White Sox A-Z: Hairston to Humber
By Art Berke
Need a Sox fix? Every Thursday we are paying tribute to White Sox standouts of the past, spotlighting a different letter of the alphabet each week. Today we focus on 10 popular Sox whose last names begin with the letter H — Jerry Hairston Sr., Hawk Harrelson, Willie Harris, Dustin Hermanson, Orlando Hernández, Roberto Hernández, Joel Horlen, LaMarr Hoyt, Mike Huff and Philip Humber.
Jerry Hairston Sr., OF/PH/1B, White Sox (1973–77, 1981–89), Pirates
With the exception of a brief stint with the Pirates in 1977, Jerry Hairston Sr. spent his entire 14-year big-league career with the White Sox and is the franchise’s all-time leader in pinch hits with 87.
Hairston Sr. also is a proud member of a three-generation major-league family — joining only the Bells (Gus, Buddy, David and Mike) and the Boones (Ray, Bob, Bret and Aaron) — and stands as the only one of African-American heritage.
Jerry’s dad Sam (White Sox, 1951), his brother John (Cubs, 1969) and sons Jerry Jr. (Orioles, Cubs, Rangers, Reds, Yankees, Padres, Nationals, Brewers, Dodgers, 1998–2013) and Scott (Diamondbacks, Padres, A’s, Mets, Cubs, Nationals, 2004–2014) all played in the majors.
Jerry Sr., born in Birmingham, Alabama, also played with Durango in the Mexican League from 1978–1980, winning a batting title and playing in the Caribbean Series.
Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, Voice of the White Sox for 33 seasons
Some remember Hawk Harrelson for his nine-year playing career with the Kansas City A’s, Indians and Red Sox — highlighted by an All-Star season in 1967 when he smashed 35 homers and a league-leading 109 RBI for the World Series-bound Red Sox. He’s also remembered for his pro golfing career, the fact he was the first big leaguer to wear batting gloves and his brief tenure as GM of the White Sox.
Harrelson’s legacy however — especially in Chicago — is his memorable run as the beloved TV voice of the Sox for more than three decades. His Hawkisms like “Put it on the board, yes!,” “Grab some bench,” “He gone,” and “Sit back, relax, and strap it down” have become part of the sports lexicon. He’s also known for nicknaming Sox players, the most prominent being “The Big Hurt” for Hall of Famer Frank Thomas.
A two-time Illinois sportscaster of the year and five-time Emmy winner, the South Carolina native became a Hall of Famer this year as he was the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, given annually to a broadcaster for major contributions to baseball.
Willie Harris, INF-OF, White Sox (2002–2005), Orioles, Red Sox, Braves, Nationals, Mets, Reds
A 12-year major-league veteran, Willie Harris will long be remembered by White Sox fans for his performance in the decisive Game 4 of the 2005 World Series.
With the Sox and Astros deadlocked at 0–0 in the eighth inning, Harris led off the frame with a pinch-hit single and eventually scored from third on a base-hit up the middle by Series MVP Jermaine Dye. Happily, it turned out to be the winning tally in a 1–0 victory that gave the Chicagoans their first world title in 88 years.
From Cairo, Georgia, the birthplace of Jackie Robinson, the versatile and speedy Harris enjoyed his best big-league season in 2004 with the Sox. He recorded a .262 average, 27 RBI, 68 runs scored, 107 hits, 15 doubles in 409 at-bats. He also stole 19 bases, a career high.
Dustin Hermanson, RHP, White Sox (2005–06), Padres, Expos, Cardinals, Red Sox, Giants
Bobby Jenks proved to be the relief hero for the White Sox on their last lap to the 2005 world title, but he was the third closer for the White Sox during that championship season. Japanese reliever Shingo Takatsu opened the campaign in the role, followed by the unsung Dustin Hermanson who saved an impressive 34 games before being slowed by injury.
