StatManDu

MARCH 29TH TOMMY CAN YOU HEAR ME? YOU’RE TRADED 1971: The White Sox traded first baseman-outfielder Tommy McCraw, a member of the organization since 1960, to the Washington Senators for outfielder Ed Stroud, who had previously been with the team in 1966 and 1967. McCraw was solid performer in his eight years with the Sox, hitting between .220 and .261. He was a rare commodity in Sox history, a leadoff hitting first baseman with speed. McCraw swiped at least12 bases in seven of his eight seasons with the Sox. McCraw experienced the best and worst of the game in his time in Sox yarns. On May 24, 1967, McCraw clubbed three home runs and drove in a franchise-record eight runs in a 14-1 win at Minnesota. On May 3, 1968, McCraw tied an A.L. record by committing three errors in an inning. Stroud didn’t pan out in 1971, hitting just .171 in 53 games. For the rest of the day, click on www.whitesoxalmanac.com ... sponsored by nobody!

MARCH 28TH ACQUIRING ALAMP 1981: In one of the most underrated deals of his tenure, White Sox general manager Roland Hemond acquired Dennis Lamp from the Cubs for Ken Kravec. Lamp spent three years with the White Sox and was a versatile contributor to three consecutive winning teams. The right-hander logged a 2.41 ERA in 1981, won a career-high 11 games in 1982 and led the A.L. West Division champions with 15 saves in 1983. His best outing came on Aug. 25, 1981 when he no-hit the Brewers at Milwaukee until Robin Yount led off the ninth with a double. Lamp settled for a one-hitter, the second of his career. Even in departure, Lamp was good to the Sox. When he signed as a free agent with Toronto following the 1983 season, the Sox were awarded a selection in the now-defunct compensation pool draft, which was part of the settlement of the 1981 strike. The Sox chose Tom Seaver, whom the Mets had left unprotected figuring that no team would select a high-priced veteran pitcher. Seaver went on to have two solid seasons with the Sox. The left-handed Kravec, meanwhile, won two games in two seasons for the Cubs. For the rest of the day, a stumper and more ... visit www.whitesoxalmanac.com

MARCH 27 SQUEEZING THE GRAPEFRUIT FOR THE LAST TIME 1997: The White Sox defeated the Boston Red Sox 6-1 in Fort Myers, Fla., in their final Grapefruit League game. The Sox called Sarasota, Florida their spring training home since 1960 but were bound for Tucson, Arizona and the Cactus League beginning in 1998. Awaiting the Sox was a $35 million sports complex, which included Tucson Electric Park. HELLO DAMASO 2002: The White Sox acquired reliever Damaso Marte from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor league pitcher Matt Guerrier. The Sox got a lot of use out of the left-handed Marte, pitching him 279 times between 2002 and 2005. Marte’s time with the Sox peaked in 2003 when he was 4-2 with 11 saves and a 1.58 ERA. How dominant was he that year? Marte surrendered just 50 hits in 79.2 innings and struck out 87 batters. Sorry I have been running behind ... I have actually been at the park the last two days ... It's look great and green!

JOE ON THE GO 1987: In search of some outfield help and with a surplus of startin pitcher, the Sox dealt Joe Cowley to the Philadelphia Phillies for Gary Redus. Cowley was effecive -- and sometimes brilliant -- but erratic duiing his one-year stint with the White Sox. That was never more evident than in his no-hitter of Sept. 19, 1986. In the White Sox 7-1 victory at California, Cowley walked seven and struck out eight in tossing the 14th no-hitter in franchise hitter and the first since John "Blue Moon" Odom and Francisco Barrios accomplished the feat together at Oakland. Another Cowley paradox: On May 28, 1986, the right-hander began his start at Texas with seven consecutive strikeouts, an A.L. record, but wound up losing the game. Cowley was 11-11 with a 3.88 ERA for the 1986 Sox but the presence of veterans Richard Dotson, Floyd Bannister and Jose DeLeon and the emergence of Bill Long and Neil Allen made Cowley expendable. Cowley flamed out in a hurry in Philadelphia after suffering severe control problems. In five games (four starts) with the Phils, Cowley was 0-4 with a 15.43 ERA. Redus became the Sox regular left fielder and swiped 52 bases.

