John Dungan Rigney (October 28, 1914 – October 21, 1984) was a
starting pitcher
In baseball (hardball or softball), a starting pitcher or starter is the first pitcher in the game for each team. A pitcher is credited with a game started if they throw the first pitch to the opponent's first batter of a game. Starting pit ...
in
Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the
Chicago White Sox (– and –). Listed at , , Rigney batted and threw right-handed. A native of
River Forest, Illinois, he was signed out of the
University of St. Thomas.
Professional career
Rigney was one of the Chicago White Sox top pitchers in the years prior to World War II. His most productive season came in , when he won a career-high 15 games, including the first win for a pitcher during the first night game ever played at
Comiskey Park
Comiskey Park was a baseball park in Chicago, Illinois, located in the
Armour Square neighborhood on the near-southwest side of the city. The stadium served as the home of the Chicago White Sox of the American League from 1910 through 1990. Buil ...
(August 14). In , he recorded 14 wins with a career-high 3.11
ERA, pitching an 11-
inning
In baseball, softball, and similar games, an inning is the basic unit of play, consisting of two halves or frames, the "top" (first half) and the "bottom" (second half). In each half, one team bats until three outs are made, with the other team ...
, 1–0
shutout against the visitors
New York Yankees (June 20). It was the first time since 1919 that the Yankees had been shut out in extra innings by one pitcher. After that, he won 13 games in and was 3–3 before joining the
United States Navy in May 1942. After being discharged in 1945, he returned to Chicago, but his playing time was limited by arm injuries. He retired after the season.
Management career
Following his playing retirement, Rigney took a position in the White Sox front office. In 1956, he became the club's co-
general manager along with
Chuck Comiskey in replacement of
Frank Lane.
Career statistics
In an eight-season career, Rigney posted a 63–64 record with 605
strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a time at bat. It usually means that the batter is out. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters, and is deno ...
s and a 3.59 ERA in 197
appearances
Appearance may refer to:
* Visual appearance, the way in which objects reflect and transmit light
* Human physical appearance, what someone looks like
* ''Appearances'' (film), a 1921 film directed by Donald Crisp
* Appearance (philosophy), or p ...
, including 132 starts, 66
complete game
In baseball, a complete game (CG) is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher. A pitcher who meets this criterion will be credited with a complete game regardless of the number of innings played—pitche ...
s, 10 shutouts, five
saves, and innings of work.
Personal life
Rigney married
Dorothy Comiskey, granddaughter of
Charles Comiskey, founding owner of the White Sox, and daughter of
J. Louis Comiskey
John Louis Comiskey (August 12, 1885 – July 18, 1939) was an American businessman and the owner of the Chicago White Sox of the American League from 1931 to 1939.
Biography
He was born on August 12, 1885, son of Charles Comiskey. He inherited t ...
, another former club president.
Rigney died in
Wheaton, Illinois, seven days shy of his 70th birthday.
See also
*
Chicago White Sox managers and ownership
External links
1940 MLB chronologyJohnny Rigney
- Baseballbiography.com
*
:
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rigney, Johnny
1914 births
1984 deaths
United States Navy personnel of World War II
Chicago White Sox players
Chicago White Sox executives
Major League Baseball executives
Major League Baseball general managers
Major League Baseball pitchers
St. Thomas (Minnesota) Tommies baseball players
People from River Forest, Illinois
Baseball players from Cook County, Illinois