@SOXNERD BLOG JUNE 28: LET’S TALK WALKOFFS!

Screen shot from MLB.com. Video at https://www.mlb.com/whitesox

@SoxNerd Blog for June 28 …

*ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Nerd loves to log certain things: 1-0 Sox wins, Sox bases-loaded triples and … walkoff wins at New Comiskey Park, U.S. Cellular Field and Guaranteed Rate Field.

WE HAD A WALKOFF LAST NIGHT!

Jose Abreu’s two-run single with two out in the ninth handed the White Sox a 4-2 win over the Yankees Tuesday for their 188th walkoff victory at their home since 1991.

*SOX STUMPER: Here is the trivia question I submitted for the Sox game on this date in 2016: Name the reliever who escaped a bases-loaded jam by fanning Albert Belle and Jim Thome and retiring Eddie Murray in the Sox 4-2 win over Cleveland 20 years ago today (answer below).

*MORE WALKOFFS: Here are some more nuggets on White Sox walkoffs:

–Tuesday was the Sox second walkoff of the season. The first came on May 13 when Yolmer Sanchez’s one-out single in the ninth scored Tyler Saladino for a 5-4 win over the Padres

–This was the Sox 11th walkoff vs. the Yankees at NCP/USCF/GRF.

–Prior to Tuesday, the Sox last walkoff vs. Yankees came on May 23, 2014 when Adam Dunn’s homer in the ninth with Moises Sierra on base delivered a 6-5 triumph

*SOX ALMANAC: On this date in 2002, Paul Konerko’s two-run homer capped a six-run sixth as the White Sox overcame an 8-0 deficit after three in beating the Cubs 13-9 before a record crowd of 46,027 at Comiskey Park.

The deficit was the largest overcome by the Sox since they climbed out of a 9-0 hole at Cleveland on June 13, 1978.

Konerko went 4-for-4 with a pair of two-run home runs to make him 8-for-9 over the last two games.

Matt Ginter got the win with 3.1 innings of shutout relief.

 More on walkoffs … 

–Harold Baines was the hero in the White Sox first walkoff vs. the Yankees at NCP/USCF/GRF. On May 11, 1996, Baines’ two-run homer in the ninth off John Wetteland got the Sox 7-5 victory. Baines blast came an inning after Tony Phillips tied it with a two-out RBI double that scored Ron Karkovice.

–Other walkoff RBIs vs. the Yankees at the “new” park were provided Baines (HR on 8-12-96), Phillips (BB on 4-20-97), Jose Valentin (1B on 6-23-00), Magglio Ordonez (HR on 9-22-03), Jermaine Dye (1B on 8-8-06), Joe Crede (1B on 4-24-08), Dewayne Wise (1B on 7-30-09) and Alejandro De Aza (3B on 8-7-14).

–The Sox first walkoff vs. the Yankees came on May 22, 1903 when Bill Hallman’s sac fly plated Lee Tannehill for a 2-1 win in 11 before a Ladies Day crowd of 3,930 at South Side Park.

–Tuesday was the Sox seventh consecutive walkoff in the ninth inning, the longest such streak in club history. The last OT walkoff was a 10-9 win over the Tigers in 12 innings on June 13, 2016

*STUMPER ANSWER: Bill Simas

@SOXNERD BLOG JUNE 26: BUEHRLE TIMELINE

@SoxNerd Blog for June 26:

Before last weekend becomes too distant of a memory, here’s a look back at some key moments in the career of Mark Buehrle, who had his No. 56 retired by the @WhiteSox on Saturday:

*MAY 21, 1999, WELCOME MARK: After being selected in the 36th round of the previous draft, Buehrle signed with the White Sox. 423 days later, he made his big league debut for the Sox.

