The 1917 White Sox won 100 games, but they have become an afterthought since many of their stars played on the 1919 Black Sox.
The White Sox won the World Series in 2005 for the first time since 1917, when a great White Sox team defeated the New York Giants. The 1917 White Sox won 100 games, but with the passage of time, they have become an afterthought, partly because many associated with baseball prefer that as little as possible be mentioned about the 1919 fixed World Series that involved some of the same players that helped the Sox win the 1917 championship.
From White Stockings to White Sox
Charles Comiskey owned the White Stockings in 1901 when they became a charter member of the upstart American League and they were the first American League pennant winners. To accommodate the newspapers, the team’s name was changed to the White Sox to better fit the headlines.
The Sox Led in Runs, Stolen Bases, On Base Average, and ERA
Baseball in 1917 was quite different from baseball in today. Pitching, defense, speed, bunting, and playing for one run at a time were emphasized. There weren’t many home run hitters. Happy Felsch led the 1917 White Sox with 6 home runs, Wally Pipp led the American League with 9 home runs, and Ty Cobb won the batting title with a .383 batting average. The 1917 White Sox led the majors in runs scored (656), stolen bases (219), on base average (.323) and ERA (2.16).
Three Hall of Famers
The 1917 White Sox had a few great stars and some important role players. Catcher Ray Schalk, second baseman Eddie Collins, and pitcher Red Faber became Hall of Famers. Outfielder Joe Jackson, one of the greatest players in the history of the game, made a mistake and has paid for it even after death. Eddie Cicotte and Lefty Williams were outstanding starting pitchers on an outstanding pitching staff.
Great Outfield Defense
The Sox offense had extra base power and could break open games with adept hit and run plays, hitting behind the runner, moving runners along, and stealing bases. The defense, especially the outfield defense in spacious Comiskey Park, helped the pitchers immensely. Joe Jackson and Happy Felsch were among the best defensive outfielders to ever have played the game.
The White Sox Beat New York in the World Series
The World Series was a “pick-‘em” affair. New York fans thought the Giants had greater drive and desire than the Sox, but the White Sox won the first two games in Chicago by scores of 2-1 and 7-2. When the Series shifted to New York, Al Benton and Ferdie Schupp each shut out the White Sox, but the Sox won the next two games for the championship.
The Only White Sox Team to Win 100 Games
The only White Sox team to ever win 100 games in a season, the 1917 Sox were a colorful, well-balanced unit. They failed to repeat as champions in the war-shortened 1918 season as Boston won the World Series, but the won the 1919 pennant and became the Black Sox. It is interesting that the Red Sox’ last two World Championships were in 1918 and 2004, and the White Sox’ last two championships were 1917 and 2005. Just like a pair of bookends with so many Yankees in between.
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