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THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 30TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com NYMAN MOVED 1970: The White Sox dealt left-handed pitcher Gerry Nyman, who showed promise in 1969, to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Tommie Sisk. Nyman, a left-hander from Logan, Utah, was 4-4 with a 5.29 ERA in 20 appearances for the Sox during the eminently forgettable 1969 campaign. In his first start of both the 1968 and 1969 seasons, Nyman threw a complete game. In 1968, he bested the Yankees and in 1969 it was a one-hitter against Washington. Like Sisk with the Sox, Nyman lasted just one year with the Padres. ROLLIE'S ROLL CONTINUES 1971: General manager Roland Hemond capped a 16-day trading frenzy with a four-player exchange with the Red Sox which saw the White Sox acquire first baseman Tony Muser and reliever Vicente Romo for catcher Duane Josephson and pitcher Danny Murphy. Muser proved to be a valuable acquisition, serving as a backup and fill-in for Dick Allen. Muser's footnote in franchise history came on July 3, 1973 when he drew a club-record five walks in a game. In addition to Josephson, a 1968 All-Star, other stalwarts unloaded by Hemond during this spree were Bobby Knoop, Tommy McCraw, Steve Hamilton and Art Kusyner. What did Hemond have to lose? He was overhauling a team that lost a club-record 106 games in 1970. SOX ACQUIRE PABLO 1978: Seeking left-handed help out of the bullpen, the White Sox picked up Pablo Torrealba from the Oakland A's for pitcher Steve Renko and Jim Essian. Unfortunately, Torrealba couldn't replicate the year he had with the A's in 1977 when he posted a 2.62 ERA in 41 outings. With the Sox, Torrealba was a pedestrian 2-4 with a 4.71 ERA in 1978 and pitched in just three games -- the last of his career -- in 1979. Renko still had 45 wins left in his arm upon departing the Sox. Essian played three seasons with Oakland before returning to the Sox in 1981. NO BULL: LUZINSKI ARRIVES 1981: In another credibility-establishing move, the White Sox purchased the contract of Chicago-area product Greg Luzinski from the Philadelphia Phillies. The acquisition of the four-time All-Star, coupled with the pickup of Carlton Fisk, Jim Essian, Bill Almon andDennis Lamp, showed that the new ownership group headed by Jerry Reinsdorf and Eddie Einhorn was willing to spend money and make a splash. Luzinski, a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Niles, Ill., was an ideal designated hitter and he took to the role. "The Bull" hit 21 homers in the strike-shortened season of 1981, drove in 101 runs in 1982 and hit 32 homers with 95 RBIs for the A.L. West champs in 1983. Sadly, Luzinski, like the rest of the Sox hitters, did not have a good playoff series against Baltimore (2-for-15) or a good season in 1984 (.238, 13 homers), which was the last of his 15-year career. RUUUUUUUUUUUU-DEEEEEEEEEE 1982: The White Sox acquired outfielder Rudy Law from the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfield prospect Cecil Espy and fellow minor leaguer Bert Geiger. The lanky Law hit .318 for the 1982 Sox and then went on to have a historic season for the 1983 American League West Division champions. As the team's leadoff hitter, Law hit .283 and swiped a franchise-record 77 bases. The amazing thing about his steal total was that Law was only thrown out 12 times. Law and Julio Cruz (.333) were the only Sox players whose bats showed any life in the 1983 American League Championship Series. Law amassed seven hits and hit a team-best .389 in the four-game loss to the Orioles. Much like the rest of the 1983 team, Law's production leveled off in 1984. After a mediocre 1985 season, the Sox released Law on April 1, 1986 when he couldn't beat out rookie John Cangelosi for the starting center fielder's job. ASK NOT FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, IT TOLLS FOR SAMMY 1992: The White Sox acquired George Bell from the Cubs for outfielder Sammy Sosa and left-handed reliever Kenny Patterson. Bell gave the Sox an extremely productive 1992 campaign, hitting .255 with 25 homers and 112 RBIs while giving Frank Thomas some protection. Bell's productivity dipped in 1993 although he did have some big games during that division-championship season. As for Sosa, his track record is well known and history will judge him accordingly. However, it should be pointed out that in the years following Sosa's departure from the South side, offense was not the White Sox problem, particularly in right field where the Sox employed heavy-hitters such as Ellis Burks, Darrin Jackson and Danny Tartabull until Magglio Ordonez arrived in 1998. HELLO MILWAUKEE 2001: The White Sox lost to the Brewers 5-4 in Milwaukee in the inaugural game – albeit an exhibition – at Miller Park. For the record, 41,544, many of them Sox fans, saw Sandy Alomar Jr. hit the first homer in the retractable roof stadium.