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THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: NOVEMBER 14TH For more see, www.whitesoxalmanac.com 1956: White Sox ace Billy Pierce finished fifth in the American League’s Most Valuable Player Award voting in results released by the Baseball Writers Association of America on this date. The Yankees’ Mickey Mantle was the unanimous winner of the award, polling 336 points. Pierce, who was 20-9 with a 3.32 ERA, notched 75 points – the most of any pithcer. His finish was the best by a Sox pitcher since Thornton Lee finished fourth in the 1941 balloting. Other Sox players polling votes in 1956 were Nellie Fox, who finished 14th, Sherm Lollar, who was 16th, Luis Aparicio, who was 25th, and Minnie Minoso, who was 27th. 1990: The Pirates’ Doug Drabek won the National League Cy Young Award in voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America becoming the third pitcher (fourth time) drafted or originally signed by the White Sox to win the award. Drabek was picked by the Sox in the 11th round of the 1983 draft. He was dealt to the Yankees to complete a swap that netted the Sox Roy Smalley on Aug. 13, 1984. Other Cy Young winners drafted or originally signed by the White Sox are Denny McLain (1967, 1968) and Pete Vuckovich. 2005: The White Sox Paul Konerko took sixth in voting for the American League MVP in balloting released on this date by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Konerko, who hit .283 with 40 home runs, played a key role in the Sox run to their first World Series title since 1917. However, all awards balloting takes into account the regular season only. The Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez won the award with 331 points while Konerko had 128 points. Sox left fielder Scott Podsednik was 12th with 15 points while pitcher Jose Contreras tied for 27th with one point.

White Sox: Rookie of the Year voting Josh Fields polled a vote in the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year voting. Here's how the White Sox have fared in voting for the American League Rookie of the Year Award in balloting conducted by the Baseball Writers Association of America (1PV=first place votes) Year, player Place Points 1PV 2007, Josh Fields.........................7th 1 0 2005, Tadahito Iguchi..................4th 30 5 2004, Shingo Takatsu..................2nd 44 1 2004, Ross Gload........................7th 4 0 2001, Kelly Wunsch.....................5th 2 0 1999, Chris Singleton..................6th 9 0 1998, Mike Caruso......................3rd 34 0 1998, Magglio Ordonez................5th 1 0 1997, Mike Cameron...................6th 5 0 1996, James Baldwin...................2nd 64 0 1995, Ray Durham.......................6th 3 0 1993, Jason Bere.........................2nd 59 0 1990, Robin Ventura.....................7th 3 0 1990, Scott Radinsky....................9th 1 0 1988, Dave Gallagher...................5th 18 2 1988, Melido Perez.......................6th 9 0 1985, Ozzie Guillen.......................1st 101 16 1983, Ron Kittle............................1st 104 15 1980, Britt Burns..........................5th 33 4 1980, Richard Dotson....................7th 1 0 1979, Ross Baumgarten.................4th 3 3 1974, Bucky Dent.........................2nd 3 3 1969, Carlos May..........................3rd 5 5 1966, Tommie Agee......................1st 16 16 1963, Gary Peters.........................1st 10 10 1961, Floyd Robinson....................3rd 2 2 1956, Luis Aparicio........................1st 22 22 1951, Minnie Minoso......................2nd 11 11 1950, Chico Carrasquel.................3rd 2 2 1949, Bob Kuzavav.......................4th 1 1 Sources: mlb.com; baseballreference.com

