This Day In Sox History...June 8

[Lip Man 1]

June 8, 1947 - Luke Appling Day was celebrated at Comiskey Park. The future Hall of Famer was among the all-time Sox leaders in numerous categories and won the batting title in 1936, hitting a remarkable .388. He repeated as batting champ in 1943 with a .328 average. He went 1 for 6 in the first game of a double header against Washington. The Sox lost 1-0 in 18 innings before winning the nightcap 8-2, a game Appling did not play in.

 

June 8, 1951 - Chicago area native Marv Rotblatt became the first pitcher to enter a game while being driven in from the center field bullpen. Rotblatt relieved starter Ken Holcombe in the eighth inning, in the Sox 4-2 loss to the Yankees who stood in their dugout and watched in amazement along with almost 54-thousand fans on a Friday night.

In the 1960's, Sox pitchers were brought into the game in golf carts and in 1966, a converted snowmobile (sponsored by Nickey Chevrolet) that was fitted with special skies so as to not harm the grass, performed the task.

 

June 8, 1981 - The new look White Sox found themselves on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Slugger Greg Luzinski was featured with the caption, “The Sox’ New Sock. Chicago Slugger Greg Luzinski.”

 

June 8, 2001 - Sox outfielder Carlos Lee became the first player to hit a walk off extra inning grand slam in interleague play (including the World Series) as his blast in the 10^th inning blew up the Cubs 7-3 at Comiskey Park. The shot was off Courtney Duncan. Lee would have five RBI’s that evening. The hit scored Tony Graffanino, Chris Singleton and Ray Durham.

 

June 8, 2008 - The White Sox tied the Major League record when they scored 10 or more runs with 15 or more hits in three consecutive games. The Sox would power past Minnesota three straight times on their way to a four-game series sweep. The record setting scores were 10-6, 11-2 and 12-2. The Sox would hit eight home runs in the three games with four coming off the bat of Joe Crede. He had two home runs in consecutive games tying the team record.