Johnny Mostil, hometown Sox hero
By John R. SchmidtJohnny Mostil, hometown Sox hero
By John R. SchmidtOpening day at Sox Park!
At some time or another, most boys growing up around Chicago dream of playing for one of the hometown baseball teams. Few ever make it. Even then, the Chicagoans who do get to the big time usually wind up with other ball clubs
So today let’s look at one of those rarities, a native Chicagoan who played his entire major league career in a Chicago uniform. He was Johnny Mostil—and he was a star, too.
Born in Chicago in 1896, Johnny was a boy when his family moved a few miles over the Indiana line to Whiting.
The Sox were in spring training at Shreveport in 1927. On the morning of March 9, Mostil tried to commit suicide by slashing his chest and wrists with a razor. The team announced he was suffering from neuritis, and had endured constant headaches and sleepless nights. Insiders whispered that he was depressed over a shattered love affair.
Mostil recovered and came back late in the 1927 season. But he was never the same player. The Sox released him in 1929.
He later managed in the minor leagues, and eventually became a White Sox scout. Johnny Mostil died at his home in Midlothian in 1970.