Date

04-01-1975

It was an indication of how bad off the Sox were financially. On this day Ed Herrmann one of the top catchers in baseball, was traded to the Yankees for four minor league players. The reason? According to Herrmann it was because he wanted a two thousand dollar raise!

04-02-1900

The White Sox play their first game ever. It would be an exhibition win over the University of Illinois team. The final score is 10 - 9.

04-03-1991

The Sox sign former two sport All Star Bo Jackson to a contract. Jackson would have hip replacement surgery and not make an impact until 1993, but the move was a masterful stroke from a public relations standpoint.

04-03-2000

The unexpected championship season didn't start off promising. The Sox were buried in Texas 10 - 4. They'd lose the next day as well 12 - 8. But by the end of the month the Sox set the major league record for most runs scored in April and ''The Kids Can Play,'' were on their way to a league leading 95 wins and a divisional title.

04-04-1982

One of the most highly anticipated opening day's in franchise history gets snowed out. The Sox were set to host Boston and the organization was expecting a crowd of around 50,000. That got torpedoed when a blizzard hammered the entire Midwest canceling games for days. In fact the season wouldn't open until April 11th in New York.

04-04-1983

The same night North Carolina State was upsetting Houston in the NCAA basketball tournament, the Sox opened their championship season dropping a 5 - 3 game to Texas. The Sox scored three times in the top of the first but were handcuffed after that. Errors by rookies Scott Fletcher and Greg Walker were costly to La Marr Hoyt. The Sox would drop all three games to the Rangers but still rebounded to win 99 games and win the division by a record twenty games.

04-04-1988

It was Kenny Williams' one moment in the sun. On opening day Williams belts a two run 5th inning home run off the Angels Mike Witt to help the Sox to an 8 - 5 win. Williams would drive in thee RBI's on the afternoon.

04-04-1994

The bittersweet shortened season started in Canada with a rematch of the 1993 A.L.C.S. It was Toronto winning this Opening Day 7 - 3 blasting Jack McDowell, the reigning Cy Young Award winner, just as they did twice in the post season the year before. But by August 11th the Sox were rolling on all cylinders. That's when the season came to a staggering end because of the labor impasse between the MLBPA and the owners. At the time of the shut down, the Sox were leading the division and had the 3rd best record in baseball.

04-04-2005

The World Championship season got off to a great start as a packed house saw Mark Buehrle and Shingo Takatsu shut out Cleveland 1 - 0 in a game that took less then two hours!

04-05-1960

Shortly before the season opened the Sox ended their decimation of the young players on their roster by shipping future All Star and power hitting catcher Earl Battey along with future power hitting All Star first baseman Don Mincher to the Senators for power hitting first baseman Roy Sievers. Sievers gave the Sox some good years but Battey himself may have won the Sox the pennant in either 1964, 1967 or both (to say nothing of other players shipped out that off season like Johnny Romano, Norm Cash and Johnny Callison.) Battey would go on to make four All Star appearances and win three Gold Gloves at catcher. Mincher would become a two time All Star. (Sox players who were with the club that year like Billy Pierce and Jim Landis reflect back on these ill advised trades in their interviews with Baseball Almanac.).

04-05-1974

The Sox opened the season at home under freezing conditions versus the Angels and Nolan Ryan. The Sox started Wilbur Wood which caused broadcaster Harry Caray to comment that the game was 'the tortoise against the hare.' This time the hare won as Ryan and the Angels got an easy 8 - 2 victory. The game did have its moments however. The 'streaking' craze had hit college campuses and on this day a few young ladies in the upper deck removed their tops while a young man jumped the outfield fence and ran naked through left field before being apprehended by security. Sox manager Chuck Tanner had one of the best lines anywhere when asked what he thought about the outfield streaker. "I wasn't impressed by him." (Nudge, nudge, wink, wink...say no more!)

04-05-1977

Literally a few hours before the team was to head North to open the season, Bill Veeck trades shortstop Bucky Dent to the Yankees. Salary was the reasoning behind it and Veeck's comment that he'd "trade Dent even up for any other starting shortstop in the American League" didn't help matters. In return the Sox got outfielder Oscar Gamble, pitcher Bob Polinsky, minor league pitcher La Marr Hoyt and $200,000 dollars.

