November 23—For the third consecutive year, Liam Hendriks has been awarded the closer position on the First Team of the 2021 All-MLB Team, the last honor of the 2021 MLB Awards to be announced. The All-MLB Team debuted in 2019 to recognize superior performance across the entire regular-season, including strong second-half performances by players who may not have been included in the mid-season All-Star Game. Honorees are selected through a combination of votes (50% each) by fans and a panel of baseball insiders.
Category: 2021 Season
Carlos Rodón Fifth in Cy Young Voting
November 17—White Sox left-handed starter Carlos Rodón has placed fifth in the balloting for the 2021 American League Cy Young Award.
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America elected Robbie Ray of the Toronto Blue Jays as the American League winner, and Corbin Burnes of the Milwaukee Brewers as the National League winner.
Liam Hendriks Named AL Reliever of the Year
November 10—For the second consecutive year, White Sox closer Liam Hendriks has been named Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year for the 2021 season.
Hendriks earned 38 saves on 44 opportunities, with a season record of 8-3, a 2.54 ERA. and a 0.73 WHIP. He struck out 113 and walked only 7 on 71.0 IP (69 relief appearances).
Hendriks set the MLB record for the highest strikeout-to-walk ratio (16.14), beating the previous record of 15.64, set by Clayton Kershaw in 2016. Hendriks joined Kenley Jansen (2017) as the only pitchers in MLB history to strike out 100+ batters with 7 or fewer walks.
Dallas Keuchel Wins Fifth Golden Glove
November 7—Despite his disappointing second half as a starter, White Sox veteran lefty Dallas Keuchel remained great on defense in 2021, winning the fifth Golden Glove Award of his career.
Keuchel finished the season with 41 assists, 1 error, 2 stolen bases allowed on 6 attempts, and 12 defensive runs saved—a career high.
He beat out American League finalists Zack Greinke, who has accumulated six Golden Gloves, and José Berríos.
Keuchel is the first White Sox pitcher to win a Golden Glove since Jake Peavy in 2012. Marke Buehrle (3), Jim Kaat (3), and Peavy are the only other pitchers in franchise history to win the award.
2021 Player Highlights – Infield and DH
Season Recap
- Jerry Reinsdorf and Tony La Russa go all-in on 2021 World Series win and fall far short, but the team they’ve built has a promising future.
- First consecutive postseason berths in franchise history (2020 and 2021)
- First AL Central division title since 2008
- White Sox starters led the American League in ERA, SO, SO/9 IP, OPP SLG, and OPP OPS
- First lineup in MLB history to have four players with first names beginning with “Y”
White Sox 2021 Season in Review from MLB Network
Manager
Tony La Russa
With 3-0 win over Detroit, Tony places second on MLB’s all-time list of career wins at 2,764 – June 6
The jog that launched a thousand memes – July 30
Tony is ejected only 3 times this season!—extending his managerial career ejection record to 91, placing him 5th in MLB history, just 5 behind Earl Weaver.
➤ Ejected (89) after arguing balls and strikes (this time, he has a point). Tim Anderson follows suit, an inning later – July 23
➤ Ejected (90) after arguing balls and strikes – August 15
➤ Ejected (91) after protesting Mike Wright, Jr.’s ejection, rips dugout phone off the wall on the way out – September 16
➤ Finally, Tony closes out the postseason with a sportsmanlike non-ejection (91.5), becoming irate about José Abreu’s 23rd HBP of the season – October 12
Infield
Except where indicated, player stats are 2021 regular season with White Sox only.
Team Leader: José Abreu #79, 1B
566 AB | .261 AVG | 148 H | 30 HR | 117 RBI | 1 SB | 61 BB | .831 OPS
➤ José was HBP 23 times this season (including postseason)—always the gentleman, always giving the benefit of the doubt.
