1994 Chicago White Sox season
Encyclopedia
The 1994
Chicago White Sox
season was the White Sox's 94th season in the major leagues, and their 95th season overall. They finished with a record 67-46, good enough for 1st place in the American League
Central
, 1 game ahead of the 2nd place Cleveland Indians
.
, Michael Jordan
surprised the sports world by signing a minor league baseball
contract with the Chicago White Sox
. He reported to spring training
and was assigned to the MLB team. He play 17 games with the White Sox before the organization sent him to the Birmingham Barons
on March 31, 1994. Jordan has stated this decision was made to pursue the dream of his late father, who had always envisioned his son as a Major League Baseball
player.
By Friday, August 12, the White Sox had compiled a 67-46 record through 113 games. They were leading the AL Central Division and had scored 633 runs (5.60 per game) and allowed 498 runs (4.41 per game).
1994 Major League Baseball season
The 1994 Major League Baseball season ended with the infamous players strike ending the season on August 11, 1994.-Strike:As a result of a players' strike, the MLB season ended prematurely on August 11, 1994. No postseason was played...
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 94th season in the major leagues, and their 95th season overall. They finished with a record 67-46, good enough for 1st 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...
Central
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...
, 1 game ahead of the 2nd place Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The 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...
.
Michael Jordan
After retiring from the National Basketball AssociationNational Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
, Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
surprised the sports world by signing a minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
contract with the 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...
. He reported to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
and was assigned to the MLB team. He play 17 games with the White Sox before the organization sent him to the Birmingham Barons
Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
on March 31, 1994. Jordan has stated this decision was made to pursue the dream of his late father, who had always envisioned his son as a 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...
player.
Offseason
- October 13, 1993: George Bell was released by the Chicago White Sox.
- December 15, 1993: Julio FrancoJulio FrancoJulio César Robles Franco is a former Major League Baseball infielder and designated hitter. In , Franco was the oldest active player in the major leagues at the age of 49....
was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago White Sox. - December 22, 1993: Tim RainesTim RainesTimothy Raines , nicknamed "Rock", is a former American professional baseball player. He played as a left fielder in Major League Baseball for six teams from 1979 to 2002 and was best known for his 13 seasons with the Montreal Expos...
signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago White Sox. - December 28, 1993: Ron Coomer was traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Isidro Marquez.
- February 8, 1994: Carlos Lee was signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent.
- January 26, 1994: Dane Johnson was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago White Sox.
- March 1, 1994: Scott SandersonScott SandersonScott Douglas Sanderson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for seven teams from 1978 to 1996.-Baseball career:...
was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago White Sox. - March 21, 1994: Paul Assenmacher was traded by the New York Yankees to the Chicago White Sox for Brian Boehringer.
- March 29, 1994: Mike HuffMike HuffMichael Kale Huff , is a former professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1989-1996.-External links:...
was traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Toronto Blue Jays for Domingo Martinez.
Regular season
- July 15, 1994: During a game against the White Sox, Indians outfielder Albert BelleAlbert BelleAlbert Jojuan Belle is a former American Major League Baseball outfielder for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and Baltimore Orioles...
's bat was confiscated by umpire Dave Phillips. It was the result of White Sox manager Gene LamontGene LamontGene William Lamont is a former catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who managed the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
believing that the bat was corked. During the game, Indians pitcher Jason Grimsley removed a ceiling tile in his manager’s office and clambered on top of an 18 inches (457.2 mm) cinder block. He replaced the corked bat with a conventional bat but the bat had Paul Sorrento's name on it. Belle was suspended for seven games.
By Friday, August 12, the White Sox had compiled a 67-46 record through 113 games. They were leading the AL Central Division and had scored 633 runs (5.60 per game) and allowed 498 runs (4.41 per game).
Opening Day lineup
- Tim RainesTim RainesTimothy Raines , nicknamed "Rock", is a former American professional baseball player. He played as a left fielder in Major League Baseball for six teams from 1979 to 2002 and was best known for his 13 seasons with the Montreal Expos...
, lf - Joey CoraJoey CoraJose Manuel Cora Amaro was a baseball player known as "The Rooster" with an 11 year career in the MLB spanning the years 1987 and 1989-1998. He played for the San Diego Padres of the National League and the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians of the American League...