04-05-2004

New Manager Ozzie Guillen figured he had his debut game all wrapped up as the Sox took a 7 - 3 lead into the 9th inning. Twenty minutes later Kansas City scored six runs to take the game 9 - 7. The amazing rally set the modern record for the most runs scored in the 9th inning to win a game on Opening Day.

04-06-1983

The championship season began with a night game in Minnesota and a big 10 - 5 win over the Twins. Tim Raines would knock in three runs on the night. The Sox would wind up winning the division and compiling 94 victories.

04-07-1970

The worst White Sox team in history begins their forgettable season getting pounded 12 - 0 at home by the Twins. Tommy John only lasts into the 5th inning. The Sox would go on to lose a franchise record 106 games.

04-07-1971

Charlie Finley, the A's owner, gets the first regularly scheduled opening day double header in history but is stunned when the Sox under new manager Chuck Tanner beat them twice 6 - 5 and 12 - 4. Tommy John and Bart Johnson are the winning pitchers. The Sox club five home runs on the day, including a grand slam by Bill Melton. It could have six except that Carlos May somehow missed touching home plate on his blast. The A's picked up on it and tagged him out when he was sitting in the dugout. This was also Harry Caray's first regular season game as Sox announcer although at the time not a whole lot of folks could hear him. Three straight awful years caused the Sox to lose their radio contract with any 'mainstream' Chicago station. For the next two years Sox games were broadcast on WTAQ-FM (LaGrange) and WEAW-FM (Evanston)!

04-07-1973

On Opening Day in Texas, Mike Andrews becomes the first White Sox DH. He hit 6th in the lineup for Chuck Tanner. He went 1 for 3 in the Sox 3 - 1 win behind Wilbur Wood. (Andrews talked about being a DH and his hot start in that role in his interview for Baseball Almanac.)

04-07-1977

The White Sox introduce American League baseball to Toronto as they play the first game against the expansion Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays outslug the Sox in a driving snowstorm to win 9 - 5. But it's the start of something much bigger, the 'South Side Hitmen' are born. (Sox 3rd baseman Eric Soderholm remembered that game and the 1977 season for Baseball Almanac in his interview.)

04-07-1984

The Tigers Jack Morris would throw the last no-hitter at the original Comiskey Park when he shut down the Sox 4 - 0. The Sox had their chances, including loading the bases on walks in the 4th inning with no out, but could never get the key hit.

04-07-1993

On his first swing of the season, future Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk would blast his final home run. It would come off the Twins Jim Deshaies in the third inning and be the only run scored by the Sox in a 6 - 1 loss.

04-07-1994

In the annual Crosstown Classic Michael Jordan writes his name into Sox lore. His double in the late innings ties the game and prevents the Sox from losing for the first time in this series. The game would be called a tie. The Sox would go 10 - 0 - 2 in this affair that lasted from 1985 through 1995. (Two games were played in 1995).

One of the biggest 'what if' in franchise history takes place. As per the rules at the time, the White Sox had to choose between two pitchers signed to 'bonus baby' contracts. The rules stated that only one player signed to a deal for over a certain amount could remain in the organization. The other would have to be waived. With that in mind rookies Bruce Howard and Denny McLain squared off in an intersquad game to see who was released and who got promoted to Double A, Lynchberg, Virginia. Howard won 2 - 1. McLain got his walking papers and was claimed by Detroit.

It has always been a house of horrors for the Sox but on this day they got the last laugh. The Sox spoil the last home opener in old Memorial Stadium by ripping the Orioles 9 - 1. Sammy Sosa clubs two home runs off Jeff Ballard to lead the rout. He'd knock in five RBI's on the afternoon. Jack McDowell went the distance striking out ten.

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.

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.

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.

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 fourth put the Sox on top to stay and the team added two more in the fifth. Chris Knapp got the win and Lerrin LaGrow earned his first save in what would be the best season of his career.

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.

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.

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.

