Jim Spencer won a Gold Glove for his fielding at first base in 1977. This ended up being Jim's last season as a regular player. Spencer played for five more seasons but he never had more than 295 at bats.
Jack Kucek started the 1977 season with AAA Iowa. He put up good numbers and in July was brought up to Chicago. Jack spent two months pitching for the White Sox before a separated shoulder ended his season in late August.
After his pitching career Jack invented a pitching device called Strikeout Strippz
Below is a video of a commencement address Kucek gave a while back.
1977 Stats:
Chicago White Sox - 0-1, 3.63 ERA in 8 games (3 starts)
Iowa Oaks (AAA) - 6-8, 2.54 ERA in 16 games (15 starts)
1977 Highlights:
July 13 - Started the second game of a doubleheader and allowed 5 runs (2 earned) in 10 2/3 innings. Doug Rader hit a 2-run home run in the 11th inning to beat the White Sox 5-3.
Alan Bannister was a star at Arizona State University. Alan was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1973 (he was the first player taken in the draft).
Alan spent most of the next three years in the minors. He received brief trials in 1974 (.120 in 26 games) and in 1975 (.274 in 24 games).
Bannister wasn't able to beat out Larry Bowa, so after the 1975 season he was traded (with Dick Ruthven and Roy Thomas) to the Chicago White Sox for Jim Kaat and Mike Buskey. Interestingly, Ruthven was the first player taken in the special phase of the 1973 draft. That's the only trade I've seen in which two players who were the first players taken in a draft were traded at the same time.
Alan split the 1976 season between AAA Iowa (.241 in 32 games) and the White Sox (.248 in 73 games). He played six different positions - SS, 3B, 2B, and all three OF positions.
In 1977 Bannister was given the starting shortstop job after Bucky Dent was traded to the New York Yankees. Alan batted .275 and scored 87 runs in 139 games. The White Sox traded for shortstop Don Kessinger in late August because of concerns over Bannister's defense (Alan had made 30 errors). Alan still played most of the games at shortstop in September, but he led AL shortstops with 40 errors.
Bannister had shoulder problems in 1978. He said he needed surgery in May, but the White Sox demurred until July. Alan played his last game in 1978 on July 26 and had surgery that ended his season. Bannister batted .224 in 49 games in 1978.
Kessinger had become the starting shortstop in Bannister's absence, but Alan came back in 1979 to have a good season as a utility man. He batted .285 in 136 games while playing five different positions.
Bannister started the 1980 season with the White Sox, but after a slow start (.192 in 45 games) he was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Ron Pruitt on June 13. It was thought that Alan would become the starting 2B for the Indians, but he played six different positions for the club. Bannister hit a lot better once he went to Cleveland, batting .328 in 81 games.
Alan batted .263 in 68 games in the strike-shortened 1981 season.
Bannister was used as a utilityman in his last two seasons with the Indians. He batted .267 in 101 games in 1982 and batted .265 in 117 games in 1983.
During spring training in 1984 Bannister was purchased by the Houston Astros. Alan didn't play much with the Astros (.200 in 9 games) and on May 25 he was traded to the Texas Rangers for Mike Richardt. Bannister batted .295 in 47 games for the Rangers in 1984.
Alan's final season was in 1985. He batted .262 in 57 games. He became a free agent after the 1985 season but he didn't sign with anyone and retired.
After his playing days Bannister had some success as a manager in the low minors. He managed for two years (1988 and 1989) in the Montreal Expos organization and for three more years (1992-1994) in the San Francisco Giants organization.
July 29 - Overcame a throwing error that led to three first inning runs by hitting a 2-run single in the 7th inning, helping the White Sox to an 11-8 victory over the Royals.
Jim Essian was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1969. Essian was mostly a minor leaguer from 1969-1974. Jim had a couple of short September stints with the Phillies in 1973 (0 for 3 in 2 games) and in 1974 (.100 in 17 games).
Jim made the Phillies ballclub in 1975, although he went to the minors later. He played in only two games and was 1 for 1. On May 7 Jim was traded (with Barry Bonnell and $150,000) to the Atlanta Braves for Dick Allen and Johnny Oates. Then on May 15 Essian was sent to the Chicago White Sox as the player to be named later in a December 1974 deal that had brought Allen to the Braves in the first place. In all, Jim played in 52 games in the minors and batted .206.