*JULY 16, 2000, BIG LEAGUE DEBUT: Buehrle pitched the ninth in making his big league debut in the White Sox 11-5 win over Milwaukee before 30,050 at Comiskey Park. After just 36 games and 217.1 minor league innings, Buehrle fanned the first batter he faced in Jose Hernandez. The 21-year old wound up giving up a run in the first of his 518 big league appearances.

*JULY 19, 2000, A GOOD START: Buehrle earned the victory in his first big league start in the White Sox 3-2 win at Minnesota. Buehrle limited the Twins to two runs on six hits in seven innings to become the second Sox rookie to earn his first win in the last three days. On July 17, Jon Garland defeated the Brewers at Comiskey Park for his first win.

*MAY 26, 2001, LEAVING HIS MARK ON DETROIT: Buehrle blanked the Tigers on three hits in the White Sox 8-0 win at Detroit for his first career shutout and complete game. Buehrle walked one and fanned six in the 119-pitch gem. At one point, the left-hander retired 13 straight batters. The shutout was the first by a White Sox lefty in Detroit since Floyd Bannister on July 29, 1987 at Tiger Stadium.

*AUG. 3, 2001, ONE-HIT WONDER: Buehrle tossed a one-hitter in the White Sox 4-0 win over Tampa Bay before 19,330 at Comiskey Park. The one-hit shutout was the first by a Sox pitcher since Alex Fernandez’s gem May 4, 1992 vs. Milwaukee at Comiskey Park. Buehrle retired the first 15 batters he faced and did not allow a hit until Damian Rolls led off the seventh with a single. This was the furthest a Sox pitcher had taken a no-hitter since Scott Eyre and Keith Foulke held the A’s hitless on Aug. 12, 1998 at Comiskey Park. This was also the seventh time in 2001 that Buehrle had retired at least 10 consecutive batters in a game.

*APRIL 1, 2002, OPENING DAY DEBUT: In the first of his club-record nine Opening Day starts, Buehrle outdueled Freddy Garcia in the White Sox 6-5 win at Seattle. Buehrle went six innings and gave up one run on two hits with five strikeouts and eventually watched Keith Foulke get through the ninth for the save.

*APRIL 12, 2002, HOME OPENER SUCCESS: In his first start in a home Opener, Buehrle got the win in the White Sox 5-2 triumph over Baltimore before 41,128 at Comiskey Park. Buehrle moved to 3-0 on the season by yielding one earned run on two hits over seven innings.

*JULY 9, 2002, ALL-STAR DEBUT: Buehrle gave up a run in two innings in making his All-Star debut in the American League’s 7-7 tie at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Buehrle entered in the fourth and retired the side in order (including a strikeout of Vladimir Guerrero) before yielding a run in the fifth.

*JULY 21, 2004, MINIMUM MARK: Buehrle faced the minimum in the White Sox 14-0 win over the Indians in Cleveland. Buehrle gave up two hits but both runners were erased on double plays in making him the first Sox pitcher to face the minimum in a complete game since LaMarr Hoyt did it in May 2, 1984 at Comiskey Park.

*APRIL 4, 2005, THE FIRST OF 99!  Buehrle fired eight scoreless innings in the White Sox 1-0 Opening Day win over Cleveland before 38,141 at U.S. Cellular Field. Buehrle, making his fourth consecutive Opening Day start, K’d five and walked one and got relief help from Shingo Takatsu as the Sox secured the first of their 99 regular season wins in their World Series championship season.

*APRIL 16, 2005, A VICTORY IN 99 MINUTES: A complete game effort from Buehrle enabled the White Sox top Seattle in 1 hour and 39 minutes before 25,931 at U.S. Cellular Field. Buehrle fanned a career-high 12 in the fastest game in the Majors since a San Diego at Atlanta game on Sept. 30, 1984 and the fastest Sox game since a 1:38 affair on July 7, 1975 at Detroit.

*JUNE 28, 2005, WIN STREAK REACHES 9: Buehrle improved to 10-1 in winning his ninth consecutive decision in the first-place White Sox 2-1 win at Detroit. The nine-game winning streak was the longest of Buehrle’s career.

