ChiSox, Durham Agree To Deal

Chicago White Sox All-Star second baseman Ray Durham, who established career highs in almost every offensive category during the 1998 season, Monday agreed to a four-year contract with the club, avoiding arbitration.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but it is likely Durham will receive about $4 million per year. He was asking for $4.3 in arbitration while the White Sox offered $3.35 million. He earned $1.935 million last season.

"We are thrilled to work out a long-term contract with a player of Ray's ability," said White Sox general manager Ron Schueler. "We are committed to our young talent and happy Ray will be a key part of this club's long-term foundation. The improvement he showed on the field last season was very impressive."

Durham entered the 1998 campaign with a .268 career average but hit a career-best .285 with 19 homers, 67 RBI and 36 stolen bases last year. He ranked second in the American League with 126 runs scored and was named to his first All-Star squad. The 19 homers was a record for a White Sox second baseman.

"Ray's combination of speed and extra-base power makes him a dangerous weapon in our lineup," Schueler added. "He is also one of the most popular players with Sox fans. They recognize and support players who approach the game with intensity and play hard every day. Ray does all that and still understands the game is all about the fans."

The 27-year-old Durham also led the AL with 289 total bases and fell just one homer shy of becoming the ninth middle infielder in major league history to hit 20 homers and steal 30 bases in a single season. He became the first Sox player since Luis Aparicio (1959-62) to steal 30 or more bases in threee consecutive seasons.

Duram will have less protection in the lineup this season with the White Sox losing Albert Belle and Robin Ventura to free agency. Chicago finished nine games behind the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central last season.

In four seasons for the White Sox, Durham owns a .273 lifetime average with 47 homers, 236 RBI and 117 stolen bases.

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