Apr
29 years ago today, Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Morris no-hit the Chicago White Sox, striking out eight and walking six in a 4-0 win. It was an auspicious start for Detroit, who led the American League East wire-to-wire and won the ’84 World Series 4-1 over the San Diego Padres.
Mar
50 years ago today, during a spring training game against the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds’ regular second baseman Don Blasingame pulled a groin muscle; his replacement was a 21-year-old named Pete Rose, who debuted with hits in his first two at-bats. During another spring training game against the New York Yankees, Whitey Ford gave him the nickname “Charlie Hustle” after Rose sprinted to first base after drawing a walk.
Aug
On August 21st 1926, Chicago White Sox pitcher Ted Lyons no-hit the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Lyons’ no-hitter, which took just 67 minutes, was the eighth in franchise history, and only the second on the road.
Aug
On this day in 1948, 42-year-old Cleveland Indian Satchel Paige pitched his first major-league complete game, shutting out the White Sox, 5-0. An estimated 51,000 people paid to see the game, with thousands more crashing Comiskey Park’s gates to see the 20-year Negro League veteran pitch.
Aug
On this day in 1990, Chicago White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk tied Johnny Bench’s home run record for the position. Fisk hit his 327th career homer off Kansas City’s Tom Gordon in the seventh inning of a 5-1 Royals victory.
Jul
On this day in 1989, the Texas Rangers acquired Harold Baines from the White Sox in exchange for Wilson Alvarez, Scott Fletcher, and Sammy Sosa (just over a month after Sosa’s major-league debut).
Jul
July 16th marks the 1887 birth of baseball legend “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, owner of the third-highest career batting average of all time (.356). In 1999, he ranked #35 on The Sporting News’ list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players.
Jun
On June 7th 1933, former Indians and White Sox pitcher Herb Score was born in Rosedale, New York. The 1955 American League Rookie of the Year, Score struck out 245 batters in his rookie year, a record that stood until 1984.
May
Celebrating his 44th birthday today is former Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas. “The Big Hurt” was a five-time All-Star, two-time American League MVP (’93, ’94), and AL Comeback Player of the Year in 2000. His #35 was retired by the White Sox in 2010.
May
79 years ago today, Major League Baseball announced that its first All-Star Game would be played on July 6th at Chicago’s Comiskey Park as part of the Chicago Wold’s Fair. Two months later, the American League won the initial game, 4-3, in front of 47,595 spectators. Pictured above are Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth (Yankees), Chuck Klein (Phillies), and Jimmie Foxx (Athletics).
