November 30—The Chicago White Sox have signed veteran free agent, right-hander Kendall Graveman to a three-year, $24 million contract. Graveman made his MLB debut with the Jays in 2014, and was traded to the Athletics after the 2014 season. He became a free agent after the 2018 season, playing in the Cubs farm system and going under the knife for Tommy John surgery in 2019, then moving back up to the Show as a closer with the Mariners in 2020. Graveman was traded to the Astros, who utilized him as a setup man, ahead of the trade deadline in 2021.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
➤ 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
➤ 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
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
➤ 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
➤ 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
