1983 Chicago White Sox

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Record: 99-63, Finished 1st in AL Western Division (1983 AL)

Managed by Tony LaRussa

Coaches: Loren Babe, Ed Brinkman, Dave Duncan, Art Kusnyer, Charlie Lau, Jim Leyland, Dave Nelson

Ballpark: Comiskey Park

1 Season
2 1983 Opening Day Lineup
3 Awards and Honors
- 3.1 1983 Postseason

[edit] Season

After finishing in third place in the American League West in 1982, the Chicago White Sox entered the 1983 season with moderate expectations. In the offseason, they had lost outfielder Steve Kemp to free agency but had picked up free agent pitcher Floyd Bannister. Their big winter trade sent pitcher Steve Trout across town to the Chicago Cubs for shortstop Scott Fletcher, reliever Dick Tidrow, and utility man Pat Tabler (who was in turn traded to the Cleveland Indians for shortstop Jerry Dybzinski). In addition, the club added two rookies, outfielder Ron Kittle and first baseman Greg Walker, who were expected to make an impact with the team in 1983.

The Sox began the season by losing their first three games, and by late May, the club was eight games below .500. Fans were demanding the firing of manager Tony LaRussa. But the club went on a tear in June, winning 18 of 28 games, and by the All-Star break, the Sox were in third place, just 3 1/2 games behind the Texas Rangers. The club played even better in the second half, going 44-15 in August and September. They finished with a 99-63 record and ended the season an unprecedented 20 games ahead of the second place Kansas City Royals.

Kittle led the club with 35 home runs and was named American League Rookie of the Year. Designated hitter Greg Luzinski slugged 32 homers, and catcher Carlton Fisk added 26 more. Speedy outfielder Rudy Law stole 77 bases and scored 95 runs. Second baseman Julio Cruz was acquired from the Seattle Mariners in midseason to provide added speed to the lineup.

The pitching staff was led by Cy Young Award winner LaMarr Hoyt, who went 24-10 and won 13 straight to end the season. Richard Dotson added 22 victories, and Bannister won 16, including 13 of his last 14 decisions. Manager LaRussa, who months earlier was fighting to keep his job, was named American League Manager of the Year.

The White Sox made it to the postseason for the first time since 1959. They beat the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of the American League Championship Series but then lost the next two. In Game 4, Britt Burns pitched nine innings of shut-out ball, before giving up a run to the Orioles in the 10th inning to lose the game and the series.