1983 Cy Young Award Winner - LaMarr Hoyt

 LaMarr Hoyt - 1983 Cy Young Award winner from the Chicago White Sox. 1983 featured a White Sox team that won their division and advanced to the ALCS to play a tough Baltimore Orioles team with a young player by the name of Cal Ripken Jr.

Hoyt was 24-10 with a 3.66ERA for the White Sox in 1983. Hoyt pitched a career high 260.2 innings and had 148 strikeouts...another career high. The item featured here is a signed "Cy Young Award Winner" baseball. I had it inscribed with name, year of Cy Young, record, and ERA. I had it done during a baseball card show where Hoyt was one of many guests in attendance. Great item for sure and unique on this sort of baseball. I also have another one on a regular MLB ball for another post.

The White Sox ONLY had 3 Cy Young Award winners in their history including Early Wynn, LaMarr Hoyt, and Jack McDowell. Hoyt played a critical role on the field but unfortunately had many off the field problems that saw Hoyt traded and eventually faded away into MLB purgatory. Great item to own. Again...unique...and part of White Sox history.

Bobble Heads - 2005 White Sox World Series Champs

2005 Featured a great year for memorabilia collectors for the Chicago White Sox...for obvious reasons. Collectors Forever created a bobble head for various White Sox players, each displaying the 2005 World Series trophy. Each one includes their last name on the base of the bobble head. The base stand features a World Series Champions Celebration logo of sort.

Ozzie Guillen - no doubt a great manager and in fact was the Manager of the Year for 2005. The bobble head features Guillen in a black jacket, pinstripe pants, and the classy Sox hat. Ozzie was in year 2 of his managerial experience with the White Sox and of course his last year was in 2011 after a much controversial stay with the Chi Sox filled with media quotes and lets face it...things you wish the manager of the White Sox never said. BUT...Sox fans still love Ozzie and he has been loyal to the ball club, ownership, the fans, and the city of Chicago.

Tadahito Iguchi

Tadahito Iguchi (right) - the crafty second baseman for the Sox. Ozzie loved this guy. He seemed to come through time in and time out again for the Sox. The Japan star was critical to Ozzie ball. He was a rookie in 2005 and played great baseball for the team. He spent 3 long years in the majors...most with the White Sox.

Aaron Rowand

Aaron Rowand (left) - the amazing center fielder for the Sox who did it all defensively. No fear. PURE hustle. 100% energy. Old school baseball all the way. Love him. Rowand started his career with the White Sox in 2001 and the success he had in 2005 led him to bigger and better things as far as contract with the Phillies and later the Giants. It was tough to see him go.

Jermaine Dye

Jermaine Dye (right) - right fielder with pop. No doubt the power was there for JD. He was of course...the series MVP. He likely retired a bit too early as a result of contract situations gone wrong...but I suppose that is baseball. He spent his last 5 years in the MLB with the White Sox hitting 27 HRs and grabbing 81 RBIs but stats fall in the second half of 2009 ultimately became his downfall in MLB. JD...I wish the Sox signed you for another 2 years.

Joe Crede

Joe Crede (left) - clutch. Clutch. And...clutch in the playoffs of 2005. 3rd baseman with a rocket arm and stellar defense at the hot corner. Great respect for Joe whose career was cut short from back injury issues. Crede started his career in Chicago in 2000 and played for the Sox for 8 years. Another player who started within the White Sox farm system. Eventually, Joe would see his first All Star appearance in 2008...ironically enough his last season with the White Sox. Another player...tough to see leave Chicago.

Jose Contreras
A.J. Pierzynski

Jose Contreras (right) - Starting pitcher. Looked like an ace the entire 2005 season for the White Sox and especially in the playoff. Just amazing. A work horse for sure.

A.J. Pierzynski (right) - Catcher for the Sox. Do I need to go into detail here? ALCS play of the year with the 3rd strike.