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 29TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com TOMMY CAN YOU HEAR ME? YOU’RE TRADED 1971: The White Sox traded first baseman-outfielder Tommy McCraw, a member of the organization since 1960, to the Washington Senators for outfielder Ed Stroud, who had previously been with the team in 1966 and 1967. McCraw was solid performer in his eight years with the Sox, hitting between .220 and .261. He was a rare commodity in Sox history, a leadoff hitting first baseman with speed. McCraw swiped at least12 bases in seven of his eight seasons with the Sox. McCraw experienced the best and worst of the game in his time in Sox yarns. On May 24, 1967, McCraw clubbed three home runs and drove in a franchise-record eight runs in a 14-1 win at Minnesota. On May 3, 1968, McCraw tied an A.L. record by committing three errors in an inning. Stroud didn’t pan out in 1971, hitting just .171 in 53 games. OFF IN A HUFF 1994: The White Sox traded utilityman Mike Huff to the Toronto Blue Jays for first baseman Domingo Martinez. Huff, a graduate of New Trier East High School and Northwestern University, played with the Sox from 1991 to 1993 serving mostly as a reserve outfielder. Martinez, who had gotten into 15 games with Toronto in 1992 and 1993, never played for the White Sox. He did go on to have a solid 1994 at Triple-A Nashville, hitting .270 with 22 home runs and 81 RBIs. 1994 turned out to be Martinez’s only season in the Sox chain. BREAKING IN BANK ONE BALLPARK … SIMAS DEMOTED 1998: The White Sox closed out their inaugural spring training in Arizona by defeating the Diamondbacks 3-0 before 48,198 in the first game ever at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix. … After the game, the Sox optioned pitcher Bill Simas to Triple-A Calgary because they were convinced the right-hander’s velocity had not returned after shoulder surgery. Simas, a staple in the Sox pen the previous three years, returned to Chicago after making five minor league appearances and wound up leading the team with 18 saves. Simas’ season also included 13 consecutive successful save chances.

THIS DATE IN SOX HISTORY: MARCH 26-28 For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com A ROCKY MOVE: COLAVITO SOLD 1974: The White Sox sold the contract of outfielder Rocky Colavito to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Colavito played in 60 games for the 1967 Sox after being acquired from Cleveland but he was not able to give the team the pop he had become famous for earlier in his career. Colavito hit just three homers for the anemic 1967 White Sox, a team that could have used the kind of power he had when he hit at least 21 homers in each season between 1956 and 1966. NEXT STOP, THE HALL OF FAME 1974: The Red Sox released White Sox legend Luis Aparicio, thus ending the career of the greatest shortstop to play the game to that point. JOE ON THE GO 1987: In search of some outfield help and with a surplus of starting pitchers, the Sox dealt Joe Cowley to the Philadelphia Phillies for Gary Redus. Cowley was effecive -- and sometimes brilliant -- but erratic during his one-year stint with the White Sox. That was never more evident than in his no-hitter of Sept. 19, 1986. In the White Sox 7-1 victory at California, Cowley walked seven and struck out eight in tossing the 14th no-hitter in franchise hitter and the first since John "Blue Moon" Odom and Francisco Barrios accomplished the feat together at Oakland. Another Cowley paradox: On May 28, 1986, the right-hander began his start at Texas with seven consecutive strikeouts, an A.L. record, but wound up losing the game. Cowley was 11-11 with a 3.88 ERA for the 1986 Sox but the presence of veterans Richard Dotson, Floyd Bannister and Jose DeLeon and the emergence of Bill Long and Neil Allen made Cowley expendable. Cowley flamed out in a hurry in Philadelphia after suffering severe control problems. In five games(four starts) with the Phils, Cowley was 0-4 with a 15.43ERA. Redus became the Sox regular left fielder and swiped 52 bases. MARCH 27TH OLD ACHES AND PAINS, THAT’S FOR SURE 1938: White Sox shortstop Luke Appling, a future Hall of Famer, broke his ankle in a 10-9 exhibition win over the Cubs. Original reports had Appling out for five weeks but he did not return to the lineup until July 8th. SQUEEZING THE GRAPEFRUIT FOR THE LAST TIME 1997: The White Sox defeated the Boston Red Sox 6-1 in Fort Myers, Fla., in their final Grapefruit League game. The Sox called Sarasota, Florida their spring training home since 1960 but were bound for Tucson, Arizona and the Cactus League beginning in 1998. Awaiting the Sox was a $35 million sports complex, which included Tucson Electric Park. SOX NO LONGER LIKE MIKE 2000: Just two years removed from a sensational rookie season, the White Sox optioned shortstop Mike Caruso to Triple-A Charlotte. After hitting .306 as a 21-year old rookie in 1998, Caruso dropped off substantially in 1999, batting just .250. The acquisition of Jose Valentin, also a shortstop, in the offseason also paved Caruso’s way out of Chicago. The enigmatic Caruso spent the year in the minors before being granted free agency in October. HELLO, DAMASO 2002: The White Sox acquired reliever Damaso Marte from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor league pitcher Matt Guerrier. The Sox got a lot of use out of the left-handed Marte, pitching him 279 times between 2002 and 2005. Marte’s time with the Sox peaked in 2003 when he was 4-2 with 11 saves and a 1.58 ERA. How dominant was he that year? Marte surrendered just 50 hits in 79.2 innings and struck out 87 batters. A TIE WITH ARCH ENEMY 2006: The White Sox and Cubs played to a 6-6 tie in a Cactus League game before 12,894 in Mesa, Ariz. This marked the first time in the rivals’ 25-game Cactus League series that a game ended in a tie. The