For the rest of the day check out www.whitesoxalmanac.com (sponsored by nobody) MARCH 25TH CATCHING HELP ARRIVES 1999: The White Sox acquired catcher Brook Fordyce from the Cincinnati Reds for minor league pitcher Jake Meyer. With prospects Mark Johnson and Josh Paul not quite ready, the Sox were worrisomely thin at catcher so the arrival of Fordyce couldn’t have come at a better time. Fordyce gave the White Sox a fine 1999, hitting .297 with nine home runs and 49 RBIs. Fordyce stayed with the Sox until July of 2000 when he was shipped to Baltimore as part of the Harold Baines-Charles Johnson trade.

MARCH 24 ANOTHER STEP IN THE COMEBACK 1993: The White Sox exercised the option on outfielder-designated hitter Bo Jackson, assuring that Jackson and his artificial hip would make the 25-man roster. This may have been a foregone conclusion since the team had been using Bo and his plastic hip in ads to sell season tickets. Regardless, the man had come all the way back from a potentially debilitating hip injury. Jackson would make history when he became the first player with an artificial hip to play and homer in a big league game when he went deep on his first swing of the season in the Comiskey Park opener April 9. For the rest of the day plus a stumper and birthdays, visit www.whitesoxalmanac.com

QUOTE(Beltin @ Mar 23, 2007 -> 09:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Everyone scratched their heads at the trade of Bernazard, although no one argues with the results. With Cruz and Rudy Law setting the table, Fisk, Kittle, Luzinski Baines and Paciorek were able to do some serious damage the rest of the way. Those are great points. Not a bad idea, too .. A Retro Board. Kind of like ESPN Classic. I think there would have been outrage. The team was treading water at the time and I think most people would have reacted with "Bernazard is not the problem" or "Why not get a SS or 3Bman" or "Floyd Bannister was a major waste of money, why not get rid of him."

The old park ... LaGrow ... Kenny Williams ... Julio Cruz ... what a day ... check out the whole thing plus a trivia question at www.whitesoxalmanac.com ... ENJOY! SOUTHSIDE HITMEN GET THEIR CLOSER 1977: General manager Roland Hemond pulled off a beauty of a deal when he acquired Lerrin LaGrow from the St. Louis Cardinals for Clay Carroll in a swap of right-handed relievers. LaGrow went on to have one of the best seasons ever by a Sox closer. The Phoenix native posted 25 saves, the third highest total in franchise history since the stat became official, while becoming an integral part of one of the most significant seasons in club history. Carroll, meanwhile, made his way back to the Sox for the end of the 1977 campaign after appearing in 51 games for the Cards. POURING OUT THE JUICE 1987: The White Sox released Julio Cruz, cutting ties with one of the sparkplugs of their 1983 American League Western Division title team. It was a great beginning but a sour end for the affable Cruz. The second baseman hit .251 and swiped 24 bases after being acquired from Seattle June 15, 1983. His acquisition is often pointed to as one of the main reasons why the 1983 Sox went on that second half tear and won the division going away. Following the season, the Sox signed Cruz to a six-year contract. That turnedout to be a colossal mistake. “The Juice” was never the same after the magical 1983 season. His release on this date concluded one of the most bittersweet careers in team annals.

MARCH 22ND HI HI 1947: The White Sox claimed pitcher Hi Bithorn, the first native of Puerto Rico to play in the Major Leagues, off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Unfortunately, the right-hander from Santurce was not able to recapture the touch he had shown with the 1943 Cubs with the Sox. After going 18-12 with a league-best seven shutouts for the 1943 Cubs, Bithorn won just seven more big league games following a stint in the military. His win for the White Sox over the Philadelphia A’s in the first game of a doubleheader May 4, 1947 was his last win and big league game. The legacy to his big league career and the contributions he made is a stadium named in his honor in Puerto Rico. For more ... see www.whitesoxalmanac.com

Condensing the posts below, here is a list of the candidates for the best pitched inning in Sox history in no particular order 4-19-00 Keith Foulke vs Seattle Game 3 2005 ALDS El Duque Bill Simas 6-28-96 vs. Cleveland 8th inning Game 1 2005 World Series 2003 World Series Game 3, Garland vs. Biggio 8-22-93 Jack McDowell at Twins 8-22-23 Hollis Thurston fans the side on 9 pitches Any more ... I'll update the list with some detail at a later date.