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: NOVEMBER 13TH For the rest of the day, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com/ ENJOY! 1951: The White Sox traded workhorse pitcher Randy Gumpert, an All-Star in 1951, and first baseman-outfielder Don Lenhardt to the Boston Red Sox for infielder Mel Hoderlein and pitcher Chuck Stobbs. Gumpert, a right-hander, wound up on the 1951 All-Star team as a result of an American League rule that stated one pitcher from each club had to make the All-Star team and that no team could supply more than one pitcher to the team. This wound up being a non-descript deal for both teams. Gumpert won just five more games before leaving the game while Lenhardt changed teams four times before he left the game in 1954. Stobbs pitched just one year for the Sox and Hoderlein never donned the Sox yarns. 1990: White Sox reliever Bobby Thigpen finished fourth in voting for the American League Cy Young in results released by the Baseball Writers Association of America on this date. Thigpen and his still-standing big league record of 57 saves were a big reason why the White Sox experienced a renaissance season and finished a surprising second in the American League West in their final season at Comiskey Park. Thigpen polled two first place votes but it was 27-game winner Bob Welch who won the award. Thigpen’s finish was the highest in the voting since LaMarr Hoyt won it in 1983. He was also the first Sox reliever to poll votes since Rich Gossage in 1975 and his fourth-place finish was the highest ever by a Sox reliever. 2003: The Dodgers’ Eric Gagne won the National League Cy Young Award in voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America becoming the fifth pitcher (sixth time) drafted or originally signed by the White Sox. Gagne was drafted by the White Sox in the 30th round of the 1994 draft but he did not sign. Other Cy Young winners drafted or originally signed by the White Sox are Denny McLain (1967, 1968), Pete Vuckovich (1982), Jack McDowell (1993) and Doug Drabek (1990).

Indeed, Dan The Man launched a 484-foot shot onto the concourse very early in the history of New Comiskey Park. I was sitting next to the gent who determined the length of that blast and there was much controversy over its distance. When that number was determined, there were gasps and we were wondering if the Sox were playing in a launching pad Mark Salas, affectionately known as "The Chief"

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: NOV. 12 For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com 1959: White Sox second baseman Nellie Fox was voted American League Most Valuable Player in balloting released by the Baseball Writers Association of America on this date. Fox outpolled teammate and runnerup Luis Aparicio in becoming the first Sox player to win the award. Fox was the catalyst for the White Sox pennant winning club, hitting .306 with 191 hits, 34 doubles and six triples. Fox also led league second basemen in games, putouts, assists and fielding percentage. In addition to Aparicio, White Sox ace Early Wynn was third, centerfielder Jim Landis was seventh, catcher Sherm Lollar was ninth, pitcher Bob Shaw was 20th and pitcher Gerry Staley was 29th. 1987: The White Sox and new general manager Larry Himes started the process of getting the team younger by trading former 20-game winner Richard Dotson along with reliever Scott Nielsen to the New York Yankees for slugging first baseman Dan Pasqua, catcher Mark Salas and pitcher Steve Rosenberg. Dotson won 17 games and Nielsen pitched sparinginly over two years for the Yankees. Pasqua went on to have a fairly productive career in his seven years with the White Sox. The left-handed hitter reached double figures in homers in each year between 1988 and 1991 with a career-best 20 roundtrippers in 1988. After hitting 18 homers in 1991, Pasqua’s production decreased steadily. He was released after appearing in just 11 games in 1994