Paul Konerko
Mark Buehrle

Paul Konerko (left) - 1st basemen and THE captain. Enough said. While Konerko started his career with the Dodgers and Reds...he exploded on the scene with the White Sox. Eventually, his number will be retired in Chicago as the 10th player in the great history of White Sox baseball. A true gentlemen and a person who does not do a ton of talking...except with his bat and leadership.

Mark Buehrle (left) - Starting pitcher. No doubt a clear sign of consistency for the Sox for MANY years. An amazing talent developed through the White Sox system since 2000. Buehrle was a constant Opening Day starter for the White Sox...because he represented everything great about White Sox baseball.

Jon Garland
Scott Podsednik
Jermaine Dye - MVP

Jon Garland (right) - Starting pitcher. A great talent developed through the White Sox system. Garland was a key player in the 4 straight shut out adventure from the ALCS. A California boy at heart who would not last much longer in Chicago.

Scott Podsednik (right) - Left fielder who was outstanding. Speedy stolen base guy for the Sox. Podsednik, Iguchi, and Rowand defined "Ozzie ball" and it became infectious for all involved. Scotty Pods found some missing power in the playoffs...it was UNREAL.

Jermaine Dye (above) - the only bobble head done in the gray road uniform. It features Dye holding up the World Series MVP trophy. Great item. It is about 2 inches taller than the others.

Great items to own. I have them out for display and have another replica set in the boxes and unopened. Hey...its no good if you can't at least display them a bit. So I usually cover the bases by getting two of everything...most things at least. Tough collection to come by but worth it if you can get your hands on it.

Believe it! - Chicago Tribune Printing Plate

 Believe it!!!! October 27, 2005 Chicago Tribune featured a front page article focused on those World Champion Chicago White Sox. The newspaper sold out so fast...it was a hot item for sure. Great day indeed.

Featured in this posting is a "printing plate" from the Chicago Tribune used to print copies of that newspaper. It is a rare item and one you cannot find very easily. I managed to scoop this up in an auction with some others...which will be displayed here in another post. There are more than 1 of these and I am not certain exactly how many...but there are some out there. Neat item. Rare. Perfect for the website.

Displayed in the photo is the celebration on the mound after Game 4 in Houston. You see Crede, Jenks, Ozuna, and a host of others in the photo. Historic sweep...yes sir. The first championship for Chicago baseball in decades. The White Sox lived the dream...now its time for another. The "printing plate" is made of some sort of aluminum material and I would describe it has fragile for sure...essentially...it bends easily. Handle with care for sure. Enjoy the photos...remember 2005...live the dream. GO SOX!

Rawlings Baseballs - White Sox Versions

Rawlings Baseballs - Chicago White Sox Related Logos

Featured here are the Chicago White Sox "related" baseballs made by Rawlings. As we know, Rawlings has numerous baseballs from various teams and years...however, the White Sox only have a few of those as available option. The picture displays seven (7) Rawlings baseballs and each is unsigned, near mint, and remain in hard plastic display cases.

I do collect Rawlings baseballs as well but as part of the White Sox collection doubled up on these particular options.

New Comiskey Park Inaugural Season

 The first commemorative baseball developed by Rawlings was the 1991 NEW Comiskey Park logo ball. The logo is a soft blue color, which matched the new blue seats in the stadium at the time. Of course, right now we see those much better looking hunter green seats. "Comiskey Park - Inaugural Year - Chicago White Sox" is fresh on the baseball. It was the first year outside of Old Comiskey and featured a really bad opening day beat down at the hand of the Detroit Tigers. Great stadium...especially with the current upgrades, which enhance the fan experience in a significant way.

1983 50th Anniversary All Star Game

 1983 featured the actual first ball designed for a White Sox related event. Prior to commemorative baseballs, Rawlings produced All Star and World Series baseballs. The All Star baseballs started in 1979 - Seattle and continue today. To fall in line with production, 1983 featured a great 50th Anniversary baseball for the White Sox celebrating 50 years of the MLB All Star Game. The first All Star Game was played in Chicago in 1933 and there really was no better place to host the 50th game. It has a red logo on it. The All Star balls flipped from blue to red each year. Great item.