Hermanson was lights out for the Sox in the early part of the season. He made 19 appearances (21 innings) through the first two months and at May’s end had succeeded Takatsu in the closer’s role. Before allowing a run on June 1, he was 15 for 15 in save opportunities. He went into the All-Star break with 21 saves and a 1.53 ERA and was still productive after the break with a 2.86 ERA in 24 appearances. But because of back issues, Jenks took over in September and again in 2006.
A 12-year major leaguer, Hermanson was the opening day starter for the Montreal Expos in 1999 and 2000. In 1994, the Ohio native was a Golden Spikes Award (presented to the best college player) during his career at Kent State and was the third overall pick by the Padres in that year’s draft.
Orlando “El Duque” Hernández, RHP, White Sox (2005), Yankees, Diamondbacks, Mets
El Duque spent nine years in the major leagues after his harrowing defection from Cuba, compiling a fine 90–85 career record with four teams.
He spent just one season with the White Sox (winning nine games in the regular season), but his performance in the decisive Game 3 of the American League Division Series vs. the Red Sox at Fenway Park is legendary.
With the White Sox leading the best-of-five series 2–0 and leading 4–3 with the bases loaded and no outs in the sixth inning, Hernández performed his magic facing three Boston batters — and here’s what happened: Jason Varitek popped out to first base; Tony Graffanino popped to shortstop and El Duque struck out Johnny Damon.
The Sox went on to win the game, defeated the Angels in the League Championship Series and swept the Astros in the World Series to become World Champs for the first time since 1917.
Hernández was at his best in the postseason. In 19 postseason appearances (106 IP), all with the Yankees except for 2005, he posted a 9–3 record with a 2.55 ERA. Two of those victories came in the World Series with New York while he made one fall classic appearance for the Sox in ‘05.
Roberto Hernández, RHP, White Sox (1991–1997), Giants, Rays, Royals, Braves, Phillies, Mets, Pirates, Indians, Dodgers
One of the most productive closers in White Sox history, Roberto Hernández recorded 161 of his 326 saves on the South Side with Sox highs of 38 in 1993 and 1996.
The Puerto Rico native who grew up in New York City was a key to the Sox’ run to the A.L. West pennant in 1993, posting 21 saves in the second half of the season. In the American League Championship Series against the Blue Jays he pitched four scoreless innings and recorded a save.
Hernández, who played for 10 big-league teams in 17 seasons, was a two-time All-Star (in 1996 with the White Sox) and as a Dodger became the 11th pitcher in history to appear in 1,000 games.
Roberto attended the University of Connecticut and was the starting catcher in 1985 before he distinguished himself on the mound later that year in a Virginia summer league. He began to attract scouts after he transferred from UConn to South-Carolina-Aiken for the 1986 college season and was selected in the 16th round of the ‘86 draft by the Angels.
Hernández’s impact on USC-Aiken was so significant that the baseball field at the school was renamed after him.
Joel Horlen, RHP, White Sox (1961–1971), A’s
During the 1960s, Joel Horlen gave the White Sox a top-notch right-handed pitcher to complement All-Star southpaws Gary Peters, Juan Pizarro and Tommy John.
Horlen won 113 games in a Sox uniform along with a fine 3.11 ERA and 18 shutouts in 11 seasons on the South Side. From 1964–68, Horlen’s 2.32 ERA was the best in the American League with a sparkling 1.88 in ‘64. He also led the league in WHIP (.0935) that same season.
The native Texan, who was part of a College World Series team at Oklahoma State, enjoyed his peak year in 1967 when he recorded a 19–7 win-loss mark, leading the majors in shutouts (six) and WHIP (0.9530) while posting a 2.06 ERA, tops in the A.L. As a result, he was selected to the A.L. All-Star squad.
On September 10 of ‘67, Horlen topped off his outstanding season while the Sox were in the middle of a four-team pennant race with the Twins, Red Sox and Tigers. All he did was fire a no-hitter against Detroit in the opening game of a doubleheader at Comiskey Park.