White Sox held a 6-4 lead going into the last of the ninth but Neal Cotts gave up two in the frame to force the tie. Jim Thome had a huge day, with four hits, two homers (one off Greg Maddux and one off Bob Howry) and three RBIs. MARCH 28TH THE START OF A TRAGEDY 1940: According to baseballlibrary.com, White Sox second baseman Jackie Hayes caught a cinder in his eye during a 10-1 exhibition loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. An infection ensued and Hayes, a top fielder in his day, eventually lost sight in the eye. By 1943, he was totally blind. According to White Sox historian Rich Lindberg, Hayes complained of vision problems early in spring training and was told by team doctors it was an infection and would clear itself up quickly. In late July, Lindberg wrote in The White Sox Encyclopedia, Hayes was diagnosed with a cataract. Hayes, who spent seven years with the Sox, played his final game on Aug. 29, 1940. ACQUIRING A LAMP 1981: In one of the most underrated deals of his tenure, White Sox general manager Roland Hemond acquired Dennis Lamp from the Cubs for Ken Kravec. Lamp spent three years with the White Sox and was a versatile contributor to three consecutive winning teams. The right-hander logged a 2.41 ERA in 1981, won a career-high 11 games in 1982 and led the A.L. West Division champions with 15 saves in 1983. His best outing came on Aug. 25, 1981 when he no-hit the Brewers at Milwaukee until Robin Yount led off the ninth with a double. Lamp settled for a one-hitter, the second of his career. Even in departure, Lamp was good to the Sox. When he signed as a free agent with Toronto following the 1983 season, the Sox were awarded a selection in the now-defunct compensation pool draft, which was part of the settlement of the 1981 strike. The Sox chose Tom Seaver, whom the Mets had left unprotected figuring that no team would select a high-priced veteran pitcher. Seaver went on to have twof solid seasons with the Sox. The left-handed Kravec, meanwhile, won two games in two seasons for the Cubs. Editor's Note: Information for these entries is gleaned from the author's files, retrosheet.org, various Internet sources, press reports of the day, White Sox media guides and the many White Sox

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 25 For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com ONE LAST WIN 1997: The White Sox closed out their spring training stay for good at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla., with an 8-7 win over the Minnesota Twins. The Sox, who had called Sarasota their spring home since 1960, were headed to Tucson, Arizona for 1998 and beyond. The Sox would close out their Grapefruit League stay with games in Fort Myers, Fla., the next two days. CATCHING HELP ARRIVES 1999: TheWhite Sox acquired catcher Brook Fordyce from the Cincinnati Reds for minor league pitcher Jake Meyer. With prospects Mark Johnson and Josh Paul not quite ready, the Sox were worrisomely thin at catcher so the arrival of Fordyce couldn’t have come at a better time. Fordyce gave the White Sox a fine 1999, hitting .297 with nine home runs and 49 RBIs. Fordyce stayed with the Sox until July of 2000 when he was shipped to Baltimore as part of the Harold Baines-Charles Johnson trade. Happy Birthday: Jerry Kutzler 1965 (White Sox pitcher 1990); Woodie Held 1932 (White Sox infielder 1968-1969). RIP: Eddie Collins 1951 (White Sox infielder, Hall of Famer 1915-1926). Editor's Note: Information for these entries is gleaned from the author's files, retrosheet.org, various Internet sources, press reports of the day, White Sox media guides and the many White Sox books written by the great Rich Lindberg.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 23 AND 24 For more see www.whitesoxalmanac.com/ENJOY! MARCH 23 THIS OLD PARK IS NEW AGAIN 1962: The White Sox upgraded the clubhouses at ComiskeyPark with $170,000 worth of improvements. The new clubhouses were connected to the dugouts and located beneath the first base and third base stands. The modernization meant that players would no longer have to walk through the stands and onto ramps to accesses the clubhouses something they had to do since the park’s opening in 1910.. SOUTHSIDE HITMEN GET THEIR CLOSER 1977: General manager Roland Hemond pulled off a beauty of a deal when he acquired Lerrin LaGrow from the St. Louis Cardinals for Clay Carroll in a swap of right-handed relievers. LaGrow went on to have one of the best seasons ever by a Sox closer. The Phoenix native posted 25 saves, the third highest total in franchise history since the stat became official, while becoming an integral part of one of the most significant seasons in club history. Carroll, meanwhile, made his way back to the Sox for the end of the 1977 campaign after appearing in 51 games for the Cards. POURING OUT THE JUICE 1987: The White Sox released Julio Cruz, cutting ties with one of the sparkplugs of their 1983 American League Western Division title team. It was a great beginning but a sour end for the affable Cruz. The second baseman hit .251 and swiped 24 bases after being acquired from SeattleJune 15, 1983. His acquisition is often pointed to as one of the main reasons why the 1983 Sox went on that second half tear and won the division going away. Following the season, the Sox signed Cruz to a six-year contract. That turnedout to be a colossal mistake. “The Juice” was