This Date In Sox History 4-9

[Lip Man 1]

April 9, 1963 - The start of the season finds the Sox in Detroit and it’s a highlight game for 3rd baseman Pete Ward. Ward smacks a 7th inning, three run home run off Jim Bunning to push the Sox into the lead and he also makes a barehanded pick up and throw out of a slow roller hit by Al Kaline. The Sox would win 7 - 5 and it would be the start of Ward’s Co-American League Rookie of the Year campaign. (Ward talks in detail about that day in his interview with White Sox Interactive.)

April 9, 1971 - It’s was the largest home opener in years as 43,253 fans poured into Comiskey Park to see the ‘new look’ White Sox under Roland Hemond and Chuck Tanner. Ownership was completely caught with their pants down when that many fans showed up. Concession stands and vendors ran out of items by the middle of the game! The Sox wouldn’t disappoint as Rich McKinney’s two out 9th inning single scored Rich Morales with the game winning run in the 3 - 2 win.

April 9, 1976 - Bill Veeck was back and 40,318 fans turned out to say ‘welcome home Bill!’ on opening day. They got their money’s worth, as in a tribute to the Bicentennial, Veeck, manager Paul Richards and front office executive Rudy Schaffer presented the colors dressed as the fife player, drummer and flag bearer of the Revolutionary War. Wilbur Wood tossed a complete game six hitter and Jim Spencer had a two run home run in the 4 - 0 win.

April 9, 1985 - For future Hall of Famer Tom Seaver, it was his record 14th Opening Day start. For Ozzie Guillen it was his debut in the major leagues. The two of them combined to help the Sox beat Milwaukee 4 - 2 at County Stadium. Guillen would get his first hit in the big leagues that day.

April 9, 1990 - It’s the last home opener at the original Comiskey Park and the Sox make it a good one beating the Brewers 2 - 1. Scott Fletcher’s sacrifice fly scores Sammy Sosa with what turned out to be the winning run. Barry Jones got the win with Bobby Thigpen picking up the first of what would be his record setting 57 saves in the season.

April 9, 1993 - During the home opener with the Yankees, Bo Jackson shows that the human spirit is simply amazing. Jackson, playing with an artificial hip, hammers a Neal Heaton pitch into the right field seats for a home run. It’s Jackson’s first at bat since the hip surgery caused by an injury he suffered during his days as an All Pro running back for the Raiders.

http://i22.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/96/13/459f_2.JPG (http://cgi.ebay.com/1964-TOPPS-STAND-UP-PETE-WARD-N-MINT_W0QQitemZ230112100156QQihZ013QQcategoryZ60492 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohos ting) http://i1.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/8d/67/c5de_2.JPG (http://cgi.ebay.com/1971-RICH-MCKINNEY-NM-MT-8-OR-9-WHITE-SOX-37_W0QQitemZ130097842380QQihZ003QQcategoryZ60500QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosti ng) http://i9.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/93/55/34ed_2.JPG (http://cgi.ebay.com/SPORTS-ILLUSTRATED-1973-WILBUR-WOOD-CHICAGO-WHITE-SOX_W0QQitemZ320099412161QQihZ011QQcategoryZ64488Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohost ing) http://i19.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/97/60/ccce_2.JPG (http://cgi.ebay.com/1986-TOPPS-OZZIE-GUILLEN-ROOKIE-CARD-RC-254-WHITE-SOX_W0QQitemZ170099356326QQihZ007QQcategoryZ70404Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohost ing) http://i1.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/7c/15/9390_2.JPG (http://cgi.ebay.com/Bo-Jackson-White-Sox-1993-The-Leaf-Set-Card-MLB_W0QQitemZ230114275315QQihZ013QQcategoryZ55936Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohost ing) http://i4.ebayimg.com/05/i/08/db/79/0b_2.JPG (http://cgi.ebay.com/1990-Donruss-455-AUTO-Scott-Fletcher-White-Sox-w-COA_W0QQitemZ300074109551QQihZ020QQcategoryZ73396Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohost ing)

Lip

[Britt Burns]

April 9, 1990 - It’s the last home opener at the original Comiskey Park and the Sox make it a good one beating the Brewers 2 - 1. Scott Fletcher’s sacrifice fly scores Sammy Sosa with what turned out to be the winning run. Barry Jones got the win with Bobby Thigpen picking up the first of what would be his record setting 57 saves in the season.

April 9, 1993 - During the home opener with the Yankees, Bo Jackson shows that the human spirit is simply amazing. Jackson, playing with an artificial hip, hammers a Neal Heaton pitch into the right field seats for a home run. It’s Jackson’s first at bat since the hip surgery caused by an injury he suffered during his days as an All Pro running back for the Raiders.


Lip


Before 2005, 1990 was the Sox season I enjoyed most, with '93 a close 2nd. If we had only had frank on the team the whole season! I can understand Schu wanting him to get some experience in the minors, but man...having him in place of Carlos Martinez (ugh!)...

Bo's homer was unreal.

[ilsox7]

Bo's homer was unreal.

It was. I remember being at that game and it was surreal to see him in a Sox uniform going yard.

[FielderJones]

April 9, 1971 - It’s was the largest home opener in years as 43,253 fans poured into Comiskey Park to see the ‘new look’ White Sox under Roland Hemond and Chuck Tanner. Ownership was completely caught with their pants down when that many fans showed up. Concession stands and vendors ran out of items by the middle of the game! The Sox wouldn’t disappoint as Rich McKinney’s two out 9th inning single scored Rich Morales with the game winning run in the 3 - 2 win.


My first-ever White Sox game! Great memories.