*JULY 12, 2005, ALL-STAR STARTER: Buehrle started and got the win in the American League’s 7-5 win in the All-Star Game at Detroit. Buehrle struck out three in two shutout innings in becoming the first Sox pitcher to start and win the same All-Star Game.

*OCT. 5, 2005, GAME 2 WINNER! Buehrle tossed seven innings for the win in the White Sox 5-4 conquest of Boston to take a 2-0 lead in the American League Division Series before 40,799 at U.S. Cellular Field. Buehrle yielded four runs on eight hits with two strikeouts in his first postseason start.

*OCT. 12, 2005, ALCS WINNER: Buehrle posted the first of the White Sox four consecutive complete game victories in a 2-1 walkoff win over the Angels in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series before 41,013 at U.S. Cellular Field. Buehrle fanned four and got the win when Joe Crede’s double plated pinch-runner Pablo Ozuna with two outs in the ninth after A.J. Pierzynski reached first on a dropped third strike. He gave up five hits in posting the Sox first post-season complete game since Wilson Alvarez’s effort in Game 3 of the 1993 American League Championship Series in Toronto. Buehrle fashioned the Sox first home postseason complete game since Ed Cicotte lost Game 4 of the ill-fated 1919 World Series at Comiskey Park. Buehrle turned in the Sox first postseason complete game victory at home since Red Faber beat the Giants in Game 2 of the 1917 World Series.

*OCT. 23, 2005, FALL CLASSIC START: Buehrle went seven innings but got no decision in his start in the White Sox 7-6 walkoff win over Houston in Game 2 of the World Series before 41,432 at U.S. Cellular Field. The Sox won the game, which featured Paul Konerko’s grand slam, on Scott Podsednik’s game-ending homer.

*OCTOBER 25, 2005, BIG SAVE! Buehrle got the final out in the 14th for the save as the White Sox took a 3-0 lead in the World Series with a 7-5 win over Houston at Minute Maid Park in the longest game by time and innings in the history of the Fall Classic. After the Sox took the lead in the top of the 14th, the Astros threatened in the bottom half but Buehrle came on and got the final out with two on sheer guts to earn the first save of his big league career and his first posting three saves in his first year of pro ball at Class-A Burlington in 1999.

*APRIL 18, 2007, A NO-HITTER: Buehrle no-hit Texas in the White Sox 6-0 win over Texas before 25,390 at U.S. Cellular Field. Buehrle walked one and fanned eight in facing the minimum for the 16th no-no in team history. Texas’ only baserunner was Sammy Sosa, who walked in the fifth but Buehrle picked him off. This was in the Sox first home no-hitter since Joel Horlen turned the trick vs. Detroit in 1967.

*JUNE 10, 2007, NO. 100! Buehrle gave up one run on eight innings to earn his 100th win in the White Sox 6-3 victory over Houston before 33,433 at U.S. Cellular Field. Buehrle struck out four in becoming the 12th Sox pitcher to win 100 games and the first pitcher drafted by the Sox to reach the milestone.

*JUNE 14, 2009, HOMER! Buehrle hit the only homer of his career in the White Sox 5-4 win in an interleague game at Milwaukee. Buehrle’s blast off Braden Looper leading off the third was the first by a Sox pitcher since Jon Garland in 2006. Buehrle went six innings but received no decision.

*JULY 14, 2009, ALL-STAR MARK! Buehrle fired a scoreless third inning in the American League’s 4-3 win in the All-Star Game in St. Louis. Buehrle retired Chase Utley, Albert Pujols and Ryan Braun in his third and final All-Star appearance. This was Buehrle’s fourth All-Star team (he did not pitch in 2006), tying him with Billy Pierce for the most in franchise history.