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: NOV 7 For more, visit www.whitesoxalmanac.com 1990: Robin Ventura and Scot Radinsky of the White Sox received votes in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting. The results of the balloting, which had Cleveland catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. unanimously winning the award, were released on this date. Ventura, a third baseman, finished seventh with three points while Radinsky, a reliever, was ninth with a point. 2000: The White Sox traded left-handed pitcher Scott Eyre to the Toronto Blue Jays for right-hander Gary Glover. Eyre showed some promise between 1997 and 2000 but his ERA was never below 5.04 in any of his four seasons with the Sox. Glover won 13 games as a swingman for the Sox from 2001 to 2003 before being dealt to the Angels in the middle of the 2003 campaign. … Also on this day, the Sox released infielder Craig Wilson. The utilityman made a huge splash with the Sox in 1998, hitting .468 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 13 games but he was never able to crack the starting lineup over the next two years.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: NOVEMBER 6TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com 1935: The White Sox released reserve outfielder Jocko Conlan and pitcher Sad Sam Jones. The White Sox actually did Conlan a favor by letting him go. The Chicago native went on to become one of the great umpires in big league history and he was recognized as that when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974. Conlan was a National League arbiter between 1941 and 1965. He got his start as an umpire while with the White Sox in 1935. In a game against the Browns, umpire Red Ormbsy was overcome with exhaustion. With the blessing of White Sox manager Jimmy Dykes, Conlan volunteered to umpire and a Hall of Fame career was born. Conlan’s umpiring career officially began in 1935 in the minors at the New York Pennsylvania League. Conlan made it to the Majors in 1941 and stayed there until June 6, 1965. In between, he umpired five World Series’ and six All-Star Games. Conlan, who died in 1989, hit .263 with no homers and 31 RBIs in 1934 and 1935 for the White Sox. … Jones’ release signaled the end of a career which began in 1914 and included 229 victories. The right-hander went 34-46 for the White Sox between 1932 and 1935 after being acquired from Washington in a five-player swap Dec. 4, 1931. 1984: Reflecting the disappointing campaign which his team had just gone through, outfielder/DH Harold Baines was the only White Sox player who received votes in the balloting for the American League MVP, the results of which were released on this date. This a year after the Sox won the American League West title and had six players garner at least two points in the voting. Baines, who hit .304 with 29 homers, finished tied for 13th as the White Sox fell off to a 74-88 record. Detroit reliever Willie Herandez topped the voting.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: NOV 5 For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com/ ENJOY! 1976: The White Sox lost five players in the American League Expansion Draft. The Seattle Mariners made infielder Bill Stein the fifth over all pick of the draft while Toronto used the 19th selection on pitcher Pet Vuckovich. The Sox also had pitcher Roy Thomas chosen by Seattle with the 31st pick and pitcher Jesse Jefferson taken by Toronto with the 47th pick and outfielder Sam Ewing plucked by Toronto with the 57th pick. Vuckovich haunted the Sox immediately. He earned the save in the Blue Jays’ inaugural victory – a 9-5 triumph of the White Sox in Toronto on April 7, 1977. 1993: Bo Jackson’s career with the White Sox essentially came to an end when he was granted free agency. Jackson signed with the White Sox in April of 1991 after being released by Kansas City. Jackson rehabbed his hip injury enough to get back on field late in the 1991 season where he played in 23 games. After sitting out the entire 1992 season, Jackson came back for the 1993 campaign with an artificial hip. The hip injury occurred while Jackson was a member of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders. On Opening Day 1993, Jackson hit a home run in his first at bat and dedicated the feat to his late mother. Jackson was a key contributor to the 1993 A.L. Central champions, hitting .232 with 16 homers and 45 RBIs in 85 games. He played the 1994 season with the Angels and then retired. Jackson, the focus of a few Sox season ticket ads during his brief time in Chicago, is still one of the most popular players in franchise history.

Jim Thome's 77 home runs in 2006 and 2007 were the sixth highest two-season total in franchise history. Ahead of him are Paul Konerko (81, 2004-05), Frank Thomas (80, 1995-96), Thomas (79, 1993-94), Belle 79 (1997-98) and Thomas (78, 1994-1995) <i>Now you know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall</i>