2003 Rawlings - Futures Game

In 2003, the White Sox hosted another All Star Classic in the city of Chicago. The southside served as the second venue for the new MLB slogan - "This time it counts." Essentially, the winner of this All Star Game would serve as the home team for the World Series. It was an interesting concept, which you will recall resulted in a tie in year one, which did not go over so well with fans.

2003 Rawlings - Home Run Derby

The White Sox hosted numerous events during All Star weekend including but not limited to...the Futures Game, which featured the World v.s. USA. The game resulted in a 3-2 win for Team USA with MVP trophy going to Grady Sizemore who went 2-3 in the game. Remember him? Current White Sox slugger Alex Rios played for the World team.

The baseball - it is likely the hardest one to come by in this trio of Rawlings baseballs. It features the Radio Shack logo (remember Radio Shack?). The ball displays the 3 pin wheels on the left side and no doubt one of the better designs by Rawlings.

2003 Rawlings - All Star Game

The White Sox also hosted the Home Run Derby from 2003. The game featured some of the best sluggers in baseball but to be honest...fell short of at least extending an invitation to a White Sox slugger and there were plenty of them in 2003. Participants included: Garrett Anderson (winner), Albert Pujols, Jason Giambi, Jim Edmonds, Gary Sheffield, Carlos Delgado, Richie Sexton, and Bret Boone. Anderson edged Pujols 9-8 in the final round.

The baseball features two bats crossing each other and was hosted by Century 21 real estate. Remember them? Time sure does change things. Neat baseball...again in the blue color of the seats of NEW Comiskey but of course at this point...it was called U.S. Cellular Field. Not a fan.

Lastly, the 2003 All Star Baseballs by Rawlings features a traditional White Sox black and silver look. The threads/laces are black and silver with a fresh black stamped logo on the ball. The logo features the exploding fireworks known from the scoreboard. Great design that truly captured the history of Comiskey Park. Well done.

Of course, what can a collection be without the 2005 World Series baseball. It comes in a nice clean crisp gold logo look. Of course, one of the greatest...if not THE greatest years in White Sox history. Great ball and will likely be featured throughout this blog...so I will save you the hassle. At some point I will feature my signed baseballs from each player on that 2005 roster...but that is another posting for another day.

After the White Sox won the World Series in 2005, Rawlings developed "celebration" baseballs as commemorative balls. Here is the 2005 version celebrating the White Sox victory over the Astros in Minute Maid Park. Again, a great baseball completed in the gold stamping format which was relatively standard for World Series baseballs during the decade.

Fans Salute to Bill Veeck

September 30, 1980

The Chicago White Sox created a commemorative ticket...yet another gimmick...in honor of the KING of GIMMICKS: Bill Veeck.

"Fans Salute to Bill Veeck" was played at the Old Comiskey Park. The ticket is a neat piece primarily because it features a photo of Mr. Veeck himself in the center with his signature at the bottom. The game was sponsored by "Chicago's Baseball Fans," George Langford, Chicago Tribune, Marty Kaiser, Chicago Sun-Times, co-chairmen.

During this game, the White Sox played the Oakland Athletics. The White Sox lost the game 5-1. Harold Baines had a few hits, Ricky Henderson had a base knock, and the Sox went 66-89-2 at this point in the season. Tough year for the White Sox. Nonetheless...it was a memorable "gimmick game" in honor of Bill Veeck.

The ticket is a FULL ticket and was UNUSED. Near mint to mint. No. #5169. Great piece to have in the collection in memory of one of baseball's greatest owners/personalities.

