 | .000 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 223.2 | 12 | 14 | 2.37 | 102 | |
| 35 | 180.2 | 8 | 13 | 2.99 | 80 | |
| 25 | 177.1 | 10 | 5 | 1.98 | 117 | |
| 31 | 162.2 | 4 | 13 | 3.76 | 110 | |
| 29 | 122.1 | 4 | 14 | 3.90 | 57 | |
| 8 | 40.1 | 2 | 1 | 2.01 | 27 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 114 | 3 | 11 | 3.63 | 66 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 2.29 | 62 | |
| 25 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1.96 | 32 | |
| 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4.05 | 11 | |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.59 | 3 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.50 | 1 |