Chicago White Sox (1967-1968)
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Ken Boyer jumped from worst in
the National League to first place in the American League when the New
York Mets traded him to the pennant contending Chicago White Sox on
July 22, 1967. The deal sent Boyer and a player to be named to Chicago
for Bill Southworth and a player to be named. (The Mets sent Sandy
Alomar to Chicago on August 15, then on November 27, the White Sox sent
J.C. Martin to officially complete the deal.)
This marked Boyer's only time spent in the American League. His new teammates kidded him and labeled him "The National Leaguer." But jokes were quickly replaced with respect when the White Sox saw what the former All-Star brought to their club: a veteran presence with playoff experience and a productive bat in their lineup. A week later, Rocky Colavito was added in a deal with the Cleveland Indians to further bolster the club.
Manager Eddie Stanky (who had managed Boyer in his rookie season with St. Louis) looked to his new players for leadership. "You put us in first place," he told his young players. "Colavito and Boyer have to keep us there." He immediately installed Boyer at third base and told him to take charge of the infield. He did and willingly mentored the younger players.
Chicago fought to hold onto the league lead from the Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, and Detroit Tigers. They dropped out of first place on August 13. They regained the lead again over a week later, but soon gave way to the Twins and Red Sox in September. Boston held out and faced Boyer's old club, the St. Louis Cardinals, in the 1967 World Series.
Despite great starts, both Boyer and Colavito faltered down the stretch and failed to live up to the hopes of the White Sox management. Boyer hit only four home runs and drove in 21 runs with a .261 average. Colavito fared worse, hitting only .221 with three homers and 29 RBI. He was sold before the end of spring training to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1968; Boyer followed him to Southern California after he was released on May 2.
This marked Boyer's only time spent in the American League. His new teammates kidded him and labeled him "The National Leaguer." But jokes were quickly replaced with respect when the White Sox saw what the former All-Star brought to their club: a veteran presence with playoff experience and a productive bat in their lineup. A week later, Rocky Colavito was added in a deal with the Cleveland Indians to further bolster the club.
Manager Eddie Stanky (who had managed Boyer in his rookie season with St. Louis) looked to his new players for leadership. "You put us in first place," he told his young players. "Colavito and Boyer have to keep us there." He immediately installed Boyer at third base and told him to take charge of the infield. He did and willingly mentored the younger players.
Chicago fought to hold onto the league lead from the Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, and Detroit Tigers. They dropped out of first place on August 13. They regained the lead again over a week later, but soon gave way to the Twins and Red Sox in September. Boston held out and faced Boyer's old club, the St. Louis Cardinals, in the 1967 World Series.
Despite great starts, both Boyer and Colavito faltered down the stretch and failed to live up to the hopes of the White Sox management. Boyer hit only four home runs and drove in 21 runs with a .261 average. Colavito fared worse, hitting only .221 with three homers and 29 RBI. He was sold before the end of spring training to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1968; Boyer followed him to Southern California after he was released on May 2.
All photographs are presented for educational purposes only.