Lip Man 1 Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 January 26, 1983 - The Sox and G. M. Roland Hemond embarrassed the Cubs by hinting through the media that they might select pitcher Fergie Jenkins after the Cubs left him unprotected in the free agent draft. Jenkins, the future Hall of Famer, was getting close to the magical 300-win mark in his career. The Sox were entitled to compensation after losing outfielder Steve Kemp to the Yankees. The Cubs were forced to trade Scott Fletcher, Dick “Dirt” Tidrow, Randy Martz and Pat Tabler to the Sox for a promise not to take Jenkins, along with pitchers Steve Trout and Warren Brusstar. The Sox then traded Tabler for Jerry Dybzinski. After it was all said and done, Cub G.M. Dallas Green was quoted as saying, “To say I’m relieved probably would be an understatement.” Fletcher would be a part of the 1983 divisional champion but his bigger impact perhaps came in 1990, for the “Doin' the Little Things” White Sox, who shocked baseball by winning 94 games. Fletcher was a defensive rock at second base and executed small things like bunting, hitting behind a runner and to the opposite field and driving in key runs exceptionally well. Tidrow did just about everything a relief pitcher could do in 1983 and Dybzinski stabilized a shaky infield in the early part of that same season. Unfortunately, his base running error in game #4 of the A.L.C.S. is what he is best remembered for. The Sox starting staff was so deep in 1983, with seven pitchers on the roster who all won at least 10 games in a Major League season, that Martz never really got a chance. He only made one emergency start that year in a game at Detroit. Those other pitchers who won at least 10 games were LaMarr Hoyt, Richard Dotson, Floyd Bannister, Britt Burns, Jerry Koosman and Steve Mura. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Grinder Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 What a great year 1983 was. Loved that team despite their quick exit in the playoffs. That seems to be a common thing these days w this current group of players. Who could ever forget Luzinski's and Kittles roof top HR's at old Comiskey? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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