Highlighted Year: Jim Landis, 1959

Outfielder, Chicago White Sox

Age:  25

3^rd season with White Sox

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 180 

Prior to 1959:

A California native, Landis played third base at Richmond High School. After playing briefly at Contra Costa College, he was signed by the White Sox for $2500. Initially a third baseman and outfielder with Wisconsin Rapids of the Class D Wisconsin State League in ’52, the 18-year-old batted .274 with 9 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs, 54 RBIs, 21 stolen bases, and a .381 on-base percentage. Advancing to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the Class A Western League in 1953, he played exclusively in the outfield and hit .313 with 23 doubles, 14 home runs, 68 RBIs, 10 stolen bases, a .391 OBP, and a .467 slugging percentage. Landis spent 1954 and ’55 in the Army. Returning to Colorado Springs in 1956 he was speedily moved up to Memphis of the Class AA Southern Association where he batted .257 with 13 extra-base hits, 30 RBIs, 12 stolen bases, and a .358 OBP. Landis spent much of 1957 with Indianapolis of the Class AAA American Association and was called up to the White Sox, where he appeared in 96 games and excelled in right and center fields defensively, but batted only .212 with a .329 OBP. Fast and sure-handed with an excellent throwing arm in the field, Landis took over as the starting center fielder in 1958 and his hitting improved to .277 with 23 doubles, 7 triples, 15 home runs, 64 RBIs, a .351 OBP, and a .434 slugging percentage. On the speed-oriented club he stole 19 bases, which ranked third in the American League. The stage was set for bigger things in 1959.

1959 Season Summary

Appeared in 149 games

CF – 148, PR – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 623 [13]

At Bats – 515 [18]

Runs – 78 [18]

Hits – 140 [19]

Doubles – 26 [10, tied with Hector Lopez]

Triples – 7 [3, tied with Harvey Kuenn, Tony Kubek & Roger Maris]

Home Runs – 5

RBI – 60

Bases on Balls – 78 [8, tied with Gene Woodling]

Int. BB – 5 [16, tied with six others]

Strikeouts – 68 [16]

Stolen Bases – 20 [3, tied with Jackie Jensen]

Caught Stealing – 9 [4]

Average - .272

OBP - .370 [10]

Slugging Pct. - .379

Total Bases – 195

GDP – 5

Hit by Pitches – 8 [4]

Sac Hits – 13 [1, tied with Tony Kubek & Al Pilarcik]

Sac Flies – 9 [4]

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 11, 3B – 2, HR – 4, RBI – 28, SB – 10, AVG – .246, OBP - .351

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Most hits, game – 5 (in 5 AB) at KC A’s 7/4

Longest hitting streak – 8 games

Most HR, game – 1 on five occasions

HR at home – 1

HR on road – 4

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 3 vs. Cleveland 7/9, at Detroit 8/13

Pinch-running – 1 R

Fielding

Chances – 433

Put Outs – 420

Assists – 10

Errors – 3

DP – 2

Pct. - .993

Postseason Batting: 6 G (World Series vs. LA Dodgers)

PA – 26, AB – 24, R – 6, H – 7, 2B – 0,3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 1, BB – 1, IBB – 0, SO – 7, SB – 1, CS – 0, AVG - .292, OBP - .346, SLG -.292, TB – 7, GDP – 0, HBP – 1, SH – 0, SF – 0

Awards & Honors:

7^th in AL MVP voting (66 points – 20% share)

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The White Sox went 94-60 to win the AL pennant by 5 games over the Cleveland Indians, their first pennant in 40 years while leading the league in triples (46), stolen bases (113), and fewest batting strikeouts (634). The “Go-go Sox”, benefiting from their emphasis on pitching, speed, and defense, of which Landis played a significant role, moved into first place for good on July 28 but still had to fend off the Indians, solidifying their lead with a late-August four-game sweep of Cleveland. Lost World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 4 games to 2.

Aftermath of 1959:

The White Sox dropped to third in 1960 and Landis had a 19-point drop in his batting average to .253 with 25 doubles, 6 triples, 10 home runs, 49 RBIs, 23 stolen bases, and a solid .365 OBP. He remained stellar in the field and received his first Gold Glove. His offensive production improved in 1961 to .283 with 18 doubles, 8 triples, 22 home runs, 85 RBIs, 19 stolen bases, a .362 OBP, and a .470 slugging percentage. Still one of the better center fielders, he was awarded another Gold Glove. In 1962 he also received All-Star recognition while batting a mere .228 with 21 doubles, 6 triples, 15 home runs, 61 RBIs, 19 stolen bases, a .337 OBP, and a .375 slugging percentage. Once again, he was a Gold Glove recipient. A Gold Glove winner again in 1963, injuries and slumps held his batting production to .225 with 6 triples, 13 home runs, 45 RBIs, a .316 OBP, and a .369 slugging percentage. The White Sox closely contended in 1964 but Landis hit only .208 with 18 RBIs and a .305 OBP. He received his fifth, and last consecutive Gold Glove as his defense didn’t suffer. In the offseason, he was a party in a three-team trade that landed him with the Kansas City Athletics. His batting improved negligibly in 1965 to .239 with 15 doubles, 3 home runs, 36 RBIs, and a .346 OBP. Traded again in the offseason, this time Landis was sent to the Cleveland Indians, for catcher Phil Roof. Cleveland wanted his speed in the outfield, and he was utilized primarily in a backup role, appearing in 85 games and hitting .222 with a .317 OBP. Obtained by the Houston Astros to be a utility outfielder in 1967, Landis was dealt to the Detroit Tigers at the end of June where he filled in for injured right fielder Al Kaline until let go in August. He was signed by the Boston Red Sox where he lasted a week until being released. In what proved to be his last major league season, Landis played in 80 games with three clubs and batted .237 with a .329 OBP. He retired following the season. For his major league career, Landis batted .247 with 1061 hits that included 169 doubles, 50 triples, and 93 home runs. He scored 625 runs and compiled 467 RBIs, 139 stolen bases, a .344 OBP, and a .375 slugging percentage. With the White Sox he batted .250 with 532 runs scored, 892 hits, 138 doubles, 47 triples, 83 home runs, 398 RBIs, 127 stolen bases, a .346 OBP, and a .385 slugging percentage. The 1959 World Series marked his only postseason action. A two-time All-Star, he was awarded five Gold Gloves for his exceptional play in center field. In 2000, he was voted onto the White Sox All-Century team which consisted of 27 players. One of his sons played minor league baseball in the San Francisco Giants system without reaching the majors. Another son became a sports agent. Landis died in 2017 at age 83.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Ed Walsh, 1906

