Worst to First - The Sequel

[NYY #23]

Shopping for a deadline deal I realized that I must not have hit complete trade for this deal -
"One trade with the Yankees sending SS Alfredo Amezaga and RF Bob Thorpe and getting back 37 year old left fielder Gus Zernial and 33 year old catcher Ralph Houck."

Glad I'm paying so close attention…

This time we made a deal for real sending SS Joe DeMaestri, reliever Mike Proly, and 1B Ed Stevens to the Pirates in exchange for LF Rondell White and 38 year old 3B Jim Doyle.

We also made another big deadline deal, sending Carlos Silva, Torii Hunter, shortstop John Deasley, and SP Joe Engel to the Indians and getting back 35 year old starting pitcher Juan Guzman.

We finished the month with a 17-12 record and a 2 1/2 game lead. I think that our deadline deals and the return of Bip Roberts are both going to help. I'm anxious to find out though, and with the Browns losing SP Mike Mattimore I hope they give us the advantage down the stretch. I'd certainly take my chances with Jack Easton and Don Drysdale in the World Series.

[NYY #23]

The White Sox went 11-18 in August and we now sit 5 games back behind St. Louis. We had a few injuries this month, our bullpen blew up, and things just didn’t go great in general.

I'm trying to be positive though, because I still feel like this is a pretty good team and we can compete with St. Louis. I'm hoping that we just got our bad month out of the way. Looking ahead to September we've got 9 games left against St. Louis, so there is no reason to panic just yet. If we play well we can win the American League, and if not I didn't expect to win it this year anyway, but next year we'll come back strong.

Harry Salisbury of the Cubs won his 250th game.

[NYY #23]

We started off the month losing two of three games, but St. Louis came to town and we won 3-1 and 6-5 to start a five game winning streak.

The White Sox are now just 2 games behind although we are playing pretty well right now. We've got 6 home games this week - 1 versus Washington, 3 against Philadelphia, and a double header against the Red Sox.

Hopefully our pitching will lead us through. Juan Guzman has been great since coming to town. (8-13, 3.58 before the trade) vs. (4-2, 2.76 ERA after the trade). Adding him to Easton and Drysdale makes me feel better about Bob Weiland, although Weiland will return in 3 weeks.

Dory Dean of the Dodgers won his 200th game this week. He's just 31 years old, so he definitely has a chance to win 300.

[NYY #23]

A 3-3 week saw us fall another game behind St. Louis, but the big blow came in the form of injury, with Garry Maddox missing the rest of the year. I don't feel great about replacing him in the line-up, but we've got a big week coming up and we'll have to make do.

We've got the Yankees in town for one game, then we hit the road for four games in St. Louis. This has the potential to get us back into the race, or eliminate us from contention.

[NYY #23]

We started off the week on Wednesday with a 16-13 win over the Yankees, recovering from a bad start from Don Drysdale. Although the Red Sox have been eliminated from the playoffs they swept the Browns.

That led to the four game series with the Browns with us trailing by 2 games. The Browns took game 1 of the series with a 4-2 win, coming back with 3 in the bottom of the seventh. Jhoulys Chacin pitched a great second game of the series as we won 4-1.

The final Sunday doubleheader of the series featured a pair of shutouts, with Don Black shutting us out in the opener 3-0, and Don Drysdale shutting out the Browns 5-0.

So there wasn't much movement in our series with the Browns, and we enter the final week trailing by 2 games.

For the week ahead we have 1 game on the road in Cleveland, and the final three game series against St. Louis at home.

Before coming to town the Browns travel to Detroit for 3 games.

On the plus side we already have a better record than last year, but this will be an important week for the White Sox who try to head back to the World Series for the first time since 1933.

[ShagVT]

Two games back in the standings, but more importantly three games back in the loss column. Not much time left to get the job done. I forget, are you playing 154 or 162 game season here?

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by ShagVT

Two games back in the standings, but more importantly three games back in the loss column. Not much time left to get the job done. I forget, are you playing 154 or 162 game season here?

We've only got 154 games, so time is rapidly running out.

[NYY #23]

9/24/1946

The Tigers came back to score 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to defeat the Browns 3-2.

The White Sox enjoyed an off day and now trail by 1 1/2 games with 5 days left in the season (4 games).

9/25/1946

The White Sox led 5-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth, but the Indians came back to tie the score in the bottom off the 8th and win the game in the bottom of the 12th 6-5.

The Browns beat up on the Tigers 8-1 and now lead by 2 1/2 games.

9/26/1946

With the White Sox off the Browns and Tigers went into extra innings, before the Browns won it in the 11th 2-1.

--------------------

We've got three games left against the Browns and now trail by 3. We need to sweep the Browns and win the one game playoff to advance to the World Series. We're 9-10 on the year against the Browns for the year, and we'll be throwing Chacin, Easton, and Drysdale, then if we are so lucky Guzman.

