Catching up with white sox superstar ron kittle: 'i remember almost all the fans'

by Stella Kapetan

In the White Sox’s more than 100-year history, the 1983 American League Western Division Championship team remains a fan favorite. The chemistry among the players and an exciting post- All-Star break winning streak created a fun, electric atmosphere at Comiskey Park. The city rallied around the slogan Winning Ugly after Texas Rangers manager Doug Rader used the term to insult the team’s playing style. Left-fielder Ron Kittle led the team in RBIs with 100 and lit up Comiskey Park’s exploding scoreboard with 35 season home runs, earning him a spot in the All-Star game and the American League Rookie of the Year Award.

Kittle, now 64, recently spoke with StreetWise about his baseball career, what made the 1983 team so special, his enduring bond with fans and what he’s up to now.

“We talked to fans,” Kittle said, explaining the team’s popularity. “The fans related to us.” He recalled a meet-and-greet and autograph signing he did that year in a south suburban mall. “They paid me $500 for two hours. The line was so long they asked me to stay another two hours for an additional $500. I would have done it for free.” He added: “We had a great team. There was no winning [Chicago baseball] team since 1959. We were the first [Chicago] team to draw two million fans. People expected us to win. Everyone wants to be part of a winning team. It was a big positive for the city of Chicago. I think it was refreshing.”

The 1983 All-Star game at Comiskey Park is his favorite career memory. “My entire family was in town,” he said. “That was the first time my family watched a game together. I was standing with all the players I looked up to as a kid: Brooks Robinson, who was honorary coach; George Brett, Carl Yastrzemski. I knew their stats and who they were. And now I’m standing with them, and it was a damned good feeling.” Cleveland Indians pitcher Rick Sutcliffe, who was standing next to him during player introductions, told him it was the loudest ovation he had ever heard.

Although Kittle last donned a White Sox uniform in 1991, he is still a part of the organization, serving as an Ambassador since 2003. He speaks at baseball-related and corporate events and can be found at Guaranteed Rate Field a couple of times a homestand visiting the suites of large donors to White Sox Charities and others who request he stop by. He also speaks at charity events like the Salvation Army Volunteer and Donor Appreciation Dinner and to the White Sox Charities Volunteer Corps when they gather for service projects. Visiting hospice care patients has been especially meaningful. “It means more than playing baseball and hitting a home run,” he said. He also does similar events outside his White Sox organization affiliation and can even perform marriage ceremonies as an ordained minister. “I respect anyone who wants to meet me. If they are willing to ask, I’m willing to do it,” he said.

Another passion is his Ron Kittle Charities. In more than 30 years, he has raised more than $2 million for cancer research and education, inspired by his family’s history with the disease. He said he takes a “hands-on approach. I make the calls, I write the letters and lick stamps, I meet-and-greet and go to hospitals. I pick a certain facility and cause that we are going to donate to.” His Kitty & Friends Cigar Social fundraiser resumes this year after a COVID-19 hiatus and will honor Minnie Minoso’s Hall of Fame induction. The last event honored team owner Jerry Reinsdorf, Harold Baines and Jim Thome. He organizes softball games and motorcycle races and makes sure to include some lower ticket cost events like the $40 breakfast club so all supporters can participate. “I talk to them more than at the expensive events.”

About six hours a day, he is in his shop on the property of his Mokena home, about 35 miles southwest of Chicago, which he shares with his wife, Barb. There he crafts one of-a-kind steel and wood pieces for the White Sox and corporations looking for gifts. He sculpted gifts for Baines and Thome to celebrate their Hall of Fame inductions. He learned his craft working alongside his late father Jim in the Indiana steel mills before he entered professional baseball. “I still take pride in being an ironworker,” he said. His father instilled in him the work ethic he still lives by in everything he does. “My father said, ‘Don’t let anyone ever outwork you. Keep your mouth shut, and do the best you can.’ I’d rather die of a heart attack than have anyone outwork me. I’m a perfectionist in everything I do.”

Kittle is still friends with many 1983 teammates. “You miss the camaraderie,” he said. He talks a couple of times a week with Greg Luzinski and Greg Walker, who live out of state, frequently hears from Tom Paciorek and regularly sees Baines, who is also a White Sox Ambassador. He chats with Tony LaRussa and drops by Jerry Reinsdorf’s office whenever he is at the game. LaMarr Hoyt died three days before Kittle was to travel to South Carolina in November for a visit. He also mourns the February death of Julio Cruz. “Julio was one of the most genuine people I’ve had a chance to play with.” Kittle said. “Great heart, loved life and held his friendships very important.”

Kittle would also play with the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles before returning to the White Sox in 1991 for his final season before retiring.

For 40 years Kittle has valued his ties to the White Sox and especially the fans who still often approach him to shake his hand and share their memories of the Winning Ugly team. “I’ve met a lot of people. I remember almost all the fans,” Kittle said.

Follow Ron at ronkittle.com and Ron Kittle's Clubhouse on Facebook.

Ron Kittle at the 1983 All-Star game.

Kittle Today.

With Jim Thome and the 9-foot bat Kittle sculpted as a gift to celebrate his Hall of Fame induction. It includes Thome's career highlights.

Sculpture Kittle created for Harold Baines to celebrate his Hall of Fame induction. Baines has it in the yard of his Maryland home.

Kittle and Harold Baines at the Kitty & Friends Cigar Social fundraiser for Ron Kittle Charities.