Pitcher, Chicago White Sox

Age: 25 (May 19)

3^rd season with White Sox

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 193 

Prior to 1906:

A native of Plains, Pennsylvania, Walsh was the son of an Irish immigrant father and Welsh mother and attended parochial school up to age 12 at which point he went to work for the Lackawanna Coal Company. After briefly attending Fordham University at age 18, he returned to Pennsylvania and began pitching for a company baseball team in 1901. In 1902 he signed with the Meriden Silverites of the Connecticut State League. Walsh posted a 16-5 record and a 2.32 ERA before joining Wilkes-Barre of the Pennsylvania State League, where he finished the season. Returning to Meriden in 1903, he went 11-10 with a 2.14 ERA before moving on to the Newark Sailors of the Eastern League, where his record was 9-5 with a 2.31 ERA the rest of the way. Following the season, Walsh’s contract was purchased by the White Sox for 1904 at a cost of $750. Tall, which resulted in his nickname of “Big Ed”, walsh relied on a fastball and curve, although he was taught by his roommate Elmer Stricklett how to throw a spitball, a legal pitch at the time, which he did not use during his first two seasons with the White Sox. As a spot starter and reliever in 1904, his record was 6-3 with a 2.60 ERA and 57 strikeouts over 110.2 innings. In 1905 he produced an 8-3 tally and 2.17 ERA with 71 strikeouts over 136.2 innings. Walsh began to use the spitball regularly in 1906, having finally mastered the difficult pitch.

1906 Season Summary

Appeared in 42 games

P – 41, PH – 2

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 41 [6]

Games Started – 31 [13, tied with Addie Joss]

Complete Games – 24 [16, tied with Jack Chesbro & Chief Bender]

Wins – 17 [12]

Losses – 13

PCT - .567 [14]

Saves – 2 [3, tied with seven others]

Shutouts – 10 [1]

Innings Pitched – 278.1 [12]

Hits – 215 [20, tied with Fred Glade & George Winter]

Runs – 83

Earned Runs – 58

Home Runs – 1

Bases on Balls – 58 [19]

Strikeouts – 171 [3]

ERA – 1.88 [7]

Hit Batters – 7

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 11 [2, tied with George Mullin & Harry Eells]

League-leading shutouts were +1 ahead of runner-up Addie Joss

Midseason Snapshot: 4-6, ERA – N/A, SO - 53 in 111.2 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 12 (in 11 IP) vs. Phila. A’s 9/17

10+ strikeout games – 2

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 1 (in 9 IP) vs. Cleveland 5/6, (in 9 IP) vs. Bos. Americans 8/3

Batting

PA – 107, AB – 99, R – 12, H – 14, 2B – 3, 3B – 2, HR – 0, RBI – 4, BB – 3, SO – 28, SB – 0, CS – N/A, AVG - .141, GDP – N/A, HBP – 1, SH – 3, SF – N/A 

Fielding

Chances – 144

Put Outs – 30

Assists – 108

Errors – 6

DP – 2

Pct. - .958

Postseason Pitching: G – 2 (World Series vs. Chi. Cubs)

GS – 2, CG – 1, Record – 2-0, PCT – 1.000, ERA – 0.60, SV – 0, ShO – 1, IP – 15, H – 7, R – 6, ER – 1, HR – 0, BB – 6, SO – 17, HB – 1, BLK – 0, WP – 2 

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The White Sox went 93-58 to win the AL pennant by 3 games over the New York Highlanders. The pitching staff led the league in shutouts (32), fewest runs allowed (460), and fewest walks issued (255). The “Hitless Wonders”, relying on pitching and defense while lacking offensive punch, proved masterful at manufacturing runs by playing “small ball”. In fourth place in early August, they put together a 19-game winning streak to move into first and stayed at or near the top until taking over first place to stay on Sept. 25. Won World Series over the Chicago Cubs, 4 games to 2. An 8-6 Game 5 win by Walsh (who gave up all 6 runs, only one of which was earned thanks to an uncharacteristic four errors behind him) put the White Sox in position to seal the upset of the Cubs in the only all-Chicago World Series to date.

Aftermath of 1906:

Strong, fiercely competitive, and extremely self-confident, Walsh began to throw hard on a regular basis in 1907, rather than easing up to conserve his strength. It paid off as he produced a 24-18 record and league-best 1.60 ERA with 206 strikeouts over a league leading 422.1 innings. He also topped the American League in games pitched (56), complete games (37), and saves (4). In 1908 the White Sox were in a hot pennant race and “Big Ed” put together a record of 40-15. In addition to leading the league in wins, he topped the circuit in games pitched (66), complete games (42), shutouts (11), saves (6), innings pitched (464), and strikeouts (269). Whether throwing the spitball or a different pitch, Walsh always brought the ball to his mouth prior to each delivery. In throwing his spitball, he only applied moisture to an area about the size of a square inch (he was later critical of pitchers who applied too much moisture to the ball in throwing the spitter), and he threw the ball with great force which produced a pitch that behaved much like a modern split-fingered fastball. Late in the 1908 season, with the pennant on the line, Walsh pitched five complete games and relieved twice in a nine-day period totaling 51.2 innings and he lost a four-hitter against Cleveland in which opposing pitcher Addie Joss threw a perfect game and Walsh gave up only one unearned run. The White Sox finished third by only 1.5 games despite Walsh’s heroics. Feeling the effects of his prodigious workload, Walsh appeared in only 31 games in 1909 and produced a 15-11 tally and 1.41 ERA with 127 strikeouts over 230.1 innings. In 1910 the White Sox dropped to sixth place and Walsh led the AL with a 1.27 ERA and in losses due to an 18-20 record. He topped the circuit in games pitched (45) and completed 33 of his starts while compiling 258 strikeouts over 369.2 innings pitched. Although his ERA rose to 2.22 in 1911, his record improved to 27-18 and he again led the league in games pitched (56), innings pitched (368.2), strikeouts (255), and due to his numerous relief appearances between starts, also in games finished (19) and saves (4). He finished second in league MVP voting. Walsh remained a workhorse in 1912, posting a 27-17 tally and 2.15 ERA while leading the AL in games pitched (62), games started (41), games finished (20), saves (10), and innings pitched (393). He also accumulated 254 strikeouts. Again, “Big Ed” placed second in league MVP balloting. The years of carrying a heavy load began to take its toll in 1913 as he appeared in only 16 games (14 of them starts) and finished with an 8-3 record and 2.58 ERA. He pitched sparingly for the White Sox until released after the 1916 season. He signed with the Boston Braves in 1917 but pitched in only four games, thus wrapping up his major league career, although he later appeared with minor league and semipro teams. For his major league career, Walsh posted a 195-126 record (195-125 with the White Sox) with a record low 1.82 ERA. He pitched in 430 games (426 with the White Sox) with 250 complete games, 57 shutouts, 35 saves, and 1736 strikeouts over 2964.1 innings. He led the American League in games pitched five times and in innings pitched four times. Walsh’s appearances in the 1906 World Series marked his only postseason performances. “Big Ed” was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946. Following his playing career, Walsh served as a coach for the White Sox and at Notre Dame, where his son, also named Ed, pitched prior to joining the White Sox for parts of four seasons. Financially wiped out by the Great Depression, he conducted a baseball school for six years under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Walsh died of cancer in 1959 at age 78.   

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category will also include Misc. players who don’t otherwise qualify but received MVP votes or were contributors to teams that reached the postseason. 

Highlighted Year: George Davis, 1906

Shortstop, Chicago White Sox

Age:  36 (Aug. 23)

4^th season with White Sox

Bats – Both, Throws – Right

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 180 

Prior to 1906:

A native of Cohoes, New York, Davis was playing for tavern-sponsored baseball teams by age 15 in 1886. Already a switch-hitter, he was with a semipro team in Albany in 1889. With a player shortage in the NL due to competition from the Players League in 1890, Davis joined the Cleveland Spiders and appeared primarily in the outfield where he accounted for 35 assists while batting .264 with 22 doubles, 9 triples, 6 home runs, 73 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, a .336 on-base percentage, and a .375 slugging percentage. In 1891 he hit .289 with 35 doubles, 12 triples, 3 home runs, 89 RBIs, 42 stolen bases, a .354 OBP, and a .409 slugging percentage, while striking out only 29 times. A good and versatile defensive player, he was again primarily used in the outfield as well as at third base, and on three occasions as a pitcher (with bad results). In 1892 his batting average dropped to .241, but with 27 doubles, 12 triples, 5 home runs, 82 RBIs, 36 stolen bases, and a .312 OBP helped by drawing 58 walks. In 1893 Davis was traded to the New York Giants for star catcher/first baseman Buck Ewing, where he was installed at third base and batted .355 with 22 doubles, 27 triples, 11 home runs, 119 RBIs, 37 stolen bases, a .410 OBP, and a .554 slugging percentage. Along the way he set a short-lived league record with a 33-game hitting streak. He became a fan favorite and was mentored by manager Monte Ward, with whom he bore a physical resemblance once he grew a handlebar mustache. 1894 was another strong season in which Davis hit .352 with 27 doubles, 19 triples, 9 home runs, 93 RBIs, 42 stolen bases, a .434 OBP, and a .541 slugging percentage. With the purchase of the Giants by Andrew Freedman in 1895, Ward stepped down as manager and the intelligent and articulate Davis became his successor at age 24, making him the NL’s youngest manager at the time. The club was off to a 16-17 start when Davis was relieved of his managerial duties. With Freedman refusing to give him his requested release, Davis stayed on as a player and batted .340 with 36 doubles, 9 triples, 5 home runs, 101 RBIs, 48 stolen bases, a .417 OBP, and a .500 slugging percentage. Moved to shortstop during the 1896 season, Davis continued to thrive while the Giants, under the abrasive and miserly Freedman, floundered. He hit .320 with 25 doubles, 12 triples, 5 home runs, 99 RBIs, 48 stolen bases, a .387 OBP, and a .449 slugging percentage. In 1897 Davis topped the NL with 135 RBIs while batting .353 with 31 doubles, 10 triples, 10 home runs, 65 stolen bases, a .410 OBP, and a .509 slugging percentage. Playing at shortstop for the full year, he excelled, leading NL shortstops in putouts (339) and double plays (67). His excellent range and throwing ability were on full display at his new position. In 1898 Davis hit .307 with 20 doubles, 5 triples, 2 home runs, 86 RBIs, 26 stolen bases, a .351 OBP, and a .381 slugging percentage. His fielding remained solid at shortstop. Bothered by injuries in 1899 “Gorgeous George” batted .337 with 28 extra-base hits (22 of them doubles), 59 RBIs, 35 stolen bases, a .394 OBP, and a .420 slugging percentage. Named team captain in 1900, he again became player/manager after the club got off to a dreadful start on the way to a last-place finish. Davis was once again a productive hitter and proficient fielder. The Giants again performed poorly in 1901 although Davis batted .301 with a .356 OBP and .426 slugging percentage. He jumped to the AL’s White Sox in 1902 in which Davis hit .299 with 27 doubles, 7 triples, 3 home runs, 93 RBIs, 31 stolen bases, a .386 OBP, and a .402 slugging percentage. In the offseason the Giants, now managed by John McGraw, got his signature on a two-year contract in a deal that threatened the nascent peace agreement between the NL and AL. In a case that ended up in federal court, White Sox owner Charles Comiskey managed to get an injunction that forced Davis to play for his team. He ended up appearing in only four games for the Giants and didn’t play at all for the White Sox. Returning to the White Sox in 1904, his batting production declined to .252 with 27 doubles, 15 triples, one home run, 69 RBIs, 32 stolen bases, a .311 OBP, and a .359 slugging percentage. With the second-place club in 1905, Davis rebounded to .278 with 29 doubles, a home run, 55 RBIs, 31 stolen bases, and a .353 OBP. He continued to be a top defensive shortstop.