The season opener to a memorable year starts in Detroit where Billy Pierce faces Jim Bunning. The Sox blow a 7 - 4 lead when the Tigers get three runs in the 8th inning and matters aren't decided until the 14th. That's when Nellie Fox, who hit home runs as often as he struck out, blasted a two run shot to give the Sox the 9 - 7 win.

"Jungle" Jim Rivera was at it again. Right before the Sox played in Washington to open the season, President John Kennedy threw out the first ball. Rivera came up with it and was escorted to the President's box where both he and vice president Lyndon Johnson signed the ball. After Rivera looked at it he said to the president, "You'll have to do better then that John. This is a scribble I can hardly read!" Oh the Sox went on to win the game 4 - 3 getting single runs in the 7th and 8th innings.

The good days are gone. Riots on the West Side hold the opening day crowd to less then eight thousand. The Sox get shut out by ''Sonny'' Siebert and the Indians 9 - 0. It is the first of a franchise record ten straight losses to open the season. Coupled with the five straight losses to close out 1967, the Sox dropped fifteen in a row.

If you had written the script and pitched it to Hollywood they would have refused it on the grounds of 'corniness' but reality is sometimes stranger then fiction. Carlton Fisk, native son of New England returned to Boston on opening day as a member of the White Sox. Fisk was made a free agent after the Red Sox mailed him his contract after the time allotment expired and he left. With a new team, in a new uniform, Fisk immediately began making Boston pay as he ripped a three run home run in the 8th inning off Bob Stanley to put the Sox ahead 3 - 2 in a game they'd win 5 - 3.

The World Championship season began in St. Louis where the Sox battered the Browns 7 - 2. Claude ''Lefty'' Williams picked up the win. Just slightly over six months later, the Sox would win the World Series again, four games to two, over John McGraw and the New York Giants.

The White Sox initiate major league baseball to Seattle. They are the first home opponent for the 'new' Seattle Pilots. The Sox promptly roll over and die to the expansion team 7 - 0.

When the 'great blizzard' hit the Midwest and forced cancellation of a number of games, the Sox had to open on the road the following week... in New York... with a double header. No problem, as the franchise which had already won an opening day twin bill in 1971, put the wood to the Yankees winning 7 - 6 in twelve innings and then 2 - 0. It was the start of an eight game winning streak to open the 1982 campaign, the best start of a season in franchise history.

For a man with no speed he got around the bases fast enough this time! Paul Konerko hits an inside the park home run against Tampa Bay. It came in the first inning off Esteban Yan and drove in two runs. The Sox won 13 - 6.

The Sox open the season with a 3 - 2 win over the Angels in 14 innings. Tommy McCraw delivers the game winning hit. Rookie Tommy Agee would crack a home run off Dean Chance to begin his season which would end with him being named the Rookie Of The Year and the first Sox player to ever hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in the same season. But the game is known for what the 28 thousand plus fans sing to open the afternoon...it's not ''The Star Spangled Banner'' but ''God Bless America.'' The Sox made the change stating that the words to the usual anthem were to hard to remember and to sing. Irving Berlin would write a letter to the Sox begging them to go back to the original anthem. The Sox then decided to let the fans vote on which they preferred. ''The Star Spangled Banner'' won.

The bittersweet 1967 season opens with a 5 - 4 loss in Boston to the eventual American League champions. The Sox would go into the final week of the season in position to take their first pennant since 1959...only to lose five in a row to bottom feeders Kansas City and Washington.

04-12-1977

Former housewife and Milwaukee radio broadcaster Mary Shane becomes the first female announcer in MLB history when she begins doing Sox games. Mary joined Lorn Brown, Harry Caray and Jimmy Piersall in the booth for roughly twenty games. Most of her work was done when the Sox were at home. WMAQ general manager Charlie Warner 'discovered' Shane who only lasted this season. She returned to Massachusetts where she became an award winning sportswriter before passing away at an early age on November 3, 1987.

04-13-1965

The Sox turn the tide so to speak from 1964, beating the Orioles in Baltimore by the same score of 5 - 3. The two clubs opened the 1964 season in Chicago. Tommy John, making his White Sox debut, picked up the save for Gary Peters. The 1965 White Sox would win 95 games under Al Lopez in his last full season as Sox skipper.