[PalehosePlanet]

Thanks Lip, I really look forward to your "This day in Sox History" posts. It's the only must-read post and always bring back memories. Nice job!

[voodoochile]

I am pretty sure that in 1995, both the Sox and Flubs had their home opener on the same day - 4/9. It was because of the delayed start to the season due to the strike the previous season which got resolved late and led to a delayed start to the season. I am pretty sure that it's the only time they ever opened at home on the same day.

I remember this because it is Mom's bday - happy bday, Mom.

I am going off of memory, so I could be wrong on the year or other facts above.

[Medford Bobby]

:cool: Video taped the entire visit to Opening Day 1990. I kinda wish I had video camera for 1989's Opening Day. At that point they cleared the entire blocks across the street to begin construction...did anybody save a brick from Mc Cuddy's??????:o:

http://www.baseballcardproject.com/Topps/R/1990/255.jpg:bandance:

[downstairs]

I am pretty sure that in 1995, both the Sox and Flubs had their home opener on the same day - 4/9. It was because of the delayed start to the season due to the strike the previous season which got resolved late and led to a delayed start to the season. I am pretty sure that it's the only time they ever opened at home on the same day.

I remember this because it is Mom's bday - happy bday, Mom.

I am going off of memory, so I could be wrong on the year or other facts above.

Actually the 1995 season started on April 26th for both the Sox and Cubs. Both teams were on the road (Cubs in Cincinatti, Sox in Milwaukee).

The Sox had a strange situation where they played in MIL on the 26th and then played at Comiskey on the 27th.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/games/standings.cgi?date=1995-04-25
http://www.baseball-reference.com/games/standings.cgi?date=1995-04-26
http://www.baseball-reference.com/games/standings.cgi?date=1995-04-27

[voodoochile]

Actually the 1995 season started on April 26th for both the Sox and Cubs. Both teams were on the road (Cubs in Cincinatti, Sox in Milwaukee).

The Sox had a strange situation where they played in MIL on the 26th and then played at Comiskey on the 27th.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/games/standings.cgi?date=1995-04-25
http://www.baseball-reference.com/games/standings.cgi?date=1995-04-26
http://www.baseball-reference.com/games/standings.cgi?date=1995-04-27

Okay, was there a season that started a few days late that this could have happened on, or have I gone completely loopy? :redface:

[WisSoxFan]

"April 9, 1985 - For future Hall of Famer Tom Seaver, it was his record 14th Opening Day start. For Ozzie Guillen it was his debut in the major leagues. The two of them combined to help the Sox beat Milwaukee 4 - 2 at County Stadium. Guillen would get his first hit in the big leagues that day."

XXX

The only opening day I have ever been to. I was a college student and decided to make the drive at the last minute. Glad I went. I do recall it was pretty cold as I had on a winter coat. Ozzie was the leadoff hitter that day. Swung at the first pitch and hit it deep to right only to be robbed.

[chisox77]

Going back to the 1990 opener, I think Melido Perez was the starting pitcher for the White Sox.

:cool:

[Lip Man 1]

Chisox:

You are correct...and here's still ANOTHER entry:

April 9, 1977 - The White Sox defeated the Blue Jays 3 - 2 in Toronto for the franchise's first ever regular season win outside of the United States. Oscar Gamble's home run in the 4th inning put the Sox ahead to stay and the team added two more in the 5th inning. Chris Knapp got the win with Lerrin LaGrow picking up the save.

Lip

[chisox77]

Thanks for the great gem on the '77 Sox, Lip - which obviously is the numercal inspiration of my "handle" here in WSI.

I have many great memories of that team, as I think all White Sox fans do. There was something about that group, even though they ended up finishing third behind the Rangers (94-68) and the smoking hot Royals (102-60). They still went 90-72, but it wasn't good enough for any lasting glory.

But it was a fun season: to be at Comiskey for the games, and to watch the Sox on channel 44 for Harry and Jimmy! That was a great summer anyway!


:cool:

[NoNeckEra]

April 9, 1971 - It’s was the largest home opener in years as 43,253 fans poured into Comiskey Park to see the ‘new look’ White Sox under Roland Hemond and Chuck Tanner. Ownership was completely caught with their pants down when that many fans showed up. Concession stands and vendors ran out of items by the middle of the game! The Sox wouldn’t disappoint as Rich McKinney’s two out 9th inning single scored Rich Morales with the game winning run in the 3 - 2 win.

This had to have been one of the largest walkup crowds ever. It turned out to be a great day weather-wise and the fans just kept pouring in as late as the 5th inning, if I recall.

It was the Sox debut of the red pinstripe uniforms. The place was electric with anticipation.

[sageofthesox]

Okay, was there a season that started a few days late that this could have happened on, or have I gone completely loopy? :redface:

Actually, it was the start of the 1990 season which was delayed a week by some sort of work stoppage. The White Sox opened at home against Milwaukee in the afternoon (Monday, April 9) and the Cubs opened at home that night. I remember a lengthy rain delay at the start of Old Comiskey's final home opener that day. And I believe the Cub game was rained out that night.

Because of the strike that season, teams played their regularly scheduled games beginning on April 9 while making up first week postponements during the season. The White Sox had been scheduled to open against Milwaukee the previous Monday (April 2). Since both teams had scheduled off days on the 9th, they played a make-up game on the same day that the Cubs already had a night game scheduled.

Another one of those White Sox-Milwaukee games (from that postponed first week) was made up on "Turn Back The Clock Day" which took place the Wednesday afternoon following the All Star Game (which was in Wrigley Field that year, right?). After the White Sox played their scheduled season finale in Old Comiskey on Sept. 30, they played three more regular season games in Boston. I believe those games were originally scheduled for the first weekend of the season which had been interrupted by the strike.