1906 Season Summary

Appeared in 133 games

SS – 129, PH – 3, 2B – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 541

At Bats – 484

Runs – 63 [19, tied with Chick Stahl & Matty McIntyre]

Hits – 134 [20, tied with Bunk Congalton]

Doubles – 26 [6]

Triples – 6

Home Runs – 0

RBI – 80 [3]

Bases on Balls – 41

Int. BB – N/A

Strikeouts – 53

Stolen Bases – 27 [19, tied with Terry Turner & Tom Jones]

Caught Stealing – N/A

Average - .277

OBP - .338 [19, tied with four others]

Slugging Pct. - .355

Total Bases – 172

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 4

Sac Hits – 12

Sac Flies – N/A

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 9, HR - 0, RBI - 32, SB – 11, AVG - .265, OBP – .335

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 4 AB) vs. St. Louis Browns 9/12

Longest hitting streak – 12 games

Most HR, game – 0

HR at home – 0

HR on road – 0

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 4 at NY Highlanders 8/22

Pinch-hitting – N/A

Fielding

Chances – 780

Put Outs – 263

Assists – 475

Errors – 42

DP – 44

Pct. – .946

Postseason Batting: 3 G (World Series vs. Chi. Cubs)

PA – 13, AB – 13, R – 4, H – 4, 2B – 3,3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 6, BB – 0, IBB – 0, SO – 1, SB – 1, CS – N/A, AVG - .308, OBP - .308, SLG - .538, TB – 7, GDP – N/A, HBP – 0, SH – 0, SF – N/A

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The White Sox went 93-58 to win the AL pennant by 3 games over the New York Highlanders while leading the league in walks drawn (453) fewest hits (1133), fewest home runs (7), fewest batting strikeouts (492), lowest batting average (.230), lowest slugging percentage (.286), and fewest total bases (1410). The “Hitless Wonders”, relying on pitching and defense while lacking offensive punch, proved masterful at manufacturing runs by playing “small ball”. In fourth place in early August, they put together a 19-game winning streak to move into first and stayed at or near the top until taking over first place to stay on Sept. 25. Won World Series over the Chicago Cubs, 4 games to 2. An 8-6 Game 5 win put the White Sox in position to seal the upset of the Cubs in the only all-Chicago World Series to date. Illness caused Davis to miss the first three games of the World Series but he was productive when he joined the fray.

Aftermath of 1906:

Davis’ performance dropped off in 1907 and ’08 due to age and injuries, and after appearing in only 28 games in 1909 he was given his release, thus ending his playing career. For his major league career, he batted .295 with 2665 hits that included 453 doubles, 163 triples, and 73 home runs. He scored 1545 runs and compiled 1440 RBIs, 619 stolen bases, a .362 OBP, and a .405 slugging percentage. With the White Sox he batted .259 with 785 hits, 393 runs scored, 140 doubles, 32 triples, 6 home runs, 377 RBIs, 162 stolen bases, a .333 OBP, and a .332 slugging percentage. Following his playing career, Davis operated a bowling alley (he was apparently an excellent bowler), managed a minor league team, scouted for the New York Yankees and St. Louis Browns, and coached at Amherst College. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998, 58 years after his death in 1940 at age 70.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Luis Aparicio, 1959

Shortstop, Chicago White Sox

Age:  25 (April 29)

4^th season with White Sox

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 160 

Prior to 1959:

A native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Aparicio was the son of a shortstop who was a star nationally in the 1930s and ‘40s. Introduced to baseball at an early age, he turned professional in 1953 at age 19 and excelled at shortstop with his speed on the basepaths and quickness in the field. Aparicio signed with the White Sox for $10,000 in 1954. Chicago already had a star Venezuelan shortstop in Chico Carrasquel. Aparicio, who spoke little English at the time, played in 94 games with Waterloo of the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa (or “Three I”) League in ’54 and batted .282 with 20 stolen bases. He moved up to Memphis of the Class AA Southern Association in 1955, where he hit .273 and played well enough in the field that the White Sox traded Chico Carrasquel to Cleveland after the season to open a spot for Aparicio for 1956. Aparicio came through with an outstanding rookie season in which he was superb defensively, leading all AL shortstops in putouts (250) and assists (474). He exceeded expectations with his offensive production as he led the AL with 21 stolen bases while batting .266 with 19 doubles, 6 triples, 3 home runs, 56 RBIs, and a .311 OBP. He received AL Rookie of the Year recognition. Aparicio followed up his fine rookie season by again leading the AL in stolen bases with 28 in 1957 to go with his .257 batting average and .317 OBP. He combined with second baseman Nellie Fox to create an excellent double play combination. In 1958 Aparicio was named an All-Star for the first time and was awarded his first Gold Glove while topping the league in stolen bases for the third (of an eventual nine) consecutive seasons. 