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY For more, visit www.whitesoxalmanac.com 1929: The White Sox purchased outfielder Smead Jolley from San Francisco of the Pacific Coast League for $50,000. Jolley, who ranks third all-time with a .366 lifetime minor league average, went on to have one of the great rookie campaigns in White Sox history in 1930. Patrolling left and center fields, the left-handed hiting Arkansan hit .313 with still-standing club rookie records in hits (193) and RBIs (114). Jolley also led the A.L. with 17 outfield assists but he also made 14 errors. It was his defense – or lack thereof – that limited Jolley’s playing time in 1931 and 1932 where he played just 66 games. His colorful career at 35th and Shields ended when the Sox traded him to Boston early in the 1932 season. 1975: White Sox pitchers Jim Kaat and Rich Gossage both received votes in balloting for the 1975 American League Cy Young Award, which was announced on this day. Baltimore’s Jim Palmer won the award in voting done by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Kaat, who went 20-14, tied for fifth with seven points while Gossage, who led the American League with 26 saves, tied for sixth with two points.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: NOV 3 www.whitesoxalmanac.com/ ENJOY! 1988: Jeff Torborg was hired as manager of the White Sox. Torborg, who was hired by general manager Larry Himes, served three seasons on the White Sox bench in succeeding Jim Fregosi. After a tough 1989, Torborg led the White Sox to winning seasons in 1990 and 1991 before leaving to become manager of the Mets. Torborg’s best season was 1990 when he took a young team and coaxed 94 wins out of them. For his efforts, he was named the American League’s Manager of the Year. 2003: In a bold and controversial move, the White Sox hired Ozzie Guillen as manager. General manager Kenny Williams made the hire despite the fact that Guillen was only 39 and had never managed in the big leagues. In his introductory press conference, Guillen, who played for the Sox from 1985 to 1997, talked passionately about his managerial style. The move turned out to be a stroke of genius. Speaking his mind and rarely backing down, Guillen led the White Sox the 2005 World Series title.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: OCTOBER 31/LOAIZA For more, visit http://www.whitesoxalmanac.com/ ENJOY! 2003: In a “no-brainer” move, the White Sox picked up pitcher Esteban Loaiza’s option after the right-hander had turned in one of the great seasons in franchise history. After being signed as a free agent in January, Loaiza made the club as a non-roster invitee to spring training. Loaiza, who had perfected a “cutter,” went on to go 21-9 with a 2.09 ERA while leading the league with 207 strikeouts. How good was Loaiza that season? Six of the starts in which he received a loss or a no decision resulted in quality starts so, in a perfect world, he could have won 27 games that season. Loaiza’s dream season included a start in the All-Star Game at US Cellular Field and the victory record for Mexican natives. Shortly after making the 2004 All-Star team, Loaiza was dealt to the Yankees for pitcher Jose Contreras.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: OCTOBER 30 For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com 1967: Owner Arthur Allyn announced the White Sox will play nine games in Milwaukee in 1968 in hopes of bolstering sagging attendance. Some felt, though, this was paving the franchise’s way for a move to Milwaukee, which had been without Major League Baseball since the Braves bolted for Atlanta following the 1965 season. The White Sox became the first American League team to play regular season games outside its own city since 1905. The Sox went 1-8 in 1968 and 7-4 in 1969 while entertaining Milwaukee fans to at least one game against each American League team.

Javier Vazquez became the seventh pitcher in White Sox (13th time) history to notch 200 innings and 200 strikeouts in a season in 2007. Of the seven hurlers who accomplished this feat, Loaiza came the closest (3Ks) to equalling his K total with his IP total. Here's the list 2007--Vazquez..........216.2 IP-213 SO 2003--Loaiza.............226.1 IP-207 SO 1996--Fernandez.......258.0 IP-200 SO 1972--Bradley...........260.0 IP-209 SO 1971--Wood..............334.0 IP-210 SO 1971--Bradley...........285.2 IP-206 SO 1964--Peters.............273.2 IP-205 SO 1967--Peters.............260.0 IP-215 SO 1912--Walsh..............393.0 IP-254 SO 1911--Walsh..............368.2 IP-255 SO 1910--Walsh..............369.2 IP-258 SO 1908--Walsh..............464.0 IP-269 SO 1907--Walsh..............422.1 IP-206 SO

tHIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: OCTOBER 29TH www.whitesoxalmanac.com/ ENJOY! 1956: Al Lopez replaced Marty Marion as White Sox manager after a successful career in Cleveland which culminated in the American League pennant in 1954. Lopez guided the White Sox second place finishes in 1957 and 1958 before leading the club to its first American League pennant in 40 years in 1959. Over the next six seasons, Lopez led the Sox to three second place finishes and got the club to within one game of the flag in 1964. Lopez retired after the 1965 season and stayed with the franchise as special assignment vice-president. Following the tumultuous reign of Eddie Stanky, Lopez returned to the Sox bench for the end of 1968 season and the start of the 1969 campaign. Lopez resigned for good May 2, 1969 and retired to Florida. Lopez left Chicago second only to Jimmy Dykes in managerial victories (840) and fifth with a .562 winning percentage. The genial “Senor” was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977. 1986: Larry Himes was named to replace Ken Harrelson as White Sox general manager. Himes served as GM until 1990. Himes built the White Sox into a contender in the early 1990s through a series of wise trades and shrewd draft picks. Between 1987 and 1990, Himes drafted Jack McDowell, Robin Ventura, Frank Thomas and Alex Fernandez in the first round. Himes also swung the deals that brought Wilson Alvarez, Joey Cora, Melido Perez and Greg Hibbard to the South Side. 1993: Ron Schueler announced he will stay with the White Sox as senior vice-president of major league operations. Schueler took over as GM after the 1990 season and held the post through the 2000 campaign.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: OCT. 28 www.whitesoxalmanac.com/ ENJOY! 2005: The White Sox put an exclamation point on their World Series championship with a triumphant victory parade that began at US Cellular Field and ended in the Loop. In between, the caravan of double-decker busses carrying White Sox players and members of the organization traversed through the city’s famous neighborhoods much to the delight of the fans – estimated at 1.7 million – who lined the streets waving white socks, banners and brooms. The parade fed into the Loop where the White Sox were showered with ticker-tape. The program on the podium reached its peak when Paul Konerko presented the ball he gloved for the final out of the World Series to Chairman of the Board Jerry Reinsdorf. The long-time front man for the White Sox was clearly moved. “Getting this ball from Paul Konerko is the most emotional moment of my life,” Reinsdorf told the crowd. The festivities concluded with former Journey lead singer Steve Perry belting out “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” – the Sox 2005 playoff theme song – with a few players on stage.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: OCTOBER 27TH For more, visit www.whitesoxalmanac.com 2005: The White Sox set foot on Chicago soil for the first time as World Champions. The White Sox returned home to Midway Airport a day after claiming the World Series title with a sweep in Houston. Chairman of the Board Jerry Reinsdorf carried the World Series trophy off the plane much to the delight of the thousands that greeted the team on the city’s southwest side. The next day, a massive victory parade that traversed through the city’s neighborhoods and wound up in the Loop would be held.

The great Ed Sherman had a story in today's Tribune detailing the return of Chris Singleton to the booth. Here's the link: http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...tesox-headlines I am an unabashed Ed Farmer fan. Love him. He can broadcast games forever as far as I am concerned. As for Singlio ... as Farmer would say, "Uh ... No." I can't say I disliked Singleton as much as I felt sorry for him. For a guy who played the game, his knowledge of the game was weak. Off the top of my head, I know he didn't know how to keep score and he was not familiar with people in the game such as umpires and former players. He obviously was rushed into a position he was not ready for. Heckuva nice guy, though. Good player, too. The obvious desire was to pair Farmer with Stone. Aside from myself, I would think that would be the ideal tandem. ... Paciorek would have been a great foil for Farmer. However, let me throws this INSANE proposal out there. Last year, Bernie Mac stopped by for an inning and his interaction with Farmer went so well, he stayed for another half. It was the best inning of White Sox radio broadcasts since Rooney left. Farmer and Mac were comfortable with each other ... they were both Sox fans from the city. They talked about CVS, the old park, the current team, movies ... It was damn entertaining. All the while, Singleton was sitting in the corner probably with his mouth hanging open thinking, 'O, so this is how it's supposed to be done.' I know Mac is a Sox fan. I shook his hand after Game 1 of the World Series as I was leaving the park. You know who else was good with Farmer? Pat Quinn. Maybe the best idea would be to find people Farmer likes and just rotate them in there. Jesse White was another one. Thanks for listening!