*JULY 23, 2009, PERFECTO! Buehrle tossed the second perfect game in team history and 18th in big league history in the White Sox 5-0 win over Tampa Bay before 28,036 at U.S. Cellular Field. Dewayne Wise saved the perfecto with a tremendous catch up against the wall in center for the first out in the ninth. Like his no-hitter of 2007, the game lasted 2:03 and featured Eric Cooper as the plate umpire. Buehrle joined Jim Bunning, Randy Johnson, Addie Joss, Sandy Koufax and Cy Young as the only pitchers with multiple no-hitters which included a perfect game.

*JULY 28, 2009, A RECORD PERFECT STREAK: Buehrle extended his streak of consecutive batters retired to a record a 45 in the White Sox 5-3 loss at Minnesota. The streak, which covered three starts including a perfect game, ended with a two-out walk in the sixth inning.

*APRIL 5, 2010, OPENING DAY GEM/RECORD: Buehrle executed a play for the ages while making his club record eighth Opening Day start in the White Sox 6-0 win over Cleveland before 38,935 at U.S. Cellular Field. Buehrle made an acrobatic play by flipping the ball with his glove between his legs to first base for the out in the fifth inning.

*APRIL 1, 2011, FINAL OPENER: Buehrle earned the win in extending his club-record of Opening Day starts to nine in the White Sox 15-10 victory at Cleveland. Buehrle gave up four runs in six innings in what would be his final Opening Day assignment for the Sox.

*SEPT. 27, 2011, LAST SOX HURRAH: Buehrle fired seven shutout innings for the win in a 2-1 win over Toronto before 23,934 in what would be the lefty’s last appearance in a White Sox uniform. In classic Buehrle fashion, the game lasted just 2:16 as he ended his Sox career 161-119 with a 3.83 ERA and as the all-time leader with 90 wins at Comiskey Park/U.S. Cellular Field/Guaranteed Rate Field.

*JULY 6, 2015, THE END: In his final appearance at Comiskey Park/U.S. Cellular Field/Guaranteed Rate Field, Buehrle took the loss for Toronto in a 4-2 White Sox win before 24,593 in Chicago. Buehrle went the distance but did not yield an earned run in being outdueled by Chris Sale, who also fashioned a complete game in a contest that took just 1:54.

*JUNE 24, 56 FOREVER: Buehrle had his No. 56 retired by the White Sox in an emotional ceremony at Guaranteed Rate Field.

@SOXNERD BLOG FOR JUNE 20: I’LL TAKE IT

@SoxNerd Blog for June 20 …

*NOT BAD: If I had told you the White Sox would be just six games under .500 on June 20 and …

–key relievers Nate Jones and Zach Putnam were on the disabled list and Jake Petricka spent time there 

–No. 2 starter Carlos Rodon would not have pitched an inning and fellow rotation members James Shields, Miguel Gonzalez and Dylan Covey spent time on or are on the disabled list

–journeyman David Holmberg has emerged as an important part of the starting rotation 

–Opening Day starting second baseman Tyler Saladino and Opening Day roster members Leury Garcia and Geovany Soto and projected Opening Day starting center fielder Charlie Tilson would be on or spend time on the DL

–the team had taken four road trips of at least nine games already

–Todd Frazier was hitting .205

–the current primary catchers entered 2017 with a COMBINED 41 games of Major League experience

–Jose Quintana was not pitching like Jose Quintana 

–the Opening Day center fielder Jacob May and DH Cody Asche were busts and are in Triple-A Charlotte

–Jose Abreu had no home runs at Guaranteed Rate Field

–all this during a rebuilding process, which is seemingly moving along well 

THEN, and don’t lie, you would be pleased with the way things are progressing.

I know I am.

*SOX STUPMER: Here is the trivia question flashed on the Sox scoreboard on this date in 2012: Who led the Cubs with a .323 average in the 2003 NLCS a year after leading the Sox with 22 steals (answer below)?