04-14-1910

Sox pitcher Frank Smith fires the franchises only opening day one hitter as he beats the St. Louis Browns in Chicago 3 - 0.

04-14-1917

Sox pitching star Eddie Cicotte no hits the St. Louis Browns, easily winning 11 - 0. The game was at St. Louis and is the earliest no hitter ever thrown by a Sox pitcher.

04-14-1942

Because of the intervention of President Franklin Roosevelt, major league baseball continued during the World War. The Sox would lose to St. Louis 3 - 0, and according to the reports of the day it was a very quiet, somber crowd. Marines and sailors marched in carrying the American flag from center field. Pearl Harbor was still etched in everyone's memories.

04-14-1953

Cleveland's Bob Lemon (who'd go on to manage the Sox in 1977 and some of 1978) almost duplicates Bob Feller's opening day no-hitter, holding the Sox to one hit in winning 6 - 0.

04-14-1955

The White Sox and Sandy Consuegra defeated the Kansas City Athletics 7-1 in the Comiskey Park opener. The game was the first ever between the Sox and the Athletics since the A's move from Philadelphia to Kansas City.

04-14-1964

The bittersweet 1964 season began with the Sox dropping a 5 - 3 decision to the Orioles in Chicago. Hoyt Wilhelm, gave up three late runs to lose the game. The 1964 Sox would win 98 games...only to finish one game behind the Yankees for the pennant.

04-14-1981

In the home opener for the season and for new owners Jerry Reinsdorf and Eddie Einhorn, 51,560 fans poured into Comiskey Park to see the new faces and new attitude. The Sox put on a show, blowing apart Milwaukee 9 - 3. The big blow, Carlton Fisk's grand slam in the 4th inning off former Sox hurler Pete Vuckovich.

04-15-1954

The White Sox initiate major league baseball in Baltimore. They are the 'new' Baltimore Orioles first opponent. The O's beat them 3 - 1 on the afternoon starting a run of numerous unfortunate, strange and bizarre happenings at Memorial Stadium over the next 36 seasons.

04-15-1972

The first labor impasse to cause regularly scheduled games to be cancelled caused Opening Day to be pushed back. In Kansas City the Sox would lose to the Royals 2 - 1 in eleven innings despite Dick Allen's first White Sox home run. The Sox would drop three consecutive one run games to the Royals with Bart Johnson getting two of the losses in relief.

04-15-1983

Former Cub, Milt Wilcox has his perfect game ruined with two out in the 9th inning. Sox pinch hitter Jerry Hairston rips a clean single up the middle. It's the only hit of the night for the Sox who lose to Detroit 6 - 0.

04-15-1985

In a game at Boston, pinch hitter Jerry Hairston collects his 51st safety in that role setting the franchise record. Jerry would lead the league in pinch hits from 1983 through 1985 and would retire with 87 pinch hits.

04-16-1940

The Indians Bob Feller no hits the White Sox winning 1-0. The game is not without controversy however. Luke Appling hits a shot down the line that apparently kicked up the chalk but was ruled foul. When Appling argued the call he was supposedly told that 'Feller is going to be a credit to the game.' (i.e. it's good for baseball if he gets a no hitter) Incredulous Appling replied "what an I, chopped liver?" It's the only opening day no hitter in MLB history.

04-16-1948

With Jack Brickhouse behind the microphone, the Sox beat the Cubs 4 - 1 in the first game ever televised by WGN-TV.

04-16-1953

In the second game of the season, Sox starter Billy Pierce fires a one hitter in beating St. Louis 1 - 0. It's the first of four one hitters in Billy's career. The no-hitter was broken up in the 7th inning when Bobby Young got a hit.

04-17-1906

The World Championship season began in Detroit with the Sox beating the Tigers 5 - 3. Frank Owen, who'd win 22 games that year, picked up the victory. Just three days short of six months later, the Sox would close out the Cubs winning the only all Chicago World Series four games to two.

04-17-1951

The 'Golden Age' of White Sox baseball is born as on opening day the Sox destroy the St. Louis Browns 17 - 3. New manager Paul Richards would emphasize pitching, defense and speed and for the next 17 seasons the Sox would do it well enough to have 17 consecutive 'winning' seasons, the 3rd longest streak in MLB history.