never the same after the magical 1983 season. His release on this date concluded one of the most bittersweet careers in team annals. A KING-SIZED DEAL 1989: The White Sox traded outfielder-third baseman Ken Williams to the Detroit Tigers for right-handed pitcher Eric King. This deal turned out to be one of general manager Larry Himes’ best. Williams didn’t do much after leaving the Sox while King played a major role in the team’s renaissance campaign of 1990. As manager Jeff Torborg’s No. 2 starter, King went 12-5 with a 3.28 ERA in 25 starts. He teamed with Greg Hibbard, Jack McDowell and Melido Perez to give the White Sox their most consistent rotation since the “Winning Ugly” days. Williams, of course, would return to the Sox in an executive capacity and was the GM for the club’s 2005 World Series season. HERE COMES THE TROUBLED 1998: Wil Cordero agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the White Sox. A gifted offensive player, Cordero had encountered personal problems in his career. The Sox were probably banking on the fact that Cordero would find comfort with Sox manager Jerry Manuel because the two were together with the Expos from 1992 to 1995. Cordero lasted one year with the Sox, hitting .267 with 13 homers and 39 RBIs. The highlight of his stay came in his first at bat when he homered at Cleveland on April 23. MARCH 24TH SO LONG, BOBBY 1971: The White Sox traded second baseman Bobby Knoop to the Kansas City Royals for cash and a player to be named later. Knoop, a three-time Gold Glover with the Angels in the 1960s, hit .229 in both 1969 and 1970 for the Sox. He became expendable when the Sox acquired second baseman Mike Andrews from Boston the previous December. In addition to the cash, the Sox received infielder Luis Alcaraz as the player to be named later in the deal six days later. Alcaraz never played for the Sox. ANOTHER STEP IN THE COMEBACK 1993: The White Sox exercised the option on outfielder-designated hitter Bo Jackson, assuring that Jackson and his artificial hip would make the 25-man roster. This may have been a foregone conclusion since the team had been using Bo and his plastic hip in ads to sell season tickets. Regardless, the man had come all the way back from a potentially debilitating hip injury. Jackson would make history when he became the first player with an artificial hip to play and homer in a big league game when he went deep on his first swing of the season in the ComiskeyPark opener April 9. Editor's Note: Information for these entries is gleaned from the author's files, retrosheet.org, various Internet sources, press reports of the day, White Sox media guides and the many White Sox books written by the great Rich Lindberg.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 21ST For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com COMISKEY ARRIVES IN CHICAGO 1900: A key date in the founding of the franchise: Charles Comiskey moved his St. Paul Saints to Chicago and christened them Chicago White Stockings. The shift of the Saints team was part of Ban Johnson’s plan to turn the Western League into a challenger for the established National League. The move to major market Chicago was seen as the key to the plan, according to Rich Lindberg’s “White Sox Encyclopedia.” The Sox opened their first season in Chicago exactly a month later. The American League, under the presidency of Johnson, began play as an officially-recognized Major League in 1901. A GIANT PURCHASE 1958: The White Sox purchased some outfielder depth from the San Francisco Giants when they picked up Don Mueller. The two-time National League All-Star, who hit .389 in the 1954 World Series for the Giants, spent all of 1958 and four games of 1959 with the Sox before being released. DEALING WITH THE LAW 1982: The White Sox dealt pitchers Ross Baumgarten and Butch Edge to the Pittsburgh Pirates for third baseman Vance Law and pitcher Ernie Camacho. The acquisition of Law was a coup for the Sox. He became a key member of the 1983 A.L. West champs while Baumgarten lasted just 12 more games after leaving the Sox and Edge’s career was all of nine games for the 1979 Blue Jays. ASSENMACHER COMES/MJ GOES 1994: On the day they assigned Michael Jordan to their minor league camp, the White Sox acquired left-handed reliever Paul Assenmacher from the Yankees for minor league pitcher Brian Boehringer. Assenmacher was brought on to give Scott Radinsky, the only reliable lefty in the Sox bullpen, some help. … As for Jordan, he would alternate among Sox affiliates for the rest of spring training before the Sox finally assigned him to Double-A Birmingham at month’s end. VENTURA INJURED 1997: White Sox third baseman Robin Ventura suffered an ankle injury so grotesque that a fan reportedly fainted. The injury occurred when Ventura slid into home in the fourth inning of the White Sox 4-1 Grapefruit League victory over the Boston Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla. Ventura suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle. He would undergo surgery the next day. During the operation, a screw was inserted to stabilize the ankle. The injury was expected to cost Ventura three to four months. Ventura began his minor league rehab assignment on July 14. By July 24, he was back in the Sox lineup and he delivered game-winning hit that night at Comiskey Park in what was one of the most emotional moments at the park in some time.

