Tampa White Sox

• Location: Tampa, FL
• League: Florida State League 1988
• Affiliation: Chicago White Sox 1988
• Ballpark: Al Lopez Field

After 21 years as a Cincinnati Reds farm team and 31 years as the Tampa Tarpons, change finally came to the Florida State League team in Tampa, FL in 1988. The team became a Chicago White Sox affiliate and was renamed the Tampa White Sox. They drew 55,900 fans, 7th in the 14-team FSL, and went 35-35 in the first half before they won the western division second-half title at 36-24. They fell in the second round of the playoffs to the St. Lucie Mets 2 games to 0. The club, managed by Marv Foley, had one All-Star - pitcher Jerry Kutzler. Foley won FSL Manager of the Year honors and Kutzler (#8) and C Eric Milholland (#10) show up among the top 10 prospects in a poll of league managers. Milholland hit .235/~.339/.302, though he led the league's catchers in assists (87 in 95 games), presumably winning prospect hopes based on his arm rather than bat. Kutzler (16-7, 2.79) completed 12 of 26 starts and led the FSL in wins and complete games. His 4 shutouts tied for third in the loop. Buddy Groom (13-10, 2.54) had the best ERA on the team (9th in the league) and went on to the best career. In addition to Kutzler, a league leader was OF Dan Rohrmeier (.259/~.305/.399), who tied for the most doubles (28). The club did not return in 1989.

Sources: 1989 Baseball Almanac and Baseball Guide

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1988	71-59	5th	Marv Foley	Lost in 2nd round