Essian was the backup catcher for the White Sox in 1976, batting .246 in 78 games. Jim became the regular catcher for the White Sox in 1977 and had his best year. Essian batted .277 with 10 HR and 44 RBI in 114 games.
During spring training in 1978 Essian was traded (with Steve Renko) to the Oakland A's for Pablo Torrealba. Jim was the main catcher for the A's in 1978 and batted .223 in 126 games. Essian was a part-time catcher in 1979 (.243 in 98 games) and in 1980 (.232 in 87 games).
After the 1980 season Essian became a free agent and signed with the White Sox. He thought he would be the #1 catcher for the White Sox, but Carlton Fisk became a free agent in March 1981. Essian wanted the White Sox to get Fisk, even though it would mean less playing time for him. The White Sox signed Fisk and Essian was relegated to the bench. Jim played in only 27 games in 1981 and batted .308 in 52 at bats.
Essian was on the road again after the 1981 season. Jim was traded (with Rod Allen and Todd Cruz) to the Seattle Mariners for Tom Paciorek. Jim split time between AAA Salt Lake City (.226 in 10 games) and the Mariners (.275 in 48 games) in 1982. Jim had broken his leg in May and needed the time in AAA to do some rehabilitation.
On January 21, 1983 Essian was traded to the Cleveland Indians for a minor leaguer. Jim backed up Ron Hassey behind the plate and batted .204 in 48 games.
After the 1983 season Essian was traded back to Oakland for Luis Quinones. Jim batted .235 in 63 games for the A's in 1984.
Essian was cut by the A's during spring training in 1985. Jim managed the Class A Miami Marlins in 1985. Essian then went to the Chicago Cubs organization and managed various minor league teams from 1985-1991.
On May 22, 1991 Essian was promoted from AAA Iowa to manage the Cubs. The Cubs had been expected by many to win the NL East in 1991. The Cubs went 59-63 under Essian and finished with a disappointing 77-83 record. Jim was dismissed after the season.
After his time with the Cubs Essian managed in the minors in 1995 and 1996. Jim also managed the Greek national team in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Sept 13 - Continued his hot hitting against the Twins by hitting a home run as the White Sox beat the Twins 6-1. Jim hit safely in all 12 of his games against the Twins, hit five HR, and batted .462 (18 for 39).
Aug 19 - Allowed two runs in seven innings and got the win as the Cubs beat the LA Dodgers 6-2.
Other card blogs: 1979. 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988
Mike Krukow was an 8th round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs in 1973. He pitched in the minors from 1973-1976. Mike pitched in two games (0-0, 8.31 ERA) for the Cubs late in the 1976 season.
Krukow entered the Cubs rotation as a rookie in 1977. He went 8-14 with a 4.40 ERA in 33 starts.
Mike split the 1978 season between the Cubs and AAA Wichita. Krukow went 9-3 with a 3.90 ERA in 27 games (20 starts) for the Cubs in '78.
Krukow was a member of Chicago's starting rotation for the next three seasons. Mike went 9-9 with a 4.21 ERA in 1979 and was 10-15 with a 4.39 ERA in 1980. Krukow led the NL in games started (25) in 1981 and was 9-9 with a 3.68 ERA.
After the 1981 season Krukow was traded (with cash) to the Philadelphia Phillies for Dan Larson, Keith Moreland, and Dickie Noles. Mike spent one season with the Phillies - he was 13-11 with a 3.12 ERA in 33 starts.
Krukow was on the move again after the 1982 season. Mike was traded (with Mark Davis and a minor leaguer) to the San Francisco Giants for Joe Morgan and Al Holland. Mike would spend the rest of his career (both as a player and as a broadcaster) in San Francisco.
Mike had three pretty typical seasons for the Giants (11-11 in 1983, 11-12 in 1984, 8-11 in 1985). He had one really good year in 1986, going 20-9 with a 3.05 ERA in 34 starts. Krukow finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting in 1986 and made his only All Star team (he pitched a scoreless 9th inning).
Krukow started to have injury problems in 1987. He slumped to a 5-6 record with a 4.80 ERA in 1987. Mike won his only start in the NL Championship Series -- he allowed two runs in a 4-2 complete game victory in game 4.
Mike had a stint on the disabled list in 1988 and briefly pitched in the minors while rehabbing an injury. Krukow started 20 games for the Giants in 1988 and was 7-4 with a 3.54 ERA.