➤ 5 hits, all singles, with 3 RBI on 14 at-bats, in the four-game ALDS
Crushes opposite-field Grand Slam off Angels starter Andrew Heaney – April 2
Launches Grand Slam & 200th Career Home Run off Mariners reliever Kenyan Middleton – April 6
Tallies 18th career multi-home-run game—placing 3rd in White Sox history—–the first of which is the hardest (115.6 MPH) and farthest (458′) hit of his career – April 20
First-inning home run in second game of a Twins doubleheader—his 215th career slam—lands José in 4th place on the White Sox career home runs list, one ahead of Carlton Fisk – July 19
Hits first-ever MLB home run in Iowa ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ , the 222nd HR of his career, landing him in 3rd place on the White Sox career home runs list – August 12
Second half highlights from MLB Network
Soul of the Sox: Tim Anderson #7, SS
527 AB | .309 AVG | 163 H | 17 HR | 61 RBI | 18 SB | 22 BB | .806 OPS
➤ Assigned to American League All Stars – July 12
➤ 7 hits, all singles, with 1 RBI on 19 at-bats, in the four-game ALDS
Tim’s best career moments from MLB Network
The best of TA mic’d up from MLB Network
Smashes Grand Slam off Indians starter Triston McKenzie – May 1
Rocks the All-Star Game Red Carpet Show – July 13
Solo HR makes Tim the first player in White Sox history to record both a hit and a run scored in 11 consecutive games – July 18
Lifts a home run to right center in the 16th game of a 16-game hitting streak (June 27 – July 19), and extends franchise hit/run record to 12 consecutive games – July 19
Clobbers high-drama, walk-off home run at Field of Dreams – August 12
Goes 3-for-5 in 10th game of a 10-game hitting streak – August 8–20
Sets record for most hits (16) in a 6-game span in MLB postseason history – October 10
TA’s positive take on the season – October 14
Yasmani Grandal #24 | C
279 AB | .240 AVG | 67 H | 23 HR | 62 RBI | 0 SB | 87 BB | .940 OPS
➤ Played 8 games at 1B
➤ Injured list, due to torn tendon in left knee – July 6 – August 27
➤ 2 hits—1 1B and 1 HR—with 4 RBI on 14 at-bats, in the four-game ALDS
Crushes 150th career HR off Mariners starter Justus Sheffield – April 5
Smokes a 3-run HR to center field vs. Pirates – June 22
Fresh off the IL, knocks 4 H and 8 RBI vs. Cubbies – August 27
Makes over-the-shoulder grab playing 1B against Red Sox – September 12
Nabs Angels shortstop David Fletcher at 2B – September 15
In the words of A.J. Pierzynski, “I’m not gonna say he did that on purpose, but he did that on purpose.” – October 10
Zack Collins #21 | C
195 AB | .210 AVG | 41 H | 4 HR | 26 RBI | 1 SB | 34 BB | .669 OPS
➤ Uniform number changed from 38 to 21 – February 18
Three-run homer opens the scoring against Mariners – April 6
Produces four RBI on two doubles vs. Mariners – June 27
Fourth home run of the season sets up back-to-back, opposite-field HRs with TA vs. Astros – July 17
Seby Zavala #44 | C
93 AB | .183 AVG | 17 H | 5 HR |15 RBI | 0 SB | 6 BB | .616 OPS
➤ Called up from AAA Charlotte Knights – June 6
Launches Grand Slam, and becomes first player ever to hit his first three career HRs in a single game—the first two off Triston McKenzie, the third off Bryan Shaw. 4-for-4 on the day – July 31, 2021
Drives a 2-run homer into the corn at Field of Dreams – August 12
Gavin Sheets #32 | 1B, OF
160 AB | .250 AVG | 40 H | 11 HR | 34 RBI | 0 SB | 16 BB | .830 OPS
➤ 4 hits—2 1B, 1 2B and 1 HR—with 1 RBI on 14 at-bats, in 3 games of the ALDS
Major League Debut – June 29
Billy Ripkin on Sheets’ Impact After 7 Games, Compares Swings of Gavin and Larry Sheets on MLB Tonight – July 7
Delivers 3-run walk-off home run (first career HR) – July 18
Smacks first career postseason HR, third-ever Sox rookie to slam a homer in the postseason (ALDS Game 4) – October 12
Nick Madrigal #92 |2B
200 AB | .305 AVG | 61 H | 2 HR | 21 RBI | 1 SB | 11 BB | .774 OPS
➤ Nick quickly earned himself the nickname, “Nicky Two Strikes” because of his propensity to make hits when down in the count.
