1967 Chicago White Sox season
Encyclopedia
The 1967
Chicago White Sox
season was the team's 67th season in the major leagues, and its 68th season overall. They finished with a record 89-73, good enough for fourth place in the American League
, 3 games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox
.
Joe Horlen
The Sockless Sox hit only .225, but they had a pitching staff that carried the team to a near miraclous American League pennant that year. they were led by Joe Horlen
who won 19 games, and pitched a no-hitter on September 10 against the Detroit Tigers. He had a league-leading 2.06 ERA. The pitching staff was the trump card that landed the White Sox in first place on June 10. They held the lead until a heartbreaking loss to the Minnesota Twins knocked them into second place on August 13. Thereafter it was a four-team dogfight.
teamed with Hoyt Wilhelm
and Don McMahon
, an early-season pickup, to form the nucleus of a tough bullpen. With assembly-line precision, pitching coach Ray Berres
"manufactured" live, young arms and rejuvenated the veterans. Berres had supervised the Sox pitchers for 19 years until Eddie Stankey replaced him with Marv Grissom
in 1967.
burned up the telphone lines seeking a capable hitter to beef up the punchless attack. Jim King, Ken Boyer
, and Rocky Colavito
arrived via the waiver route, but those were desultory moves that upset the delicate chemistry of the ballclub and hurt the morale of the younger players coming down the homestretch.
The fate of the White Sox hung in the balance on September 27 - 'Black Wednesday' - in Kansas City
. playing in that city for the finalt time before moving on to Oakland for 1968, Charlie Finleys doormat A's knocked off the Sox in a twi-night doubleheader. Stankey's team needed only a split of the 2 games to place them in an enviable position going into the final 3 days of the season. The other contenders had all lost that day including the Boston Red Sox
. Their 89 win season was their 17th consecutive first-division finish. It would be 5 years before the White Sox had a winning season again and 16 years before the White Sox had a chance to make it to the postseason.
Duluth-Superior affiliation shared with Chicago Cubs
1967 Major League Baseball season
The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Boston Red Sox four games to three in the 64th World Series, which was the first World Series appearance for the Red Sox in 21 years. Following the season, the Kansas City Athletics relocated to Oakland.-Awards and honors:...
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 67th season in the major leagues, and its 68th season overall. They finished with a record 89-73, good enough 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...
, 3 games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox
1967 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season, often referred to as The Impossible Dream, consisted of the Red Sox shocking New England and the rest of the baseball world by winning the American League Championship and reaching the World Series for the first time since 1946...
.
Offseason
- October 12, 1966: The White Sox traded a player to be named later to the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
for Wilbur WoodWilbur WoodWilbur Forrester Wood, Jr. is a former knuckleball pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and most notably the Chicago White Sox, where he got 163 of his 164 wins...
. The White Sox completed the deal by sending Juan PizarroJuan PizarroJuan Ramon Pizarro Cordova is a former major league baseball pitcher.-Milwaukee Braves:Juan Pizarro signed with the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent in 1956. After going 27-6 with a 2.06 earned run average in the minors, he made his major league debut on May 4, 1957 against the Pittsburgh...
to the Pirates on November 28. - October 17, 1966: 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. - December 14, 1966: Johnny RomanoJohnny RomanoJohn Anthony Romano Jr. is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals . He threw and batted right-handed...
and Lee White (minors) were traded by the White Sox to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for Walt WilliamsWalt Williams (baseball)Walter Allen Williams is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder for the Houston Colt .45s , Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , and the New York Yankees .-Early life:Williams was nicknamed No-Neck due to his relatively short stature...
and Don DennisDon DennisDonald Ray Dennis was an American middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played in 1965 and 1966 for the St. Louis Cardinals. Dennis batted and threw right-handed...
.
Opening Day lineup
- Walt WilliamsWalt Williams (baseball)Walter Allen Williams is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder for the Houston Colt .45s , Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , and the New York Yankees .-Early life:Williams was nicknamed No-Neck due to his relatively short stature...
