Best Chicago White Sox Players of All Time

Founded over 120 years ago, there are many factors to consider when deciding the best Chicago White Sox players of all time. In looking at the performances of individual players during their time with the South Siders, it’s easy to see how they increased the squad’s MLB odds of winning it all.

Four different White Sox players have won MVP, three have won the Cy Young, and 11 have had their number retired. Who makes the cut? 

Here are my five greatest White Sox players ever.

Best Chicago White Sox Players of All Time

1. Frank Thomas

Frank Thomas had to take the top spot. The Big Hurt was one of the sport’s most intimidating hitters in the 1990s, which resulted in consecutive MVP awards in 1993 and 1994. 

Happy birthday @TheBigHurt_35!

The @whitesox legend, who won back-to-back AL MVP Awards in 1993 and 1994, turns 53 today! (Photo: @ronvesely) pic.twitter.com/LqW96xW7pu

— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) May 27, 2021

It’s no surprise Thomas has the highest OPS+ in franchise history. He also hit the most homers. 

An All-Star in five straight seasons, Thomas’s peak was relatively short for someone at his position, but he remained a very good hitter even when he declined slightly in his 30s. 

2. Eddie Collins

Only 12 players in MLB history have amassed a higher bWAR than Eddie Collins. The second baseman played 12 of his 25 seasons with the White Sox, which included three consecutive top-five MVP finishes in the 1920s.

There are only five White Sox hitters with a higher OPS+ for the franchise than Collins’ 133. His total of 368 stolen bases is 50 more than any other player has achieved for the ChiSox. 

3. Ted Lyons

With the most starts and innings pitched in franchise history, Ted Lyons’ durability earns him third in these rankings. Lyons pitched 356 complete games and received MVP votes in 10 of his 21 seasons.

Such longevity can often mean the rate statistics take a hit. Lyons’ 118 ERA+ isn’t spectacular, but he did win an ERA title in his age-41 season and had nine seasons with an ERA+ of 127 or better. 

4. Luke Appling

Luke Appling is the franchise leader in bWAR. Some might think it’s harsh to have him outside the top three. Appling, though, only had a 113 OPS+ and was inconsistent at the plate.

Whether you prefer volume or peak performance in rankings like this is a matter of personal preference. I couldn’t overlook Appling’s counting stats, including being the franchise leader in hits and games played, but his overall production was not quite at the level of the players ranked above him. 

5. Ed Walsh

Should the pitcher with the lowest ERA in MLB history be higher than fifth? It was a difficult call with Ed Walsh, who pitched 13 seasons for the White Sox with a 1.81 ERA. 

ERA: 1st (1.81)
Shutouts: 1st (57)
Complete Games: 3rd (249)
Wins: 3rd (195)

Ed Walsh ranks among the top of White Sox career pitching leaders. 💪 pic.twitter.com/hof2MMP3mK

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) February 9, 2021

This was during the dead-ball era, however, so Walsh only had a 147 ERA+. His 57 shutouts put him 15 ahead of any other player, but he pitched over 1,000 fewer innings than Lyons.