THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: JAN. 27/Mickey Rivers, Tad

[StatManDu]

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: JANUARY 27TH

 

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MICK THE QUICK GETS AWAY

1968: The White Sox selected future big leaguer Mickey Rivers with their first round pick in the regular phase of the January draft. The Sox used the 13th overall pick on the Miami-Dade North Community College outfielder but he did not sign. It wouldn’t be the last time Rivers would not sign after being drafted. He was finally drafted and signed by Atlanta in 1969 after turning the Mets and Senators in addition to the Sox. Rivers went on to have a productive career throughout the 1970s and had his best years with the Yankees as part of their great teams of that decade. It goes without saying Rivers would have looked mighty good in a Sox uniform during that time.

 

TAD IS HAD

2005: The White Sox signed second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, who had been one of the top players in the Japanese Pacific League between 1997 and 2004. Iguchi’s signing turned out to be one of general manager Ken Williams’ best. Iguchi hit .278 with 15 home runs and 71 RBIs for the 2005 White Sox. His steady play was a key element of the team’s charge to the World Series title. In the playoffs, Iguchi delivered the biggest hit of the Division Series against Boston when he launched a three-run home run off David Wells in the Sox 5-4 win in Game 2. In 2006, Iguchi showed his rookie season was no fluke, hitting .281 with 18 homers and 67 RBIs.