Through 1990 cant' find any trips to Vero Beach/Dodgertown

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 20TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com NEW GIG FOR HAROLD 2004: A day after Joe Nossek retired, Harold Baines was appointed as White Sox bench coach. Baines took over for Nossek, who had been with the franchise for 14 seasons. The appointment was Baines’ first coaching job though he had been with the organization in different capacities since retiring in 2001. Baines would serve as manager Ozzie Guillen’s bench coach for the 2004 and 2005 seasons before taking the job as first coach for the 2006 campaign – a post he still holds. THE WELCOME MAT FOR THORNTON 2006: General manager Kenny Williams acquired underachieving left-handed pitcher Matt Thornton from Seattle for underachieving outfielder Joe Borchard. Seattle’s first-round pick in 1998, Thornton didn’t make it to the bigs until 2004. With the Mariners, the Three Rivers, Mich., native was 1-6 with a 4.82 ERA in 74 outings. With the Sox, Thornton had a solid 2006, going 5-3 with two saves and a 3.33 ERA. A year later, Thornton dropped off, going 4-4 with two saves and a 4.79 ERA. Like he had with the Sox, Borchard was a disappointment with Seattle, lasting just six games. Happy Birthday: Clyde Shoun 1912 (White Sox pitcher 1949); Vern Kennedy 1907 (White Sox pitcher 1934-1937); Al Widmar 1925 (White Sox pitcher 1952); RIP: Gee Walker 1981 (White Sox outfielder 1938-1939);

Good call ... Also efforting when the last time the Sox played AT Dodgertown. I'll keep you posted!

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 19TH For more see, www.whitesoxalmanac.com NOSSEK CALLS IT QUITS 2004: Longtime White Sox bench coach Joe Nossek resigned after 14 seasons of service to the franchise. Harold Baines would be named as his replacement the following day. An expert sign-stealer, Nossek was first employed by the Sox as manager Jeff Torborg’s “eye-in-the-sky” positioning the team’s defense in 1990. The OhioUniversity product and former Minnesota Twin tutored Sox hitters in 1984 and first base coach in 1985. Following a stint as the Astros advance scout, Nossek rejoined the Sox. During his Sox stint, Nossek served as interim manager for eight games, going 3-5. ON THE FIELD … A WIN OVER THE CUBS 2004: The White Sox battered the Cubs bullpen in posting a 9-3 Cactus League victory before 11,624 in Tucson. After being shut down by starter Sergio Mitre, the Sox ripped three Cub relievers for nine runs on 12 hits over the final four innings. Jose Valentin capped a three-run fifth with a two-run double and Juan Uribe homered in handing rookie manager Ozzie Guillen his first victory over the archrival Cubs.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 18TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com JACKIE ROBINSON AND THE WHITE SOX 1942: The White Sox were in position to change the course of baseball history but passed. On this date, White Sox manager Jimmy Dykes watched African American athletes Jackie Robinson and Nate Moreland work out at his team’s spring training facility in Pasadena, California. According to Jules Tygiel’s 1983 book “Baseball’s Great Experiment,” Robinson, best known as a football star at UCLA, and Moreland, a Negro League pitcher, requested a tryout, which Dykes granted. History tells us that nothing came of the tryout but Dykes, who stated he was willing to accept black players, was impressed even though Robinson was hobbled by a charley horse, according to Tygiel. “I’d hate to see him on two good legs,” Dykes said. “He’s worth $50,000 of anybody’s money. He stole everything but my infielders’ gloves.” After a stint in the army and with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues and the minor league Montreal Royals, Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier with Brooklyn in 1947. Robinson did not mention this tryout with the White Sox in his 1972 autobiography “I Never Had It Made,” Minnie Minoso broke the White Sox color barrier on May 1, 1951. ZEKE SENT PACKING 1938: In a swap of contrasting first sackers, the White Sox acquired Joe Kuhel from the Washington Senators for Zeke Bonura. According to Rich Lindberg’s White Sox Encyclopedia, manager Jimmy Dykes requested the Sox deal Bonura after the slugger held out for the fourth consecutive spring. The trade was met with alarm and outrage according to Lindberg because the hard-hitting Bonura (89 home runs in four years) was a popular performer. In Kuhel, the Sox received a slick-fielder who fashioned some substantial offensive numbers between 1938 and 1943. The Cleveland native’s best campaign came in 1940 when he hit .280 with 27 homers and 94 RBIs. Bonura hit just 47 homers after leaving the Southside. NO RISK … IT’S FISK 1981: (Note: White Sox media guides of the day and White Sox historian Rich Lindberg have the Fisk signing on March 10. I first posted this entry on March 10 … Retrosheet.org lists the signing on March 18 which is why I am repeating it). In one of the great moves in the history of the franchise, the new ownership group of Jerry Reinsdorf and Eddie Einhorn signed All-Star catcher Carlton Fisk giving their regime instant credibility. Fisk became a free agent when the Boston Red Sox failed to postmark his contract. The Sox literally camped out on Fisk’s doorstep in getting him to agree to a $3 million contract. Fisk became a legend in his first game with the Sox when he launched a game-winning homer against his old team in his old park. Days later, in his home debut, Fisk thrilled the 51,560 at Comiskey Park with a grand slam. Fisk went on to become one of the greatest and most popular players in team history despite his many squabbles with management throughout his tenure in Chicago. Editor's Note: Information for these entries is gleaned from the author's files, retrosheet.org, various Internet sources, press reports of the day, White Sox media guides and the many White Sox books written by the great Rich Lindberg.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 17TH Happy St. Patrick’s Day! For more information, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com THE BEGINNING OF COMISKEY PARK 1910: The cornerstone of Comiskey Park was laid at official groundbreaking ceremonies for the White Sox new home. The ceremony took part before “a solemn but happy throng of local residents,” according to Rich Lindberg’s “White Sox Encyclopedia.” Architect Zachary Taylor Davis, who had been enlisted by Charles Comiskey to design “The Baseball Palace of the World,” laid a lucky Irish green Tom commemorate the occasion and the day. The park opened on July 1 and was operational through the 1990 season. ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER WIN OVER THE CUBS 2000: For the second consecutive day, the White Sox posted a Cactus League victory over the Cubs. Before 10,429 at Tucson Electric Park, the Sox hammered the Northsiders 12-3. Ray Durham led the barrage on the baby bruins with three hits and two RBIs while Paul Konerko and Greg Norton each hit two home runs as the Sox won for the third straight time overall against the Cubs. BIG FRANK STANDING TALL 2005: White Sox designated hitter Frank Thomas testified, via satellite from Arizona, before the Committee on Government Reform, which convened at the United States House Representatives in Washington. The panel was entitled: "Restoring Faith in America's Pastime: Evaluating Major League Baseball's Efforts to Eradicate Steroid Use" and included Senators John McCain and Jim Bunning, a Hall of Fame pitcher, among others. Players or former players called to testify were, in order of appearance, Jose Canseco, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, Mark McGwire, Curt Schilling and Thomas. According to a Washington Post article, Thomas and Schilling were invited because of their vocal opposition to steroid use. The other players all had been connected to or accused of steroid use. Thomas did not take part in the questioning but did make the following statement (http://www.businessofbaseball.com/steroidhearings/ThomasTestimony.pdf): “Good morning, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. I want to thank the Chairman and the Ranking member for allowing me to make this statement. My name is Frank Thomas and I am a baseball player for the Chicago White Sox — a team I am proud to have been part of since joining Major League Baseball in 1989. “First of all, Mr. Chairman, let me say that as an outspoken critic of steroids, I would like to work with this Committee, Major League Baseball, and the Players Association to warn everyone – especially young people – about the dangers of performance enhancing drugs. Steroids are dangerous and the public should be educated about them, and in particular, parents should make sure their children are aware that steroids can be bad for their health. “I also believe the League and the Players’ Association have done the right thing by reopening our collective bargaining agreement and strengthening our policy on drug testing. I support this new policy as a very good first step in eliminating steroid use from the sport I love. “I have been a major league ballplayer for 15 years. Throughout my career, I have not used steroids. Ever. “Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee.” Editor's Note: Information for these entries is gleaned from the author's files, retrosheet.org, various Internet sources, press reports of the day, White Sox media guides and the many White Sox books written by the great Rich Lindberg.

