1976 Chicago White Sox season
Encyclopedia
The 1976
Chicago White Sox
season was the team's 76th season in Major League Baseball
, and its 77th season overall. They finished with a record 64-97, good enough for sixth place in the American League West
, 25.5 games behind the first-place Kansas City Royals
.
was broke and placed under enormous pressure from fellow owners to sell his club to Seattle interests and undercut a lawsuit which Seattle had against them. The Seattle lawsuit was directly related to the American League
owners' approval of moving the Seattle Pilots
franchise to Milwaukee. The AL owners also planned to appease Oakland Athletics
owner Charlie Finley by making Chicago available to his A's. Charlie wanted out of Oakland and had years earlier tried to buy the Sox. Everyone was lined up against John Allyn and Chicago's Sox fans.
As fall turned to winter in 1975, Bill Veeck
emerged as leader of the sole investment group intent on saving the club for Chicago and its Sox fans. The AL owners reluctantly agreed to his offer and later voted to expand the league to include an expansion franchise in Seattle, Washington. Veeck purchased 80% of the White Sox, effective December 18, 1975.
1976 Major League Baseball season
The 1976 Major League Baseball season was the last season in which both the AL and the NL had the same number of teams until 1993. The season ended with the Cincinnati Reds taking the World Series Championship for the second consecutive season by sweeping the New York Yankees in four games...
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 76th season in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
, and its 77th season overall. They finished with a record 64-97, good enough for sixth place in the 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...
, 25.5 games behind the first-place Kansas City Royals
1976 Kansas City Royals season
The 1976 Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing first in the American League West with a record of 90 wins and 72 losses...
.
New ownership
In 1975, White Sox owner John AllynJohn Allyn
John Allyn was the co-owner of the Chicago White Sox of the American League with his brother Arthur Allyn, Jr. from through , and sole principal owner from through . In 1975, Allyn sold the club back to the person he and his brother had purchased it from in 1961, Bill Veeck.-References:*...
was broke and placed under enormous pressure from fellow owners to sell his club to Seattle interests and undercut a lawsuit which Seattle had against them. The Seattle lawsuit was directly related to 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...
owners' approval of moving the 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...
franchise to Milwaukee. The AL owners also planned to appease Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The 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....
owner Charlie Finley by making Chicago available to his A's. Charlie wanted out of Oakland and had years earlier tried to buy the Sox. Everyone was lined up against John Allyn and Chicago's Sox fans.
As fall turned to winter in 1975, Bill Veeck
Bill Veeck
William Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...
emerged as leader of the sole investment group intent on saving the club for Chicago and its Sox fans. The AL owners reluctantly agreed to his offer and later voted to expand the league to include an expansion franchise in Seattle, Washington. Veeck purchased 80% of the White Sox, effective December 18, 1975.
Notable transactions
- December 10, 1975: Jim KaatJim KaatJames Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St...
and Mike BuskeyMike BuskeyMichael Thomas "Mike" Buskey is a former Major League Baseball player. Buskey played for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1977....
were traded by the White Sox to the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Dick RuthvenDick RuthvenRichard David Ruthven is a former Major League Baseball pitcher with a 14-year career from 1973 to 1986. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs all of the National League. During his career, Ruthven had a record of 123-127, an ERA of 4.14, and 1145 career strikeouts...
, Roy Thomas, and Alan BannisterAlan BannisterAlan Bannister is a retired professional baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Phillies , Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Houston Astros and Texas Rangers...
. - December 12, 1975: Ken HendersonKen HendersonKenneth Joseph Henderson was an outfielder for the San Francisco Giants , Chicago White Sox , Atlanta Braves , Texas Rangers , New York Mets , Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs .He helped the Giants to win the National League Western Division in 1971 and the Reds to win the NL West in...
, Ozzie Osborn and Dick RuthvenDick RuthvenRichard David Ruthven is a former Major League Baseball pitcher with a 14-year career from 1973 to 1986. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs all of the National League. During his career, Ruthven had a record of 123-127, an ERA of 4.14, and 1145 career strikeouts...
were traded by the White Sox to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Larvell BlanksLarvell BlanksLarvell Blanks is a retired American Major League Baseball infielder.Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 3rd round of the 1969 MLB amateur draft, Blanks would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Atlanta Braves on July 19, 1972, and appeared in his final game on August 3, 1980.Blanks'...
and Ralph GarrRalph GarrRalph Allen Garr is a former Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox and California Angels. He batted left-handed and threw right...
. - December 12, 1975: Larvell Blanks was traded by the White Sox to 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...
for Jack BrohamerJack BrohamerJohn Anthony Brohamer, Jr. was a Major League Baseball second baseman from to . On September 24, , Brohamer hit for the cycle.-External links:...
. - December 12, 1975: 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:...
and Jeff Sovern (minors) were 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 Clay CarrollClay CarrollClay Palmer Carroll is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball with a 15-year career from 1964 to 1978. He pitched for the Milwaukee Braves & Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, St...
. - December 12, 1975: Lee RichardLee RichardLee Edward "BeeBee" Richard is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He played all or part of five seasons in the majors, between and , for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. He played primarily at shortstop, especially early in his career, but his defense was poor, and he later...
was 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 Buddy BradfordBuddy BradfordCharles William Bradford is a former outfielder for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals...
and Greg TerleckyGreg TerleckyGregory John "Greg" Terlecky is former Major League Baseball pitcher. Terlecky played for the St...
.
Regular season
- August 8, 1976: The White Sox took the field wearing shorts instead of traditional baseball pants during the first game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals1976 Kansas City Royals seasonThe 1976 Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing first in the American League West with a record of 90 wins and 72 losses...
