Johnny Rigney

John Dungan Rigney (October 28, 1914 - October 21, 1984) was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Chicago White Sox (by|1937-by|1942, by|1946-by|1947). Listed at 6' 2", 190 lb., Rigney batted and threw right-handed. A native of Oak Park, Illinois, he was signed out of the University of St. Thomas.

Rigney was one of the Chicago White Sox top pitchers in the years prior to World War II. His most productive season came in by|1939, 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 (August 14). In by|1940, he recorded 14 wins with a career-high 3.11 ERA, pitching an 11-inning, 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 by|1941 and was 3-3 before joining the U.S. 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 by|1947 season. In an eight-season career, Rigney posted a 63-64 record with 605 strikeouts and a 3.59 ERA in 197 appearances, including 132 starts, 66 complete games, 10 shutouts, five saves, and 1186 ⅓ innings of work. Rigney married Dorothy Comiskey, granddaughter of Charles Comiskey, founding owner of the White Sox, and daughter of J. Louis Comiskey, another former club president. 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. Rigney died in Lombard, Illinois, seven days shy of his 70th birthday.

ee also

*Chicago White Sox managers and ownership

External links

* [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/1940JUNE.stm 1940 MLB chronology]
* [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/R/Rigney_Johnny.stm Baseball Library]
* [http://www.garybed.co.uk/those_who_served.htm Baseball in Wartime]
* [http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/R/Prignj101.htm Retrosheet]