1969 Chicago White Sox season
Encyclopedia
The 1969
Chicago White Sox
season was the team's 69th season in the major leagues, and its 70th season overall. They finished with a record 68-94, good enough for fifth place in the newly-established American League West
, 29 games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins
.
The White Sox nearly left Chicago in 1969. White Sox owner Arthur Allyn, Jr.
considered overtures from Bud Selig
and other Milwaukee interests to move the club to County Stadium. Instead, he sold to his brother, John. The newly established Seattle Pilots
would move there a year after their inaugural season.
was expanded to include 11 home games (one against every other franchise in the American League at the time). Although those games were attended by slightly fewer fans (198,211 fans, for an average of 18,019) they represented a greater percentage of the total White Sox attendance than the previous year - over one-third of the fans who went to Sox home games in 1969 did so at Milwaukee County Stadium
(in the remaining 59 home dates in Chicago, the Sox drew 391,335, for an average of 6,632 per game). Bud Selig felt this fan support lent legitimacy to his quest for a Milwaukee franchise, and he went into the 1969 owners meetings with high hopes.
1969 Major League Baseball season
The 1969 Major League Baseball season was celebrated as the 100th anniversary of professional baseball, honoring the first professional touring baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings. A special silhouetted batter logo was created by Jerry Dior to commemorate the anniversary, and is still used...
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 69th season in the major leagues, and its 70th season overall. They finished with a record 68-94, good enough for fifth place in the newly-established American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
, 29 games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins
1969 Minnesota Twins season
Led by new manager Billy Martin, the Minnesota Twins won the newly formed American League West with a 97-65 record, nine games over the second-place Oakland Athletics...
.
The White Sox nearly left Chicago in 1969. White Sox owner Arthur Allyn, Jr.
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...
considered overtures from 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...
and other Milwaukee interests to move the club to County Stadium. Instead, he sold to his brother, John. The newly established Seattle Pilots
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
would move there a year after their inaugural season.
Offseason
- October 15, 1968: Hoyt WilhelmHoyt WilhelmJames Hoyt Wilhelm was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985....
was drafted from the White Sox by the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
as the 49th pick in the 1968 MLB expansion draft. - December 5, 1968: 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...
was traded by the White Sox to the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati 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 Don PavletichDon PavletichDonald Stephen Pavletich is a retired American professional baseball player, a catcher and first baseman for the Cincinnati Redlegs/Reds , Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox .In 12 seasons he played in 536 Games, had 1,373 At Bats, 163 Runs, 349 Hits, 73 Doubles, 8 Triples, 46 Home Runs, 193...
and Don SecristDon SecristDonald Laverne Secrist is a retired American professional baseball player, a left-handed pitcher who appeared in 28 games played, all in relief, for the – Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball. He stood tall and weighed .Secrist had two outstanding seasons in minor league baseball...
.
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 - Carlos MayCarlos MayCarlos May is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago White Sox through most of his career, and also the New York Yankees and California Angels. He also played four seasons in Japan, from until , for the Nankai Hawks. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
, lf - Bill MeltonBill MeltonWilliam Edwin Melton , nicknamed "Beltin' Bill" or "Beltin' Melton", is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Chicago White Sox, California Angels and Cleveland Indians...
, 3b - Gail HopkinsGail HopkinsGail Eason Hopkins is a former baseball player and coach. he was a catcher and first baseman in Major League Baseball. He played from 1968-1974 with the Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers...
, 1b - 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 - Buddy BradfordBuddy BradfordCharles William Bradford is a former outfielder for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals...
, rf - 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 - Sandy AlomarSandy Alomar, Sr.Santos "Sandy" Alomar, Sr., or in the Spanish naming system Santos Alomar Conde is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves , New York Mets , Chicago White Sox , California Angels , New York Yankees , and Texas Rangers . Alomar was a...
, 2b - Gary Peters, p
Move to Milwaukee?
In 1969, the White Sox schedule 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...
was expanded to include 11 home games (one against every other franchise in the American League at the time). Although those games were attended by slightly fewer fans (198,211 fans, for an average of 18,019) they represented a greater percentage of the total White Sox attendance than the previous year - over one-third of the fans who went to Sox home games in 1969 did so 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 the remaining 59 home dates in Chicago, the Sox drew 391,335, for an average of 6,632 per game). Bud Selig felt this fan support lent legitimacy to his quest for a Milwaukee franchise, and he went into the 1969 owners meetings with high hopes.
Notable transactions
- May 14, 1969: Sandy AlomarSandy Alomar, Sr.Santos "Sandy" Alomar, Sr., or in the Spanish naming system Santos Alomar Conde is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves , New York Mets , Chicago White Sox , California Angels , New York Yankees , and Texas Rangers . Alomar was a...
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...
were 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 Bobby KnoopBobby KnoopRobert Frank Knoop [kuh-NOPP] is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and right-handed batter who played for the California Angels , Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals ....
. - June 5, 1969: Rich HintonRich HintonRichard Michael Hinton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of six seasons between and , including three separate stints with the Chicago White Sox.-Draft history:...
was drafted by the White Sox in the 3rd round of the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft1969 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1969 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Washington Senators tabbed slugging outfielder Jeff Burroughs of Wilson High School in Long Beach, CA as the nation's number one pick...
(Secondary Phase).
Roster
| 1969 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3B | 157 | 556 | 142 | .255 | 23 | 87 | |
| SS | 156 | 599 | 168 | .280 | 5 | 51 | |
| LF | 100 | 367 | 103 | .281 | 18 | 62 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78 | 188 | 46 | .245 | 6 | 33 | |
| 39 | 129 | 28 | .217 | 3 | 16 | |
| 27 | 90 | 26 | .289 | 1 | 3 | |
| 14 | 15 | 1 | .067 | 0 | 0 | |
| 16 | 11 | 3 | .273 | 0 | 2 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 87.2 | 1 | 6 | 3.70 | 46 | |
| 4 | 22.1 | 1 | 3 | 3.22 | 18 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 49.1 | 4 | 3 | 5.66 | 28 | |
| 10 | 29.1 | 0 | 3 | 5.83 | 15 | |
| 9 | 20.2 | 0 | 0 | 6.53 | 9 | |
| 3 | 11.2 | 0 | 2 | 7.71 | 4 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.28 | 26 | |
| 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6.08 | 23 | |
| 17 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2.01 | 16 | |
| 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11.68 | 5 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.50 | 5 | |