In his final major-league season, the only year he wasn’t wearing a Sox uniform, Horlen won a World Series ring with the A’s and made one appearance in the fall classic.
LaMarr Hoyt, RHP, White Sox (1979–1984), Padres
LaMarr Hoyt’s 1983 season was a revelation.
After enjoying back-to-back 9–3 seasons with the White Sox in 1980 and 1981 and leading the American League with 19 wins In 1982, the former Yankee farmhand from South Carolina became the toast of the town in 1983.
The pitching dominance of Hoyt and fellow starters Richard Dotson and Floyd Bannister was a main reason the Sox ran away with the American League West title. Leading the way, Hoyt led the majors in wins (24), WHIP (1.024) and walks/nine inning ratio (1.1). As a result, he was named the winner of the A.L. Cy Young Award, becoming the third White Sox pitcher to do so (also Early Wynn and Jack McDowell).
In the opener of the ‘83 A.L. Division Series against the Orioles in Baltimore, Hoyt was masterful in what was the Sox’ first postseason appearance since 1959. He allowed just one run and five hits, struck out four and didn’t walk a batter in earning the win in the 2–1 Sox triumph.
A major-leaguer for eight seasons, Hoyt was traded to the Padres prior to the 1985 season in a deal that brought a young shortstop named Ozzie Guillén to Chicago.
Mike Huff, OF, White Sox (1991–93), Dodgers, Indians, Blue Jays
Mike Huff went from being a three-sport star at New Trier East and a walk-on baseball standout at Northwestern to a 16th round draft choice of the Dodgers — and ultimately enjoyed a seven-year big-league career with four different teams, including the White Sox.
Although he spent much of his youth in Wilmette, Huff is one of only four Sox players born in Hawaii (also Joe DeSa, Charlie Hough, John Matias), where his parents met as college students at the University of Hawaii. His dad Bob won four letters in track and field there and mom Karen was a national champion javelin thrower who later coached track at Evanston High School.
Huff’s first major-league at bat, for the Dodgers vs. the Braves in 1989, was especially memorable. He collected a single off of future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine.
“I figured he knew I was a rookie so he would try to blaze a few fastballs my me for any easy strikeout.” But Glavine threw a curve and Huff rose to the occasion.
Shortly after being picked up by the White Sox on waivers in from the Indians in 1991, Huff made an outstanding diving catch off of future HOFer Paul Molitor in a tight game in the ninth inning. It was a confidence boost for Huff, who felt it showed the Sox were justified in giving him a chance.
A member of the 1993 American League West champion Sox and a Roberto Clemente Award nominee that same year, Huff has endured his share of adversity including personal injury and family illness. Former NU teammate and former big-league player and Phillies manager Joe Girardi puts it in perspective: “Mike has had a lot of adversity in his life but he gets through it.”
An instrumental figure in the shaping of the Bulls/Sox Academy, Huff also has been an occasional substitute analyst in the Sox TV booth.
Philip Humber, RHP, White Sox (2011–12), Mets, Twins, Royals, Astros
His eight-year major-league career may not have lived up to his own expectations, but in one glorious moment in time Philip Humber achieved perfection for the White Sox.
On April 21, 2012, Humber tossed a perfect game against the Mariners, the third in the history of the franchise and the 18th no-hitter in Sox annals. He was making only his second start of the year, the 30th of his career and he is only one of two pitchers whose first career complete game was a perfecto.
Humber was an All -American and the winning pitcher for Rice University in the clinching game of the 2003 College World Series and was the third overall selection in that year’s draft by the Mets.
“My baseball career was full of ups and downs. Sometimes you learn lessons the hard way, but those are the ones that tend to stick with you,” said Humber, a Texas native.
“The biggest thing is never giving in. [Rice baseball] coach [Wayne] Graham used to quote Winston Churchill about that very thing…the qualities I want to exhibit [in everyday life] are humility, work ethic and leadership.”
