5 in 50- The Chicago White Sox

Continuing my 5 in 50 series, today’s team is the Chicago White Sox.  This will be a list of the top 5 greatest players for the White Sox in the last 50 years. The criteria are as follows: Player must have been part of team for at least 5 full seasons since 1972. Both regular season and post season success will be measured (statistical leaders, awards, et). Players on this list can be from any position. Multiple players at the same position can be included. I’ll list the major accomplishments for each player only for the team they are selected.

Here is my list of the top 5 greatest White Sox players in the last 50 years.

5. Hal Baines (1980-1988 and 2 additional stints. 14 total seasons)- 4^th all-time in team home runs

4. Mark Buehrle (2000-2011)- 8^th all-time White Sox wins. 3-time gold glove winner. Pitched 2 no hitters (including perfect game)

3. Carlton Fisk (1981-1993)- 4^th all time home run leader in team history. American League record for most Home Runs by catcher.

2. Paul Konerko (1999-2014)- 2^nd all-time home runs and 2^nd all time in games played for White Sox. 2005 ALCS MVP. 2005 World Series Champion.

1. Frank Thomas (1990-2005)- 2-time MVP, all-time home run leader in team history. 1 batting title.

Honorable mention to Chris Sale, Robin Ventura, Wilbur Wood, and Jose Abreu.

Notes. Baines was a long time White Sox player who is in the Hall of Fame (somehow). He still holds the club record for home runs by a left-handed hitter. Buehrle is the only pitcher to throw multiple no-hitters and win multiple gold gloves. Fisk is a Hall of Famer and is 2^nd all time in games played by a catcher. Konerko is in the top 3 of most offensive categories with the White Sox. Thomas is a Hall of Famer who is 2^nd all-time home runs by a DH.

Next up in the 5 in 50 series is the Cleveland Indians

5 in 50- The Toronto Blue Jays

Continuing my 5 in 50 series, today’s team is the Toronto Blue Jays.  This is my list of the top 5 greatest players for the Blue Jays in their history (the franchise started in 1977). The criteria are as follows: Player must have been part of team for at least 5 full seasons since 1972 (or in the Blue Jays case in their history). Both regular season and post season success will be measured (statistical leaders, awards, et). Players on this list can be from any position. Multiple players at the same position can be included. I’ll list the major accomplishments for each player only for the team they are selected.

Here is my list of the top 5 greatest Blue Jays players in their history.

5. Jose Bautista (2008-2017)- 2-time home run leader. 2^nd all-time Blue Jays home run leader.

4. Dave Stieb (1979-1992)- Second winningest pitcher in the 1980s. Winningest pitcher in Blue Jay history.

3. Carlos Delgado (1993-2004)- 8 straight seasons with 30 or more home runs. Led the league in home runs and finished in top 5 MVP voting twice. All-time home run leader in Blue Jays history.

2. Roberto Alomar (1991-1995)- 5-time gold glove winner. 2-time World Champion.

1. Roy Halladay (1998-2009)- Cy Young award winner. 4 time top 5 finisher in Cy Young award voting.

Honorable mention to Jesse Barfield, Jimmy Key, Edwin Encarnacion, George Bell and John Olerud.

Notes. Fred McGriff and Josh Donaldson were great Blue Jays but did not play a full 5 seasons with the team. This was a tricky list to put together. There were a lot of similar type players to choose from. Bautista was an important part of the Jays resurgence in the early 2010s and leading them back to the postseason. Stieb was a 7 time All Star who was key to the Blue Jays success in the 80s. Although he only played 5 years, Alomar was one of the most important players on the 2 championship teams in the early 90s and is a Hall of Famer. Halladay is another Hall of Famer who was one of the most dominant pitchers of his time.

Next up in the 5 in 50 series I start the AL Central with the Cleveland Indians.