THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: NOV. 22/Kittle, Haynes, Valentin

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THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: NOV. 22

 

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1948: The White Sox traded versatile pitcher Joe Haynes to the Washington Senators for catcher Joe Tipton. The right-hander led the American League with 40 appearances for the 1942 Sox. Six years later, Brown fashioned a career year winning 14 games and posting a league best 2.42 ERA for the Sox. He represented the Sox at the 1948 All-Star Game but did not pitch. Tipton's place in White Sox history was cemented when he was used to acquire the great Nellie Fox from Philadelphia in October of 1949.

 

1957: White Sox second baseman Nellie Fox finished fourth in voting for the American League MVP Award in results released by the Baseball Writers Association of America on this date. Fox’s fourth place finish was the highest by a Sox player in three years. He earned those votes by hitting .317with 186 hits while playing his usual steady second base. Fox earned five first-place votes, second only to winner Mickey Mantle, who won the award. Other Sox receiving votes were Minnie Minoso (eighth), Billy Pierce (11th), Dick Donovan (13th) and Sherm Lollar (22nd).

 

1977: The White Sox made a shrewd pickup when they signed free agent Mike Proly. The right-hander went 5-2 with a save and a 2.74 ERA for the 1978 Sox. In 1979, Proly saved nine games with a 3.87 ERA while those numbers read eight and 3.07 a year later. Right before the start of the 1981 campaign, Proly was dealt to the Phillies for infielder Jay Loviglio.

 

1983: White Sox slugger Ron Kittle was voted American League Rookie of the Year Award in results released by the Baseball Writers Association of America on this date. Kittle set a club rookie record with 35 home runs in helping the Sox win 99 games in capturing the Western Division title by a whopping 20 games. The remarkable year, which also included a berth on the American League All-Star team for the 50th anniversary game at Comiskey Park, was part of a great comeback story. The Gary Ind., native was given a second chance at pro baseball by the White Sox after his first try with the Dodgers was cut short by an injury. Kittle remains one of the most popular players in franchise history.

 

2000: Shortstop Jose Valentin signed a three-year deal with the White Sox (with a fourth-year option) worth a reported $5 million annually. Valentin signed the deal despite being offered more money by three clubs. The switch-hitting Valentin was a big reason why the White Sox won the American League Central Division title. Acquired in a trade with Milwaukee, Valentin hit .273 with a career-high 25 home runs and 92 RBIs in giving the Sox power at short they hadn’t seen since the days of Ron Hansen in the mid-1960s. Valentin played with the Sox through the 2004 season.