411 REFERENCE · Wikipedia
1990 Chicago White Sox season
Reference material by Wikipedia contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
March 2026
November 2013
Chicago White Sox 1990 American League West Comiskey Park Chicago Jerry Reinsdorf Jeff Torborg Larry Himes WGN-TVSportsChannel Chicago(Ken Harrelson, Tom Paciorek, Jim Durham) WMAQ (AM)(John Rooney, Wayne Hagin) WTAQ(Frank Diaz, Chico Carrasquel)
The 1990 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 91st season. The team finished with a record of 94–68, placing them second in the American League West, nine games behind the first-place Oakland Athletics. The White Sox played their final season at the aging Comiskey Park in 1990, before moving to the new Comiskey Park the next season.
Regular season
In the summer of 1990, Michael Jordan took batting practice at Comiskey Park.20th Century Chicago: 100 Years, 100 Voices By Chicago Sun-Times, p.119, Chicago sun-times, Adrienne Drell, Published 2000, Sports Publishing LLC, 1-58261-239-0 The following year, Upper Deck created a baseball card of Jordan, numbered SP1.1991 Upper Deck #SP1 – Michael Jordan https://web.archive.org/web/20080314045957/http://www.checkoutmycards.com/Cards/Baseball/1991/Upper_Deck/SP1/Michael_Jordan March 14, 2008 CheckOutMyCards.com
The White Sox and Texas Rangers were involved in the longest rain delay in baseball history, at seven hours and 23 minutes, at Comiskey Park on August 12. Factoring into the delay's length was the White Sox's insistence that the game be rescheduled at Comiskey four days later when both teams were idle and not at Arlington Stadium the subsequent weekend, which was rejected by the Rangers. The gamesmanship between the two sides resulted in the contest eventually being played as part of a twi-night doubleheader at Arlington on August 17.Muskat, Carrie. "The game between the Chicago White Sox and Texas...," United Press International (UPI), Sunday, August 12, 1990. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
Bobby Thigpen had the best season of his career with the White Sox in 1990, setting a major league record of 57 saves. He also maintained a 1.83 ERA and was named to the AL All-Star team. He also blew eight saves that season, including two three-run leads.
On July 2, in anticipation of the team's upcoming move to new Comiskey Park, the White Sox unveiled new team colors of black and silver with uniforms based on the ones worn between 1959 and the early 1970s, featuring a return of pinstripes to the home version.Murphy, Robert J. "White Sox unveil new look," United Press International (UPI), Monday, July 2, 1990. Retrieved May 16, 2023. The new uniforms were originally scheduled to debut the following season, but its popularity with fans resulted in the White Sox officially making the change beginning with the first game of the final homestand of the 1990 campaign on September 25."White Sox to unveil '91 uniform," United Press International (UPI), Wednesday, September 5, 1990. Retrieved May 16, 2023. The team instantly jumped to the top of MLB merchandise sales.
Season standings
Chicago White Sox
Record vs. opponents
CWS
1990 Opening Day lineup
Lance Johnson, CF
Scott Fletcher, 2B
Iván Calderón, LF
Greg Walker, DH
Carlton Fisk, C
Carlos Martínez, 1B
Robin Ventura, 3B
Sammy Sosa, RF
Ozzie Guillén, SS
Mélido Pérez, P
Notable transactions
June 4, 1990: Alex Fernandez was drafted by the White Sox in the first round of the 1990 amateur draft.Baseball Draft: 1st Round of the 1990 June Draft Baseball-Reference.com
June 4, 1990: Bob Wickman was drafted by the White Sox in the second round of the 1990 amateur draft; he was signed to the team on June 6, 1990.Bob Wickman Statistics Baseball-Reference.com
June 4, 1990: Ray Durham was drafted by the White Sox in the fifth round of the 1990 amateur draft; he was signed to the team on June 5, 1990.https://www.baseball-reference.com/d/durhara01.shtml Ray Durham Stats
June 4, 1990: Jason Bere was drafted by the White Sox in the 36th round of the 1990 amateur draft; he was signed to the team on June 6, 1990.https://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bereja01.shtml Jason Bere Stats
July 30, 1990: Phil Bradley was traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the White Sox for Ron Kittle.Phil Bradley Statistics Baseball-Reference.com
No Hitter
July 1, 1990 – New York Yankees pitcher Andy Hawkins threw a no-hitter against the White Sox and lost the game. A scoreless game until the bottom of the eighth inning, Sammy Sosa started the rally by hitting a ground ball that Yankee third basemen Mike Blowers bobbled. Initially it was ruled a hit. Yankee manager Stump Merrill was standing on the top of the dugout steps barking up in the direction of the press box. The play was quickly changed to an error on Blowers. Sosa then stole second base. Ozzie Guillén and Lance Johnson both then drew walks to load the bases. The next batter, Robin Ventura, hit a fly ball that eluded Yankees left fielder Jim Leyritz, allowing three unearned runs to score. The next batter, Iván Calderón, then lifted a fly ball to right field that was dropped by Jesse Barfield, making the score 4–0.