Krukow's last year was 1989. He was 4-3 with a 3.98 ERA in 8 starts. He didn't pitch after June 4 due to a torn rotator cuff (he had surgery on June 30). Mike tried to come back in spring training in 1990 but he struggled and decided to retire.
Mike did some occasional radio broadcasting for the Giants from 1990-1993. He became a full-time broadcaster in 1994. Krukow has won seven Emmy awards as a broadcaster and is teamed with former infielder Duane Kuiper.
Jim Otten
Debut: July 31, 1974
1977 Stats:
Iowa Oaks (AAA): 5-9, 2 saves, 4.68 ERA in 34 games (13 starts)
Other card blogs: none
Jim Otten was originally drafted in the 5th round in 1970. Jim didn't sign in 1970 and was drafted twice in the first round in 1971 but he didn't sign then either. Otten finally signed with the Chicago White Sox after he was drafted in the second round in 1973. Jim usually had good stats with his minor league teams but he didn't get much of a chance to pitch in the majors. Otten spent most of the 1973-1977 seasons pitching in the minors.
Otten had brief stints with the White Sox in 1974 (0-1, 5.51 ERA in 5 games), 1975 (6.75 ERA in 2 games) and 1976 (4.50 ERA in 2 games).
Jim spent all of the 1978 and 1979 seasons in the minors.
In 1980 Otten started in the minors and was called up in late May. Jim stayed with the Cardinals for the remainder of the 1980 season, going 0-5 with a 5.53 ERA in 31 games (4 starts)
Otten was 1-0 with a 5.30 ERA in 24 games in 1981. Jim was released after the 1981 season.
July 23 - Pitched a complete game and earned the win as the Mariners beat the Oakland A's 10-3.
Other card blogs: none
Gary Wheelock was drafted by the California Angels in 1974. Gary pitched in the minors from 1974-1976. He allowed six runs in two innings (27.00 ERA) in two games for the Angels late in the 1976 season. After the 1976 season Wheelock was chosen by the Seattle Mariners in the expansion draft
Gary made the Seattle ballclub in 1977 and was placed in the starting rotation. Wheelock had injury problems off and on in the 1977 season. On August 22 Gary was placed on the disabled list. He didn't pitch for the rest of the season. Wheelock ended up with a 6-9 record and had a 4.89 ERA in 17 starts.
Wheelock was in AAA in 1978 as he tried to come back from his injury. He had a rough year in 1978 (1-12, 6.98 ERA). Gary improved his stats in AAA in 1979.
Gary had one last shot with the Mariners in 1980. He started one game and allowed two runs in three innings pitched. Wheelock went back to AAA Spokane for the rest of the 1980 season.
Wheelock pitched in nine games for the LA Dodgers' AA San Antonio club in 1981. Gary retired after the 1981 season.
Mike Willis
Debut: April 13, 1977
1977 Stats: 2-6, 5 saves, 3.94 ERA in 43 games (3 starts)
1977 Highlights:
April 13: Earned the save in his first major league appearance. Mike pitched the final 2 2/3 innings in Toronto's 7-6 win over the Detroit Tigers.
May 4: Earned the save by allowing one run in three innings as the Blue Jays beat the Milwaukee Brewers 10-3.
Mike Willis was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1972. Mike pitched in the Baltimore system from 1972-1976. Willis put up good stats (especially 1974 and 1975 in AAA Rochester), but he never got the chance to pitch in Baltimore.
Willis was chosen by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1976 expansion draft. Mike was mostly a reliever for the Blue Jays during his five-year stay with the club.
In 1977 Mike was 2-6 with 5 saves and had a 3.94 ERA in 43 games (3 starts)
Willis had a 3-7 record with 7 saves and had an ERA of 4.56 in 42 games (2 starts) in 1978. Willis was one of only three pitchers to defeat Ron Guidry during his 25-3 season. Mike was pressed into service as an emergency starter on September 20 and pitched a complete game 8-1 victory. Mike later called it the game of his life.
Mike started the 1979 season with Toronto. He got hit pretty hard and was sent to AAA Syracuse in late June. Willis ended up with an 0-3 record and had an 8.44 ERA in 17 games (1 start).
Willis was in Syracuse until early August in 1980. Mike came up to Toronto for the last two months of the season and was 2-1 with 3 saves and had an ERA of 1.71 in 20 appearances.