1959 Season Summary

Appeared in 152 games

SS – 152, PR – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 686 [2]

At Bats – 612 [2]

Runs – 98 [6, tied with Harmon Killebrew]

Hits – 157 [8]

Doubles – 18

Triples – 5 [13, tied with seven others]

Home Runs – 6

RBI – 51

Bases on Balls – 53 [19, tied with Roy Sievers]

Int. BB – 1

Strikeouts – 40

Stolen Bases – 56 [1]

Caught Stealing – 13 [1, tied with Vic Power]

Average - .257

OBP - .316

Slugging Pct. - .332

Total Bases – 203

GDP – 11

Hit by Pitches – 3

Sac Hits – 11 [5, tied with Dick Williams]

Sac Flies – 7 [5, tied with Lou Berberet]

League-leading stolen bases were +35 ahead of runner-up Mickey Mantle

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 10, 3B – 1, HR – 5, RBI – 33, SB – 25, AVG - .291, OBP – .353

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) at Baltimore 5/20

Longest hitting streak – 14 games

Most HR, game – 1 on six occasions

HR at home – 2

HR on road – 4

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 4 at KC A’s 4/22

Fielding

Chances – 765

Put Outs – 282

Assists – 460

Errors – 23

DP – 87

Pct. – .970

Postseason Batting: 6 G (World Series vs. LA Dodgers)

PA – 29, AB – 26, R – 1, H – 8, 2B – 1,3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 0, BB – 2, IBB – 0, SO – 3, SB – 1, CS – 1, AVG - .308, OBP - .357, SLG -.346, TB – 9, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 1, SF – 0

Awards & Honors:

Gold Glove

All-Star (Started for AL at SS, both games)

2^nd in AL MVP voting (255 points – 8 first place votes, 76% share)

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The White Sox went 94-60 to win the AL pennant by 5 games over the Cleveland Indians, their first pennant in 40 years while leading the league in triples (46), stolen bases (113), and fewest batting strikeouts (634). The "Go-Go Sox", benefiting from their emphasis on pitching, speed, and defense, of which Aparicio played a key role, moved into first place for good on July 28 but still had to fend off the Indians, solidifying their lead with a late-August four-game sweep of Cleveland. Lost World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 4 games to 2.

Aftermath of 1959:

The player known as “Little Louie” spent three more years with the White Sox in his first stint with the club and was an All-Star each season as well as Gold Glove winner and league leader in stolen bases. In 1960, in addition to topping the league with 51 stolen bases, he batted .277 with a .323 OBP and led AL shortstops with 551 assists and a .979 fielding percentage. 1961 was more of the same with 53 stolen bases, a .272 average, and a .313 OBP, while providing continued outstanding defensive play. His batting average slipped to .241 in 1962, his OBP to .280, and his stolen base total to 31, although it was still high enough to pace the American League and he remained a defensive stalwart. With the White Sox seeking to revamp the roster after the 1962 season, Aparicio was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles as part of a seven-player trade. He continued to excel with the Orioles, who were developing into a contender, adding speed to the top of the batting order and defensive excellence. He was an All-Star in 1963 and ’64 in addition to being a Gold Glove performer at shortstop. His string of nine straight AL stolen base titles lasted through ’64, after which his totals dropped off significantly. He was a key player for the Orioles as they topped the AL and won the World Series in 1966. Following one more year in Baltimore, Aparicio was traded back to the White Sox, where he won his last two Gold Gloves in 1968 and ’70. No longer as fast on the basepaths, Aparicio remained a solid performer who hit a career-high .313 in 1970, after which he was traded to the Boston Red Sox where he spent the final three seasons of his career, which came to an end at age 39 in 1973 with his release by Boston. Overall, in his major league career, he batted .262, with 2677 hits, 1335 runs scored, 394 doubles, 92 triples, 83 home runs, 506 stolen bases, and 791 RBIs. Of that, 1576 hits, 223 doubles, 54 triples, 43 home runs, 318 stolen bases, and 464 RBIs were compiled during his two stints with the White Sox, with who he batted .269. Adept at all aspects of the shortstop position, Aparicio was a nine-time Gold Glove recipient. An All-Star selection 13 times, he was voted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984, the first Venezuelan to be so honored. The White Sox also retired his #11. Aparicio returned to Venezuela following his retirement where he became a winter league manager and later, a commentator for baseball telecasts.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Fielder Jones, 1906

Outfielder, Chicago White Sox

Age:  35 (Aug. 13)

6^th season with White Sox

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 180 

Prior to 1906:

A native of the Enchanted Mountains region of northwestern Pennsylvania, Jones attended prep school at Alfred University where he played intramural baseball. Following school he became a surveyor and eventually began playing baseball professionally in Portland, Oregon. A fine athlete, he was a catcher and outfielder for the Portland team in the Oregon State League in 1891. Having returned east due to poor economic conditions, in 1895 he was with Binghamton of the New York State League to start the season and, following the league’s demise in July, was then signed by Springfield of the Eastern League where he batted .399 in 50 games with 57 runs scored and 29 stolen bases. Drafted by Brooklyn of the NL in the offseason, he was caught in a crowded outfield situation in 1896 and was loaned to Hartford of the Atlantic League to give him an opportunity for more playing time. An injury to a starting outfielder opened a spot for Jones with Brooklyn and he made the most of the opportunity, batting .354 with 82 runs scored, 10 doubles, 8 triples, 3 home runs, 46 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, a .427 on-base percentage, and a .443 slugging percentage. He also proved to be a capable outfielder with a strong throwing arm. While his average dropped to .314 in 1897, he scored 134 runs along with 15 doubles and 10 triples, 49 RBIs, 48 stolen bases, a .392 OBP, and a .383 slugging percentage. In a difficult year for the club in 1898, Jones hit. .304 with 15 doubles, 9 triples, a home run, 69 RBIs, 36 stolen bases, a .362 OBP, and .364 slugging percentage. Jones suffered a broken leg during the offseason that delayed his joining the Superbas (as the team had come to be called) until two months into the 1899 season. The club won the NL pennant and over the course of 102 games Jones batted .285 with 12 extra-base hits, 38 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, and a .390 OBP. Having married in 1898, Jones began running a general store in Bolivar, New York during the offseason. He proved to have a sound business sense and became a critic of the player contracts of the time, particularly the reserve clause. After threatening to retire from baseball, he went on to help the Superbas to another pennant in 1900 by hitting .310 with 26 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs, 106 runs scored, 54 RBIs, 33 stolen bases, a .383 OBP, and a .393 slugging percentage. As a player targeted by the new American League, he jumped to the White Sox in 1901. Chicago won the initial AL pennant and Jones did his part by batting .311 with 120 runs scored, 65 RBIs, 38 stolen bases, a .412 OBP, and a .365 slugging percentage. In the outfield he accounted for 20 assists. The assists increased to 25 in 1902 and he continued to provide solid offense by hitting .321 with 98 runs scored, 16 doubles, 5 triples, 54 RBIs, 33 stolen bases, a .390 OBP, and a .370 slugging percentage. Anticipating jumping back to the NL and the New York Giants, Jones signed a contract with the White Sox in 1903 that did not contain the reserve clause. On a club that dropped to seventh place, Jones batted .287 with 18 doubles, 5 triples, 45 RBIs, 21 stolen bases, and a .348 OBP. Forced by the ruling National Commission to return to the White Sox in 1904, during the season owner Charles Comiskey made him the club’s manager. The White Sox’s performance improved and they finished a solid third while Jones’ offensive production suffered, although he remained capable in center field. His offense improved in 1905 as he hit .245 with 17 doubles, 12 triples, 2 home runs, 38 RBIs, and a .335 OBP. The White Sox finished in second place. Still a fine all-around player, Jones had come to be recognized as an intelligent and capable manager and motivator whose team used speed, quality pitching, and daring to good effect. 

