August 23, 2026
August 23, 2026
1993 marked the last year the Chicago White Sox would compete in the American League West division, and they made that final season count, pounding opponents in games that weren’t even close. In games decided by 5 or more runs, the White Sox went 30-19, showing off the right blend of home run power, timely hitting, and reliable pitching that carried them through the 1993 White Sox season.
The White Sox finished 94-68, winning the American League West division for the last time by 8 games over the Texas Rangers. Chicago went 8-5 against Texas in head-to-head play, posting a 45-36 record at home and a 49-32 mark on the road. Aside from May, the White Sox remained solid through every month of the regular season, going 13-9 in April, 15-13 in June, 18-9 in July, 17-12 in August, and 17-11 in September.
First baseman Frank Thomas was nicknamed “The Big Hurt” for a reason, as he laid a hurting on the baseball every time he launched it out of the park. Thomas batted .317 with 41 home runs and 128 RBIs off 174 hits and 36 doubles. Center fielder Lance Johnson batted .311 with 168 hits, 18 doubles, 14 triples, and 35 stolen bases. Left fielder Tim Raines batted .306 with 16 home runs, 127 hits, and 36 doubles. Shortstop Ozzie Guillen batted .280 with 128 hits, 23 doubles, and 4 triples.
Signing with the White Sox out of free agency on January 4, right fielder Ellis Burks batted .275 with 17 home runs and 74 RBIs off 137 hits, 24 doubles, and 4 triples. Third baseman Robin Ventura had 22 home runs and 94 RBIs off 145 hits and 27 doubles. Catcher Ron Karkovice had 20 home runs, 92 hits, and 17 doubles in 102 games. Second baseman Joey Cora had 155 hits, 15 doubles, 13 triples, and 20 stolen bases. Designated hitter George Bell had 13 home runs and 64 RBIs off 89 hits and 17 doubles in 102 games.
After a major setback in the form of a hip injury suffered while playing football, utility player Bo Jackson sat out the 1992 MLB season to further rehabilitate from hip replacement surgery. In 85 games, Jackson hit 16 home runs with 66 hits and 9 doubles. Jackson was named the American League Comeback Player of the Year and also won the Tony Conigliaro Award, an honor given to a player who overcomes an obstacle or adversity by showing the spirit, determination, and courage that were among Conigliaro’s trademarks.
Starting pitcher Jack McDowell went 22-10 with 158 strikeouts and a 3.37 ERA, recording 10 complete games and 4 shutouts. McDowell’s numbers were good enough to win the American League Cy Young Award. Alex Fernandez went 18-9 with 169 strikeouts and a 3.13 ERA, recording 3 complete games and 1 shutout. Wilson Alvarez went 15-8 with 155 strikeouts and a 2.95 ERA, recording 1 complete game and 1 shutout. Jason Bere went 12-5 with 129 strikeouts and a 3.47 ERA, recording 1 complete game. Despite going 3-5, Tim Belcher recorded 1 complete game and 1 shutout.
Closer Roberto Hernandez had 38 saves and a 2.29 ERA. Relief pitcher Scott Radinsky went 8-2 with 4 saves. Kirk McCaskill had 2 saves. Don Pall had 1 save and a 3.22 ERA. Jeff Schwarz went 2-2 with a 3.71 ERA.
Gene Lamont guided the White Sox to much success on the field, earning him the American League Manager of the Year award. Along with Jack McDowell, Frank Thomas made the All-Star Game as a reserve, and it was The Big Hurt’s tremendous performances throughout the season that earned him a Silver Slugger Award and the American League Most Valuable Player title. Despite the eventual playoff heartbreak, the 1993 White Sox season produced a bounty of individual hardware for Chicago.
In the American League Championship Series, the White Sox were not able to overcome the momentum that a team from north of the border had carried over from the previous year. The Chicago White Sox fell 4 games to 2 to the eventual back-to-back World Series champion Toronto Blue Jays. Both of Chicago’s wins in the series came on the road at Toronto’s SkyDome.
In Game 3 on October 8, the White Sox beat the Blue Jays 6-1. Wilson Alvarez pitched a complete game, giving up 7 hits, 2 walks, and 1 run while recording 6 strikeouts. In the top of the 3rd inning, Frank Thomas had an RBI single, and then Ellis Burks and Lance Johnson both had 2-run singles. In the bottom of the 3rd, center fielder Devon White had an RBI single. In the top of the 4th, Robin Ventura had a sacrifice fly to score Ozzie Guillen.
In Game 4 on October 9, the White Sox beat the Blue Jays 7-4. In the top of the 2nd inning, Johnson belted a 2-run home run. In the bottom of the 3rd, second baseman Roberto Alomar had an RBI double, and then right fielder Joe Carter had a 2-run single. In the top of the 6th, Thomas hit a solo home run, and then Johnson followed with a 2-run triple. In the bottom of the 6th, Alomar had an RBI double. In the top of the 7th, Joey Cora had an RBI groundout, and in the top of the 9th, Ventura had an RBI single.
Adjusting to the American League Central division proved more difficult than the Chicago White Sox had imagined, as it would take 7 years for them to return to the postseason. Though the 1993 White Sox season ended in ALCS disappointment, it remains one of the most memorable campaigns in franchise history.
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