, 2b - Frank ThomasFrank Thomas (AL baseball player)Frank Edward Thomas, Jr. , nicknamed "The Big Hurt", is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter and first baseman....
, 1b - Julio FrancoJulio FrancoJulio César Robles Franco is a former Major League Baseball infielder and designated hitter. In , Franco was the oldest active player in the major leagues at the age of 49....
, dh - Robin VenturaRobin VenturaRobin Mark Ventura is the current manager of the Chicago White Sox. He is a former professional baseball player, a third baseman who played for four major league teams, most notably for the Chicago White Sox...
, 3b - Bo JacksonBo JacksonVincent Edward "Bo" Jackson is a former American baseball and football player. He was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major American sports, and also won the Heisman Trophy in 1985....
, rf - Lance JohnsonLance JohnsonKenneth Lance Johnson is a retired Major League Baseball player. At the age of 24, Johnson broke into the big leagues on July 10, 1987, with the St. Louis Cardinals after being drafted by them in the 6th round of the 1984 amateur draft. In 1987 Johnson, playing for the Louisville Redbirds, was...
, cf - Ron KarkoviceRon KarkoviceRonald Joseph Karkovice is a former Major League Baseball catcher.Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 1st round of the 1982 MLB amateur draft, Karkovice would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Chicago White Sox on August 17, 1986, and appeared in his final game on September 26,...
, c - Ozzie GuillénOzzie GuillénOswaldo José "Ozzie" Guillén Barrios is a Venezuelan-American former Major League Baseball player and current manager of the Miami Marlins. He managed the Chicago White Sox from 2004 to 2011 before asking for his release at the end of the 2011 season....
, ss - Jack McDowellJack McDowellJack Burns McDowell is a former Major League Baseball player. A right-handed pitcher, McDowell won the American League Cy Young Award in 1993. He was nicknamed "Black Jack."...
, p
Notable transactions
- April 4, 1994: Pete Rose, Jr. was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago White Sox.
- April 12, 1994: Atlee Hammaker was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago White Sox.
- April 21, 1994: Steve SaxSteve SaxStephen Louis Sax is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. He was a right-handed batter for the Los Angeles Dodgers , New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox , and the Oakland Athletics ....
was Released by the Chicago White Sox.
Roster
| 1994 Chicago White Sox | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches (third base) (pitching) (hitting) (first base) (bench) (bullpen) |
||||||
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; BB = Base on balls; SO = Strikeouts; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joey Cora Joey Cora Jose Manuel Cora Amaro was a baseball player known as "The Rooster" with an 11 year career in the MLB spanning the years 1987 and 1989-1998. He played for the San Diego Padres of the National League and the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians of the American League... , 2B |
90 | 312 | 55 | 86 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 30 | 38 | 32 | .276 | 8 |
| Julio Franco Julio Franco Julio César Robles Franco is a former Major League Baseball infielder and designated hitter. In , Franco was the oldest active player in the major leagues at the age of 49.... , DH,1B |
112 | 433 | 72 | 138 | 19 | 2 | 20 | 98 | 62 | 75 | .319 | 8 |
| Craig Grebeck Craig Grebeck Craig Allen Grebeck is a former middle infielder in Major League Baseball who was nicknamed 'The Little Hurt to our offense' by Chicago White Sox announcer Ken Harrelson.... , 2B,SS,3B |
35 | 97 | 17 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 5 | .309 | 0 |
| Ozzie Guillen Ozzie Guillén Oswaldo José "Ozzie" Guillén Barrios is a Venezuelan-American former Major League Baseball player and current manager of the Miami Marlins. He managed the Chicago White Sox from 2004 to 2011 before asking for his release at the end of the 2011 season.... , SS |
100 | 365 | 46 | 105 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 39 | 14 | 35 | .288 | 5 |
| Joe Hall Joe Hall (baseball) Joseph Geroy Hall is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played during three seasons in Major League Baseball with the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 10th round of the 1988 amateur draft... , OF |
17 | 28 | 6 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 4 | .393 | 0 |
| Dann Howitt Dann Howitt Dann Paul John Howitt is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. He played college baseball at Cal State Fullerton, graduating in 1986 and was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 18th round of the 1986 amateur draft. He played during six seasons at the major league level for the... , OF,1B |