It's not looking great, or even good, but we aren't out of it yet

[NYY #23]

9/27/1946



The White Sox needed a win or else our season was over. So I was surprised when my manager pulled a switcheroo and started John Candelaria instead of Chacin. The Browns also decided to throw a spot starter out there, Wheezer Dell.

I resisted the temptation of interfering and just watched the game. While the Browns jumped out to an early 1-0 lead Candelaria was pitching pretty effectively, and a 5 run sixth put the game out of reach. We did all we can do and just won the current game, and cut the Brown's lead to 2 games.

9/28/1946



If nothing else we're making things uncomfortable for the Browns. Jack Easton pitched great, and gave up just 2 hits and a walk in 8 scoreless innings. Steve Fireovid pitched a scoreless ninth and the White Sox now trail by just a single game with one game remaining.....

9/29/1946



It was fun while it lasted, but our improbable comeback ended today with a disappointing 7-5 loss. With Don Drysdale on the mound I actually liked our chances, but he didn't pitch like Don Drysdale, giving up 4 runs in the first, and 7 runs in the game.

---------------------------------------------------
So while year 3 in Chicago was a "success" after improving by 5 games, we didn't go to the postseason. It's hard to believe that when I took over just three years ago we couldn't afford to sign our draft picks without a massive salary dump, and we made $664K this year. So we're on the right path, and I'm hoping next year is our year.

However, it does really suck after getting so, so close to the postseason. I was really hoping that this was going to be our year.

[progen]

You had a nice season, and made a little cash to boot. Not a bad year and have to have high hopes for next season! Let's see how it turns out!

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by progen

You had a nice season, and made a little cash to boot. Not a bad year and have to have high hopes for next season! Let's see how it turns out!

Thanks, I thought we could pull it out this year, but I'm really hoping it's next season!

[NYY #23]

The White Sox enter the draft picking 16th out of 17th, so I don't expect to get much help from the amateur draft this year.

LF Todd Hollandsworth was available and it came down to a choice between him and Matt Diaz. While neither was too awe inspiring, Hollandsworth was 3 years younger, and just a little better so he was our pick.

Reliever Fernando Salas was our second round pick, with LF Emil Brown, LF Reddy Grey, MR Will Ledezma, MR Ross Grimsley Sr, and 2B Bobby Fenwick rounding out the draft.

--------------------------------
Carlos May ended up winning both the Batting Title with a .351 average, and the Outstanding Hitter Award in the American League while adding 12 home runs, 69 RBI, and 77 runs scored.

Jack Easton was named the Pitcher of the Year after going 22-10 with a 2.27 ERA. Easton struck out 193 batters in 289 innings.

Curtis Pride was our Gold Glove representative in left field, while I took home the Manager of the Year Award, which was my 10th.

This year one player was elected to the Hall of Fame. Here's what I originally said when I drafted him:
The Phillies drafted second overall, and there was one guy we really wanted, Eddie Cicotte, who was drafted first overall by the St. Louis Browns, who continue to haunt me.

It felt like a pretty weak draft class to me, which never helps improve. I'm not too fond of anybody we picked, but we went with the best available.

Draft results:
SP - Al Downing

279 wins later Al Downing goes into the Hall of Fame after spending his entire career with the Phillies. Out of the 55 players elected to the Hall (or automatically inducted by the game at least) I only remember drafting two, Downing and Ruth. There could be others, but that may be a project for another day.

Of course the guy picked ahead of Downing also went to the Hall of Fame too, with 319 career wins and a 3.10 ERA.



Three final notes, hitting coach Mike Gazella was extended three years, catcher Chad Moeller retired without playing a major league game, and the Reds won the World Series, defeating the Browns in 7 games.



Chicago White Sox - 52-102 (.338) 50 GB
1944 - Chicago White Sox 72-82 (.468) 18 GB (Season Score - 15)
1945 - Chicago White Sox 81-73 (.526) 7 GB (Season Score - 55)
1946 - Chicago White Sox 86-68 (.558) 2 GB (Season Score - 75)

[NYY #23]

The White Sox just have one injury remaining from Spring Training, Bip Roberts, who is currently on the disabled list and hasn't played a game this season. He should be getting closer to returning though, despite a couple of setbacks.

We've managed pretty well so far though, going 8-3 for the month, but with the Browns suffering a brutal number of injuries we need to put some space between us and take advantage of their misfortune.

We also have an abundance of starting pitching, with Juan Guzman being shuffled to the bullpen. It's a good problem to have though, because the depth can be used to swing a trade to fill a hole, or plug an injury.

Todd Hollansworth won the Rookie of the Month Award after hitting .267 with 4 home runs and 9 RBI.

[NYY #23]

The Sox went 20-9 for the month and we've now opened up a 5 game lead over the Detroit Tigers.

About the only weakness currently is Mike Brumley behind the plate. He's hitting just .146, but is strong defensively. For now I'll go with the three headed monster of Brumley, Roberto Hernandez, and Jose Molina.

There are a couple of older catchers that I like who are hitting well this year, and play good defense, but I'm not happy about the price. I'll keep an eye on the situation and see if I can swing a decent deal for an upgrade.