04-17-1956

In front of newly elected Mayor Richard J. Daley, rookie Luis Aparicio collects his first major league hit. It comes off the Indians Bob Lemon and helped set up the winning run in the Sox 2 - 1 victory.

04-17-1980

Future Sox star Harold Baines collects his first major league hit. It's off Yankee pitcher Mike Griffin in New York. Baines would have an outstanding career with 2,866 hits. His number #3 was first retired in 1989 when he was traded to Texas.

04-17-1990

On a cold miserable night in Chicago, Ron Kittle would connect for a roof top home run off Boston's Rob Murphy. It was Kittle's seventh roof top shot, the most by any player in the history of the original Comiskey Park. It was also the last roof top home run in the park's history. The Sox would win the game 2 - 1. (Kittle explained what it took to hit a rooftop home run in his interview with Baseball Almanac.)

04-18-1972

For the first time a labor impasse cancelled regular season games and it wasn't until the middle of the month that the Sox finally opened at home. It turned out to be a 'night' home opener and the twenty thousand plus fans who turned out gave a standing ovation welcome to new Sox slugger Dick Allen. Allen didn't disappoint, going two for four, with three runs and two RBI's in the Sox 14 - 0 win. Afterwards Dick said, "I think I'm going to like it here."

04-18-1991

The Sox open the 'new' Comiskey Park by falling flat on their faces and getting wiped out 16 - 0. It was a strange game that saw Detroit have a ten run inning! (Jack McDowell, the losing pitcher that afternoon, talked about what went wrong and what some of the Sox players did before the next game to 'appease' the baseball gods in his interview with Baseball Almanac.)

04-18-1994

Sox leadoff man Tim Raines belts three home runs in a game at Fenway Park. He goes 4 - 5 with four RBI's in the easy 12 - 1 win.

04-18-2000

The White Sox set the franchise record by scoring eleven runs in the 5th inning of a game in Chicago against the Mariners. Tanyon Sturtze gets the win in relief as the Sox win 18 - 11.

04-18-2007

Mark Buehrle becomes only the 16th pitcher in franchise history to toss a no-hitter as he beats the Rangers 6 - 0. Buehrle strikes out eight and only allowed one base runner giving up a walk to Sammy Sosa in the 5th inning. His was the first no-hitter at home since Joe Horlen's in 1967. Jermaine Dye had a grand slam and Jim Thome added two solo home runs.

04-19-1960

Minnie Minoso makes a triumphant return to the White Sox blasting two home runs, including the game winner in the 9th inning for a wild 10 - 9 victory over the A's. Minnie reacquired over the off season, also has a grand slam and drives in six RBI's. More ominous however is the fact that the 'vaunted' Sox pitching staff gave up nine runs in the first place, blew a 9 - 2 lead and made two errors.

04-19-1961

In the home opener against Washington, owner Bill Veeck hired numerous midgets to sell concessions throughout Comiskey Park. Why? Because Veeck received a number of complaints from fans that 'normal' sized sellers were obstructing their view of the game itself!

04-21-1900

The White Sox play their first regular season game as part of the American League. They'd drop a 5 - 4 decision to the Milwaukee Brewers managed by Connie Mack. The 1900 season though isn't 'officially' recognized by baseball since in this season, the American League wasn't considered a part of organized baseball but was designated a minor league.

04-21-1992

In the 9th inning of a 4 - 3 loss to the Yankees at Comiskey Park, shortstop Ozzie Guillen tears up his knee in a collision with left fielder Tim Raines. On a pop into short left by Mel Hall, Guillen's knee slams into the shoulder of Raines who was attempting to make a diving catch. Ozzie had surgery and was lost for the rest of the year but through intensive off season rehab work came back strong in 1993.

04-22-1955

It's the first time the White Sox have ever played in Kansas City and outfielder "Jungle" Jim Rivera would make it a memorable night. Rivera's home run helps the Sox beat the A's 5 - 3 but it's his comment afterwards to former first lady Bess Truman that makes the most news. When introduced, Rivera said, "I'm sure sorry my home run beat your club but it was a helluva wallop eh, Bess?"

