LaMarr Hoyt, White Sox Cy Young Award Winner, Dies at 66

Prior to Chicago White Sox pitcher and 1983 AL Cy Young winner LaMarr Hoyt passed away on Monday, the group announced on Wednesday night. He is 66 years old.

Hoyt grew up in South Carolina and was originally drafted by Yankees in 1973. Four years later, they traded him for the White Sox in the Bucky Dent deal, which Hoyt did. MLB released two years later. After spending the 1980s and 1981s in the bullring, Hoyt switched to penalties in 1982 and enjoyed a breakout season, going 19-15 with a 3.53 ERA in 239 2/3 innings.

In 1983, Hoyt led Chicago to 99 wins and won the AL West title. He won 24-10 with a 3.66 ERA in 260 2/3 innings while walking only 31 strokes. It was the first of three consecutive seasons that he led the league in walk rate. Hoyt beat Dan Quisenberry for Cy Young that year, and he played a complete game in game 1 of Chicago winning against Orioles in ALCS.

Hoyt went from leading baseball with 24 wins in 1983 to leading baseball with 18 losses in 1984. After the 1984 season, the White Sox traded Hoyt the Padres in a seven-player trade that brought Ozzie Guillén to Chicago. Hoyt hit 24-19 with a 4.19 ERA in two seasons with San Diego while battling legal and substance abuse issues.

Between 1985-87, Hoyt was arrested four times for drug possession and he was suspended for the entire 1987 season by commissioner Pete Ueberroth. A referee reduced the suspension to 60 days, after which the Padres paid freedom for him. Hoyt attempted to return to the White Sox shortly after, although another arrest followed.

In 8 major league seasons, Hoyt won 98-68 with a 3.99 ERA in just over 1,311 plays. He was an All-Star in 1985 with the Padres along with an AL Cy Young win with the White Sox in 1983.