1981 Chicago White Sox season
Encyclopedia
The 1981
Chicago White Sox
season was the White Sox's 81st season in the major leagues, and their 82nd season overall. They finished with a record 54-52, good enough for 3rd place in the American League West
, 8.5 games behind the 1st place Oakland Athletics
. However, due to a player's strike, the Athletics would play the 50-53 Kansas City Royals
, who had finished behind the White Sox.
Owner Bill Veeck
attempted to sell the club to Ed DeBartolo, but the offer was turned down by the other owners. Veeck was then forced to sell to a different investment group headed by Jerry Reinsdorf
and Eddie Einhorn
.
1981 Major League Baseball season
-First half:-Second half:-Overall record:-Statistical leaders:-Postseason:NOTE: Due to a strike in mid-season, the season was divided into a first half and a second half...
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 White Sox's 81st season in the major leagues, and their 82nd season overall. They finished with a record 54-52, good enough for 3rd 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...
, 8.5 games behind the 1st place Oakland Athletics
1981 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1981 season involved the A's finishing with the best overall record in the American League West with a record of 64 wins and 45 losses. The season was suspended for 50 days due to the infamous 1981 players strike, and the league resorted to a split-season format with the...
. However, due to a player's strike, the Athletics would play the 50-53 Kansas City Royals
1981 Kansas City Royals season
The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 4th in the American League West with a record of 50 wins and 53 losses...
, who had finished behind the White Sox.
Owner 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...
attempted to sell the club to Ed DeBartolo, but the offer was turned down by the other owners. Veeck was then forced to sell to a different investment group headed by Jerry Reinsdorf
Jerry Reinsdorf
Jerry M. Reinsdorf is a CPA, lawyer and an owner of the MLB's Chicago White Sox and the NBA's Chicago Bulls. He started his professional life as a tax attorney with the Internal Revenue Service. He has been the head of the White Sox and Bulls for over 20 years.He made his initial fortune in real...
and Eddie Einhorn
Eddie Einhorn
Eddie Einhorn is minority owner and Vice Chairman of the Chicago White Sox.Einhorn produced the nationally syndicated radio broadcast of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship in 1958...
.
Offseason
- October 6, 1980: Minnie Miñoso was released by the White Sox.
- March 18, 1981: Carlton FiskCarlton FiskCarlton Ernest Fisk , nicknamed "Pudge" or "The Commander", is a former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 24-year baseball career, he played for both the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox .Fisk was known by the nickname "Pudge" due to his 6'2", 220 lb frame...
was signed as a free agent by the White Sox. - March 28, 1981: Ken KravecKen KravecKen Kravec , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1975-1982. Ken graduated from Midpark High School and played college baseball at Ashland University.-Fast Facts:...
was traded by the White Sox to the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe 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...
for Dennis LampDennis LampDennis Patrick Lamp is a former middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1977 through 1992, Lamp played for the Chicago Cubs , Chicago White Sox , Toronto Blue Jays , Oakland Athletics , Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates .-Career:In a 19-season career, Lamp posted a...
.
Opening Day lineup
- Ron LeFloreRon LeFloreRonald LeFlore is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played six seasons with the Detroit Tigers before being traded to the Montreal Expos, retiring as a Chicago White Sox in . He stole 455 bases in his career, and was an American League All-Star selection in 1976...
, lf - Mike SquiresMike SquiresMichael Lynn Squires is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Chicago White Sox primarily as a first baseman from 1975 and 1977 to 1985. Squires was best known as a defensive player, often coming on in late inning situations when the White Sox had a slim lead...
, 1b - Carlton FiskCarlton FiskCarlton Ernest Fisk , nicknamed "Pudge" or "The Commander", is a former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 24-year baseball career, he played for both the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox .Fisk was known by the nickname "Pudge" due to his 6'2", 220 lb frame...
, c - Greg Luzinski, dh
- 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 - Harold BainesHarold BainesHarold Douglas Baines is a former right fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played for five American League teams from 1980 to 2001. He is best known for his three stints with the Chicago White Sox, the team on which he now serves as coach...
, rf - Jim MorrisonJim Morrison (baseball)James Forrest Morrison , is a former professional baseball player who played second and third base in the Major Leagues from 1977 to 1988. During his baseball career, Morrison played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, and Atlanta Braves...
, 3b - Tony BernazardTony BernazardAntonio Bernazard Garcia is a former Major League Baseball player and former executive in the New York Mets organization...
, 2b - Bill AlmonBill AlmonWilliam Francis Almon is a retired American baseball player who played in the major leagues from 1974 through 1988. A utility player, he played first base, second base, shortstop, third base, outfield and designated hitter...
, ss - Britt BurnsBritt BurnsRobert Britt Burns is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1978 until 1985, pitching for the Chicago White Sox compiling a career mark of 70 wins and 60 losses with a 3.66 ERA....
, p
Notable transactions
- April 1, 1981: Thad BosleyThad BosleyThaddis Bosley Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder for the California Angels , Chicago White Sox , Milwaukee Brewers , Seattle Mariners , Chicago Cubs , Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers ....
was traded by the White Sox to the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for John PoffJohn PoffJohn William Poff is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played parts of two seasons in the majors, for the Philadelphia Phillies and for the Milwaukee Brewers....
. - July 18, 1981: George RileyGeorge Riley (baseball)George Michael Riley is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played parts of four seasons in the majors, between and , for the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, and Montreal Expos.-Sources:...
was signed as a free agent by the White Sox. - August 30, 1981: Ivan Mesa (minors), Ronnie Perry (minors), a player to be named later, and cash were traded by the White Sox to 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...
for Jerry KoosmanJerry KoosmanJerome Martin Koosman is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies between 1967 and 1985...
. The White Sox completed the deal by sending Randy JohnsonRandy Johnson (designated hitter)Randall Stuart Johnson is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter. He was born on August 15, 1958 in Miami, Florida. He bats and throws left handed and is 6 foot 2 and 195 pounds. Randy was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 3rd round of the 1979 draft. In 1980 for the Chicago White...
to the Twins on September 2.
Roster
| 1981 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 96 | 338 | 89 | .263 | 7 | 45 | |
| LF | 82 | 337 | 83 | .246 | 0 | 24 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | 208 | 64 | .308 | 6 | 33 | |
| 10 | 12 | 2 | .167 | 0 | 2 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 36.1 | 1 | 3 | 3.96 | 12 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 127 | 7 | 6 | 2.41 | 71 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.76 | 3 | |