This is one of my most popular blogs … NOTES ON GLORIOUS WHITE SOX ROOF SHOT HOMERS | soxnerdhttps://t.co/SKXpHZj4dx

— SoxNerd (@SoxNerd) June 19, 2017

*UP ON THE ROOF: After I posted a link to my blog on Comiskey Park roof shot home runs, follower @LarryCarta asked me to look into a Jim Hickman roundtripper at the old park.

Larry recalled Hickman landing a dinger on the Comiskey Park roof for the Cubs during an exhibition game.

He asked for research and the Nerd loves research so off I went.

I found that on May 21, 1970 Hickman launched a massive four-bagger to left field in the Cubs’ 7-6 win before 28,863 in the 21st annual Boys Benefit Game at 35th and Shields.

“The Hammer from Henning, Tenneseee” came close to hitting a “roofer,” according to the next day’s Tribune.

“Hickman’s (home run) would have been a tape measure job if it hadn’t struck something on top of the left field rafters and bounced back,” wrote Richard Dozer.

It sounds like Hickman came close but just missed a roofer.

*STUMPER ANSWER: Ken Lofton

@SOXNERD BLOG JUNE 14: THE OLD COLLEGE TRY

Jake Burger (Missouri State photo)

@SoxNerd Blog for June 14:

*BOOLAH-BOOLAH: The White Sox dipped into the college ranks for their first round pick earlier this week but should come as no surprise.

Missouri State slugger Jake Burger became the fourth consecutive collegian taken by the Sox with their top pick in the draft. In addition, the Sox have used 14 of their last 15 top picks on college players.

The last high schooler taken by the Sox in the first round was outfielder Courtney Hawkins in 2012. He is at high Class-A Winston-Salem.

*SOX STUMPER: Here is the trivia question flashed on the Sox scoreboard for the team’s last home game on this date in 2016: Who was the White Sox home run leader the season they hit a club-record 242 roundtrippers (answer below)?

*REMEMEMBER HIM? You can’t blame the Sox for avoiding high school with their top selection. The last prepster they took in the first round that was remotely close to a contributor for them was catcher Mark Johnson, who was taken with the 24th overall pick in 1994.

*WHAT ABOUT …: This does not count left-handed pitcher Gio Gonzalez, thriving with the Washington Nationals, whom the Sox took out of high school with a bonus first round pick in 2004.

The Sox traded Gonzalez before he reached the bigs.

*HIGH SCHOOL STARS: The high schoolers that the Sox took with their top pick that did pan out are Carlos May (1966), Steve Trout (1976), Harold Baines (1977) and Ron Karkovice (1982).

*WHITE SOX ALAMANAC: On this date in 1905, “Gorgeous” George Davis swiped a club record four bases, scored two runs and drove in two in the White Sox 5-3 win over at Washington.

Davis, a future Hall of Famer, drove in Jimmy Callahan with the go-ahead run with a single in the eighth. 

*LEGACY: The Sox took Gavin Sheets in the second round on Monday.

Sheets, out of Wake Forest, is the son of Larry Sheets, who hit the final roof shot home run at Comiskey Park by a visitor on May 9, 1987.

Playing for the Orioles, Larry Sheets said: “A home run is a home run,” in the next day’s Tribune.

*STUMPER ANSWER: Paul Konerko (41 in 2004)

@SOXNERD BLOG JUNE 12: SOX DRAFT DITTIES

@SoxNerd Blog for June 12 …

On the day the draft begins, here are some nuggets on the Sox and the MLB’s annual pickfest:

*NO. 11: The White Sox own the 11th overall pick in the draft, which starts today.

The only time the Sox had that choice was in 1975 when they selected right-handed pitcher Chris Knapp out of Central Michigan University.

Knapp, who made his big league debut for the Sox 93 days after being picked, went 15-8 with a 4.80 ERA in 40 games (32 starts) for the Southsiders from 1975 to 1977.

