Black Sox Blog

The White Sox had the best pitching staff in the American League in 1917, and the staff’s ace was Eddie Cicotte.  His 1917 numbers were pretty much off the chart.  He led the American League in wins (28), ERA (1.53), WHIP (0.912), innings (346 2/3) and only Walter Johnson had more strikeouts then Cicotte’s 150.  They didn’t give the award away back then, but Ed Cicotte was given the ex post facto Cy Young award in the ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia. 

There’s no doubt Cicotte was a workhorse in 1917.  His previous high in innings pitched was only 269 1/3 and never before had he won 20 games.  His 150 strikeouts was also a career high and he finished 29 of his 35 starts.  No other White Sox threw more then 250 innings and no other won more then 17 games.

Here’s a look at Cicotte’s numbers in 1917: 

Wins 28
Losses 12
Games 49
Games Started 35
Complete Games 29
Innings Pitched 346
Hits 246
Runs 76
Earned Runs 59
Walks 70
Strikeouts 150
ERA 1.53
Runs Saved Above Average 38
Shutouts 7
H/9 6.40
BR/9 8.30
SO/9 3.90
BB/9 1.82
SO/BB 2.14
Neutral Wins 29
Neutral Losses 11