THIS DATE IN SOX HISTORY: MARCH 16TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com THE WHITE SOX ARE BORN 1900: A key date in the formation of the franchise: At a meeting in Chicago, American League president Ban Johnson announced that an A.L. team will be placed in Chicago. In an agreement with the National League, the A.L. agreed to put the Chicago team on the south side. In addition, the existing franchise agreed to let the Chicago A.L. team use the nickname “White Stockings,” which used to be their monicker. However, the agreement stipulated that the A.L. team could not use the word “Chicago” in their official name. The White Stockings joined Kansas City, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo in the A.L. TAKING A GAMBLE … AGAIN 1985: Seeking some left-handed depth and punch off the bench, the White Sox re-enlisted free agent Oscar Gamble, who was a key member of the 1977 Southside Hitmen. Gamble made the 1985 club and got into 70 games and hit .203 with four homers and 20 RBIs before being released Aug. 12, 1985 thus ending his 17-year career. BO KNOWS COMEBACKS 1993: The comeback of Bo Jackson took another step forward when he went 3-for-4 while playing the outfield in the White Sox 3-2 Grapefruit League loss to the Florida Marlins in Sarasota, Fla. Jackson underwent reconstructive hip surgery on April 5, 1992 and was attempting to become the first player in history to appear in a big league game with an artificial hip. He would accomplish that feat less than a month later. CLIPPING THE CUBS 2000: Paul Konerko capped a big day when he drove in the eventual winning run in the seventh inning of the White Sox 7-6 Cactus League victory over the Cubs at Tucson Electric Park. Konerko went 3-for-4 and drove in four to jack his spring average to .474. The Sox fell behind 4-0 but cut the deficit to 4-3 in the fourth on a two-run double by Magglio Ordonez and a run-scoring single by Konerko. Konerko’s heroics made a winner out of reliever Tanyon Sturtze and halted the Sox three-game Cactus League losing streak to their archrivals.

THIS DATE IN SOX HISTORY: MARCH 15TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com KEALEY ARRIVES WITH A BAT 1971: The White Sox acquired pitcher Steve Kealey and catcher Dave Adlesh from the California Angels for catcher Art Kusyner. Kealey, a right-hander, gave the White Sox two pretty fair seasons out of the bullpen and made some history in the process. On Sept. 6, 1971 in the first game of a doubleheader, Kealey became the last White Sox pitcher of the pre-DH era to hit a home run. The three-run blast off Archie Corbin came in a 6-3 victory over Minnesota at Comiskey Park. Kealey’s blast would the last by a White Sox pitcher for 35 years. The next home run by a Sox pitcher wouldn’t come for another 35 years when Jon Garland launched a two-run home run at Cincinnati on June 18, 2006. BYE BYE, CY 1975: With Rich Gossage and Terry Forster entrenched at the end of the bullpen, the White Sox sold reliever Cy Acosta to the Philadelphia Phillies. In three seasons in the Sox bullpen, the native of El Sabino, Sinola, Mexico turned in some decent numbers. The right-hander went 13-9 with a 2.49 ERA and 26 saves in 101 appearances after the Sox had acquired him from Jalisco of the Mexican League. Acosta’s best year was 1973 when he went 10-6 with a 2.23 ERA and a team-high 18 saves. Acosta lasted just six games with the Phillies.

MARCH 14TH JORDAN SHOWS ‘EM … KIND OF 1994: On the day Sports Illustrated released a cover story imploring him to quit, White Sox minor leaguer Michael Jordan delivered his first professional hit. “I’m glad it’s over and done with,” Jordan after the Sox 9-5 split squad Grapefruit League win over the Minnesota Twins. Jordan’s infield hit ended an 0-for-14 start to his pro career. “MJ” entered the game in the sixth as a defensive replacement in right field. In his first at bat, Jordan drew a walk on a 3-1 pitch during a plate appearance in which he did not swing. He then stole his first career base, sliding safely head first into second ahead of catcher Matt Walbeck’s throw. In the eighth, Jordan was facing right-hander Jeff Innis. On a 1-1 pitch, Jordan sent a bouncer to third that he beat out after Jeff Carter knocked it down but couldn’t make a timely throw. The crowd of 6,410 at Ed Smith Stadium responded with a standing ovation. The throng rose to its collective feet again moments later when Jordan scored on Dann Howitt’s homer. After the game, his teammates celebrated Jordan’s first hit by giving him a beer shower. “Maybe you reporters will go home now,” Jordan said afterward. Some reporters Jordan had probably wished never arrived in Florida were those from Sports Illustrated. The magazine ran a picture of Jordan clearly swinging and missing at a pitch with a blaring caption that declared: “Bag It Michael! Jordan and the White Sox are embarrassing baseball.” SOX OVERPOWER CUBS 2005: The future World Series champions used five home runs in hammering the Cubs 9-5 in a Cactus League game before 12,967 fans in Mesa, Ariz. Aaron Rowand counted two home runs among his three hits while Joe Borcarhd, A.J. Pierzynski and Paul Konerko each went deep once. The win as the Sox 10th in their last 14 Arizona games against the Cubs and improved their overall record to 13-9 against their rivals.