John Danks, a left-handed pitcher, spent the majority of his Major League Baseball career with the Chicago White Sox. Born on April 15, 1985, in Austin, Texas, Danks was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the first round of the 2003 MLB Draft. However, he never played a major league game for the Rangers. In December 2006, Danks was traded to the Chicago White Sox in a deal that included fellow pitchers Nick Masset and Jacob Rasner in exchange for Brandon McCarthy and David Paisano.
Danks made his MLB debut with the White Sox on April 8, 2007, against the Minnesota Twins. During his rookie season, he showed promise despite some struggles, finishing with a 6-13 record and a 5.50 ERA. Over the next few years, Danks developed into a reliable starter for the White Sox. In 2008, he posted a 12-9 record with a 3.32 ERA, helping the team reach the postseason. One of his most memorable performances came during the 2008 American League Central tiebreaker game against the Minnesota Twins, where he pitched eight shutout innings, leading the White Sox to a 1-0 victory and securing a playoff berth.
Throughout his career, Danks was known for his effective use of a four-seam fastball, cutter, changeup, and curveball. His ability to mix pitches and maintain composure on the mound made him a valuable asset to the White Sox rotation. In 2010, Danks achieved a career-high 15 wins, finishing the season with a 3.72 ERA. His consistent performance earned him a five-year contract extension with the White Sox in December 2011, worth $65 million.
Despite his early success, Danks faced challenges in the latter part of his career. In 2012, he underwent shoulder surgery, which significantly impacted his performance and durability. He returned to the mound in 2013 but struggled to regain his pre-surgery form. Over the next few seasons, Danks' performance fluctuated, and he was unable to consistently replicate his earlier success.
In 2016, after a difficult start to the season, the White Sox designated Danks for assignment, effectively ending his tenure with the team. He finished his career with a 79-104 record and a 4.38 ERA over 247 games. Despite the ups and downs, Danks remained a respected figure in the White Sox organization and among fans for his contributions during his time with the team.
After leaving the White Sox, Danks signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves in 2017 but did not make it back to the major leagues.
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