LaMarr Hoyt, 1955 - 2021

LaMarr Hoyt, who passed away this week, joined Richard Dotson, Floyd Bannister, and Britt Burns in the quartet of young starting pitchers that carried the 1983 White Sox to the franchise's first postseason appearance since 1959. 

     

LaMARR HOYT

The burly, bearded righthander was listed at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds--but he admitted to weighing "a ways above" 240. After leading the American League with 19 victories in 1982, Hoyt lost six of his first eight decisions as the Sox struggled through the early going in 1983. He then went 22-4 for the rest of the season, and the South Siders romped to the division title by 19 games.

     Hoyt ended up 24-10 for the year, with a 3.66 earned run average, 11 complete games, and only 31 walks in 260 innings. He received the Cy Young Award after the season.

     In what turned out to be the only postseason game of his career, Hoyt scattered five hits, walked none, and went the distance as the Sox beat Baltimore 2-1 in the opener of the 1983 American League Championship Series. Alas, the Orioles captured the next three games to clinch the series. Hoyt would have been on the mound for a decisive Game 5 that never took place. "No way did I want to see Hoyt tomorrow," said Orioles outfielder Ken Singleton after Game 4.

     Hoyt was involved in two trades for noteworthy White Sox shortstops. As a minor leaguer in April 1977, he was traded by the New York Yankees to the Sox with outfielder Oscar Gamble for Bucky Dent. In December 1984, he was dealt to the San Diego Padres for four players, including Ozzie Guillen.

     Despite his prodigious size, Hoyt could barely throw hard enough to break a pane of glass. Therefore, he needed to get by on guts and guile--both of which he had in abundance. "What I learned to do," he said, "was to make the absolute most of the limited talent I had. I couldn't ever blow hitters away, but I could put a ball where I wanted, and I could make the ball move. I knew how to attack the corners of the plate."

     Injuries and personal issues derailed his career soon after the glory year of 1983, but Hoyt is still remembered fondly by fans and teammates. "He had average stuff," White Sox manager Tony LaRussa said, "but amazing command and tremendous confidence. He never showed fear. What a great competitor."

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