➤ Injured list, due to season-ending proximal tear of the right hamstring – June 10
➤ Traded, with Codi Heuer, to Cubs for RHP Craig Kimbrel – July 30
On upcoming season and ribbing from teammates about career goal of 3,000 hits on MLB Network – March 21
Hits first career walkoff (a double)—on an 0-2 count, of course!—vs. Rangers – April 24
Smokes first career HR – May 17
Sustains season-ending hamstring injury in Toronto – June 9
Player profile on First Things First – June 12
On being traded to the damn Cubs – September 11
César Hernández #12 | 2B
194 AB | .232 AVG | 45 H | 3 HR | 15 RBI | 1 SB | 21 BB | .608 OPS
➤ Traded from Indians for AA RHP Konnor Pilkington – July 29
➤ 2 hits, both singles, with no RBI on 7 at-bats, in 3 games of the ALDS
Lands 2-run homer vs. Cubs – August 6
Amazing backhanded pick prevents Rays from scoring second run – August 21
Nabs Jays outfielder Reese McGuire at 3B – August 23
Makes clutch diving stop on Danny Santana’s grounder vs. Red Sox – September 10
Logs 1,000th career hit vs. Indians – September 23
Yoán Moncada #10 | 3B
520 AB | .263 AVG | 137 H | 14 HR | 61 RBI | 3 SB | 84 BB | .786 OPS
➤ 4 hits, all singles, with 0 RBI on 16 at-bats, in the four-game ALDS
Finesses athletic play at 3B vs. Angels – April 4
Launches 2-run HR, 11th of the season (14 total) vs. Rays – August 20
Goes 3-for-5 in 19th game of a 19-game hitting streak – August 14–September 7
Makes stellar grab, fires one-hopper to 1B to throw out Eric Haase vs. Detroit – September 20
Stays in game after sliding a knee and both feet into the barrier in the 2nd in ALCS Game 2 – October 8
Jake Lamb #23 | 3B, LF
113 AB | .212 AVG | 24 H | 6 HR | 13 RBI | 0 SB | 17 BB | .710 OPS
➤ Signed with White Sox as a free agent – March 30
➤ Injured list, due to strained right quadriceps – June 29 – August 6
➤ Designated for assignment – September 1
➤ Claimed off waivers by Jays – September 4
Smokes 2-run homer vs. Orioles – May 29
Launches 3-run homer vs. A’s – August 17
Danny Mendick #20 | SS
164 AB | .220 AVG | 36 H | 2 HR | 20 RBI | 0 SB | 18 BB | .589 OPS
➤ Danny has been called up from and sent down to the farm system regularly, since late in the 2019 season.
➤ Games played at each position in 2021: 28 at 2B, 28 at SS, 8 at RF, 4 at 3B, 2 at LF, 1 at CF, 1 at DH, and 1 appearance at P.
Drives 2-run homer vs. Royals – May 8
Crushes Grand Slam off Twins reliever Derek Law – May 17, 2021
In a Class by Himself
Leury García #28 | 2B, SS, LF, CF, RF
415 AB | .267 AVG | 111 H | 5 HR | 54 RBI | 6 SB | 41 BB | .711 OPS
➤ Leury is the ultimate utility player—playing six different positions this season. Games played at each position in 2021: 36 at 2B, 34 at RF, 26 at LF, 26 at CF, 19 at SS, and 11 at 3B.
