50 FAVORITE WHITE SOX PLAYERS

[knightni]

16. Carlos Lee

 

 

(14 of 27 lists - 150 points - highest ranking #4 ChWRoCk2)

 

Bio by greg775 and wikipedia:

 

Lee made his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox on May 7, 1999, hitting a home run in his first-ever Major League at-bat. He would remain in the White Sox organization until being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for outfielder Scott Podsednik and pitcher Luis Vizcaino.

Lee was the White Sox' starting left fielder for the first six years of his career, with only a few games a season as a designated hitter. He can hit for both average and power. From 2001–02, his batting average slumped to the .260s, but he has returned to exceeding .300, and has a career average of .288. His home run totals increased over the years. Lee was given his nickname "El Caballo", which means "The Horse", by White Sox television announcer Hawk Harrelson.

While Lee has provided steady production, he has not often been amongst the top ten in offensive categories or received awards for performance. His best showing was in the National League with 114 RBI. He was selected for the National League All-Star team in his first two seasons as Brewer, and participated in the Home Run Derby in 2005.

On July 28, 2006, he was traded to the Rangers with minor league outfielder Nelson Cruz for outfielders Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix, relief pitcher Francisco Cordero, and minor league pitcher Julian Cordero. According to Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin, the Brewers attempted to resign Carlos Lee, but by the evening of July 27, it became apparent he would not sign a contract extension. The Brewers reportedly offered a four-year, $48 million contract extension, close to the four-year, $50 million extension David Ortiz signed earlier in 2006. Lee's agent Adam Katz said the two parties were too far away in negotiations and did not make a counter-offer.

[edit]Houston Astros

On November 24, 2006, Lee agreed to a six-year, $100 million contract with the Houston Astros. Since signing with the Astros, Lee has established himself as one of the premier hitters in the National League. Lee had a very productive first year in Houston, hitting .303 with 32 home runs and driving in 119 runs, which was good for a three way tie in the National League along with Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder.

On June 28, 2007, Lee hit a walk-off grand slam in the 11th inning against the Colorado Rockies, four innings after teammate Craig Biggio recorded his 3000th career hit. It was Lee's 4th career walk-off home run. Lee also has four game-winning RBI singles and a game-winning sac fly.

His fan base in Houston has grown quickly. He has a fan club called the "Los Caballitos", which means the "little horses" in Spanish—referencing his nickname, "El Caballo" (The Horse). The club convenes in Minute Maid Park next to the Conoco Home Run Pump in left-center field, where they wear large straw cowboy hats, Carlos Lee number 45 jerseys and ride stick ponies when he hits a home run.

Lee is a car enthusiast and his collection includes a Porsche 911 Turbo, a Lexus SC 430, a 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser, and a Lamborghini.

 

I can see why Lee would be on many Sox fans' lists as one of their faves.

Just his nickname alone, El Caballo, made me smile most times Hawk uttered it.

I do not remember him hitting a home run in his first at bat with the Sox, but I'm sure at the time it really made me happy. How many times do we call up a player and the guy hits .150 for a month or stinks on the mound before establishing himself? Seems like a lot.

Anyway, I always expected Carlos to butcher the ball in the outfield. He wasn't Roberto Clemente (OK Robby played rf anyway, not lf) but Carlos wasn't a Ralph Garr either.

Carlos Lee hit a batch of homers for the Sox and yes, I'd deem him an exciting player.

Of course we won a WS partly because we got Scotty for him.

Maybe some of you can add more personal memories of CLee under my comments.

I liked him, didn't love him. I admit I was quite bummed when he was traded, but it's undeniable we needed Scotty to win the pennant.

[Rowand44]

Wow, actually surprised to see him this high. He wouldn't have made like my top 1 billion list. Just not a fan personally.

[Jake]

I'm surprised it turned out this way too, I figured he wouldn't make the list.

[WCSox]

Not really one of my favorites either, but I love the way that he absolutely spanked Cubs pitching. For that reason alone, I'm glad that he's represented here.

 

[MurcieOne]

Carlos, for all of his douchebaggery, did improve on his fielding (which was absolutely horrible when he first came up) and is now solidly below average in that regard. He did beat the cubbies like a drum, and make fun of Damaso Marte for being like a poor dominican or something... so I guess thats cool.

 

oh well.

[whitesoxbrian]

Carlos was a very nice guy. I was used to go get autographs by the Sox parking lot and he never turned me down.

 

He was a tremendous hitter, as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the most part, I think we made the right choice by trading him for Pods, though.

[ChWRoCk2]

Only have gotten two sox autographs, Carlos and the guy I put in first.

 

Always loved Carlos, idk why.

[oralsoxpodcast]

I liked his hitting, hated his defense and have heard he's supposed to be a tremendous s*** heel. At least to some of his teammates, not necessarily the fans.

[Princess Dye]

so difficult to evaluate his sox career. especially since his trade led to a ring

 

still, it was great to watch a guy that seemed to visibly enjoy playing ball as a career. such a novel concept for many pros

[greg775]

I liked his hitting, hated his defense and have heard he's supposed to be a tremendous s*** heel. At least to some of his teammates, not necessarily the fans.

 

Hope that's not true. He seems like a loveable lug. He got a lot of big hits for the White Sox.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

I'm surprised it turned out this way too, I figured he wouldn't make the list.

Never underestimate the power of a true Cub Killer. Jose Valetine and his pornstache will be higher.

[earthshiner]

liked his hitting and never disliked the guy but I never was that huge of a fan. Though he was the first player I ever personally got an autograph from.

[GoodAsGould]

I liked his hitting, hated his defense and have heard he's supposed to be a tremendous s*** heel. At least to some of his teammates, not necessarily the fans.

 

The only incident ive heard about that is with Marte. Everything I heard about him with the brewcrew he was the leader of the team and helped out his other teamates all the time. Anyways Carlos would definitely be top5 if I made the list, always was a huge fan and I was absolutely crushed when we traded him.

[Steve9347]

I have that baseball card.