THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: JANUARY 22ND/SHINGO!

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THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: JANUARY 22ND

 

For more (including Jan. 19-21), see www.whitesoxalmanac.com

 

THE LAST 35 BEFORE FRANK

1988: The White Sox signed pitcher Jeff Bittiger. The right-hander had an undistinguished two-year, 27-game stint with the Sox, going 2-6. He will go down in club history as the last player to wear No. 35 before Frank Thomas.

 

DANNY’S DANDY … FOR A YEAR

1996: Danny Tartabull became the White Sox latest right fielder when they acquired the slugger from the Oakland Athletics for pitcher Andrew Lorraine and minor leaguer Charles Poe. Tartabull went on to have a solid campaign for a team that was talented enough to make the playoffs but fell short. Serving as the Sox sixth regular right fielder in the last six seasons, Tartabull hit .254 with 27 home runs and 101 RBIs.

 

THE SHINGO SENSATION IS BORN

2004: The White Sox signed legendary Japanese relief pitcher Shingo Takatsu as a free agent. The 35-year-old submarining right-hander came to the Sox after 13 seasons with the Yakult Swallows of the Japanese Central League where he saved at least 29 games in each year between 1999 and 2003. Takatsu was part of four Japanese League titles and earned the nickname “Mr. Zero” because he was unscored upon in 10 championship series games in his career. Takatsu emerged as the Sox closer and a fan favorite in 2004 when he used his Frisbee type of breaking pitch to log 19 saves a 2.31 ERA in 59 outings. The magic did not last in 2005. After 31 outings, eight saves and a whopping 5.97 ERA, the Sox released Takatsu. When Shingo faltered early in 2005, Dustin Hermanson stepped in as the closer. When Hermanson was hobbled, Bobby Jenks took over and the rest, as they say, was history.