Garry Maddox saw a 27 game hitting streak come to an end on 5/25 after an 0-4 night. Todd Hollandsworth won another Rookie of the Month Award after hitting .328 with 5 doubles, 2 triples, and 3 home runs.

[NYY #23]

With a 17-8 month the White Sox continue to roll along. We've opened up a 7 game lead over Detroit and as a team we're pitching really well.

I've spent a lot of time looking over our catching options. While we are playing good, we don't have a lot of depth beyond who's contributing right now. I could trade a starting pitcher, and if we didn't have any injuries we'd be ok, but I'm not willing to do that right now, at least with the team playing this well.

So we'll continue to monitor things and my goal is to make a trade by the deadline. Playing well has at least afforded us that luxury of not having to rush to make a move, and given Brumley to get his act together, which he hasn't.

Two of my former pitchers made the news this month -

CC Sabathia pitched a no-hitter for Detroit, while Curt Schilling won his 200th game for the Pirates.

Todd Hollandsworth won his third straight Rookie of the Month, hitting .290 with 2 home runs and 16 RBI.

[NYY #23]

It was July 9th and the White Sox had won their first seven games of the month, but it was time to make a deal.

It came down to two teams, the Pirates or the Dodgers. The Pirates offered a pair of young catchers to chose from, neither who were perfect, but both were very costly. I could put together a five player package that wouldn't hurt too bad, but it was more than I was comfortable giving up.

So we went with the Dodgers, who offered up 32 year old Salvador Perez. He's fine behind the plate, and hitting .289 this year. We ended up shipping off Mike Brumley in the deal, shortstop Alfredo Amezaga, and reliever Greg Erardi. I really like the flexibility Amezaga offered us, but he needed to be included to complete the deal, and it's an upgrade at the catcher position.

Of course we lost the next seven games right after the trade, and with a 16-13 month it was our worst month of the season. Coincidentally we also lost Guzman for the rest of the month the very next game, but I think we'll be alright.

Red Embree of the Athletics won his 200th career game. Ken Boyer of the Dodgers picked up the 2000th hit of his career.

And finally, Todd Hollandsworth again won the Rookie of the Month after hitting .284 with 3 home runs, 13 RBI, and 12 runs scored. I'd think he should be a lock for Rookie of the Year at this point.

[NYY #23]

With a 15-11 month the White Sox now hold an 8 game lead over both the Washington Senators and Detroit Tigers. We are in good position, but I'm still a little nervous. We've definitely been a different team since the trade. Although Perez is hitting .272 since joining us, and we're still pitching fine. I think our hot start was just catching up to us, but I'll feel a lot better when we clinch.

Jack Easton was named the Pitcher of the Month after going 4-0 with a 1.64 ERA. Todd Hollandsworth's string of Rookie of the Month awards has come to an end as Bud Metheny of the Browns won the award this month.

Two players reached 2000 career hits, our new addition Salvador Perez, and Dom DiMaggio of the Red Sox. 43 year old Kal Daniels of the Giants hit his 300th home run.

[NYY #23]

While the White Sox struggled somewhat this month going 13-12 this month we did end up with a 7 1/2 game lead and will be advancing to the World Series. We'll prepare to take on our cross town rival, the Chicago Cubs, who finished with a 93-61 record. We'll see a couple familiar names on offense, such as Cap Anson and Mike Stanton, but like us the Cubs strength is their pitching.

The Cubs feature a trio of 20 game winners, Fernando Valenzuela (20-10, 2.94), Ewell Blackwell (21-13, 3.02), and Harry Salisbury (21-12, 3.89).

So logic dictates it will be a low scoring World Series, but we'll probably end up seeing high scoring blowouts.

Mark McGwire of the Braves broke Babe Ruth's record for most home runs in a season after he hit 41. Bill Terry of the Pirates had a 25 game hitting streak end.

CC Sabathia also won the 200th game of his career this month, and at 32 could have a shot at 300.

[NYY #23]

Jack Easton got the start in Game 1 and was absolutely fabulous, pitching 8 shutout innings while yielding just 2 hits and 3 walks to pick up the win and get the Player of the Game honor.

Our offense was pretty quiet today, but that probably had more to do with Fernando Valenzuela rather than our offense. Rondell White was one of the bright spots picking up three hits, and we had two unlikely hitters on offense who drove in our only runs, Jack Easton and Emil Brown.

With our 2-0 win we go up 1-0 in the Series.

[NYY #23]

The one thing that Don Drysdale hasn't seemed to get the knack for is big game pitching. Last year with our backs against the wall he gave up 4 runs in the first inning in a must win game, and 7 total runs. Tonight he allowed 5 runs in the first, and 8 runs overall to get the loss.

We got just one hit in the game by Bip Roberts, and scored just one run. Roberts, Salvador Perez, and Carlos May had back to back to back walks to lead off the third with Roberts coming home to score on a wild pitch.

There wasn't too many highlights for the White Sox though, and Ewell Blackwell of the Cubs pitched a gem to even up the series at a game apiece.