For the rest of the day, click on www.whitesoxalmanac.com MARCH 21ST ASSENMACHER COMES/MJ GOES 1994: On the day they assigned Michael Jordan to their minor league camp, the White Sox acquired left-handed reliever Paul Assenmacher from the Yankees for minor league pitcher Brian Boehringer. Assenmacher was brought on to give Scott Radinsky, the only reliable lefty in the Sox bullpen, some help. … As for Jordan, he would alternate among Sox affiliates for the rest of spring training before the Sox finally assigned him to Double-A Birmingham at month’s end. VENTURA INJURED 1997: White Sox third baseman Robin Ventura suffered an ankle injury so grotesque that a fan reportedly fainted. The injury occurred when Ventura slid into home in the fourth inning of the White Sox 4-1 Grapefruit League victory over the Boston Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla. Ventura suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle. He would undergo surgery the next day. During the operation, a screw was inserted to stabilize the ankle. The injury was expected to cost Ventura three to four months. Ventura began his minor league rehab assignment on July 14. By July 24, he was back in the Sox lineup and he delivered game-winning hit that night at Comiskey Park in what was one of the most emotional moments at the park in some time.

QUOTE(Brian26 @ Mar 20, 2007 -> 10:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> If it's all about Sox history, there's no reason to promote your website on every post. There are people on WSI that have contributed a thousand times the amount of information you have over the years....for free and without trying to promote their own agenda. I have been contributing information on the White Sox as a "day of game" member of their Scoreboard Operations Dept since 1984. Every stat, trivia, note, farm note and/or almanac item flashed during a game was either written, edited or produced by me. Basically, my blog is a collection of the work and research I have done over the years. Sorry to disappoint you but unlike WSI, there are no money making ventures on my blog. None. I do it as a hobby, for freem in my spare time. As for an agenda ... what could it be? Political? Financial? That's funny. There is none. Again, sorry to let you down. I am just providing Sox fans with a place to learn about the history of the team. That's all. I don't see what the harm of giving people a link to blog that offers items on White Sox history on daily basis. I post many of them on this site anyway.

QUOTE(WSoxMatt @ Mar 20, 2007 -> 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I remember Burns giving up a single to California in the 1st and then retiring everyone else...it was 11-0...Back to back to back HRS for Fisk, Paciorek, and Luzinski in the 1st Inning off Tommy John One of the innings from that 1993 game I will nominate for one of the best pitched in franchise history. I think it was the sixth when he got Puckett and Hrbek on strikes and then got Winfield to fly out to a tumbling Lance Johnson.

Tell them their leadoff man struck out 160 times in each of the last two seasons.

For more, plus a stumper, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com MARCH 20TH NEW GIG FOR HAROLD 2004: A day after Joe Nossek retired, Harold Baines was appointed as White Sox bench coach. Baines took over for Nossek, who had been with the franchise for 14 seasons. The appointment was Baines’ first coaching job though he had been with the organization in different capacities since retiring in 2001. Baines would serve as manager Ozzie Guillen’s bench coach for the 2004 and 2005 seasons before taking the job as first coach for the 2006 campaign.

For the rest of the day, plus a stumper, visit www.whitesoxalmanac.com MARCH 19TH NOSSEK CALLS IT QUITS 2004: Longtime White Sox bench coach Joe Nossek resigned after 14 seasons of service to the franchise. Harold Baines would be named as his replacement the following day. An expert sign-stealer, Nossek was first employed by the Sox as manager Jeff Torborg’s “eye-in-the-sky” positioning the team’s defense in 1990. The Ohio University product and former Minnesota Twin tutored Sox hitters in 1984 and first base coach in 1985. Following a stint as the Astros advance scout, Nossek rejoined the Sox. During his Sox stint, Nossek served as interim manager for eight games, going 3-5.

QUOTE(sayitaintso @ Mar 18, 2007 -> 11:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This is what i was going to say for the best inning. That's is a darn fine entry. I was there for that game and you captured it perfectly. The at bat against Bagwell was literally a moving experience. This is great stuff