04-22-1959

In one of the most bizarre innings in baseball history, the Sox get eleven runs in the 7th inning as part of their 20 - 6 win at Kansas City. The 'uniqueness' of it is that fact that those eleven runs scored on only one hit! It took 45 minutes to play. Here is the play by play from it:

WHITE SOX 7TH: GORMAN REPLACED WARD (PITCHING); Ray Boone reached on an error by DeMaestri [Boone to first]; Al Smith reached on an error on a sacrifice bunt by Smith [Boone to second]; Johnny Callison singled to right [Boone scored (unearned) (error by Maris), Smith scored (unearned) (error by Maris), Callison to third]; Luis Aparicio walked; Aparicio stole second; Bob Shaw walked; EARL TORGESON BATTED FOR SAMMY ESPOSITO; FREEMAN REPLACED GORMAN (PITCHING); Torgeson walked (walk was charged to Gorman) [Callison scored, Aparicio to third, Shaw to second]; Nellie Fox walked [Aparicio scored, Shaw to third, Torgeson to second]; Jim Landis forced Shaw (pitcher to catcher) [Torgeson to third, Fox to second]; Sherm Lollar walked [Torgeson scored (unearned), Fox to third, Landis to second]; BRUNET REPLACED FREEMAN (PITCHING); Boone walked [Fox scored (unearned), Landis to third, Lollar to second]; Smith walked [Landis scored (unearned), Lollar to third, Boone to second]; Callison was hit by a pitch [Lollar scored (unearned), Boone to third, Smith to second]; LOU SKIZAS RAN FOR CALLISON; Aparicio walked [Boone scored (unearned), Smith to third, Skizas to second]; Shaw struck out; "BUBBA" PHILLIPS BATTED FOR TORGESON; Phillips walked [Smith scored (unearned), Skizas to third, Aparicio to second]; Fox walked [Skizas scored (unearned), Aparicio to third, Phillips to second]; Landis grounded out (pitcher to first); 11 R, 1 H, 3 E, 3 LOB.

04-22-1972

In the first game of a double header against the Royals, Sox pitcher Wilbur Wood reached on a fielder's choice and scored the only run of the game thanks to an error, in the 1 - 0 win. Wood went the distance allowing seven hits. The Sox also won the second game 3 - 2 thanks to a home run from Carlos May in the 8th inning.

04-22-1991

Frank Thomas hit the first White Sox home run in 'new' Comiskey Park. The Sox win the first ever night game in the stadium beating Baltimore 8 - 7.

04-22-2000

The Sox and Tigers have a brawl which reminded many long time Sox fans of the fights from the 50's with New York. This one lasts for almost thirty minutes and sees eight players from both sides get kicked out along with Sox manager Jerry Manuel. A record number of players would be fined and subsequently suspended. One of the more lingering memories is Sox relief pitcher Keith Foulke suffering a gash on his face courtesy of a sucker punch from the side. The Sox win the game 14 - 6 and use it as a rallying point for the rest of the season.

04-23-1919

Perhaps the greatest White Sox team ever, in terms of talent, opened the season in St. Louis destroying the Browns 13 - 4. Again Claude ''Lefty'' Williams got the win. This time however, six months later, after winning the American League pennant, the ''Black Sox'' reportedly threw the series and lost to the Cincinnati Reds. Eight players would be banned the following year and the only franchise capable of stopping the emerging New York Yankees juggernaut was decimated.

04-23-1949

Sox left hander Billy Pierce wins his first major league game. Pierce comes in to relieve starter Al Gettel and gets the decision as the Sox win 12 - 5. Billy would win 186 games with the Sox and 211 in his brilliant career.

04-23-1955

The White Sox hammer the Athletics 29 - 6! The 29 runs is an American League record. The Sox hit seven home runs that night. Walt Dropo and Bob Nieman each had seven RBI's. Sherm Lollar and "Minnie" Minoso added five each.

