Showing posts with label Chicago White Sox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago White Sox. Show all posts

Friday, March 20, 2009

Young Superstars II #22 - Ivan Calderon


Is that old Comiskey in the background?

He's another guy that had already spent time with more than one team before 1988, and the first in Series Two who is no longer with us. He was murdered in 2003, shot multiple times in the back and head in a bar in Puerto Rico.

For a big guy Calderon was fairly speedy. In 1990 and 1991 when he was healthy and played regularly, he stole 32 and 31 bases, being caught 16 times both seasons.

His best season came in 1991 where he went .300/19/75 and made the All Star team.

Injuries shortened his career and he was finished by 1993 at the age of 31.

Ivan Calderon's career statistics

Monday, February 16, 2009

Young Superstars #21 - Ozzie Guillen


Here's our first future manager, the always loveable Ozzie Guillen. As a player, Ozzie was one of what has turned out to be a dying breed, an all glove no hit shortstop. He managed ok with the bat, but his forte was the glove.

He is the owner of a Gold Glove, winner of the 1985 AL Rookie of the Year award, and a three time All Star. Later in life, he added American League Manager of the Year to his resume.

Through 2008, he's managed the White Sox to a 433-378 record, winning the World Series in 2005.

The photo on the front of this card looks like it was taken in Boston (green fence and what looks like a Red Sox cap on the left edge). But the picture on the reverse was taken at the same time as his base 88 Score card. Not sure where though.



Ozzie Guillen's career playing and managerial statistics

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Young Superstars #6 - Ken Williams


Not a whole lot can be said about Kenny Williams' playing career. In six seasons he managed a .218 average with 27 home runs and 119 RBIs. In the field he hovered around league average.

Despite having a below average career, Mr. Williams knows a thing or two about baseball and in 2000 he was hired as general manager of the Chicago White Sox. He put the team's focus back on pitching and guided the ChiSox to the win in the 2005 World Series.

Two of his sons have been drafted by the White Sox in recent years.

The fans in the background of this photo are so out of focus that they look like a painting. Almost like one of those bad school year book backdrops. "OK Kenny, which background do you want? Blurry fans, spring time in the meadows or lazers?

Kenny Williams' career statistics