I usually have this up earlier but I wanted to make sure I had this just right. I found this fascinating. MARCH 18TH JACKIE ROBINSON AND THE WHITE SOX 1942: The White Sox were in position to change the course of baseball history but passed. On this date, White Sox manager Jimmy Dykes watched African American athletes Jackie Robinson and Nate Moreland work out at his team’s spring training facility in Pasadena, California. According to Jules Tygiel’s 1983 book “Baseball’s Great Experiment,” Robinson, best known as a football star at UCLA, and Moreland, a Negro League pitcher, requested a tryout, which Dykes granted. History tells us that nothing came of the tryout but Dykes, who stated he was willing to accept black players, was impressed even though Robinson was hobbled by a charley horse, according to Tygiel. “I’d hate to see him on two good legs,” Dykes said. “He’s worth $50,000 of anybody’s money. He stole everything but my infielders’ gloves.” After a stint in the army and with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues and the minor league Montreal Royals, Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier with Brooklyn in 1947. Robinson did not mention this tryout with the White Sox in his 1972 autobiography “I Never Had It Made.” Minnie Minoso broke the White Sox color barrier on May 1, 1951. For the rest of the day, check out www.whitesoxalmanac.com

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Mar 18, 2007 -> 02:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Apparently WSI wasn't big enough for two sports editors, but whatever. Charlie Robertson threw a perfect game in a White Sox uniform, How many people are aware of that? Thanks, all. I appreciate the kind words and love doing the blog. It's all about Sox history, that's all. I never could really convince the fine folks at WSI that. O well. Other best pitched inning candidates that I will delve deeper into later: Bill Simas, Hollis Thurston, Scot Radinsky and Jack McDowell. That Foulke inning has a soft spot in my heart. It was intense and showcased all that was good about baseball.

Another message board (which will go nameless) has banned me for linking to my blog (www.whitesoxalmanac.com). However, they started a discussion which I really liked and would be interested in others opinions: The greatest pitched inning in franchise history. Over there, the consensus was El Duque in Game 3 of the 2005 ALDS. Can't argue with that but I put forth this story: Keith Foulke, who retired recently, will obviously go down as one of the great closers in White Sox history. His 100 saves – the third best total in club annals -- are a testament to that. But it was in his first job with the Sox – as a set up man – that “Foulkie” delivered what I consider his most memorable moment as a pivotal part of one of the most surprising campaigns in team history. The date was April 19, 2000 and the White Sox were playing the Seattle Mariners in a sparsely attended, rain-plagued affair on a “getaway” day at “new” Comiskey Park. The right-hander with the deadly change entered the game in the seventh inning in his role as the “lead-in” to Bobby Howry. It took some time for Foulke to convince manager Jerry Manuel that he was the right man for the closer’s job. Howry opened 2000 as the “go-to” guy in the Sox pen with Foulke serving as the set-up man. No one questioned this strategy since Howry had saved 28 games and Foulke whiffed 123 batters in 105.1 innings with a 2.22 ERA in those roles in 1999. Rain and threatening skies had emptied the park of most of its 8,425 spectators when Foulke surrendered a double to Stan Javier to start the frame. With the Sox holding a 4-2 lead, the tying run stepped to the plate in the form of the daunting Alex Rodriguez. What happened then was one of the great pitcher-hitter battles I have ever witnessed. I was lucky enough to have a “bird’s eye” view of this showdown from behind home plate. The stubborn Foulke and the determined Rodriguez went head-to-head for 12 pitches with neither man refusing to relent. The at bat included nine tension-mounting foul balls with at least five coming in succession. Foulke finally emerged as the conqueror in this donnybrook when he got “A-Rod” to ground out to Jose Valentin at shortstop. Javier moved to third on the play and things got hairy again when Foulke walked Edgar Martinez. Foulke then came through again when he induced long-time Sox killer John Olerud to bounce into a rare and niftly-executed 3-6-1 double play. When Foulke gloved the final out in that sequence, he delivered a modest fist pump while heading back to the dugout. Foulke knew immediately what he had accomplished. The Sox added a run in the bottom of the frame and Foulke turned in a 1-2-3 eighth before giving way to Howry. The Mariners went quietly in the ninth and the Sox had their 5-2 win. Sean Lowe, whom Foulke replaced, got the victory while Howry earned the save. The triumph was an important one as the Sox moved into first place for good in the A.L. Central. The team would be outright holders of the division’s top spot for all but three of the season’s remaining days. While Foulke was not rewarded statistically for his effort against Rodriguez, I am convinced that the sequence in which Foulke prevailed and that seventh inning was a turning point in the season. It didn’t take long after that for Manuel to give Foulke the full-time closer’s job. It could be argued that Foulke was the Most Valuable Player of the Sox 2000 Central Division title team. In that gratifying season, Foulke went 3-1 with a 2.97 ERA and 34 saves while giving up just 66 hits and striking out 91 in 88 innings.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Mar 17, 2007 -> 10:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I disagree. Even Schilling, the guy who was there as the "outsider" who wasn't under the Canseco-accused steroid cloud, came out sounding like he was schilling for Bud Selig. "Oh, we've got the problem totally under control. Yes, this new policy is great. It'll take care of the problem. Oh, that clause they inserted letting Mr. Selig decide to not suspend some people at his discretion doesn't really matter". He didn't come out like Palmeiro or Sosa...but I don't think even the "clean" player there looked good. There's somethng to be said, though, for being there and for feeling so strongly about a subject that you want to be there to testify. I don't think Frank was shilling for anybody. I think if he had been given the chance to speak he would have gone off on the subject. Maybe that's why he wasn't.