On this date in 2005, the White Sox won the World Series. Not the Yankees Not the Red Sox Not the Dodgers Not the Cardinals Not the Cu ... never mind .........................................................THE WHITE SOX! It feels as good today as it did then.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: OCTOBER 26TH OCTOBER 26TH 2005: WORLD CHAMPIONS. The greatest season in the 106-year history of the franchise known as the Chicago American Ballclub ended with a 1-0 win over the Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston. The triumph gave the White Sox a sweep of the World Series and their first championship since 1917. It was a beautiful game -- tense, tight and low scoring probably because the teams has played past 1 a.m. earlier in the day in finishing off the White Sox Game 3 triumph. When a charging Juan Uribe threw out Orlando Palmeiro for the game’s final out, it set off a wild but respectful celebration in Houston and throughout Sox-land. The Sox scored the game’s only run in the eighth when pinch-hitter Willie Harris led off with a single, took second on Scott Podsednik bunt, advanced to third on a Carl Everett ground out and scored when Jermaine Dye pushed a single through to center field. The Astros threatened in the ninth but Uribe made an unbelievable diving catch into the stands and then assisted on the final out to hand the Sox the crown. Freddy Garcia got the victory, Bobby Jenks earned the save and Dye was named World Series MVP. In a beautiful chunk of symmetry, the Sox began the season with a 1-0 win, began the second half with a 1-0 win and ended their season with a 1-0 win. Long live the kings!

"I love Geoff Blum." -me on seeing that swing.

In honor of Geoff Blum Day ... Geoff Blum is the only White Sox switch-hitter to hit a postseason home run (Game 3 of the 2005 World Series). ...

Indeed ... I made the fix. Thanks. I think I fell in love with the Catfish Hunter/Buehrle stat. I have a bad habit sometimes of fallling in love with a stat like that and not letting the facts get in the way. As for the roof, that Astro whining was, shall we say, Cub-esque? I love Geoff Blum

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: OCTOBER 25TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com 2005: With one swing, Geoff Blum endeared himself to White Sox fans in perpetuity. Blum laced a solo home run into the right field bleachers in the 14th inning to give the White Sox the lead in Game 3 of the World Series. The Sox added a run later in the inning and hung on for a 7-5 victory over the Astros in Houston to move within a game of a Fall Classic sweep and their first World Series title since 1917. Blum entered the game at second base in the 13th inning and the home run came in his only at bat in the World Series. His home run is one of the great moments in the history of the White Sox. The Astros threatened in their 14th but Mark Buehrle came on and got the final out with two on sheer guts to earn the first save of his big league career and his first posting three saves in his first year of pro ball at Class-A Burlington in 1999. The game was the longest by time and innings in World Series history. The Sox fell behind 4-0 after four innings but took the lead with five in the fifth off Astro ace Roy Oswalt. Crede, in the midst of a great World Series, started the uprising with a home run. After Tadahito Iguchi and Jermaine Dye brought in runs with single, A.J. Pierzynski put the Sox on top with a two-run double. Houston tied the game in the eighth and the contest remained deadlocked until Blum stepped to the plate against rookie Ezquiel Asatacio with two out in the 14th inning. Later that day, the Sox would return to Minute Maid Park and finish off the Astros and win the World Series.

Usually games played and at bats are boring stats and I generally keep them "off the board" in my stat job with the Sox Scoreboard Operations Department. However, keeping players on the field was a problem in 2007 ... Paul Konerko led the White Sox with 151 games in 2007. The last time the Sox had a leader with fewer than Konerko's number was in 1979 when Chet Lemon paced the team with 148 contests (this discounts the strike-shortened seasons of 1981, 1994 and 1995).