1906 Season Summary

Appeared in 144 games

CF – 144

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 619 [13]

At Bats – 496

Runs – 77 [11]

Hits – 114

Doubles – 22 [18, tied with Tom Jones]

Triples – 4

Home Runs – 2 [15, tied with nineteen others]

RBI – 34

Bases on Balls – 83 [2]

Int. BB – N/A

Strikeouts – 37

Stolen Bases – 26

Caught Stealing – N/A

Average - .230

OBP - .346 [11, tied with Chick Stahl]

Slugging Pct. - .302

Total Bases – 150

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 5 [19, tied with seven others]

Sac Hits – 30 [6]

Sac Flies – N/A

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 16, HR - 1, RBI - 22, SB – 14, AVG - .245, OBP – .338

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) at Washington 5/18, (in 6 AB) at Cleveland 6/30

Longest hitting streak – 8 games

Most HR, game – 1 (in 5 AB) at Washington 5/18, (in 3 AB) vs. NY Highlanders 9/22

HR at home – 1

HR on road – 1

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 4 at Washington 5/18, at Cleveland 6/30

Pinch-hitting – No appearances

Fielding

Chances – 339

Put Outs – 312

Assists – 23

Errors – 4

DP – 5

Pct. – .988

Postseason Batting: 6 G (World Series vs. Chi. Cubs)

PA – 26, AB – 21, R – 4, H – 3, 2B – 0,3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 0, BB – 3, IBB – 0, SO – 3, SB – 0, CS – N/A, AVG - .143, OBP - .250, SLG - .143, TB – 3, GDP – N/A, HBP – 0, SH – 2, SF – N/A

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The White Sox went 93-58 to win the AL pennant by 3 games over the New York Highlanders while leading the league in walks drawn (453) fewest hits (1133), fewest home runs (7), fewest batting strikeouts (492), lowest batting average (.230), lowest slugging percentage (.286), and fewest total bases (1410). The “Hitless Wonders”, relying on pitching and defense while lacking offensive punch, proved masterful at manufacturing runs by playing “small ball”. In fourth place in early August, they put together a 19-game winning streak to move into first and stayed at or near the top until taking over first place to stay on Sept. 25. Won World Series over the Chicago Cubs, 4 games to 2. An 8-6 Game 5 win put the White Sox in position to seal the upset of the Cubs in the only all-Chicago World Series to date.

The White Sox, still carried by their excellent pitching, finished third in 1907. Jones, given a $10,000 contract, remained productive, batting .261 with 19 extra-base hits (18 of them doubles) and a .345 OBP. The White Sox contended in 1908 until the season’s final day despite the effects of age, injuries, and controversy. Beyond an outstanding job of managing the club, Jones batted .253 with 92 runs scored, 50 RBIs, 26 stolen bases, and a .366 OBP. He left the White Sox after the season and returned to Portland, Oregon where he resisted efforts by owner Comiskey to lure him back to Chicago. He helped to operate a hotel and served as treasurer of the Class D Northwestern League. In 1910 he became baseball coach at Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State University) and then played for the Chehalis Gophers of the Washington State League where he batted .358 during a season in which he turned 39. By 1912 he was president of the Northwestern League. Turning down several offers from major league teams to return to managing, he did manage the rival Federal League’s St. Louis Terriers in 1914 and ’15, with who he also made his last appearances as a player. With the demise of the Federal League he returned to the AL and next managed the St. Louis Browns with some initial success as he instilled a fighting spirit in the club, but was faced by a player mutiny in 1917. He quit during the 1918 season and returned to Portland where he died at age 62 in 1934. For his major league playing career Jones batted .285 with 1920 hits that included 206 doubles, 75 triples, and 21 home runs. He scored 1180 runs and compiled 631 RBIs, 359 stolen bases, 817 walks drawn, a .368 OBP, and a .347 slugging percentage. With the White Sox he batted .269 with 1151 hits, 693 runs scored, 132 doubles, 42 triples, 10 home runs, 375 RBIs, 206 stolen bases, 550 walks drawn, a .357 OBP, and a .326 slugging percentage. The 1906 World Series marked his only postseason action. His managerial record was 683-582 with one World Series title. Jones was intelligent, a talented all-around player and manager, principled, and greatly respected.  

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years.