To add on to my own entry , Frank really took a few steps up in respect in my book on this one. I only wish he could have been there or had been asked questions.

Here is an interesting item ... For the rest of the day plus a daily Sox Stumper visit www.whitesoxalmanac.com BIG FRANK STANDING TALL 2005: White Sox designated hitter Frank Thomas testified, via satellite from Arizona, before the Committee on Government Reform, which convened at the United States House Representatives in Washington. The panel was entitled: "Restoring Faith in America's Pastime: Evaluating Major League Baseball's Efforts to Eradicate Steroid Use" and included Senators John McCain and Jim Bunning, a Hall of Fame pitcher, among others. Players or former players called to testify were, in order of appearance, Jose Canseco, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, Mark McGwire, Curt Schilling and Thomas. According to a Washington Post article, Thomas and Schilling were invited because of their vocal opposition to steroid use. The other players all had been connected to or accused of steroid use. Thomas did not take part in the questioning but did make the following statement (http://www.businessofbaseball.com/steroidhearings/ThomasTestimony.pdf): “Good morning, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. I want to thank the Chairman and the Ranking member for allowing me to make this statement. My name is Frank Thomas and I am a baseball player for the Chicago White Sox — a team I am proud to have been part of since joining Major League Baseball in 1989. “First of all, Mr. Chairman, let me say that as an outspoken critic of steroids, I would like to work with this Committee, Major League Baseball, and the Players Association to warn everyone – especially young people – about the dangers of performance enhancing drugs. Steroids are dangerous and the public should be educated about them, and in particular, parents should make sure their children are aware that steroids can be bad for their health. “I also believe the League and the Players’ Association have done the right thing by reopening our collective bargaining agreement and strengthening our policy on drug testing. Isupport this new policy as a very good first step in eliminating steroid use from the sport I love. “I have been a major league ballplayer for 15 years. Throughout my career, I have not used steroids. Ever. “Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee.”

MARCH 16TH THE WHITE SOX ARE BORN 1900: A key date in the formation of the franchise: At an meeting in Chicago, American League president Ban Johnson announced that an A.L. team will be placed in Chicago. In an agreement with the National League, the A.L. agreed to put the Chicago team on the south side. In addition, the existing franchise agreed to let the Chicago A.L. team use the nickname “White Stockings,” which used to be their monicker. However, the agreement stipulated that the A.L. team could not use the word “Chicago” in their official name. The White Stockings joined Kansas City, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo in the A.L. TAKING A GAMBLE … AGAIN 1985: Seeking some left-handed depth and punch off the bench, the White Sox re-enlisted Oscar Gamble, who was a key member of the 1977 Southside Hitmen. Gamble made the 1985 club and got into 70 games and hit .203 with four homers and 20 RBIs before being released Aug. 12, 1985 thus ending his 17-year career. A big day for the Sox ... for more including an item on Bo and a Cactus League tilt with the Cubs, click on www.whitesoxalmanac.com

MARCH 15TH KEALEY ARRIVES WITH A BAT 1971: The White Sox acquired pitcher Steve Kealey and catcher Dave Adlesh from the California Angels for catcher Art Kusyner. Kealey, a right-hander, gave the White Sox two pretty fair seasons out of the bullpen and made some history in the process. On Sept. 6, 1971 in the first game of a doubleheader, Kealey became the last White Sox pitcher of the pre-DH era to hit a home run. The three-run blast off Archie Corbin came in a 6-3 victory over Minnesota at Comiskey Park. Kealey’s blast would the last by a White Sox pitcher for 35 years. The next home run by a Sox pitcher wouldn’t come for another 35 years when Jon Garland launched a two-run home run at Cincinnati on June 18, 2006. For the rest of the day in Sox history, click on www.whitesoxalmanac.com