Mike's last year in the majors was 1981. He went 0-4 and had a 5.91 ERA in 20 games. Mike's final game in the majors was on June 11. After the strike Willis was sent to Syracuse. He only made five appearances for Syracuse.
Willis moved to the Philadelphia Phillies organization in 1982. Mike pitched for AAA Oklahoma City but he wasn't very effective (7-6, 6 saves, 7.00 ERA in 56 games/2 starts). Willis retired after the 1982 season.
Mike now lives and works in Houston. Here is an article about him looking back at his baseball career.
Clay Carroll was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Lerrin LaGrow during spring training in 1977. Clay spent most of the year with the Cards but the White Sox reacquired him on August 31 for Nyls Nyman, Dave Hamilton, and Silvio Martinez. The White Sox needed arms for the stretch drive. Clay pitched well for the Cardinals in 1977, but he was roughed up a bit in September when he pitched for the White Sox.
1977 Stats:
St. Louis Cardinals: 4-2, 4 saves, 2.50 ERA in 51 games (1 start)
Chicago White Sox: 1-3, 1 save, 4.76 ERA in 8 games
1977 Highlights:
May 14 - Picked up the win in relief of starter Pete Falcone by pitching 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. The Cardinals beat the Atlanta Braves 7-6.
May 21 - Pitched four innings and got the save as the Cardinals beat the San Francisco Giants 8-5.
Larry Anderson never pitched for the Blue Jays. He was sent to the Chicago White Sox as the player to be named later in an earlier deal for Phil Roof. Larry pitched for AAA Wichita for most of the 1977 season. He spent most of June with the White Sox but went back to Wichita after having some rough outings (9.35 ERA in 6 games). In August Larry was sent (with cash) to the Chicago Cubs for Steve Renko. He finished the season pitching for AAA Iowa.
Debut: September 5, 1974
1977 Stats:
Iowa Oaks (AAA) / Wichita Aeros (AAA): 5-2, 3.36 ERA, 3 saves in 42 games (6 starts)
The Detroit Tigers signed Ed Glynn as a free agent in 1971. Ed pitched in the minors from 1972-1975 and earned a September call-up in 1975 after going 11-7 with a 2.96 ERA for two minor league teams. Glynn pitched in three games (1 start) for the Tigers in 1975 and was 0-2 with a 4.30 ERA.
Glynn spent most of the 1976 and 1977 seasons in AAA Evansville. He had September call-ups in 1976 (1-3, 6.08 ERA in 5 games/4 starts) and in 1977 (2-1, 5.27 ERA in 8 games/3 starts).
Ed started the 1978 season in Evansville but was called up in July. Glynn had a 3.07 ERA in 10 games for the Tigers.
During spring training in 1979 Glynn was traded to the New York Mets for Mardie Cornejo. Ed spent the first two months of the 1979 season in AAA Tidewater. He was brought up in June. Ed was 1-4 with 7 saves and had a 3.00 ERA in 46 games.
Glynn stayed in the majors for the entire 1980 season. He had a 3-3 record and a 4.13 ERA in 38 games.
Just before the 1981 season Glynn was traded to the Cleveland Indians for a minor leaguer. Ed spent the season in AAA Charleston. The Indians called him up in September and he had a 1.17 ERA in 4 games.
Ed was in Charleston for the first six weeks of the 1982 season and then was with Cleveland for the rest of the year (5-2, 4 saves, 4.17 ERA in 47 games).
Glynn started the 1983 season in Cleveland but was sent back to Charleston in May after having a 5.84 ERA in 11 games.
In 1984 Ed split the season between Charleston and Tidewater. The Mets purchased Glynn in June.
Glynn was sold to the Boston Red Sox before the 1985 season. He pitched for AAA Pawtucket until May 1, when he was sent to the Montreal Expos as part of a conditional deal. Ed made three appearances for the Expos and had a 19.29 ERA. He pitched for AAA Indianapolis for the rest of the season.
Ed became a free agent at the end of the 1985 season. He pitched for Tidewater in 1986 and in 1987 but never made it back to the majors. Glynn tried a brief comeback for Tidewater in 1990 but it lasted only one game.