2005 World Series Engraved Baseball Bats

I managed to get these items in celebration of the greatest year in baseball history. The 2005 bats highlight laser engraved signatures of the Chicago White Sox. The top bat in the photo is celebrating the World Series championship over the Astros! The bottom photo celebrates the ALCS championship win over the Angels. Really great items and look great. There were only 5000 of these bats made from each version. I am told they made black versions of these bats engraved with gold lettering...I am on that hunt now. I hope to gather both of those black versions of the bats. Just another reminder of the great 2005 year played by the White Sox.

The Historic Comiskey Park Auction

During the 1991 season at New Comiskey Park it was announced that the Chicago White Sox would be having an auction. The auction was going to feature numerous items for sale throughout this experience. It was a collector's (like me) dream come true. I made a few purchases including an original ticket booth from Old Comiskey and Ticket Vender counter. What a day it was for all!

REALLY neat stuff being auctioned off and a ton of it was WAY TOO HIGH for my pocket book. I think many collectors of
baseball items really came out of the bushes for this sale. All money went to White Sox Charities of course...but the display in the beginning was UNREAL. Just gems in every corner and part of the New ballpark. Honestly, it was simply an honor, as a life long White Sox fan to be there and see some of that stuff. I guess you really never notice things until the old ballpark is gone and you see it on display as a momento for someone to purchase. My primary goal was to purchase the ticket booth and at least one seat from the ballpark. I got lucky on the ticket counter. Just a great day...fun memories and the White Sox did a great job making this day one to remember. The auction piece of it was NUTS...bids, bids, and then more bids...great day and one I will never forget. In the photo is the book from the auction. I managed to get about 10 of them. They are rare pieces now a days since most folks just threw them away or who knows what they did with them. I kept them and as a winner of few items...they gave me about 20 but over the years I have either traded some away or sold a few.

ANOTHER 2005 PSA Ticket

Alright...after I did the set of PSA tickets for the first time on my season ticket stock World Series tickets...I said...why not. I decided to send my ticketmaster verious of Game 4 of the World Series from 05 in too. Got it back about a week ago and now here it is. Nice GEM! I just sent in my other games from ticketmaster version as well from this series to get those done as well. Of course this ticket brings back MANY memories...recent ones too which makes it all the more better. Great item. Not too many of these around according to the PSA records...but there are some. Enjoy!

1983 All Star EXTRAS!

More neat and unique 1983 All Star items. When the All Star Game came to Chicago in 83...I did it all! It was a blast and primarily I thought it might be the only chance I get to enjoy the all star game in my home town but thank goodness I was wrong. As you can see...here a number photos of various invitations to various all star functions in Chicago. I had the opportunity to attend the luncheon in Chicago for the game and meet some past and present White Sox stars. The Gala invite featured a number entertainers and entertainment on Navy Pier. REALLY NEAT EVENT! The commissioner's luncheon was where it all went happened though...not all the players were nearly there but a good number of them in addition to past and current Sox players. The event proved to be a memorable time and REALLY neat for fans who had a chance to attend. One of the other invites was for the NBC sports event or special event for the all star game. Nice event...not really my cup of tea. No players really except for a few former players in MLB but they were crowded by special guests or designated hosts. Good times all the way around! But I was excited to find out we got the bid in 2003.