The Michigander was 12-7 for the 1977 Hitmen and his trade directly netted Richard Dotson and ultimately netted Joey Cora and Warren Newson.

Not a bad pick.

*THE BULL: You know who else was taken at No. 11?

“The Bull” himself, Greg Luzinski, a slugging presence on the 1983 “Winning Ugly” White Sox.

The Phillies took the burly first baseman out of Niles (Ill.) Notre Dame High School in 1968.

*SOX STUMPER: Here is the trivia question displayed on the Sox scoreboard for the team’s last home game on this date (2016): Which son of a big league manager earned his only big league win for the Sox on this date in 1985 (answer below)?

*ALSO AT 11: Other notables picked at 11 were Jim Spencer, Andrew McCutchen, Addison Russell, Max Scherzer and Walt Weiss.

*SOX ALMANAC: On this date in 2005, Aaron Rowand’s three-run homer in the 10th off Trevor Hoffman delivered the first-place White Sox an 8-5 win at San Diego.

The Sox tied the game with two in the eighth and Rowand’s homer made a winner out of Cliff Politte, who fashioned two perfect innings of relief.

*HISTORY: No matter who the White Sox take, history says there’s a decent chance he will play in the big leagues.

Through 2012 (the draft that developed the most recent big leaguer in Russell), 71 percent of the players (34-of-48) taken at 11 have played in the bigs.

*STUMPER ANSWER: Bruce Tanner son of Chuck Tanner

@SOXNERD BLOG FOR JUNE 11: HELLO HOLMBERG!

David Holmberg (ESPN photo)

@SoxNerd Blog for June 11 …

*IN THE BOOKS! David Holmberg became the 517th White Sox pitcher to notch a victory in the 117-year history of the franchise on Saturday night.

The lefty started and went five innings as the Sox held on to beat host Cleveland 5-3.

*SOX STUMPER: Here is the trivia question displayed at the Sox last home game on this date (2016): Who is the last native of Hawaii to hit a home run for the White Sox (answer below)?

*2009 DRAFT RECAP: Holmberg is the only member of the White Sox 2009 draft class to get a win for the club.

The Sox took Holmberg in the second round that year and dealt him to Arizona with fellow pitcher Daniel Hudson for Edwin Jackson on July 30, 2010.

After stints with Arizona and Cincinnati, the Sox re-signed him as a minor league free agent on March 30.

Holmberg is one of two members of the Sox 2009 draft class to pitch for the team with Taylor Thompson (44th round) being the other. Thompson amassed a 10.14 ERA while appearing in four games for the 2012 Sox.

Catcher Josh Phegley (first round) and outfielder Trayce Thompson (second round) are the other products of the Sox 2009 draft class to play for the team.

Outfielder BrIan Goodwin (17th round) and pitcher Kevin Chapman (50th round) were drafted by the Sox, did not sign and went on to play in the bigs.

*LONG SAVE: Saturday was the first two-inning save of David Robertson’s White Sox career and just the second of his 10-year big league career.

The right-hander set down six of the seven batters he faced to earn his 10th save in a 5-3 win at Cleveland.

Robertson’s other two-inning save came Sept. 3, 2011 for the Yankees vs. Toronto.

Robertson posted one four-out save in each of his first two seasons with the Sox.

*SOX ALMANAC: On this date in 1999, Greg Norton’s two-run homer helped the White Sox notch their inaugural regular-season win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field with a rain-shortened 5-3 victory.

Jim Parque went the distance for his second straight win.

The game was halted by rain after the top of the sixth and delayed for 2 hours and 33 minutes before it was called.

*NEW GUY: If you are scoring at home, Alen Hanson became the 1,733 player to don the White Sox uniform when he pinch-ran (and scored) on Saturday night.

Hanson, a utility specialist, was claimed by the Sox off waivers from Pittsburgh on Friday.

The 1,733 players are the 13th-highest total in baseball history and fifth in American League history, per baseballreference.com.

