THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: JANUARY 23RD

 

For more, see www.whitesoxalamanac.com

 

A TERRIFIC PICKUP

 

1984: Much to the chagrin of the New York Mets, their fans and the man himself, the White Sox selected pitcher Tom Seaver as compensation for losing a “Type A” free agent.

 

The Mets had only themselves to blame for losing Seaver in the compensation pool that was part of the settlement in the 1981 strike. The Mets left Seaver unprotected figuring no one would pick a 39-year old right-hander who had gone 9-14 in 1983 with a hefty salary. The White Sox had a pick in this draft for losing pitcher Dennis Lamp to free agency following the 1983 season.

 

Had the Mets done their homework, they would have known White Sox general manager Roland Hemond had a move like this in him. A year earlier, Hemond had toyed with selecting Cub pitcher Ferguson Jenkins in the same “compensation pool draft.” The White Sox didn’t take Jenkins but did wind up making a blockbuster deal with the Cubs that left Cub general manager Dallas Green saying he was “relieved.” There was no swap this time and Seaver joined a rotation that included LaMarr Hoyt, Floyd Bannister, Richard Dotson and Britt Burns.

 

While he had misgivings about leaving the Mets, a team he had rejoined for the 1983 campaign, Seaver eventually warmed to his first American League home. In retirement, Seaver spoke fondly of his days with the White Sox and his association with Ozzie Guillen.

 

“Tom Terrific” had two excellent seasons with the White Sox. He went 15-11 with a 3.95 ERA in 1984 and 16-11 with a 3.17 ERA in 1985. The highlight of Seaver’s tenure with the White Sox came on Aug. 4, 1985 when he won logged his 300th victory with a complete game effort at Yankee Stadium.

 

Seaver’s time in Chicago came to an end on June 29, 1986 when he was dealt by general manager Ken Harrelson to the Boston Red Sox for utilityman Steve Lyons.

 

Seaver was 33-28 with a 3.67 ERA in 81 outings (79 starts) with 17 complete games and five shutouts with the Sox. Seaver’s numbers could have been markedly better with the Sox considering he was on the losing end of a shutout a total of six times in 1984 and 1985 and he left with a lead that the bullpen blew six times in 1984.

 

Stupid "Hawk the GM" always pops up like herpes in the team history threads.