This Day In Sox History...October 15

[Lip Man 1]

October 15, 1917 - The Sox won their second World Series title beating the New York Giants four games to two. The score in the series clincher was also 4-2.

Future Hall of Famer Eddie Collins hit .409 with pitcher Urban “Red” Faber, another future Hall of Famer, winning three games (and losing one!) Afterwards a young federal judge and White Sox fan, one Kenesaw Mountain Landis sent a telegram congratulating the Sox for a job well done.

The telegram read, “We did a fine job today...we disposed of the Giants.” Landis would go on to become the first baseball commissioner in the wake of the “Black Sox” scandal.

 

October 15, 2020 – On the basis of their first winning season since 2012 and tremendous individual accomplishments, The Sporting News named Sox G. M. Rick Hahn their Executive of the Year and first baseman Jose Abreu the Player of the Year. Hahn became the third Sox executive to win the award following Roland Hemond (1972) and Bill Veeck (1977).

Hahn’s deals and restocking the farm system during the rebuild proved to be worthwhile as the Sox turned the corner during the pandemic shortened season with a mark of 35-25 and their first playoff appearance since 2008. He received six of the 18 votes. San Diego’s A.J. Preller was second.

Abreu just crushed baseballs since the first day of the year, posting a .317 batting average with 19 home runs, 15 doubles and an American League high 60 RBI during the 60-game season, appearing in every game. He led the American League in hits (76), slugging percentage, total bases (148) and RBI’s and was second in home runs.

Abreu joined Frank Thomas (1993) and Early Wynn (1959) as White Sox players to win the award. Indians’ right-hander Shane Bieber was second and Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman third in the voting.