Indianapolis Indians (AAA): 5-5, 5.23 ERA in 29 games
Other card blogs: none
Joe Henderson was drafted by the California Angels in 1965. Henderson pitched in the minors for the Angels from 1965-1970, except in 1967 (possibly due to military service). Joe was released by the Angels at the end of spring training in 1971. He went to the Mexican League and then was acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox for a minor leaguer.
Henderson was in AAA from 1972-1974. He had two good seasons (1973 and 1974) and finally got the call to the majors in June 1974. Joe had a 1-0 record with an 8.40 ERA in 5 games (3 starts) for the White Sox in '74 and went back to the minors at the end of June.
The Cincinnati Reds purchased Henderson from the White Sox after the 1974 season.
Joe pitched for AAA Indianapolis for most of the next three seasons. Henderson was converted to a reliever and had good years in 1975 and in 1976. He was the ERA champion of the American Association in 1976. Joe had two brief stints in Cincinnati in 1976 (2-0, 0.00 ERA in 4 games) and in 1977 (0-2, 12.00 ERA in 7 games).
After the 1977 season Henderson was sold to the Toronto Blue Jays. He didn't make the club in 1978 and was released. Joe pitched in the Mexican League from 1978-1981.
Greg Terlecky
Debut: June 12, 1975
1977 Stats:
Iowa Oaks (AAA): 0-1, 3.75 ERA in 5 games (1 start)
Columbus Clippers (AAA): 8-5, 4.88 ERA in 19 games (16 starts)
Other card blogs: none
Greg Terlecky was a 6'3" 200 lb pitcher who was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970. Greg put up good numbers in AA in 1971 (3-2, 2.71 ERA in 15 games/12 starts). That would be the best season of his career. Terlecky spent 3 1/2 seasons in AAA (1972-1975) before being called up in the middle of the 1975 season. Terlecky appeared in 20 games for the Cardinals and had an 0-1 record with a 4.45 ERA.
Terlecky was traded (with Buddy Bradford) to the Chicago White Sox for Lee Richard after the 1975 season. Greg spent the 1976 season with AAA Iowa. He started the 1977 season with Iowa but then moved to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and pitched for AAA Columbus.
Greg was back in the Cardinals' organization in 1978 and spent the next two seasons in AAA Springfield. Terlecky didn't get the call back to the majors. He finished his career with two seasons (1980 and 1981) in the Mexican League.
After his playing career Greg became a financial planner. He is now the managing director for The Principle Financial Group in San Diego.
I had no idea who Bob Keegan was when this card came out. I still didn't know much about him before making this entry
Keegan spent six seasons (1953-1958) pitching for the Chicago White Sox. Bob didn't make it to the majors until he was 33 years old. Keegan was stuck in the New York Yankees organization from 1945-1952. The Chicago White Sox purchased him from AAA Syracuse after the 1952 season.
Bob's best season was in 1954 when he was 16-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 27 starts
Bob pitched in his last major league game on July 24, 1958. He pitched in the minors through the 1960 season.
I wonder why I put those marks next to Jim Otten and Greg Teriecky.
The 1977 Chicago White Sox bring back fond memories for a lot of fans. The "South Side Hit Men" led the AL West for much of the season and won 90 games.
Bob Lemon was a Hall of Fame pitcher who spent his entire playing career with the Cleveland Indians. He had cups of coffee in 1941 (1 for 4) and in 1942 (0 for 5) as a third baseman before spending the next three years in World War II.
Lemon came back in 1946 and was a reliever and occasional starter for the next two seasons. Bob came into his own in 1948 and had a 20-14 record with a league-leading 20 complete games. Lemon won two games in the 1948 World Series for the World Champion Indians.
After his playing career, Lemon was a scout and a coach for a few years. Bob managed in the minors in 1965 and in 1966 (he was the PCL Manager of the Year in 1966). He scouted for the Indians in 1967 and in 1968 and then managed the AAA Vancouver Mounties in 1969.
Lemon got his first managing job with the Kansas City Royals in 1970. He guided the team to its first winning season in 1971 but was fired after the 1972 season because the team didn't want coach Jack McKeon to move to another organization.
Bob managed in the minors for two more years (1974 and 1975) and then was hired by the White Sox after the 1976 season.
Lemon had the White Sox in first place as late as August 14, but the team tailed off and finished third in the AL West. Bob was named the AL Manager of the Year in 1977.