10 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | .357 | 0 |
| Darrin Jackson Darrin Jackson Darrin "D. J." Jay Jackson is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played 12 years for the Chicago Cubs , San Diego Padres , Toronto Blue Jays , New York Mets , Chicago White Sox , Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers... , RF,CF |
104 | 369 | 43 | 115 | 17 | 3 | 10 | 51 | 27 | 56 | .312 | 7 |
| Lance Johnson Lance Johnson Kenneth Lance Johnson is a retired Major League Baseball player. At the age of 24, Johnson broke into the big leagues on July 10, 1987, with the St. Louis Cardinals after being drafted by them in the 6th round of the 1984 amateur draft. In 1987 Johnson, playing for the Louisville Redbirds, was... , CF |
106 | 412 | 56 | 114 | 11 | 14 | 3 | 54 | 26 | 23 | .277 | 26 |
| Ron Karkovice Ron Karkovice Ronald Joseph Karkovice is a former Major League Baseball catcher.Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 1st round of the 1982 MLB amateur draft, Karkovice would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Chicago White Sox on August 17, 1986, and appeared in his final game on September 26,... , C |
77 | 207 | 33 | 44 | 9 | 1 | 11 | 29 | 36 | 68 | .213 | 0 |
| Mike LaValliere Mike LaValliere Michael Eugene "Mike" LaValliere , nicknamed Spanky, is a former catcher in Major League Baseball whose 11-year career included tenures in both the National and American Leagues... , C |
59 | 139 | 6 | 39 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 20 | 15 | .281 | 0 |
| Norberto Martin Norberto Martin Norberto Edonal Martin McDonald is a former professional baseball second baseman. He played all or part of seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1993 to 1999. He made his major league debut on September 20, 1993 for the Chicago White Sox... , 2B,SS,3B |
45 | 131 | 19 | 36 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 9 | 16 | .275 | 4 |
| Bob Melvin Bob Melvin Robert Paul Melvin is the manager of the Oakland Athletics, and a former Major League Baseball catcher.During a 10-year playing career, he played from 1985–94 for seven different teams... , C |
11 | 19 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .158 | 0 |
| Warren Newson Warren Newson Warren Dale Newson is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1991-98. Newson played for the Chicago White Sox , Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers... , RF,LF |
63 | 102 | 16 | 26 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 14 | 23 | .255 | 1 |
| Dan Pasqua Dan Pasqua Daniel Anthony Pasqua , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from 1985-1994. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1982 amateur draft. Pasqua attended William Paterson University in New Jersey... , OF,1B |
11 | 23 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 9 | .217 | 0 |
| Tim Raines Tim Raines Timothy Raines , nicknamed "Rock", is a former American professional baseball player. He played as a left fielder in Major League Baseball for six teams from 1979 to 2002 and was best known for his 13 seasons with the Montreal Expos... , LF |
101 | 384 | 80 | 102 | 15 | 5 | 10 | 52 | 61 | 43 | .266 | 13 |
| Olmedo Saenz Olmedo Sáenz Olmedo Sáenz Sánchez is a former Major League Baseball player. Though primarily a pinch hitter, he occasionally played first base or third base.-Chicago White Sox:... , 3B |
5 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .143 | 0 |
| Frank Thomas Frank Thomas (AL baseball player) Frank Edward Thomas, Jr. , nicknamed "The Big Hurt", is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter and first baseman.... , 1B,DH |
113 | 399 | 106 | 141 | 34 | 1 | 38 | 101 | 109 | 61 | .353 | 2 |
| Ron Tingley Ron Tingley Ronald Irvin Tingley is a former professional baseball catcher. He played all or part of nine seasons in Major League Baseball between 1982 and 1995.... , C |
5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | 0 |
| Robin Ventura Robin Ventura Robin Mark Ventura is the current manager of the Chicago White Sox. He is a former professional baseball player, a third baseman who played for four major league teams, most notably for the Chicago White Sox... , 3B |
109 | 401 | 57 | 113 | 15 | 1 | 18 | 78 | 61 | 69 | .282 | 3 |
| Bob Zupcic Bob Zupcic Robert "Bob" Zupcic is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox . He batted and threw right-handed.... , OF,3B |
32 | 88 | 10 | 18 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 16 | .205 | 0 |
| |
113 | 3942 | 633 | 1133 | 175 | 39 | 121 | 602 | 497 | 568 | .287 | 77 |
Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; HR = Home runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts| Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Alvarez Wilson Alvarez Wilson Eduardo Álvarez Fuenmayor is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher... |