Highlighted Year: George Davis, 1905

Shortstop, Chicago White Sox

Age:  35 (Aug. 23)

3^rd season with White Sox

Bats – Both, Throws – Right

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 180

Prior to 1905:

A native of Cohoes, New York, Davis was playing for tavern-sponsored baseball teams by age 15 in 1886. Already a switch-hitter, he was with a semipro team in Albany in 1889. With a player shortage in the NL due to competition from the Players League in 1890, Davis joined the Cleveland Spiders and appeared primarily in the outfield where he accounted for 35 assists while batting .264 with 22 doubles, 9 triples, 6 home runs, 73 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, a .336 on-base percentage, and a .375 slugging percentage. In 1891 he hit .289 with 35 doubles, 12 triples, 3 home runs, 89 RBIs, 42 stolen bases, a .354 OBP, and a .409 slugging percentage, while striking out only 29 times. A good and versatile defensive player, he was again primarily used in the outfield as well as at third base, and on three occasions as a pitcher (with bad results). In 1892 his batting average dropped to .241, but with 27 doubles, 12 triples, 5 home runs, 82 RBIs, 36 stolen bases, and a .312 OBP helped by drawing 58 walks. In 1893 Davis was traded to the New York Giants for star catcher/first baseman Buck Ewing, where he was installed at third base and batted .355 with 22 doubles, 27 triples, 11 home runs, 119 RBIs, 37 stolen bases, a .410 OBP, and a .554 slugging percentage. Along the way he set a short-lived league record with a 33-game hitting streak. He became a fan favorite and was mentored by manager Monte Ward, with whom he bore a physical resemblance once he grew a handlebar mustache. 1894 was another strong season in which Davis hit .352 with 27 doubles, 19 triples, 9 home runs, 93 RBIs, 42 stolen bases, a .434 OBP, and a .541 slugging percentage. With the purchase of the Giants by Andrew Freedman in 1895, Ward stepped down as manager and the intelligent and articulate Davis became his successor at age 24, making him the NL’s youngest manager at the time. The club got off to a 16-17 start when Davis was relieved of his managerial duties. With Freedman refusing to give him his requested release, Davis stayed on as a player and batted .340 with 36 doubles, 9 triples, 5 home runs, 101 RBIs, 48 stolen bases, a .417 OBP, and a .500 slugging percentage. Moved to shortstop during the 1896 season, Davis continued to thrive while the Giants, under the abrasive and miserly Freedman floundered. He hit .320 with 25 doubles, 12 triples, 5 home runs, 99 RBIs, 48 stolen bases, a .387 OBP, and a .449 slugging percentage. In 1897 Davis topped the NL with 135 RBIs while batting .353 with 31 doubles, 10 triples, 10 home runs, 65 stolen bases, a .410 OBP, and a .509 slugging percentage. Playing at shortstop for the full year, he excelled, leading NL shortstops in putouts (339) and double plays (67). His excellent range and throwing ability were on full display at his new position. In 1898 Davis hit .307 with 20 doubles, 5 triples, 2 home runs, 86 RBIs, 26 stolen bases, a .351 OBP, and a .381 slugging percentage. His fielding remained solid at shortstop. Bothered by injuries in 1899 “Gorgeous George” batted .337 with 28 extra-base hits (22 of them doubles), 59 RBIs, 35 stolen bases, a .394 OBP, and a .420 slugging percentage. Named team captain in 1900, he again became player/manager after the club got off to a dreadful start on the way to a last-place finish. Davis was once again a productive hitter and proficient fielder. The Giants again performed poorly in 1901 although Davis batted .301 with a .356 OBP and .426 slugging percentage. He jumped to the AL’s White Sox in 1902 in which Davis hit .299 with 27 doubles, 7 triples, 3 home runs, 93 RBIs, 31 stolen bases, a .386 OBP, and a .402 slugging percentage. In the offseason the Giants, now managed by John McGraw, got his signature on a two-year contract in a deal that threatened the nascent peace agreement between the NL and AL. In a case that ended up in federal court, White Sox owner Charles Comiskey managed to get an injunction that forced Davis to play for his team. He ended up appearing in only four games for the Giants and didn’t play at all for the White Sox. Returning to the White Sox in 1904, his batting production declined to .252 with 27 doubles, 15 triples, one home run, 69 RBIs, 32 stolen bases, a .311 OBP, and a .359 slugging percentage.

1905 Season Summary

Appeared in 151 games

SS – 151

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 654 [6, tied with Jesse Burkett & Willie Keeler]

At Bats – 550 [15]

Runs – 74 [8]

Hits – 153 [11, tied with Jiggs Donahue]

Doubles – 29 [8, tied with Lave Cross & Elmer Flick]

Triples – 1

Home Runs – 1

RBI – 55 [17]

Bases on Balls – 60 [5]

Int. BB – N/A

Strikeouts – 66 [13]

Stolen Bases – 31 [9, tied with John Anderson]

Caught Stealing – N/A

Average - .278 [10]

OBP - .353 [6]

Slugging Pct. - .340

Total Bases – 187 [17]

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 4

Sac Hits – 40 [2]

Sac Flies – N/A 

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 16, HR - 0, RBI - 29, SB – 19, AVG - .280, OBP – .367

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 4 AB) at Washington 6/14

Longest hitting streak – 14 games

Most HR, game – 1 (in 3 AB) at St. Louis Browns 10/7

HR at home – 0

HR on road – 1

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 3 at Detroit 7/7

Pinch-hitting – No appearances

Fielding

Chances – 877

Put Outs – 330

Assists – 501

Errors – 46

DP – 56

Pct. – .948

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The White Sox went 92-60 to finish second in the AL, 2 games behind the pennant-winning Philadelphia Athletics while leading the league in fewest home runs (11). A strong start boosted the White Sox into contention, and they spent several days in first during May on their way to a 44-27 first half record. In second and occasionally first during July, they settled into a close second in late September, with a 2-2 October trip against the St. Louis Browns sealing their fate.