04-24-1901

The White Sox play their first game regular season game as part of the 'officially' recognized American League. In fact it's the 'first' game ever played in the league. They beat the Cleveland Blues 8 - 2. Robert Burke is the winning pitcher with outfielder 'Dummy' Hoy getting the first White Sox at bat. Hoy was a deaf - mute and in order for him to understand what the umpires were calling the arbitrators came up with a series of hand signals indicating safe / out / ball / strike. The ceremonial first ball by the way, was supposed to be thrown out by Robert Burke, special counsel to the mayor. He declined however, stating that he was afraid the ball might get hit back to him (sigh...)

04-24-1955

In a game at Kansas City, Sox starter Dick Donovan was hit early and often and when manager Marty Marion came out to take the ball from him, Donovan, showing his competitive spirit and concerned about a possible return trip to the minors, refused to give it to him! Marion had to reassure Dick that he'd stay a part of the rotation before Donovan would turn the ball over and leave the field. That season he'd win thirteen of seventeen decisions before an emergency appendectomy felled him in late July.

04-25-1951

Sox slugger Eddie Robinson hits the first rooftop home run by a Sox player at the original Comiskey Park. Robinson's blast is off the Browns Al Widmar. The Sox won this one 8 - 6.

04-25-2004

One of the best front office moves ever made by current ownership. Brooks Boyer is named vice president of marketing replacing the taciturn and aloof Rob Gallas. Boyer immediately institutes a series of great ad campaigns including 'Sox Pride,' and 'Win Or Die Trying' that keys interest, tweaks the Cubs and generates excitement among the fan base as the Sox would win the 2005 World Series title.

04-26-1925

The Sox forfeit a game to the Indians. It happened in front of a Comiskey Park record crowd of 44,000 fans. So many fans were at the game that owner Charles Comiskey allowed fans on the field behind roped off sections of the outfield. With the Sox losing 7 - 4 in the 9th inning, many fans broke through the ropes, thinking the game was over. It wasn't, as there were only two outs. Order was never restored and a forfeit was declared.

04-27-1930

One of the most bizarre individual stats you'll ever see and I have no idea how this happened. On this date in a 2 - 1 Sox win at St. Louis, first baseman John "Bud" Clancy recorded no putouts and no assists in the nine inning game. None, zero, nada, zip! His feat has been matched only one other time, by the A's Gene Tenace.

04-27-2000

Jose Valentin produces the extremely rare "natural cycle" against the Orioles. He singles in the first, doubles in the second, triples in the third and homers in the eight inning. The Sox would win this one easily 13 - 4.

04-28-1946

Sox pitcher Ted Lyons wins his 260th career game. It would be his last in the major leagues. The future Hall of Famer beats the St. Louis Browns 4 - 3. Lyons would finish his career throwing 28 straight complete games! Lyons would have his #16 retired in 1987.

04-29-1901

Sox shortstop Frank Shugart hits the first home run in White Sox history. It comes in a 3 - 2 loss to Detroit.

04-29-1985

A new yearly tradition is established in the first annual "Crosstown Classic" charity game matching the Sox and Cubs. Down through the years both teams played each other on and off in spring training or during an open date in the regular season. This is the first time both teams agree to play on a yearly basis with a corporate sponsor (Busch Beer). The game alternates between Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field and is played every year through 1995 (Because of the labor impasse the teams played two games that season.) The Sox win the opener at Comiskey Park 7 - 4 but it's only the start of a remarkable run. The two teams play a total of 12 games and the Sox never lose!!!!! They go 10 - 0 - 2 during that time period. After 1995, the series is dropped. It's never publicly explained why, but reports persisted that the cancellation of the series was at the Cubs request.

04-30-1922

Sox pitcher Charlie Robertson fires a perfect game beating the Tigers 2 - 0. The game is at Detroit. It is the only perfect game in franchise history.

04-30-1951

Minnie Minoso is acquired by the White Sox as part of a three team deal involving the Athletics and Indians. The seven player deal resulted in Minoso becoming the team's first 'black' ballplayer. Minoso used his blinding speed and power to become the American League Rookie of the Year. His #9 would be retired by the Sox in 1983.

04-30-1962

Sox shortstop Luis Aparicio is shown sliding into a base as the cover for Sports Illustrated. The caption says, "Players With Magic. Luis Aparicio Of The White Sox."

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Chicago White Sox Timeline