12 | 8 | 3.45 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 161.2 | 147 | 72 | 62 | 16 | 63 | 108 |
| Paul Assenmacher Paul Assenmacher Paul Andre Assenmacher is a former left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for fourteen seasons. Assenmacher pitched for the Atlanta Braves , Chicago Cubs , New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians... |
1 | 2 | 3.55 | 44 | 0 | 1 | 33.0 | 26 | 13 | 13 | 2 | 15 | 29 |
| Jason Bere Jason Bere Jason Phillip Bere is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for parts of 11 seasons from to... |
12 | 2 | 3.81 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 141.2 | 119 | 65 | 60 | 17 | 80 | 127 |
| Dennis Cook Dennis Cook Dennis Bryan Cook is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball with nine teams from 1988 to 2002: the San Francisco Giants , Philadelphia Phillies , Los Angeles Dodgers , Cleveland Indians , Chicago White Sox , Texas Rangers ,... |
3 | 1 | 3.55 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 33.0 | 29 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 17 | 26 |
| Jose DeLeon Jose DeLeon José DeLeón Chestaro is a former professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of thirteen seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos. He was the National League strikeout champion in 1989 with... |
3 | 2 | 3.36 | 42 | 0 | 2 | 67.0 | 48 | 28 | 25 | 5 | 36 | 67 |
| Alex Fernandez Alex Fernandez (baseball) Alexander Fernandez is a Cuban American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 11-year baseball career, he pitched for the Chicago White Sox and Florida Marlins... |
11 | 7 | 3.86 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 170.1 | 163 | 83 | 73 | 25 | 54 | 122 |
| Atlee Hammaker Atlee Hammaker Charlton Atlee Hammaker is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who played the majority of his career for the San Francisco Giants from 1982 to 1990. He also played for the Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres, and Chicago White Sox... |
0 | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Roberto Hernandez | 4 | 4 | 4.91 | 45 | 0 | 14 | 47.2 | 44 | 29 | 26 | 5 | 20 | 50 |
| Dane Johnson Dane Johnson Dane Edward Johnson is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during three seasons at the major league level for the Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Oakland Athletics. He was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 2nd round of the 1984 amateur draft... |
2 | 1 | 6.57 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 12.1 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 12 | 7 |
| Kirk McCaskill Kirk McCaskill Kirk Edward McCaskill is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher and a retired professional hockey player.... |
1 | 4 | 3.42 | 40 | 0 | 3 | 52.2 | 51 | 22 | 20 | 6 | 26 | 37 |
| Jack McDowell Jack McDowell Jack Burns McDowell is a former Major League Baseball player. A right-handed pitcher, McDowell won the American League Cy Young Award in 1993. He was nicknamed "Black Jack."... |
10 | 9 | 3.73 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 181.0 | 186 | 82 | 75 | 12 | 44 | 127 |
| Scott Ruffcorn Scott Ruffcorn Scott Patrick Ruffcorn was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1993 to 1997 for the Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies. He was a first round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox in the June 1991 draft, and played with the White Sox at the major league level, from 1993-1996. In 1997 he... |
0 | 2 | 12.79 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6.1 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Scott Sanderson Scott Sanderson Scott Douglas Sanderson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for seven teams from 1978 to 1996.-Baseball career:... |
8 | 4 | 5.09 | 18 | 14 | 0 | 92.0 | 110 | 57 | 52 | 20 | 13 | 36 |
| Jeff Schwarz Jeff Schwarz Jeffrey William Schwarz is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during two seasons at the major league level for the Chicago White Sox and California Angels. He also played one season in Japan for the Yokohama BayStars.Schwarz was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 24th round of the... |
0 | 0 | 6.35 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 11.1 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 14 |
| |
67 | 46 | 3.96 | 113 | 113 | 20 | 1011.1 | 964 | 498 | 445 | 115 | 401 | 754 |
Awards and records
- Lance Johnson, American League record, Led American League in triples for four consecutive seasons (1991–1994)
- Frank Thomas, Silver SluggerSilver SluggerThe Silver Slugger Award is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball...
Award