TommyJohn
03-30-2008, 08:21 PM
Springtime and baseball is in the air. Opening Day is tomorrow, of course. This means we are hit with the predictable hype. And lo and behold, what do I see? Paul Sullivan's "100 seasons, 100 questions" about our Cubs. Only in Chicago is a 100 year drought celebrated, just three years after the White Sox brought home their second World Series title in that span. (the first being 88 years before that.) Say, weren't these dolts sneering at White Sox fans for "living in the past" as far back as November, 2005? Now we get the media celebrating 100 years of futility?
The purpose of this thread isn't to bitch, it is to offer an antidote. The White Sox have had an interesting, fun history too. Hell, we even had our OWN long drought. So I offer questions about White Sox history: nothing in order, just some random questions about Sox history highlighting the good, the bad, the ugly, the high, the low, the awful. I might not get to 100, but it won't be for lack of trying. The history of the team has been fun, entertaining, sometimes great, sometimes rotten but never dull. (Well, maybe one or two teams were dull.)
1. Who was the first batter in White Sox history?
That was Charles Ellsworth Hoy, a deaf mute player who went by the now-unflattering nickname "Dummy." Hoy led off the bottom of the first of the first AL game between the White Sox and Cleveland in 1901. Hoy is credited by many with introducing umpire signals to baseball, although accounts differ.
2. What historic AL first occured on May 2, 1901 at the South Side Grounds?
The White Sox were on the losing end of the AL's first forfeit. They were beating the Tigers 5-2 in the top of the ninth when Detroit scored six runs. Sox manager Clark Griffith, seeing rain approaching, try to extend the inning until the rain could come and wash it away. Umpire Tom Connolly angrily called the game off and awarded Detroit the win. Enraged fans stormed the field, and Connolly needed a police escort to get away. Nowadays, a Sox fan running out onto the field doesn't generate a lot of news.
3. Where was the White Sox first ballpark located?
39th and Princeton. It was an abandoned cricket field when the Sox took over. There is a housing project there today.
4. How many White Sox teams have won 100 games?
Only one, the 1917 World Champions came in at an even 100-54. That team boasts three Hall-of-Famers: Ray Schalk, Eddie Collins and Red Faber.
5. How many White Sox teams have lost 100 games?
Three. The 1932 Sox stunk up the south side at 49-102; the 1948 Sox were 51-101; and the 1970 Sox were the ghastliest of the ghastly, going 56-106. The 1932 Sox, like the 1917 team, also boasts three Hall-of-Famers: Luke Appling, Ted Lyons, and Red Faber.
6. Speaking of Ted Lyons, in 1942 he pitched his way to a 14-6 record in 20 starts. How many of those games did he complete?
All 20.
7. What did the 41 year old Lyons do upon the completion of the 1942 season?
Enlisted in the Marines, serving for the duration of World War II.
8. The 1970 season wasn't much fun, obviously. In one game, centerfielder Buddy Bradford attempted to make a Landis-esque catch up against the bullpen wall. What happened instead?
He knocked the ball over the wall for a three-run home run.
9. In 1970, Bill Melton also suffered a broken nose. How did that come about? Was he hit by a pitch?
Hardly. He was attempting to catch a foul fly in Baltimore. He lost it in the lights, the ball hit the heel of his glove and smashed into his nose.
10. In 1970, Beltin' Bill beame the first White Sox player to hit 30 home runs in one season! Yes! He connected on September 21 at Comiskey Park. How many fans were on hand for this momentous event?
672. They cheered lustily, I'm sure.
11. In 1971, Bill became the first White Sox player to lead the AL in home runs, connecting for his 33rd shot on the final day of the season. How many fans witnessed that historic blast?
2,814, bringing Bill's total of fans seeing his history-making homers to 3,488. Jean Shepard said it best: "Every man's great moment on the White Sox comes when no one is watching."
12. In 1971, the White Sox and the Oakland A's became the first teams in baseball history to do this. What is it?
Play an Opening Day doubleheader. The Sox won both games, 6-5 and 12-4.
13. In game 2 of that Opening Day DH, Carlos May hit a two run triple clear out of the park. How did he manage to do that?
With two runners on, May stroked a 1st inning three run homer. He leaped for joy and slammed his feet down on what he thought was home plate. Turns out he missed. The A's appealed the play and May was called out and credited with a two run triple.
14. Which of this quartet never played for the White Sox: Don Johnson, Eddie Murphy, Jimmy Stewart or Gary Cooper?
Gary Cooper. He played for the Atlanta Braves.