➤ Injured list, due to concussion – August 15-24
➤ 3 hits—1 1B, 1 2B and 1 HR, with 4 RBI in 15 at-bats, in the four-game ALDS
Makes lots of diving catches, like this one – June 25
And plenty of sweet infield plays, like this one – September 1
And these – June 16
And, of course, lots of crushed hits, like this one – June 8
Sustains concussion at the fence jumping for Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton’s go-ahead smash in the 9th inning – August 12
Produces 3 hits, 4 RBIs in the ALDS, including a 3-run homer in Game 3 – October 10
Designated Hitter
Yermín Mercedes #73 | DH
240 AB | .271 AVG | 65 H | 7 HR | 37 RBI | 0 SB | 20 BB | .732 OPS
➤ The 28-year-old took a long (10+ years) and bumpy road to the big leagues
➤ Yermín played one game last season (08/02/2020–his official MLB debut) with one at-bat against the Royals, but did not land a spot on the roster until this season.
➤ Monthly Batting Averages: April – .415, May – .221, June – .159
➤ Optioned to AAA Charlotte Knights – July 2
➤ Yermín made four defensive appearances—2 at C, 1 at 1B, and 1 at P
In the third game of the season, sets MLB record for most consecutive hits to start a season—8. Yermín goes 3-for-4 on the day. The first of the three hits is also his first career home run. In his 9th at-bat, Angels center fielder Mike Trout catches Yermín’s hit ball for a flyout, ending the historic hitting streak. – April 3
Slams second home run of the year and second-longest White Sox hit since 2006—485′ vs. Royals – April 8
Position-player pitches bottom 7th vs. Red Sox, (BB, [SB] 6-4 DP, 2B, 1B, RBI 1B, BB, FO) becoming the first non-pitcher to make his fielding debut as a pitcher since Dee Moore in 1936 and the third player in White Sox history to DH and pitch in the same game – April 19
Crushes solo shot to lead off the 2nd inning vs. Orioles – May 27
2021 Player Highlights – Outfield
Season Recap
- Jerry Reinsdorf and Tony La Russa go all-in on 2021 World Series win and fall far short, but the team they’ve built has a promising future.
- First consecutive postseason berths in franchise history (2020 and 2021)
- First AL Central division title since 2008
- White Sox starters led the American League in ERA, SO, SO/9 IP, OPP SLG, and OPP OPS
- First lineup in MLB history to have four players with first names beginning with “Y”
White Sox 2021 Season in Review from MLB Network
Outfield
Except where indicated, player stats are 2021 regular season with White Sox only.
Eloy Jiménez #74 | LF
213 AB | .249 AVG | 53 H | 10 HR | 37 RBI | 0 SB | 16 BB | .740 OPS
➤ Injured List, due to rupture of the left pectoral tendon, requiring surgery and lengthy rehab – April 1–July 26
➤ Hit 5 1B with 3 RBI in 17 at-bats, in the four-game ALDS
➤ 5 hits, all singles, with 3 RBI on 17 at-bats, in the four-game ALDS
Presented with 2020 AL Silver Slugger Award (Outfield) – July 31, 2021
Slams 2 HR and logs 5 RBI in consecutive games vs. Cubs and Twins – August 8-9
Mark DeRosa looks at Jiménez’s impact on the White Sox lineup on MLB Network
Smashes 3-run, opposite-field HR into the corn at Field of Dreams – August 12
Goes 2-for-5 in 13th game of a 13-game hitting streak – August 11-24
Robs Angels second baseman David Fletcher of a home run with spectacular leap at the wall – September 14
Whacks 3 hits, including a 2-run homer, vs. Tigers – September 27
Adam Engel #15 | LF, CF
123 AB | .252 AVG | 31 H | 7 HR | 18 RBI | 7 SB | 11 BB | .832 OPS
➤ Time on Injured List:
- April 1–June 6, due to strained right hamstring
- June 22–July 7, due to strained right hamstring
- August 16-21, due to left shoulder inflammation
➤ 0 hits on 7 at-bats, in 3 games of the ALDS
Robs Tigers shortstop Niko Goodrum of a home run at the wall – June 6
Drives clutch 3-run, go-ahead home run to left center vs. Orioles – July 11
Crushes 2-run homer vs. Twins – August 10
Andrew Vaughn #25 | 3B, LF
417 AB | .235 AVG | 98 H | 15 HR | 48 RBI | 1 SB | 41 BB | .705 OPS
➤ White Sox select Andrew’s contract – April 1
➤ Games played at each position in 2021: 95 at LF, 18 at RF, 15 at 1B, 6 at DH, 2 at 3B, 1 at 2B.