After the White Sox had a slow start (34-40), Lemon was fired on June 30, 1978. He didn't stay unemployed for long -- the Yankees fired Billy Martin in late July and Lemon was named as his replacement. The Yankees made a big comeback and ended up winning the World Championship. Lemon was named AL Manager of the Year for the second time.
The Yankees started slowly in 1979 and Lemon was dismissed as manager. Bob remained with the organization since he was under contract through the 1982 season.
Bob was again named as the Yankee manager on September 6, 1981 (my 15th birthday) and he guided them to the AL pennant. The Yankees lost to the LA Dodgers in the World Series. Bob was dismissed again after a 6-8 start in 1982.
In later years Bob suffered a stroke and was in failing health. He died on January 11, 2000 at the age of 70.
Record: 90-72, 3rd in AL West, 12 games behind Kansas City
Attendance: 1,657,135 (5th in AL)
Team Batting: .278 (4th in AL)
Team HR: 192 (2nd in AL)
Team Stolen Bases: 42 (14th in AL)
Team ERA: 4.25 (10th in AL)
Team Fielding: .974 (12th in AL)
All Stars: Richie Zisk (starting LF);
Awards: none
AL Leaders: Alan Bannister (sacrifice flies - 11)
Batting Leader: Lamar Johnson (.302)
Home Run Leader: Oscar Gamble (31)
RBI Leader: Richie Zisk (101)
Stolen Base Leader: Ralph Garr (12)
Victories Leader: Steve Stone (15)
Losses Leader: Steve Stone (12)
Strikeout Leader: Ken Kravec (125)
Saves Leader: Lerrin LaGrow (25)
ERA Leader (starters): Ken Kravec (4.10)
ERA Leader (relievers): Lerrin LaGrow (2.46)
Players who could have had White Sox cards in 1977 (batters with over 100 AB, pitchers with over 40 innings) :
Don Kessinger (pictured with St. Louis Cardinals) (SS/2B) - .235 in 39 games
Royle Stillman (no card in 1977) (utility) - .210 in 56 games
Wayne Nordhagen (rookie card in 1978) (RF) - .315 in 52 games
Ken Kravec was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1973. Ken pitched for AA Knoxville from 1973-1975. After a good season in 1975 (14-7, 2.41 ERA), Ken was brought up in September and made one start and one relief appearance (0-1, 6.23 ERA)
In 1976 Kravec was in the minors (8-5, 4.33 ERA in 24 games for the AAA Iowa Oaks) until mid-August. He was with the White Sox for the rest of the season and was 1-5 with a 4.89 ERA in 8 starts.
At 0:40 there is some footage of Ken warming up in the bullpen during one of the "shorts" games the White Sox played in 1976
Kravec was in Iowa to begin the 1977 season. After pitching well for the Oaks, Ken was brought up in late May. At the time of his recall Ken was leading the American Association in strikeouts
Ken pitched well for the White Sox and won 11 games in 1977.
Kravec struggled a bit in 1978 and was sent to the minors for a couple of weeks in May after starting the season 1-3 with a 6.23 ERA. Ken was recalled on May 16 and spent the rest of the season with the White Sox. Kravec pitched better after his minor league stint and was 11-16 with a 4.08 ERA in 30 starts.
Ken had his best year in 1979, leading the White Sox in victories. He was 15-13 with a 3.74 ERA in 35 starts and had a save in his only relief appearance. It looks like wildness was a problem for Kravec -- he led the AL in hit batsmen both in 1978 (10) and in 1979 (14).
In 1980 Kravec struggled with muscle spasms behind his shoulder in spring training and started the season coming back from a pinched nerve in his back. Ken was a starter until early July, but after posting a 6.19 ERA he was put in the bullpen. He made two appearances before going on the disabled list in late July. Kravec missed about a month and then made a few more appearances in August and September. Ken ended up with a 3-6 record and a 6.94 ERA.
During spring training in 1981 Kravec was traded to the Chicago Cubs for reliever Dennis Lamp. The White Sox had a surplus of young left-handed starters. Ken started the year as a starter and had a good first start. But Kravec was roughed up in his next two starts and went to the bullpen. After the strike Ken was put back in the starting rotation. For the season Kravec was 1-6 with a 5.06 ERA in 24 games (12 starts).
In 1982 Kravec split the season between AAA (2-6, 6.98 ERA in 14 starts) and the Cubs (1-1, 6.12 ERA in 13 games). After the 1982 season Ken became a free agent.
