This Day In Sox History...January 31

[Lip Man 1]

January 31, 1909 - Sox catcher Billy Sullivan secured a patent on the first chest protector. It contained a wind pad with compressed air. It was the forerunner of the modern catcher’s chest protector. Sullivan was the White Sox catcher from 1901 through 1912, missed the 1913 season, then came back to play for the team in 1914.

 

January 31, 1956 – George “Buck” Weaver died at the age of 65 in Chicago. Weaver was one of the “Black Sox” that was banned from the game by then Commissioner Kenesaw “Mountain” Landis for his involvement in the fix of the 1919 World Series. Weaver, however, until he died, maintained his innocence and the record shows he hit .324 in the series with 11 hits, five for extra bases. He also was perfect in the field. Despite not taking any money from the gamblers Landis banned him because he knew about the fix but didn’t tell anyone about it.

 

January 31, 2003 - U.S. Cellular Company and the White Sox signed an agreement selling the naming rights to Comiskey Park. The deal was worth 68 million dollars and the contract was for 23 years. The money received by the club contained the stipulation that it could only be used on renovations and upgrades for the stadium, not say, for signing free agents. Because of said renovations U.S. Cellular Field became one of the finest looking stadiums in baseball. The Guaranteed Rate company would then secure naming rights in November 2016.