Remembering the Chicago White Sox We Lost in 2025

This article is a heartfelt memorial for members of the Chicago White Sox family who passed away in 2025. It honors former players, coaches, and affiliates whose careers left real marks on the franchise.

From standout All-Stars to role players and respected mentors, each person brought something unique to the White Sox. Their stories deserve reflection and remembrance.

Honoring a Generation of White Sox Contributors

The White Sox organization has been shaped by countless people over the decades. Many never sought headlines but earned respect through consistency, leadership, and a genuine love for the game.

The losses of 2025 span multiple eras of baseball. It’s striking how deeply connected generations of Sox baseball really are.

Jeff Torborg and the Revival of the Late-1980s White Sox

Jeff Torborg, who died at 83, played a pivotal role in restoring credibility to the franchise during a tough transition. As a former catcher, Torborg managed the team from 1989 to 1991 and guided a young roster toward relevance.

His calm leadership and ability to connect with players helped pave the way for the success that followed in the 1990s. That’s no small thing in a city like Chicago, where expectations always run high.

Pitchers Who Defined Grit and Versatility

Several accomplished pitchers from different eras passed away in 2025. Each left a distinct mark:

  • Don Secrist (80) was a left-handed reliever who first overwhelmed hitters at the high-school level. He later carved out a major-league role with the White Sox in 1969–70.
  • Eddie Fisher (88) was one of the most durable arms of the 1960s. A knuckleballer, he led the American League in appearances in 1965 and filled nearly every pitching role for Chicago.
  • Ted Wills (91), another crafty lefty, closed out his major-league career with the Sox in 1965. He’s remembered more for steady work than for flash.
  • Careers Interrupted and Journeys Completed

    Not every baseball story follows a straight path. Some are defined by resilience, others by misfortune, or a constant shuffle between teams.

    Jim Breazeale and a Career Changed Forever

    Jim Breazeale, who died at 75, was once seen as a promising hitter. A serious car accident in 1972 changed everything for him.

    He later reached the majors again and played briefly for the White Sox in 1978. That’s real perseverance in the face of adversity.

    Scott Sauerbeck and Octavio Dotel: Different Paths, Same Passion

    Scott Sauerbeck (53) wrapped up his professional career with Triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox system in 2008. His time with the organization was brief, but his long career showed the grind of a veteran reliever.

    Octavio Dotel (51) represented the modern era of well-traveled bullpen arms. He pitched for the White Sox in 2008–09 and later grabbed a World Series title with St. Louis.

    His life ended tragically in the 2025 Jet Set nightclub roof collapse in Santo Domingo. Sometimes, life’s just unfair.

    A Star in Center Field and Other Memories

    Some names stick with Sox fans, not just for performance but for personality and perseverance. They’re the ones you can’t quite forget.

    Chet Lemon and a Lasting Legacy

    Chet Lemon, who died at 70, stood out as a center fielder for the White Sox in the 1970s. He later became a World Series champ with Detroit in 1984.

    Beyond baseball, Lemon battled polycythemia vera for decades. His strength off the field earned him real admiration.

    Additional Faces From White Sox History

    The memorial also remembers former Sox affiliates and contributors:

  • Mark Esser
  • Verle Tiefenthaler
  • Bobby Jenks
  • Lee Elia
  • Jeff Bittiger
  • Each of these folks played a role in the organization’s story. Some left their mark on the field, while others did their work in the dugout or somewhere else in the baseball world.

    Fans can share their own memories, too. That’s how these legacies stick around at Rate Field—and, honestly, wherever White Sox fans gather.

     
    Here is the source article for this story: In Memoriam: The White Sox We Lost in 2025

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