1951 Chicago White Sox season
Encyclopedia
The 1951
Chicago White Sox
season was the team's 51st season in the major leagues, and its 52nd season overall. They finished with a record 81-73, good for fourth place in the American League
, 17 games behind the first place New York Yankees
.
1951 Major League Baseball season
-Statistical leaders:-External links:*...
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 51st season in the major leagues, and its 52nd season overall. They finished with a record 81-73, good for fourth 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...
, 17 games behind the first place New York Yankees
1951 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 49th season for the team in New York, and its 51st season overall. The team finished with a record of 98-56, winning their 18th pennant, finishing five games ahead of the Cleveland Indians. New York was managed by Casey Stengel. The Yankees played at Yankee...
.
Offseason
- November 16, 1950: Joe DeMaestriJoe DeMaestriJoseph Paul DeMaestri , nicknamed "Froggy," is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago White Sox , St. Louis Browns , Philadelphia & Kansas City Athletics and New York Yankees...
was drafted by the White Sox from the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in the 1950 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...
. - Prior to 1951 season: Jay PorterJay PorterJ. W. "Jay" Porter is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the St. Louis Browns , Detroit Tigers , Cleveland Indians , Washington Senators , and St. Louis Cardinals . Porter played in 229 major league games, 91 as a catcher, 62 as an outfielder, 16 as a first baseman, and 3 at...
was signed as an amateur free agent by the White Sox.
Regular season
- May 1, 1951: Mickey MantleMickey MantleMickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
hit his first big league home run against the White Sox. The pitcher who gave up the home run was Randy GumpertRandy GumpertRandall Pennington Gumpert was a Major League Baseball pitcher, playing for five different teams throughout his career. He was born in Monocacy, Pennsylvania. His pro career began when he was signed by the Philadelphia Athletics as a free agent before the 1936 season, at the age of 18...
.
Notable transactions
- April 30, 1951: Gus ZernialGus ZernialGus Edward Zernial was a Major League Baseball left-fielder and right-handed batter who played for the Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Athletics , Kansas City Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
and Dave PhilleyDave PhilleyDavid Earl Philley is a former outfielder who played in Major League Baseball. A switch-hitter who threw right-handed, he debuted on September 6, and played his final game on August 6, . He was born in Paris, Texas....
were traded by the White Sox to the Philadelphia 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....
as part of a three-team trade. Minnie Miñoso was traded to the White Sox by 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...
, and Paul LehnerPaul LehnerPaul Eugene Lehner was an American outfielder in Major League Baseball, playing mainly as a center fielder for five American League teams from 1946 through 1952. A native of Dolomite, Alabama, Lehner batted and threw left-handed...
was traded to the White Sox by the Athletics. The Athletics sent Lou BrissieLou BrissieLeland Victor Brissie is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1947 to 1951 and the Cleveland Indians from 1951-1953....
to the Indians. The Indians sent Sam ZoldakSam ZoldakSamuel Walter Zoldak was a Major League Baseball pitcher for nine seasons. He was nicknamed "Sad Sam". He played for the St. Louis Browns from 1944 to 1948, the Cleveland Indians from 1948 to 1950, and the Philadelphia Athletics from 1951 to 1952.-Early life:He was born in Brooklyn, New York...
and Ray MurrayRay MurrayRaymond Lee Murray was a Major League Baseball catcher who played for six seasons. He played for the Cleveland Indians during their championship 1948 season and from 1950 to 1951. He also played for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1951 to 1953 and the Baltimore Orioles in 1954.As a baseball player...
to the Athletics. - June 4, 1951: Hank MajeskiHank MajeskiHenry Majeski was an American professional baseball player, coach and minor league manager. He played as a third baseman in Major League Baseball from to for the Boston Bees/Boston Braves , New York Yankees , Philadelphia Athletics , Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles...
was traded by the White Sox to the Philadelphia 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 Kermit WahlKermit WahlKermit Emerson Wahl was a Major League Baseball infielder. He played all or part of five seasons in the major leagues, between and , for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Browns.-Sources:...
. - June 4, 1951: Kermit WahlKermit WahlKermit Emerson Wahl was a Major League Baseball infielder. He played all or part of five seasons in the major leagues, between and , for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Browns.-Sources:...
and Paul LehnerPaul LehnerPaul Eugene Lehner was an American outfielder in Major League Baseball, playing mainly as a center fielder for five American League teams from 1946 through 1952. A native of Dolomite, Alabama, Lehner batted and threw left-handed...
were traded by the White Sox to the St. Louis BrownsBaltimore 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 Don LenhardtDon LenhardtDonald Eugene Lenhardt is a retired outfielder, first baseman, third baseman, scout and coach in American Major League Baseball. In his playing days, he stood , weighed , and threw and batted right-handed...
. - July 31, 1951: Ray ColemanRay Coleman (baseball)Raymond Leroy Coleman was a professional baseball outfielder. He played five seasons in Major League Baseball, between 1947 and 1952, for the St. Louis Browns , Philadelphia Athletics, and Chicago White Sox.Signed by the Browns as an amateur free agent in 1940, Coleman made his major league debut...
was selected off waivers by the White Sox from the St. Louis BrownsBaltimore 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...
.
Opening Day lineup
- Chico CarrasquelChico CarrasquelAlfonso Carrasquel Colón, better known as Chico Carrasquel was a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Kansas City Athletics and the Baltimore Orioles...
, ss - Floyd BakerFloyd BakerFloyd Wilson Baker was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Browns , Chicago White Sox , Washington Senators, , Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies...
, 3b - Al ZarillaAl ZarillaAllen Lee Zarilla was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Browns , Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox . Zarilla batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
, rf - Gus ZernialGus ZernialGus Edward Zernial was a Major League Baseball left-fielder and right-handed batter who played for the Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Athletics , Kansas City Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
, lf - Eddie Robinson, 1b
- Phil MasiPhil MasiPhilip Samuel Masi was an American professional baseball player. From though , he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Boston Braves , Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox...
, c - Jim BusbyJim BusbyJames Franklin Busby was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball and right-handed batter who played for the Chicago White Sox , Washington Senators , Cleveland Indians , Baltimore Orioles , Boston Red Sox and Houston Colt .45's .Busby was born in Kenedy, Texas, and attended...
, cf - 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 - 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
| 1951 Chicago White Sox | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 181 | 50 | .276 | 3 | 21 | |
| 56 | 74 | 15 | .203 | 1 | 3 | |
| 7 | 25 | 6 | .240 | 0 | 2 | |
| 4 | 19 | 2 | .105 | 0 | 4 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 26.1 | 1 | 2 | 3.76 | 3 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 141.2 | 9 | 8 | 4.32 | 45 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 1.82 | 25 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9.35 | 4 | |