, lf - 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 ....
, 3b - 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:...
, cf - 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...
, 1b - 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...
, rf - Jerry McNertneyJerry McNertneyGerald Edward McNertney is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. He stood 6'1" and weighed 190 pounds in his playing days....
, c - 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...
, ss - Jerry AdairJerry AdairKenneth Jerry Adair was a professional baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and Kansas City Royals from Sand Springs, Oklahoma.-Baltimore Orioles:...
, 2b - John BuzhardtJohn BuzhardtJohn William Buzhardt was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros from through . His best season came in when he won 13 games and lost only 8 with the White Sox. He...
, p
Joe HorlenJoe HorlenJoel Edward Horlen is a right-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher. Horlen pitched for the Chicago White Sox from to , and the Oakland Athletics in ....
and The Sockless Sox
The Sockless Sox hit only .225, but they had a pitching staff that carried the team to a near miraclous American League pennant that year. they were led by Joe HorlenJoe Horlen
Joel Edward Horlen is a right-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher. Horlen pitched for the Chicago White Sox from to , and the Oakland Athletics in ....
who won 19 games, and pitched a no-hitter on September 10 against the Detroit Tigers. He had a league-leading 2.06 ERA. The pitching staff was the trump card that landed the White Sox in first place on June 10. They held the lead until a heartbreaking loss to the Minnesota Twins knocked them into second place on August 13. Thereafter it was a four-team dogfight.
White Sox Unsung Heroes
Sinker-ball specialist Bob LockerBob Locker
Robert Awtry Locker is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1965-1975 for five different teams. The sinker-balling Locker never made a start in his big-league career.- Biography :...
teamed with Hoyt Wilhelm
Hoyt Wilhelm
James Hoyt Wilhelm was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985....
and Don McMahon
Don McMahon
Donald 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...
, an early-season pickup, to form the nucleus of a tough bullpen. With assembly-line precision, pitching coach Ray Berres
Ray Berres
Raymond Frederick Berres was an American catcher and pitching coach in Major League Baseball who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers , Pittsburgh Pirates , Boston Bees/Braves and New York Giants...
"manufactured" live, young arms and rejuvenated the veterans. Berres had supervised the Sox pitchers for 19 years until Eddie Stankey replaced him with Marv Grissom
Marv Grissom
Marvin Edward Grissom was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball for the New York & San Francisco Giants , Detroit Tigers , Chicago White Sox , Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals . He was born in Los Molinos, California.He helped the Giants win the 1954 World Series...
in 1967.
Black Wednesday
Ed ShortEd Short
Edwin G. Short was an American professional baseball front office executive. Short worked for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball for over 20 years, including nine seasons as the team's general manager — from August 26, 1961, through September 2, 1970...
burned up the telphone lines seeking a capable hitter to beef up the punchless attack. Jim King, Ken Boyer
Ken Boyer
Kenton 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...
, and Rocky Colavito
Rocky Colavito
Rocco 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...
arrived via the waiver route, but those were desultory moves that upset the delicate chemistry of the ballclub and hurt the morale of the younger players coming down the homestretch.
The fate of the White Sox hung in the balance on September 27 - 'Black Wednesday' - in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
. playing in that city for the finalt time before moving on to Oakland for 1968, Charlie Finleys doormat A's knocked off the Sox in a twi-night doubleheader. Stankey's team needed only a split of the 2 games to place them in an enviable position going into the final 3 days of the season. The other contenders had all lost that day including the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The 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"...
. Their 89 win season was their 17th consecutive first-division finish. It would be 5 years before the White Sox had a winning season again and 16 years before the White Sox had a chance to make it to the postseason.
