Games and Moments

May 21,1972
vs. California Angels
at White Sox Park

The improved White Sox continue to win and win some more. They conclude the month of April with an 8-5 record, the same one they had when they occupied 1st pace for a brief spell in 1969; a short oasis in a long, agonizing three year desert of suck.

These Sox don't fall down, however. They play especially well at home, losing only two games at Sox Park up to this point. On the...

Games and Moments

April 25 & 26, 1972
vs. Cleveland Indians
at White Sox Park

Two of the biggest White Sox names shined on back-to-back days vs. the Indians.

The first was Wilbur Wood. Chuck Tanner lacked an effective 4th starter going into the season. So he and Johnny Sain went with a decidedly insane three man rotation of Wood, Tom Bradley and Stan Bahnsen. Workhorse Wilbur and the other two would be pitching on two days' rest, occasionally...

Games and Moments

April 18,1972
vs. Texas Rangers
at White Sox Park

On April 7, 1970 a small, less-than-enthusiastic crowd of 11,473 turned out for the Sox opener to watch the team get crushed by the Twins, 12-0. The only loud cheering that occurred that day was when Carlos May stepped to the plate for his first at-bat since his losing his thumb in the service of Uncle Sam. After that, the fans watched the beginning of a six month long funeral for a team that...

Games and Moments

April 15,1972
vs. Kansas City Royals
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City

Top of the 9th inning...score tied 0-0...the small opening night crowd of 9,000 plus feeling restless...there hadn't been much action up to this point...the lead off batter took his heavy 42 oz. bat and strode to the plate...he seemed to be moving in slow motion, almost as if time was standing still... the PA announcer's voice echoed throughout the park...

"Now...

Offseason

56-106
495,355

79-83
833,891

The contrast between the 1970 and 1971 versions of the White Sox was like night and day. Roland Hemond and Chuck Tanner were showered with praise for the way they had rebuilt the team almost overnight. A lot of the positive press came from the Chicago media, which had seemingly abandoned the team to the fates long ago.

There was still work to be done, however. The Sox showed great offense, belting...