15. Back to Carlos May. In 1969-70, he wore his name and number: "May 17" on the back of his uniform. What was unusual about it?
He was born May 17, 1948. He is believed to be the only athlete ever to have his birthday on the back of his uniform.
I'll quit only because I might have run out of room. I'll continue in a reply.
The purpose of this thread isn't to bitch, it is to offer an antidote. The White Sox have had an interesting, fun history too. Hell, we even had our OWN long drought. So I offer questions about White Sox history: nothing in order, just some random questions about Sox history highlighting the good, the bad, the ugly, the high, the low, the awful. I might not get to 100, but it won't be for lack of trying. The history of the team has been fun, entertaining, sometimes great, sometimes rotten but never dull. (Well, maybe one or two teams were dull.)
1. Who was the first batter in White Sox history?
That was Charles Ellsworth Hoy, a deaf mute player who went by the now-unflattering nickname "Dummy." Hoy led off the bottom of the first of the first AL game between the White Sox and Cleveland in 1901. Hoy is credited by many with introducing umpire signals to baseball, although accounts differ.
2. What historic AL first occured on May 2, 1901 at the South Side Grounds?
The White Sox were on the losing end of the AL's first forfeit. They were beating the Tigers 5-2 in the top of the ninth when Detroit scored six runs. Sox manager Clark Griffith, seeing rain approaching, try to extend the inning until the rain could come and wash it away. Umpire Tom Connolly angrily called the game off and awarded Detroit the win. Enraged fans stormed the field, and Connolly needed a police escort to get away. Nowadays, a Sox fan running out onto the field doesn't generate a lot of news.
3. Where was the White Sox first ballpark located?
39th and Princeton. It was an abandoned cricket field when the Sox took over. There is a housing project there today.
4. How many White Sox teams have won 100 games?
Only one, the 1917 World Champions came in at an even 100-54. That team boasts three Hall-of-Famers: Ray Schalk, Eddie Collins and Red Faber.
5. How many White Sox teams have lost 100 games?
Three. The 1932 Sox stunk up the south side at 49-102; the 1948 Sox were 51-101; and the 1970 Sox were the ghastliest of the ghastly, going 56-106. The 1932 Sox, like the 1917 team, also boasts three Hall-of-Famers: Luke Appling, Ted Lyons, and Red Faber.
6. Speaking of Ted Lyons, in 1942 he pitched his way to a 14-6 record in 20 starts. How many of those games did he complete?
All 20.
7. What did the 41 year old Lyons do upon the completion of the 1942 season?
Enlisted in the Marines, serving for the duration of World War II.
8. The 1970 season wasn't much fun, obviously. In one game, centerfielder Buddy Bradford attempted to make a Landis-esque catch up against the bullpen wall. What happened instead?
He knocked the ball over the wall for a three-run home run.
9. In 1970, Bill Melton also suffered a broken nose. How did that come about? Was he hit by a pitch?
Hardly. He was attempting to catch a foul fly in Baltimore. He lost it in the lights, the ball hit the heel of his glove and smashed into his nose.
10. In 1970, Beltin' Bill beame the first White Sox player to hit 30 home runs in one season! Yes! He connected on September 21 at Comiskey Park. How many fans were on hand for this momentous event?
672. They cheered lustily, I'm sure.
11. In 1971, Bill became the first White Sox player to lead the AL in home runs, connecting for his 33rd shot on the final day of the season. How many fans witnessed that historic blast?
2,814, bringing Bill's total of fans seeing his history-making homers to 3,488. Jean Shepard said it best: "Every man's great moment on the White Sox comes when no one is watching."
12. In 1971, the White Sox and the Oakland A's became the first teams in baseball history to do this. What is it?
Play an Opening Day doubleheader. The Sox won both games, 6-5 and 12-4.
13. In game 2 of that Opening Day DH, Carlos May hit a two run triple clear out of the park. How did he manage to do that?
With two runners on, May stroked a 1st inning three run homer. He leaped for joy and slammed his feet down on what he thought was home plate. Turns out he missed. The A's appealed the play and May was called out and credited with a two run triple.
14. Which of this quartet never played for the White Sox: Don Johnson, Eddie Murphy, Jimmy Stewart or Gary Cooper?
Gary Cooper. He played for the Atlanta Braves.
15. Back to Carlos May. In 1969-70, he wore his name and number: "May 17" on the back of his uniform. What was unusual about it?
He was born May 17, 1948. He is believed to be the only athlete ever to have his birthday on the back of his uniform.
I'll quit only because I might have run out of room. I'll continue in a reply.