Aftermath of 1905:

The White Sox won the AL pennant in 1906 despite being the league’s lightest-hitting club. Davis contributed to “the Hitless Wonders” by batting .277 with 26 doubles, 6 triples, 80 RBIs, 27 stolen bases, a .338 OBP, and a .355 slugging percentage. On a club that prospered on pitching and defense, Davis was a key player. Illness caused him to miss the first three games of the World Series against the highly-favored cross-town Cubs, but in the three games he appeared in he hit .308 with 3 doubles, 4 runs scored, and 6 RBIs as the White Sox won in six games. Davis’ performance dropped off in 1907 and ’08 due to age and injuries, and after appearing in only 28 games in 1909 he was given his release, thus ending his playing career. For his major league career, he batted .295 with 2665 hits that included 453 doubles, 163 triples, and 73 home runs. He scored 1545 runs and compiled 1440 RBIs, 619 stolen bases, a .362 OBP, and a .405 slugging percentage. With the White Sox he batted .259 with 785 hits, 393 runs scored, 140 doubles, 32 triples, 6 home runs, 377 RBIs, 162 stolen bases, a .333 OBP, and a .332 slugging percentage. Following his playing career, Davis operated a bowling alley (he was apparently an excellent bowler), managed a minor league team, scouted for the New York Yankees and St. Louis Browns, and coached at Amherst College. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998, 58 years after his death in 1940 at age 70.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Frank Isbell, 1901

First Baseman, Chicago White Sox

Age:  26 (Aug. 21)

1^st season with White Sox

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 190

Prior to 1901:

A native of Delevan, New York, Isbell first surfaced in baseball in Minneapolis, where he was a semi-professional pitcher and outfielder around 1895. He also pitched briefly for Macalester College, where teammates referred to him as “The Tall Pine”. In 1896 he joined St. Paul of the Western League where he made more of an impression with his .365 batting average than his pitching. Utilized as a pitcher and utility player, he joined the NL’s Chicago Orphans (now Cubs) in 1898 where off the field, he heroically rescued a baby from a burning house in St. Louis. On the field he produced a 4-7 pitching record with a 3.56 ERA and batted .233 before he was sent back to St. Paul. Isbell resurfaced with the White Sox of the new American League in 1901, where he became the starting first baseman.   

1901 Season Summary

Appeared in 137 games

1B – 137, 2B – 2, 3B – 1, SS – 1, P – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 612 [11, tied with Dave Fultz]

At Bats – 556 [7]

Runs – 93 [17]

Hits – 143

Doubles – 15

Triples – 8

Home Runs – 3

RBI – 70 [19]

Bases on Balls – 36

Int. BB – N/A

Strikeouts – 37 [14, tied with Billy Maloney]

Stolen Bases – 52 [1]

Caught Stealing – N/A

Average - .257

OBP - .311

Slugging Pct. - .329

Total Bases – 183

GDP – N/A

Hit by Pitches – 7 [16, tied with four others]

Sac Hits – 13 [15, tied with Wid Conroy, Billy Sullivan & Bill Friel]

Sac Flies – N/A

League-leading stolen bases were +6 ahead of runner-up Sam Mertes

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 9, 3B – 3, HR – 3, RBI - 45, SB – 30, AVG - .282, SLG – .362, OBP – .331

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Most hits, game – 3 on ten occasions

Longest hitting streak – 10 games

Most HR, game – 1 (in 4 AB) vs. Milwaukee 5/18, (in 4 AB) vs. Baltimore 5/28, (in 3 AB) at Bos. Americans 6/17

HR at home – 2

HR on road – 1

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 4 vs. Milwaukee 5/17, vs. Milwaukee 5/18

Pinch-hitting – N/A

Pitching

G – 1, GS – 0, CG – 0, Record – 0-0, PCT – .000, SV – 0, ShO – 0, IP – 1, H – 2, R – 1, ER – 1, HR – 0, BB – 0, SO – 0, ERA – 9.00, HB – 0, BLK – 0, WP – 0 

Fielding

Chances – 1519

Put Outs – 1387

Assists – 101

Errors – 31

DP – 79

Pct. – .980

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The White Sox went 83-53 to win the first AL pennant by 4 games over the Boston Americans, while leading the league in runs scored (819), stolen bases (280), and walks drawn (475). The well-balanced White Sox were 24-9 by the end of May and, despite a brief dip in July and a 13-13 August, led the league the rest of the way. Isbell paced the club’s league-leading stolen base total.

Aftermath of 1901:

Isbell continued to be a valuable member of the White Sox due to his versatility (he appeared at all nine positions during his time with the team), although his batting average dipped to .252 with a .276 OBP in 1902 and .242 with a .266 OBP in 1903. His lack of power caused him to lose his first base job to Jiggs Donahue in 1904 and he spent most of his time at second base. Prematurely balding and nicknamed “Bald Eagle” to his dismay, he hit a dismal .210 in ’04, but jumped to .296 in 1905 with 21 doubles and 11 triples while seeing action primarily at second base and right field. The low-hitting 1906 White Sox, known as “the Hitless Wonders” won the AL pennant in 1906 and Isbell contributed by hitting .279 with 18 doubles, 11 triples, and a .324 OBP. In his only taste of World Series action, he fared poorly at the plate until the last two games of the Series against the crosstown rival Cubs, won by the White Sox in six games while Isbell contributed four doubles and 2 RBIs in Game 5 and three singles and an RBI in the decisive Game 6. His overall batting statistics in the Series were .308 with 4 runs, 8 hits, and 4 RBIs. Hitting poorly in 1907 he requested his release so he could manage Wichita in the Western Association. Returning to the White Sox in 1908, Isbell missed the first two months of the season due to a salary holdout.  He reclaimed his first base job and batted .247 with a .297 OBP in 84 games while the White Sox contended for another pennant. He played one more season for the White Sox in 1909, hit poorly, and was released afterward. For his major league career, spent almost entirely with the White Sox, Isbell batted .250 with 1056 hits that included 158 doubles, 62 triples, and 13 home runs. He scored 501 runs and compiled 455 RBIs, 253 stolen bases, a .289 OBP, and a .326 slugging percentage. Following his playing career, Isbell managed and was a team president with minor league clubs. He later worked for the Wichita recreation department, operated a gas station, and served as a Sedgewick County Commissioner. Isbell died in 1941 at age 65.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years.