The Chicago White Sox franchise has a rich 119-year history. Although they only have six American League pennants and a meager three World Series titles, 119 years translates into many great players donning the team’s iconic uniform.
Here is my “Dream Team” version of the White Sox.
Starting Nine
Carlton Fisk – Catcher
Although already punching his ticket to Cooperstown after wearing the Red Sox uniform, Fisk spent the last 13 seasons of his career in Chicago. Fisk represented the White Sox in four All-Star games.
He was elected to the Hall of Fame in his second year on the ballot in 2000.
Frank Thomas – First Base
The Big Hurt was considered the greatest right-handed hitter of his generation, which was marred by the steroid era.
Thomas was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. He garnered 83 percent of the votes in his first year of eligibility.
Eddie Collins – Second Base
Collins was the star on offense of the White Sox’ 1917 World Series team, batting .409. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1939.
Robin Ventura – Third Base
Ventura played 10 seasons in Chicago. He won five of his six career Gold Gloves in a Chicago uniform.
He also managed the team for six seasons but posted 375 wins and 435 losses.
Luke Appling – Shortstop
Appling’s 20-year career with the White Sox was interrupted by military service in World War II.
He was a seven-time All-Star selection and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1964.
Minnie Minoso – Outfield
Read more about the legacy of Minoso in this recent edition of White Sox Wednesday.
Harold Baines – Outfield
Read more about the legacy of Baines in this recent edition of White Sox Wednesday.
Shoeless Joe Jackson – Outfield
While he remains infamous for his presumed guilt in the Black Sox scandal, Jackson’s stats for his era were impressive. It’s amplified by the fact that he was banned from Major League Baseball at the age of 32.
The scandal is the only reason he’s not in the Hall of Fame.
Paul Konerko – Designated Hitter
Konerko is the only member of the organization other than Thomas to have hit 400 home runs with the team.
He was selected to six All-Star games and was also a key player on the 2005 White Sox World Series championship.
Bench
Luis Aparicio, Shortstop
Read more about the legacy of Aparicio in this recent edition of White Sox Wednesday.
Nellie Fox – Second Base
Fox played 14 seasons for the White Sox and was a 14-time All-Star selection; he also won three Gold Glove Awards.
Fox was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Ray Schalk – Catcher
Schalk spent 17 of his 18 Major League seasons in Chicago. He compiled over 5,300 hits and was a member of the 1917 World Series team. He was selected to the Hall of Fame in 1955.
Starting Pitchers
Ted Lyons – Right-Hander
Lyons played 21 seasons in Chicago but missed three due to military service. He pitched 356 complete games and won more than 20 games in three separate seasons.
Lyons was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1955.
Red Faber – Right-Hander
In 20 seasons with the Sox, Faber posted a 254-213 career record with an ERA of 3.15.
Faber was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1964.
Ed Walsh – Right-Hander
13 of Walsh’s 14 MLB seasons were spent in Chicago. He posted a 195-125 career record with a 1.81 ERA. He also tallied 40 wins in 1908 and 27 wins back-to-back in 1911 and 1912.
He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1946.
Eddie Cicotte – Right-Hander
Cicotte played nine seasons in Chicago. He went 156-101 during that span and posted a 2.25 ERA. He won 28 games in 1917 and 29 games in 1919 and was another key figure in the Black Sox scandal.
Mark Buehrle – Left-Hander
Read more about the legacy of Aparicio in this recent edition of White Sox Wednesday.
Chris Sale – Left-Hander
Sale spent seven seasons on the Southside of Chicago. He posted a 74-50 record with a 3.00 ERA.
He was also selected to five All-Star teams.
Hoyt Wilhelm – Right-Hander
Wilhelm only spent six seasons of his 20-year career in Chicago. He went 41-33 with a 1.92 ERA.
He was selected to the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Bullpen
Wilbur Wood – Left-Hander
Wood won 163 games and also saved 57 games as a member of the White Sox. He threw over 2,500 innings through his 12 seasons with the team. Wood was a three-time All-Star selection.
Billy Pierce – Left-Hander
A seven-time All-Star in his 13 seasons with the White Sox, Pierce posted a 186-152 record and a 3.19 ERA.
Bobby Thigpen and Bobby Jenks – Closers
Read more about the legacy of these two Bobbies in this recent edition of White Sox Wednesday.
Manager
Ozzie Guillen – Manager
In his second year managing the club he played for, Guillen led the team to a strong postseason and a World Series victory.
Guillen could’ve made the list as a player, too.