1983 All Star Game - Comiskey Park

Well...who could forget the 50th Anniversary of the major league baseball All Star Game? NO BETTER PLACE for it than home in Chicago. 1933, 1950, and now 1983 (of course 2003 too). My best bet is to lock it down in STONE that the next all star game at U.S. Cellular Field (COMISKEY PARK)...will VERY likely be in 2033 to mark the 100th year of the game.
As you can see the collection is fairly wide in the all star year of 83. Again, I am attempting to collect one FULL ticket, uncut, in EACH section of Comiskey Park. The first photo highlights the full tickets I have in the following sections: Auxiliary Box and Upper Deck...of course I have a stub for the lower deck as well. The second picture highlights the white tickets...Full tickets in Standing Room Only, Lower Deck Reserved Grandstand, and of course a stub in that section as well.
The tickets above are fairly unique items...my best guess at least. They are phantom tickets...unused and uncut and do not have seat numbers, aisle, or row information. They look great and present the history of the game in a lower cost price range. I like them!
The above ticket is from the Old Timers Game...what a day that was!!! FUN! I got tons of great autographs at that game and met quite a few former Sox players...of course back then there really was no big issue with actually interacting with players...unlike now they have security for security...thank those fools who rush or jump on the field. (i.e. that father son duo who tackled the first base coach of the royals during a Sox game...i was there...just plain stupid).
Of course during the 83 All Star Game...like everywhere else in baseball...they ripped tickets. No scanning back then friends...the huge 80 pound apple computer did not have skills like that in 83. HA. Essentially, they ripped tickets, and dropped the stubs in a box (at least in the gate I went in). When Old Comiskey closed down...and new Comiskey opened, they sold quite a bit that year at the White Sox garage sale. I managed to get a few stubs but the rest I have found on ebay for the most part. Very unique and rare items all the way through.

1991 Inaugural Season - New Comiskey Park

Okay...so another neat item collection from what will ALWAYS be Comiskey Park!!! WHY DID WE SELL OUT???? Okay...I know why...no need to respond or add the comments...but you know it sucks. This collection is composed of White Sox Inaugural Game Tickets for NEW Comiskey Park. Was I there? NO...and that sucked big time! However, I collect it all from the first year (and the last but that is another story for another entry).

Well...like my All Star collection...I am interested in collecting one FULL ticket for EACH section of the stadium (lower deck, lower reserved, etc). Primarily I am interested in collecting FULL tickets but the stubs serve as fillers until I get FULL tickets. As far as full tickets...I have lower box, bleacher, standing room, suite guest, and stadium club. Stubs are lower box and lower reserved. Overall, near mint tickets in the collection.
Fun part of this collection is gathering the tickets from various collection conventions or of course on ebay. I am also collecting a complete set of 1991 regular season tickets (will post a neat photo of those later) and I have had some great luck with those BUT...it is getting tough to fill the few gaps I actually have left. Below you will the special commerative tickets produce in celebration of the new park. As you can see...they are listed as section 4, row 18, seat 91...the opening date of the new ball park.
Now, many would say New Comiskey missed the boat completely with design and so on but remember that it was really the LAST of the old style ballparks created because in 93 Camden Yards blew folks out of the water and made Comiskey look like it missed the boat. BUT NO ONE was creating the crazy architecture or design you see at Camden or other new ballparks following that (PNC, Arlington, etc). But with all that said...those blue seats were ugly. The stadium today looks OUTSTANDING with those green seats and the new design renovations and additions. I would say now...it is a ballpark that meets the standard of today. I LOVE IT THERE!!!

White Sox Money

Ahhh...the good old days. Comiskey bucks! What a gimmick item and "safe" way to spend your money at the ballpark. New Comiskey had these great items...simply trade in your money and get Comiskey Bucks to give away to friends or family. The Comiskey Cash could be used on pretty much anything in relation to the items in the stands, drinks, dogs, programs, and even tickets. They were the southside's version of redeemable coupons of sorts. I managed to save a few with Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura, and Ozzie Guillen on them. There were also $5 bills printed but I think I may have spent those somewhere along the lines in my life...or lost them. I actually found these in a huge pile of White Sox ticket stubs I had...nice find. Enjoy!

First PSA Set - 2005 World Series Tickets

Great set of tickets and memories!!! I managed to get FINALLY get some tickets officially PSA'ed for the first time ever. I guess my test subjects of sorts. I decided to get these done. One ticket to each game of the world series in 2005 in addition to games 5, 6, and 7 which were not played of course due to the great sweep. Great memories with this set because the tickets are in outstanding condition and I personally used the tickets to game 1 and 2. No big trip planned to Houston because I already bought tickets to game 6 which was honestly my prediction for the series...Sox in 6. However, I was more than happy to be wrong on this one. Sox in 4 sounds just fine to me. What a memory! I have NEVER seen Chicago light up like this before...other than the disco demolition which was the worst idea Bill Veeck ever had. Anyways...another entry for another day.