Notable transactions
- May 6, 1967: Bill Skowron 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 Cotton NashCotton NashCharles Francis "Cotton" Nash is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and National Basketball Association forward....
and cash. - June 15, 1967: Ed StroudEd StroudEdwin Marvin Stroud is a retired American professional baseball player. An outfielder, he played in the Major Leagues from 1966–1971 for the Chicago White Sox and Washington Senators....
was 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 Jim King. - July 22, 1967: Bill SouthworthBill SouthworthWilliam Frederick Southworth is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. Southworth played for the Milwaukee Braves in the season. In 3 career games, he had two hits in seven at-bats...
and a player to be named later 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 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...
and a player to be named later. The Mets completed their part of the deal by sending 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...
to the White Sox on August 15. The White Sox completed their part of the deal by sending J. C. MartinJ. C. MartinJoseph Clifton Martin is a former Major League Baseball player. The left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing Martin played for the Chicago White Sox from 1959-1967, New York Mets in 1968 and 1969 and Chicago Cubs from 1970-1972.Martin was scouted by the White Sox as an amateur free agent in 1956...
to the Mets on November 27.
Roster
| 1967 Chicago White Sox | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Pos | Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 101 | 252 | 22 | 59 | .234 | 4 | 22 | 4 | |
| 1B | 125 | 453 | 55 | 107 | .236 | 11 | 45 | 24 | |
| 2B | 124 | 292 | 21 | 66 | .226 | 1 | 28 | 2 | |
| 3B | 156 | 535 | 61 | 129 | .241 | 4 | 32 | 34 | |
| SS | 157 | 498 | 35 | 116 | .233 | 8 | 51 | 0 | |
| LF | 146 | 467 | 49 | 109 | .233 | 18 | 62 | 3 | |
| CF | 158 | 529 | 73 | 124 | .234 | 14 | 52 | 28 | |
| RF | 147 | 485 | 49 | 117 | .241 | 7 | 41 | 9 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104 | 275 | 35 | 66 | .240 | 3 | 15 | 3 | |
| 60 | 190 | 20 | 42 | .221 | 3 | 29 | 1 | |
| 62 | 189 | 11 | 45 | .238 | 1 | 9 | 0 | |
| 57 | 180 | 17 | 47 | .261 | 4 | 21 | 0 | |
| 56 | 123 | 8 | 28 | .228 | 3 | 13 | 0 | |
| 28 | 98 | 6 | 20 | .204 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| 50 | 97 | 9 | 22 | .227 | 4 | 11 | 0 | |
| 77 | 60 | 2 | 8 | .133 | 2 | 11 | 0 | |
| 32 | 54 | 1 | 6 | .111 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| 50 | 53 | 9 | 13 | .245 | 0 | 4 | 3 | |
| 23 | 50 | 2 | 6 | .120 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 20 | 27 | 6 | 8 | .296 | 0 | 3 | 7 | |
| 13 | 22 | 4 | 2 | .091 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 24 | 20 | 6 | 2 | .100 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| 24 | 18 | 5 | 3 | .167 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| 12 | 15 | 4 | 3 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 8 | 10 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .667 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 260 | 16 | 11 | 2.28 | 91 | 215 | |
| 35 | 258 | 19 | 7 | 2.06 | 58 | 103 | |
| 31 | 178.1 | 10 | 13 | 2.47 | 47 | 110 | |
| 8 | 41.2 | 2 | 0 | 0.86 | 9 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 88.2 | 3 | 9 | 3.96 | 33 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | 7 | 5 | 20 | 2.09 | 80 | |
| 51 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2.45 | 47 | |
| 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.29 | 4 | |
Awards and honors
- 1967 MLB All-Star Game
- 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:...
, reserve - 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...
, reserve - Joe HorlenJoe HorlenJoel Edward Horlen is a right-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher. Horlen pitched for the Chicago White Sox from to , and the Oakland Athletics in ....
, reserve - Gary Peters, reserve
- Tommie Agee
Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: AppletonDuluth-Superior affiliation shared with Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...