Line Score
July 1, Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois
Team123456789RHENew York000000000043Chicago00000004x402W: Barry Jones (10–1) L: Andy Hawkins (1–5) Attendance: 30,642 Time: 2:34
Batting
New York YankeesABRHRBIChicago White SoxABRHRBIKelly, cf4000Johnson, cf3100Sax, 2b4000Ventura, 3b4100Mattingly, 1b4000Calderon, dh3000Balboni, dh4000Pasqua, lf4000Tolleson, pr, dh0000Gallagher, lf0000Barfield, rf4010Kittle, 1b3000Leyritz, lf3010Lyons, 1b0000Blowers, 3b3000Karkovice, c2000Geren, c3010Fletcher, 2b2000Espinoza, ss2010Sosa, rf3100NONE0000Guillen, ss2100Totals31040Totals26400
Pitching
New York YankeesIPHRERBBSOHawkins, L (1–5)8.004053
Chicago White SoxIPHRERBBSOHibbard7.040004Jones W (10–1)1.000001Radinsky1.000000
Turn Back the Clock Day
On July 11, 1990, as part of the celebration of Comiskey Park, the White Sox played a Turn Back the Clock game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The White Sox wore their 1917 home uniforms. This was the first Turn Back the Clock game in the major leagues and started what has become a popular promotion. The club turned off the electronic scoreboards and public address system. They constructed a special manually operated scoreboard in center field for the day and even the grounds-crew wore period costume. General admission tickets were sold for $0.50, popcorn was a nickel, and the stadium organ was shut down for the game.
Line Score
July 11, Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois
Team12345678910111213RHEMilwaukee003000060000312151Chicago40302000000009130W: Dan Plesac (1–3) L: Donn Pall (0–3) Home Runs: Yount (8) Attendance: 40,666 Time: 4:44
Batting
Milwaukee BrewersABRHRBIChicago White SoxABRHRBIGantner, 2b7132Johnson, cf7120Sheffield, 3b5230Ventura, 3b5000Yount, cf4223Gallagher, ph1000Parker, dh5110Grebeck, 3b0000Brock, 1b3000Calderon, dh6121Deer, ph, 1b2101Kittle, 1b611 0Vaughn, lf4122Fisk, c4210Felder, lf2110Lyons, lf6011Surhoff, c5212Fletcher, 2b6232Hamilton, rf6122Sosa, rf6223Spiers, ss4000Guillen, ss6011Sveum, ph, ss2000NONE0000Diaz, ss0000NONE0000Totals49121512Totals539138
Roster
1990 Chicago White Sox Roster Pitchers
45 Wayne Edwards
32 Alex Fernandez
27 Greg Hibbard
57 Shawn Hillegas
50 Barry Jones
36 Eric King
52 Jerry Kutzler
47 Bill Long
40,29 Jack McDowell
30 Donn Pall
34 Ken Patterson
33 Mélido Pérez
43 Adam Peterson
31 Scott Radinsky
47 Steve Rosenberg
37 Bobby Thigpen Catchers
72 Carlton Fisk
20 Ron Karkovice
26 Jerry Willard
Infielders
7 Scott Fletcher
14 Craig Grebeck
13 Ozzie Guillén
42 Ron Kittle
12 Steve Lyons
24 Carlos Martínez
15,35 Frank Thomas
23 Robin Ventura
29 Greg Walker Outfielders
8 Daryl Boston
8 Phil Bradley
22 Iván Calderón
17 Dave Gallagher
1 Lance Johnson
44 Dan Pasqua
28 Rodney McCray
25 Sammy Sosa
Other batters
21 Matt Stark Manager
10 Jeff Torborg
Coaches
18 Terry Bevington (Third Base)
5 Ron Clark (First Base)
32 Sammy Ellis (Pitching)
54 Barry Foote (Bullpen Catcher)
6 Walt Hriniak (Hitting)
53 Dave LaRoche (Bullpen)
? Joe Nossek (Bench)
Player stats
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; BB = Base on balls; SO = Strikeouts; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases
Player G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG SB Daryl Boston, RF 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 1 Phil Bradley, OF, DH 45 133 20 30 5 1 0 5 20 26 .226 7 Iván Calderón, LF 158 607 85 166 44 2 14 74 51 79 .273 32 Carlton Fisk, C 137 452 65 129 21 0 18 65 61 73 .285 7 Scott Fletcher, 2B 151 509 54 123 18 3 4 56 45 63 .242 1 Dave Gallagher, OF 45 75 5 21 3 1 0 5 3 9 .280 0 Craig Grebeck, 3B, SS, 2B 59 119 7 20 3 1 1 9 8 24 .168 0 Ozzie Guillén, SS 160 516 61 144 21 4 1 58 26 37 .279 13 Lance Johnson, CF 151 541 76 154 18 9 1 51 33 45 .285 36 Ron Karkovice, C 68 183 30 45 10 0 6 20 16 52 .246 2 Ron Kittle, DH, 1B 83 277 29 68 14 0 16 43 24 77 .245 0 Steve Lyons, 1B, 2B, OF 94 146 22 28 6 1 1 11 10 41 .192 1 Carlos Martinez, 1B 92 272 18 61 6 5 4 24 10 40 .224 0 Rodney McCray, OF 32 6 8 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 .000 6 Dan Pasqua, DH, OF 112 325 43 89 27 3 13 58 37 66 .274 1 Sammy Sosa, RF 153 532 72 124 26 10 15 70 33 150 .233 32 Matt Stark, DH 8 16 0 4 1 0 0 3 1 6 .250 0 Frank Thomas, 1B, DH 60 191 39 63 11 3 7 31 44 54 .330 1 Robin Ventura, 3B 150 493 48 123 17 1 5 54 55 53 .249 1 Greg Walker, 1B, DH 2 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .200 0 Jerry Willard, C 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 0 Team totals 162 5402 682 1393 251 44 106 637 478 903 .258 140
Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; HR = Home runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts
Player W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB K Wayne Edwards 5 3 3.22 42 5 2 95.0 81 39 34 6 43 63 Alex Fernandez 5 5 3.80 13 13 0 87.2 89 40 37 6 34 61 Greg Hibbard 14 9 3.16 33 33 0 211.0 202 80 74 11 57 92 Shawn Hillegas 0 0 0.79 7 0 0 11.1 4 1 1 0 6 5 Barry Jones 11 4 2.31 65 0 1 74.0 62 20 19 2 40 45 Eric King 12 4 3.28 25 25 0 151.0 135 59 55 10 40 70 Jerry Kutzler 2 1 6.03 7 7 0 31.1 38 23 21 2 15 21 Bill Long 0 1 6.35 4 0 0 5.2 6 5 4 2 2 2 Steve Lyons 0 0 4.50 1 0 0 2.0 2 1 1 0 4 1 Jack McDowell 14 9 3.82 33 33 0 205.0 189 93 87 20 77 165 Donn Pall 3 5 3.32 56 0 2 76.0 63 33 28 7 30 39 Ken Patterson 2 1 3.39 43 0 2 66.1 58 27 25 6 35 40 Mélido Pérez 13 14 4.61 35 35 0 197.0 177 111 101 14 87 161 Adam Peterson 2 5 4.55 20 11 0 85.0 90 46 43 12 26 29 Scott Radinsky 6 1 4.82 62 0 4 52.1 47 29 28 1 37 46 Steve Rosenberg 1 0 5.40 6 0 0 10.0 10 6 6 2 5 4 Bobby Thigpen 4 6 1.83 77 0 57 88.2 60 20 18 5 35 70 Team totals 94 68 3.61 162 162 68 1449.1 1313 633 581 106 575 914
Awards and honors
Bobby Thigpen, Major League Record, 57 saves in one season
Bobby Thigpen, MLB All-Star Game, reserve
Jeff Torborg, MLB All-Star Game, bench coach
Jeff Torborg, Associated Press Manager of the Year
Farm system
Minor League Baseball
AAA Vancouver Canadians Pacific Coast League Marv Foley AA Birmingham Barons Southern League Ken Berry A Sarasota White Sox Florida State League Tony Franklin A South Bend White Sox Midwest League Rick Patterson A-Short Season Utica Blue Sox New York–Penn League Tommy Thompson Rookie GCL White Sox Gulf Coast League Mike GellingerJohnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 1997
References
External links
1990 Chicago White Sox at Baseball Reference
1990 Chicago White Sox at Baseball Almanac
Last Comiskey, a 2023 documentary about the 1990 Chicago White Sox, on https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEnTXdLRXcu78ytNVyAmwGg YouTube
53em
Category:Chicago White Sox seasons
Chicago White Sox season
White
Category:1990 in Chicago