. Despite winning the game 5-2, the shorts were such a disaster the White Sox dressed in pants for the second game.
Opening Day lineup
- Chet LemonChet LemonChester Earl Lemon is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. A three time All-Star, he was a member of the World Series champion 1984 Detroit Tigers.-Early years:...
, cf - Ralph GarrRalph GarrRalph Allen Garr is a former Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox and California Angels. He batted left-handed and threw right...
, lf - Jorge OrtaJorge OrtaJorge Orta Núñez is a retired professional baseball player.He made his debut with the Chicago White Sox on April 15, 1972. Through the 1970s, he played usually second baseman but also third baseman and also some outfield...
, 3b - Cleon JonesCleon JonesCleon Joseph Jones is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who is best remembered as the man who caught the final out of the "Miracle Mets" improbable World Series Championship over the Baltimore Orioles....
, dh - Buddy BradfordBuddy BradfordCharles William Bradford is a former outfielder for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals...
, rf - Jim SpencerJim SpencerJames Lloyd Spencer was a Major League Baseball first baseman. Born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, the left-handed Spencer was recognized for his excellent fielding ability, but also served in later years as a designated hitter....
, 1b - Bucky DentBucky DentRussell Earl "Bucky" Dent , is a former American Major League Baseball player and manager. He earned two World Series rings as the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees in and , and was voted the World Series MVP in 1978...
, ss - Jack BrohamerJack BrohamerJohn Anthony Brohamer, Jr. was a Major League Baseball second baseman from to . On September 24, , Brohamer hit for the cycle.-External links:...
, 2b - Pete VarneyPete VarneyPete Varney , born April 10, 1949 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, was a Major League Baseball player for the Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves....
, c - 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...
, p
Notable transactions
- April 6, 1976: Jeff HollyJeff HollyJeffrey Owen Holly is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played parts of three seasons in the major leagues from until , all for the Minnesota Twins.-External links:...
was released by the White Sox. - June 8, 1976: 1976 Major League Baseball Draft1976 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...
- Steve TroutSteve TroutSteven Russell Trout is a former major league baseball pitcher who played during the 1980s.He is the son of former major league pitcher Dizzy Trout. Teammates and friends often referred to him simply as "Sorenson" along with the fairly obvious nickname Rainbow Trout...
was drafted by the White Sox in the 1st round (8th pick). - Willie McGeeWillie McGeeWillie Dean McGee is a retired professional baseball player who won two batting titles and was named Major League Baseball's National League MVP. McGee primarily played center and right field, winning three Gold Glove Awards for defensive excellence. McGee spent the majority of his 18-year career...
was drafted by the White Sox in the 7th round, but did not sign. - Lorenzo GrayLorenzo GrayLorenzo Gray is a former Major League Baseball player. He played parts of two seasons in the major leagues, and , for the Chicago White Sox. He played a total of 58 games in the majors, mostly at third base....
was drafted by the White Sox in the 8th round.
- Steve Trout
- June 15, 1976: Pete VarneyPete VarneyPete Varney , born April 10, 1949 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, was a Major League Baseball player for the Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves....
was traded by the White Sox to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Blue Moon OdomBlue Moon OdomJohnny Lee Odom was a Major League Baseball pitcher who won three consecutive World Series championships with the Oakland Athletics in , and .-Early years:...
. - July 14, 1976: Rich CogginsRich CogginsRichard Allen Coggins was an outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles , Montreal Expos , New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox ....
was traded by the White Sox to the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Wayne NordhagenWayne NordhagenWayne Oren Nordhagen is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter. He played eight seasons in the majors for the Chicago White Sox , Toronto Blue Jays , Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs .Drafted by the New York Yankees in 1968, Nordhagen played in 502 games in his eight...
. - August 9, 1976: Phil RoofPhil RoofPhillip Anthony Roof is an American former professional baseball player, coach and minor league manager. He played for 15 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball in and from to , most notably for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics and the Minnesota Twins...
was selected off waivers by the White Sox from the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. - September 10, 1976: Minnie Miñoso was signed as a free agent by the White Sox.
Roster
| 1976 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 150 | 518 | 131 | .253 | 14 | 70 | |
| 2B | 119 | 354 | 89 | .251 | 7 | 40 | |
| 3B | 68 | 230 | 57 | .248 | 5 | 20 | |
| SS | 158 | 562 | 138 | .246 | 2 | 52 | |
| LF | 158 | 636 | 174 | .274 | 14 | 72 | |
| CF | 132 | 451 | 111 | .246 | 4 | 38 | |
| RF | 136 | 527 | 158 | .300 | 4 | 36 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 160 | 35 | .219 | 4 | 14 | |
| 73 | 145 | 36 | .248 | 0 | 8 | |
| 73 | 145 | 36 | .248 | 0 | 8 | |
| 22 | 53 | 10 | .189 | 0 | 5 | |
| 19 | 41 | 9 | .220 | 0 | 2 | |
| 14 | 41 | 10 | .244 | 3 | 5 | |
| 12 | 40 | 8 | .200 | 0 | 3 | |
| 8 | 15 | 2 | .133 | 0 | 1 | |
| 3 | 8 | 1 | .125 | 0 | 0 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 224 | 9 | 17 | 3.94 | 135 | |
| 27 | 200.2 | 10 | 12 | 3.32 | 91 | |
| 7 | 56.1 | 4 | 3 | 2.24 | 31 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 141.2 | 5 | 9 | 4.32 | 81 | |
| 29 | 111.1 | 2 | 12 | 4.37 | 70 | |
| 19 | 62.1 | 2 | 5 | 8.52 | 30 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 3.59 | 62 | |
| 29 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 2.56 | 38 | |