➤ Tony La Russa praises the quality of Andrew’s at-bats all season
➤ Injured List, due to lower back inflammation – September 14-23
➤ 2 hits—1 2B and 1 3B—with 1 RBI on 5 at-bats, in 2 games of the ALDS
Walks, advances to 3B on a Yasmani Grandal single, then scores on an Adam Eaton RBI single in major league debut vs. Angels – April 2
Records first career RBI—on a HBP!—vs. Mariners – April 5
Drives a double, for first career hit vs. Mariners – April 6
Mashes first career home run, scoring 2 runs, vs. Twins – May 12
Contributes solo shot in the 9th and diving catch in the 6th vs. Tigers – July 2
Killer snag at the fence saves a HR – July 28
Plays great defense all year—lots of diving and jumping grabs. Here’s one at 1B vs. Royals – May 14
Luis Robert #88 | CF
275 AB | .338 AVG | 93 H | 13 HR | 43 RBI | 6 SB | 14 BB | .946 OPS
➤ Injured List, due to right hip flexor strain – April 27–August 9
➤ 7 hits, all singles, with 1 RBI on 15 at-bats, in the four-game ALDS
Regular-season power hits galore, like these…
Solo shot vs. A’s – August 16
Clobbered one for 2 runs vs. Jays – August 26
452′, 112.3 MPH smash into the waterfall at Kauffman Stadium – September 4
Two-homer game against Reds – September 28
4-for-5 day at the office, with 3 doubles and 3 RBIs vs. Red Sox – September 11
Great defense, like this diving catch vs. Pirates – August 31
Brian Goodwin #18 | CF
235 AB | .221 AVG | 52 H | 8 HR | 29 RBI | 1 SB | 33 BB | .693 OPS
➤ Called up from Charlotte Knights – June 10
➤ Injured List, due to lower back spasms – September 26–October 4
Records 5 RBIs in White Sox Debut vs. Tigers – June 12
Cuts off Billy Hamilton to make the grab vs. Astros – July 17
Dashes to snag Josh Donaldson’s hit for the out vs. Twins – July 19
Smashes home runs in two consecutive games vs. Twins – June 30 & July 1
Launches walk-off home run vs. Indians – August 1
Billy Hamilton #0 | CF
127 AB | .220 AVG | 28 H | 2 HR | 11 RBI | 9 SB | 4 BB | .620 OPS
➤ Signed with White Sox as a free agent – March 16
➤ Time on Injured List:
- April 8-23, due to left hamstring strain
- June 6-29, due to right oblique strain
- August 1–September 1, due to right oblique strain
Steals 3B vs. Twins – May 11
Makes two great grabs against Twins – May 13
Crushes solo shot vs. Orioles – May 29
Pulls off incredible diving catch in the 9th vs. Twins – July 6
Adam Eaton #12 | RF
189 AB | .201 AVG | 38 H | 5 HR | 28 RBI | 2 SB | 20 BB | .642 OPS
➤ Signed with White Sox as a free agent – December 10, 2020
➤ Designated for assignment – July 7
➤ Signed with Angels as a free agent – July 14
Slams 2-run homer vs. Angels on Opening Day – April 1
Benches clear after called out at 2B vs. Indians – April 15
Makes great tumbling, sliding catch vs. Tigers – April 27