On this day in 1977, Steve Stone won his twelfth game of the season.
Stoney would kick off a string of four years where he would not have a losing record, culminating in his 1980 Cy Young season for the Baltimore Orioles, where he went 25-7. In 1977, Steve would win fifteen games for the White Sox, in his second stint with the team. Stone went seven innings, giving up three runs, eleven hits and one walk while striking out two. It may not have been the prettiest game of Stone Pony's career, but he gave a nice quality start while his offense lived up to their nickname as the South Side Hitmen. Eric Soderholm led the charge with two homers. Most of the hitters followed by example with home runs from Chet Lemon, Oscar Gamble, Jim Essian and Royle Stillman.
Stone played for the White Sox in 1973 and again in 1977 and 1978. The Sox sent Steve to the Cubs on December 11, 1973, along with Ken Frailing, Steve Swisher and Jim Kremmel for Ron Santo. After the Cubs asked Stone Pony to take a pay cut, he played out his contract and signed back with the White Sox for the 1977 season. Owner Bill Veeck took a chance and was rewarded with a 15-12 record from Stoney during the 1977 season. Steve got a raise in the 1978 season and posted a 12-12 record. Stone became a free agent again after the 1978 season and decided he wanted to sign with a team that would have the best shot at the postseason. Steve signed with the Orioles and got to play in the 1979 World Series, for two innings. While with the Orioles, Stoney drastically changed his approach to his pitching and eventually won a Cy Young Award before developing arm trouble by throwing more curveballs. One year after his amazing twenty-five win season, Steve retired. He has since become an intuitive broadcaster for both the Cubs and White Sox.
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