Greatest Chicago White Sox players in the last 50 years

 I am continuing my list for the greatest players at each position for every team in the last 50 years for each team. Today’s team is the Chicago White Sox. The criteria are as follows:

- Player must have played a full 5 years for team.



-1 player will be selected for each position, 1 right handed starting pitcher, 1 left handed starting pitcher, and 1 relief pitcher. I will include a DH for both leagues (considering interleague play now).

 Below is my list of greatest players by position for the White Sox in the last 50 years (since the 1970 season).

First Base-  Paul Konerko

Second Base-  Ray Durham

Shortstop-  Alexei Ramirez

Third Base- Robin Ventura

Left Field-   Carlos Lee

Centerfield-  Chet Lemon

Right Field- Hal Baines

Catcher- Carlton Fisk

Designated Hitter-  Frank Thomas

Right Handed starting pitcher-    Jack McDowell

Left Handed starting pitcher-  Chris Sale

Relief pitcher-  Bobby Thigpen.



 A couple of notes. There were some slam dunks picking this list. Konerko, Ventura, Fisk, and Thomas were easy selections. There were some challenging positons. Second base was never a very strong position for the White Sox in the last 50 years. HOF Nellie Fox retired in the 60s. The best second baseman from an underwhelming bunch is Ray Durham. Shortstop was between Ramirez and Ozzie Guillen. Both were terrific fielders, but, I picked Ramirez due to his durability and consistency (played over 148 games 7 straight seasons for the White Sox). Left field was another tough position. Lots of players faded quickly. Ron Kittle was a key member of the 1983 Sox team that went to the playoffs. But he only had 3 good seasons. I took Carlos Lee, who played LF for 6 years in the early 2000s and hit at least 24 home runs in 5 of the 6 yrs. There were not many good options for right handed starting pitcher. Lamar Hoyt won the Cy Young for the White Sox in 83. He had 2 terrific seasons, but, then lost 18 games in 84 and a few years later was traded to the Padres. I picked Jack McDowell over Hoyt. McDowell had 4 excellent seasons, including 2 where he won over 20. The White Sox had a terrific trio of left handed starting pitchers. It was between Sale, Mark Buerhle, and Wilbur Wood. All 3 were great for the White Sox. I picked Sale due to his dominance over 6 years. But, you could not argue picking any of them.





Next up is the Cleveland Indians