2003 All Star Ticket Collection - ALL AROUND THE STADIUM!

Here are some more of the tickets I have from the 03 experience. The GOAL is to get ONE ticket from EVERY section in the stadium. I still need a few more I think. In the picture above...Club Level, Stadium Club, and Infield Box. Tickets are in great shape and maintained in top loaders like all my other tickets.
The above photo contains All Star tickets from Upper Reserved, Upper Deck Box, and Lower Deck Box. I still need a Diamond Suite and Lower Reserved Ticket...let me know if you could help out in this collection. I am also looking for a ticket master version of the All Star game. The American League scored 7 runs in the game to overcome the National League who did put up a 6 spot on the board. With all that said...the REALLY neat part of these game was it was the FIRST time MLB granted home field advantage in the World Series to the winning league of the All Star Game!!!! Of course, the commish had to do something...after the tie of 2002 which turned out to be a black eye on the league in my own opinion of course.
The other part of the All Star 03 collection includes the Home Run Derby tickets...or the Workout Day tickets...but lets call like it is...HOME RUN DERBY! Ha. The above picture has Diamond Suite, Lower Reserved, and Infield Box. Each ticket is in great shape for the most part.
The above photo contains tickets to Upper Reserved and Upper Deck Box. Also included in the picture is the ticketmaster version of the All Star Home Run Derby. I still need quite a few sections here. During the Derby...there were no White Sox representatives which was a bit disappointing since Paulie did it in 2002. However, it was a blast just to be there. Garrett Anderson somehow pulled it out against Albert Pujols which really was a shocker...Giambi also looked like a BEAST during the derby just falling short of the finals...but I guess we all know why now. Ha.
Of course there was also All Star Sunday or what many referred to as the celebrity softball game and of course the futures game...WOW...you should see the roster from that year...GREAT players. So far I only have Infield Box and Lower Deck Box...if you have more from other sections...let me know. This particular day was also a great time to get some autographs and work on my 03 All Star autograph collection. Fun and relaxing day.

World Series Train - Neat Item!

So I found this gem on ebay. Really a neat item! Made by Rail King and essentially a celebration of the White Sox 2005 championship. The train was released in 2006 and they did NOT make many of these at all. I am trying to locate the World Series Subway cars that were made...I found some on ebay but the pricing I see is a bit unreasonable for those items...BUT I may fold soon and buy them. I am thinking about creating a rail system in my baseball room near the ceiling with tracks all the way around the room and let the White Sox train constantly run. Maybe...still up in the air.

2005 World Series Golden Jersey

I had to work hard for this one...I define working hard as keeping the jersey clean and crisp while getting autographs...and throw in the UNREAL lines at Sox Fest...along with RECORD numbers at 06 spring training and you have the final product...well...lets not even talk about the "new" bandwagon sudden "die hard" White Sox fans...nothing I dislike more than those 06 wagon hangers...I think we have gotten rid of most them by now...especially after the 07 season...lets not talk about that year.

Alright everyone...this item is just perfect! I purchased a White Sox jersey and decided to start my autograph pursuit for jersey to get signed by everyone from the 05 team. I started this collection of autos during the 2006 Sox Fest and continued it...actually completed it during the 2006 spring training season. I saw a bunch of these jersey and the gray ones on ebay for $1500 plus dollars! WOW! So I figured I could get these signatures on my own and save the money and basically it would only cost me...my time and the $40 for the jersey of course. I got everything signed in black sharpie and it looks great. I took it out the frame for the picture. Really a great item to add to my 2005 White Sox collection. Enjoy.