34. Mike Sirotka

 

 

(6 of 27 lists - 67 points - highest ranking #3 Heads22)

 

Bio by Heads22 -

 

Mike was one of the first guys I really started following once I gained more than a rooting interest in the White Sox...but it wasn't due to his results on the field.

 

Sirotka comes in at the top of my list because, a few years ago, there was a website called bigleaguers.com. It was the MLBPA's website, and you had a chance to email a player. I tried a couple of White Sox, and, lo and behold, Sirotka replied to the email. I thought it was pretty cool that he was willing to shoot the s*** with some kid in podunk Iowa, and he instantly became a favorite. We kicked some emails back and forth, and he simply struck me as a guy happy to be playing baseball.

 

Soon after this, he started putting up results on the field, including what may have been one of his most memorable games, a pitcher's dual with Pedro Martinez at Fenway Park. Damned if I can remember the result, but I do remember that he seemed to validate himself as the ace of the team.

 

He was truly the lefty starting pitcher to love on this team just before Mark Buehrle (apologizes to Jim Parque).

 

Please feel free to comment with any more info and favorite stories about this player or any other in this list.

Sirotka was in my top 10 I believe. He was one of the main guys I watched while growing up. Knowing he didn't have the greatest stuff, he got it done and led the team to a division title in 2000. To be perfectly honest Durham/Thomas/Sirotka were 3 of the main reasons I became a Sox fan.

I was so angry when he was traded to the Jays for Wells. Worst of all, we never got to see him pitch again.

That's a cool story about the emails. Nice stuff.

I love Sirotka, definitely one of my favorites when I grew up rooting for this team

So what did Sirotka's personal assistant have to say in those e mail replies?

So what did Sirotka's personal assistant have to say in those e mail replies?

 

He said to "SHUT UP LOS MEDIAS BLANCAS"

Soon after this, he started putting up results on the field, including what may have been one of his most memorable games, a pitcher's dual with Pedro Martinez at Fenway Park. Damned if I can remember the result, but I do remember that he seemed to validate himself as the ace of the team.

 

IIRC, the Sox lost 1-0, with Jose Valentin's error resulting in the unearned run. Didn't John Snyder actually out-duel Pedro that same year, or maybe the year before?

 

Siro was one of my favorites as well. I knew that he was going to be solid when he actually out-performed Wilson Alvarez after the White Flag Trade and, as evidenced here, he seemed like a really nice guy as well. It's sad that his career ended prematurely.

 

He said to "SHUT UP LOS MEDIAS BLANCAS"

 

 

Nice

Big Sirotka fan as well, and yea, that 0-1 loss to Pedro was one of the games that stays emblazoned in my memory

IIRC, the Sox lost 1-0, with Jose Valentin's error resulting in the unearned run. Didn't John Snyder actually out-duel Pedro that same year, or maybe the year before?

must have been the year before because if I remember this right Snyder was dealt for Jose

must have been the year before because if I remember this right Snyder was dealt for Jose

 

 

That's right, Snyder and Navarro for Jose and Eldred. Can't believe I forgot that...

 

Mike was such a great guy... I would have even rooted for him if he made it back to the bigs as a Cub. I remember him starting off 2000 pretty slow, and then anchoring the rotation in the second half when Baldwin, Parque, Eldred and CO. cooled off.

 

He was another torn labrum casualty IIRC... I wonder what all that was about....

Did Sirotka ever attempt a comeback? I checked his BR page and it didnt show any minor league stats after 2000. Curious to see what happened to him. It'd be strange if he was unable to pitch ever again with the way guys come back from surgeries nowadays. i liked him too, was sorry to see him leave and get hurt

 

That's right, Snyder and Navarro for Jose and Eldred. Can't believe I forgot that...

 

That was a great trade. Any trade where we got rid of Navarro would be, but Jose and Cal both produced for the Sox.

My hero zero. He was definately my favorite player of that era. I know he was on my list, but I can't remember where.

Back when I worked in the restaurant biz Sirotka and Parque came in a lot and I would always wait on them. Good guys.

The Blue Jays cringe everytime they hear the name.