*STUMPER ANSWER: Mike Huf

JUNE 9 @SOXNERD BLOG: THE SOX 4-HR MAN

@SoxNerd Blog for June 9 …

Here’s a look, @SoxNerd style, at Pat Seerey, the @WhiteSox four home run man, in the wake of Scooter Gennett’s quadruple tater day earlier this week:

*WHA’ HAPPUN? On July 18, 1948, White Sox left fielder and cleanup man Pat Seerey hit four home runs in a 12-11 win over the Philadelphia A’s in 11 innings before 17,296 at Shibe Park.

*EXCLUSIVE COMPANY: The 5-foot-10 right-handed hitter is the only Sox player with four bombs in a game. … At the time, Seerey joined Lou Gehrig (June 6, 1932 at Philadelphia) as the only American Leaguers to homer four times in a game. He was the fifth player overall (with Gehrig and National Leaguers Bobby Lowe, Ed Delahanty and Chuck Klein) to do it. … After Seerey, a four-homer game wouldn’t be accomplished again until June 10, 1959 when Rocky Colavito launched four homers in a row. … Gennett became the 17th player to join the list for the Reds vs. the Cardinals on June 6.

*THE HOMERS: Seerey went deep off Carl Scheib to start the fourth, hit a two-run two-out shot off Scheib in the fifth, launched a two-out, three-run blast in the sixth off Bob Savage and socked a solo homer off Lou Brissie in the 11th.

The roundtripper in the 11th proved to be the game-winner and his seventh RBI, one shy of the club record.

 

*SOX ALMANAC: On this date in 1974, Ron Santo, starting at second base, hit two homers – including an inside-the-park shot — in the White Sox 10-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox before 16,678 at Comiskey Park.

The multi-homer game, the 26th and last of his career, came a day after Santo hit a grand slam. The former Cub would hit just one more homer for the Sox the rest of the season.

More on Seerey …

 

*QUITE THE BONUS: Seerey walked out of Shibe Park with his name etched in the record book and with an extra $500.

A Philadelphia advertiser promised $300 to any player who hit three home runs in a game at Shibe Park. After his third homer, the advertiser called the park and said he would make it $500 if Seerey hit a fourth.

Seerey’s SABR biography revealed the $200 bonus. The Chicago Tribune’s account of the game reported the $300 prize.

*SOX ALMANAC II: On this date in 1975, Hank Aaron made his Comiskey Park debut as the Brewers’ designated hitter in a White Sox 1-0 loss.

4,949 on the Southside witnessed Aaron’s 1-for-3 performance. Aaron’s hit was an eighth-inning single off Rich Gossage.

Even more on Seerey …

*PREVIOUS BIG GAMES: This wasn’t the first offensive explosion of Seerey’s career.

On July 13, 1945, Seery hit three homers and drove in eight in Cleveland’s 16-4 whipping of the Yankees in the Bronx.

*DON’T FORGET ABOUT HIM! Seerey’s landmark game overshadowed a career performance by Don Kolloway.

While Seerey was clearing the fence four times, Kolloway was 5-for-7 with a double, a triple, two runs and three RBI as part of the Sox incredible 24-hit attack.

Cass Michaels wasn’t bad either that day, either, going 4-for-6 (four singles) with three runs.

*SOX STUMPER

 

*CIAO! Marino Pieretti, the only native of Italy to play for the Sox, earned the save in the Seerey game.

The righty, born in Lucca, Italy, retired Ferris Fain with the bases loaded to make sure Seerey’s big day did not go to waste.

*ANTI-CLIMATIC: The Sox dropped the nightcap 5-1 in six innings in a game cut short by Philadelphia’s curfew law, according to the July 19  Tribune.

Seerey was 0-for-2 with a run and a walk in the nightcap.

*THAT TEAM WAS TERRIBLE: The doubleheader split dropped the Sox to 26-51 en route to a 51-101 finish under manager Ted Lyons.