White Sox: All-time major award winners
By Phil Watson
1966: Tommie Agee, American League Rookie of the Year
Tommie Agee had signed with the Cleveland Indians before the 1961 season and spent a few games in the major leagues each year between 1962-64. In January 1965, he was traded along with left-hander Tommy John and catcher John Romano to the Chicago White Sox as part of a three-team deal that also included the Kansas City Athletics.
Again, Agee saw some major league time in 1965 … just not a lot.
He was still a rookie when he won the center field job for the White Sox in spring training in 1966 and made the most of it. He played in 160 games and hit .273/.326/.447 in 689 plate appearances, with 27 doubles, eight triples, 22 home runs and 86 RBI. He also scored 98 runs, stole 44 bases, walked 41 times and struck out 127 times.
Agee was an All-Star as a rookie, won a Gold Glove and finished eighth in the MVP voting despite Chicago’s fourth-place finish at 83-79.
Agee was an All-Star again in 1967, but in December 1967 he was sent with infielder Al Weis to the New York Mets for four players, most notably outfielder Tommy Davis and right-hander Jack Fisher.
In two seasons, Agee hit .254/.314/.409 with 54 doubles, 10 triples, 36 homers and 141 RBI in 328 games, while also scoring 173 runs and swiping 72 bases.