Southside Showdown
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White Sox: Top 5 Free Agent Signings in Franchise History

By Etheria Modacure

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JULY 28: Hall of Famers Jim Rice, Carl Yastrzemski, Dennis Eckersley, and Carlton Fisk present Pedro Martinez a cast of his hands during a ceremony in his honor at Fenway Park on July 28, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JULY 28: Hall of Famers Jim Rice, Carl Yastrzemski, Dennis Eckersley, and Carlton Fisk present Pedro Martinez a cast of his hands during a ceremony in his honor at Fenway Park on July 28, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

Carlton Fisk

Carlton Fisk was the first major signing of the new Sox ownership group led by Jerry Reinsdorf in 1981. After not receiving a new contract from the Boston Red Sox in the mail until after the deadline for players to sign, Fisk wound up becoming a free agent going into the 1981 season.

The White Sox didn’t waste much time in signing the veteran catcher as Fisk signed a five-year $2.9 million deal. Fisk would become a fan favorite on the South Side and helped the Sox end their playoff drought of 24 years when they won the AL West division in 1983. Fisk would play 13 seasons in a Sox uniform, longer than he played with the Red Sox. He was an All-Star four times with the Sox and was third in MVP voting in 1983.

Fisk compiled a .257/.329/.438 slash line with 214 home runs and 762 RBIs through 13 seasons with the Sox. The Sox were unable to reach the World Series with Fisk and the catcher would later enter the Hall of Fame with a Red Sox hat on. However, his no. 72 was retired by the Sox and he will be remembered fondly by Sox fans.

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