Kravec pitched in AA for the Oakland A's organization but he hung 'em up after the season.
Ken made two appearances for the Class A Fort Myers Royals in 1987.
Kravec was a scout for the Kansas City Royals in 1989 when he signed to play in the Senior League.
1977 Stats:
Chicago White Sox: 11-8, 4.10 ERA in 26 games (25 starts)
Dave Hamilton was a left-handed set-up man and occasional closer for the Chicago White Sox in 1977. Hamilton was second on the club with nine saves (Lerrin LaGrow led the team with 25).
July 29 - Earned the victory in front of over 45,000 fans at Comiskey Park by pitching three scoreless innings as the White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 6-4.
Brian Downing served as the backup catcher to starter Jim Essian in 1977. Interestingly, Downing and Essian had very similar stats. Both had an OPS+ of 121, both threw out 39% of opposing base runners, and they were within three points of each other in fielding percentage.
Dave Duncan was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Pat Kelley after the 1976 season. Duncan was released during spring training in 1977. Duncan went into coaching and had a long career as a pitching coach.
This was Goose Gossage's only season in Pittsburgh. After the 1976 season the White Sox traded Gossage to the Pirates with Terry Forster for Richie Zisk and Silvio Martinez.
Nov 22 - Signed a six-year $2.5 million contract with the New York Yankees. It was a huge raise for Goose -- his 1977 salary was $46,800 and his yearly salary with the new contract was about $450,000.
How did they get a picture of Eric Soderholm in a White Sox uniform? Is this an airbrush job? He was with the Minnesota Twins until signing with the White Sox after the 1976 season. That means this picture (if it isn't airbrushed) had to have been taken during spring training in 1977. Any thoughts?
Terry Forster pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1977. After the 1976 season he was traded (with Goose Gossage) to the Pirates for Richie Zisk and Silvio Martinez. After the 1977 season Forster signed a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, in part to get closer to his California home.
I liked the White Sox uniforms of this era. They changed things up a lot and tried some different things. The shorts weren't a success, but I thought some of the others were unique and pretty cool.
1977 Stats: 6-4, 1 save, 4.43 ERA in 33 games (6 starts)
Chris Knapp was the first round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox in 1975. Chris had a 1.97 ERA in 13 starts for Class A Appleton in 1975 and was called up at the end of the season. Knapp made two appearances for the White Sox in 1975 (0-0, 4.50 ERA).
Knapp started the 1976 season in the minors. He made ten starts for AA Knoxville and was 7-3 with a 2.39 ERA. Knapp also made 11 starts for AAA Iowa and was 7-2 with a 2.56 ERA. Chris was called up in late June and pitched in seven games (2 starts) in June and July. Knapp won his first major league game on July 21 by allowing one unearned run in a complete game 4-1 win over the Detroit Tigers. After getting roughed up in a mop-up appearance on July 24 Chris went back to the minors until September. Knapp was recalled when the rosters expanded and made four more appearances (three of them starts) for the White Sox. All together Knapp was 3-1 with a 4.82 ERA in 11 games (6 starts).
In 1977 Knapp started with the White Sox. He had a good W-L record but a high ERA. White Sox manager Bob Lemon had a hard time watching Knapp's wildness. After getting roughed up on August 6 Chris was sent to AAA for a month. Knapp was recalled in September and went 3-1 for the month. Chris had a 12-7 record and a 4.81 ERA in 26 starts for the White Sox in 1977.
The 1978 season was a tumultuous one for Chris. Statistically he had his best season -- Knapp was 14-8 with a 4.21 ERA in 21 starts. But Knapp wasn't happy with his treatment by the club and retired from the team on July 17. Chris came back on July 25 but was rumored to be in a waiver trade involving Reggie Jackson of the New York Yankees.
Chris was plagued by injuries in 1979. He missed two months of the season due to a bulging disc suffered when he slipped off of a wet mound in Yankee Stadium, but was able to come back in September and win his last two starts. During the regular season Knapp was 5-5 with a 5.51 ERA in 20 games (18 starts). Knapp started game 4 of the American League Championship Series and took the loss. He allowed two runs in 2 1/3 innings, but the Orioles whitewashed the Angels 8-0.
Knapp had another rough year in 1980. He went 2-11 with a 6.14 ERA in 32 games (20 starts).