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 13TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com NEW LOOK SOX 1960: The White Sox unveiled new uniforms for 1960 that feature the players’ names above the number. The move was hailed as another innovation by White Sox owner Bill Veeck. TOM TERRIFIC VS. DOC 1985: A Met great of the past met a Met great of the present in the White Sox 6-0 Grapefruit League victory over the New York Mets at PaynePark in Sarasota, Fla. The White Sox Tom Seaver, making his second start of the spring, was sharp. “Tom Terrific,” who came to the Sox from the Mets before the 1984 season, hurled five shutout frames and gave up just a single to Len Dykstra. “I’ve only seen him on television,” Gooden said of Seaver in press reports of the day. “I’ve never spoken to him. I wouldn’t mind meeting him. I am sure there are some tips he could give me.” Gooden, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, fashioned three goose-eggs in his spring training debut. The hard-throwing Gooden gave up just singles to Harold Baines and Carlton Fisk. “He has good mechanics and it looks like he has a terrific arm,” Seaver said of Gooden. Both men would go on to have historic seasons. Seaver would win 15 games and notch his 300th win while Gooden would go 24-4 and win the N.L. Cy Young Award.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 12TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com BAD BREAK FOR SULLY 1910: The White Sox suffered a setback when starting catcher and 1909 manager Billy Sullivan stepped on a rusty nail. Sullivan, a rock during the Sox “Hitless Wonder” era of the early 1900s, did not go to a doctor and eventually suffered from blood poisoning. The malady kept him out of the lineup until July 1. HOOSIER SPRING HOME 1945: The White Sox opened their final wartime spring training camp in Terre Haute, Ind. Wartime travel restrictions forced the White Sox into some unconventional spring training homes. In 1943 and 1944, the Sox trained in French Lick, Ind., better known as the hometown of NBA legend Larry Bird. After working out in Terre Haute -- where Bird played for Indiana State – for one year, the Sox went West after the war, returning to Pasadena, Calif., where they had trained from 1933 to 1942. CONQUEST OF THE CUBS 1950: The White Sox had to sweat out their exhibition opener against the Cubs in Pasadena, Calif. The Sox jumped to a huge lead but didn’t secure the 8-7 victory until Randy Gumpert whiffed pinch-hitter Hank Edwards to halt the Cubs’ six-run uprising and the game. BEATING UP THE BIRD 1981: The White Sox put a dent in Mark “The Bird” Fidrych’s comeback when they pounded the Detroit right-hander in a 13-5 Grapefruit League victory in Lakeland. The Sox ripped Fidrych, who had struggled with injuries since winning the 1976 A.L. Rookie of the Year Award, for six runs. The big blow was Rusty Kuntz’s two-run home run in the first inning. BIG HURT BIG DEAL 1992: The White Sox signed first baseman-DH Frank Thomas to a three-year contract which would see the “Big Hurt” through his MVP campaigns of 1993 and 1994. According to press reports of the day, the deal, including bonuses, could be worth $5 million. Baseball-almanac.com had Thomas’ salary at $620,000 for 1992, $1,115,000 in 1993 and $2,755,000 in 1994.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 11TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com BATTERING A HALL OF FAMER 1971: The White Sox, coming off a 106-loss season, showed no mercy on future Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning in a Grapefruit League game in Florida. The Sox lit up the Phillie right-hander, who went on to become a member of the House and a U.S. Senator, for six runs on 10 hits in an exhibition victory. ANOTHER DECADE FOR MINNIE 1991: White Sox legend Minnie Minoso received a boost from an old friend in his quest to play professional baseball in a sixth different decade. Mike Veeck, president of the Florida State League’s Pompana Beach Miracle, announced that Minoso would play April 13 against the Ft. Lauderdale Yankees. Minoso, who played for Mike’s dad Bill in both Cleveland and Chicago, had appeared in at least one game in each of the previous five decades. Bill Veeck afforded Minnie the opportunity to extend the streak in 1976 and 1980 with the White Sox. Commissioner Fay Vincent denied Minoso’s quest on April 10 but he did get his chance in 1993 and 2003 for Mike Veeck’s independent St. Paul Saints. YOUMANS … HE GONE 1991: The White Sox cut once-promising pitcher Floyd Youmans. The Sox invited the enigmatic right-hander to spring camp as a non-roster invitee in February but he failed to impress. Youmans had been one of the most promising pitchers in the National League in the mid-1980s but everything from a bulge battle to injuries to a stint in a drug rehab derailed him. Youmans, who attended the same high school -- Hillsborough in Tampa -- as the Mets’ Dwight Gooden, was 13-12 with a 3.53 ERA with 202 strikeouts in 219 innings as a 22-year old for the Expos. After winning nine games in 1987, Youmans won just four times over the next two seasons. He had been out of the game in 1990 and 1991 when the Sox came calling. The next time Youmans appeared in professional baseball was for a five-game stint with independent Saskatoon in 2003. REMEMBER HIM? SOX POUND PARQUE 2007: The White Sox battered Jim Parque for six runs in two-thirds of an inning en route to a 12-7 win over Seattle in Peoria, Ariz. The Sox plated six of their eight runs in the seventh inning off Parque, who pitched for the Sox from 1998 to 2002.

THIS DATE IN SOX HISTORY: MARCH 10TH: PUDGE, BO AND AIR For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com NO RISK … IT’S FISK 1981: In one of the great moves in the history of the franchise, the new ownership group of Jerry Reinsdorf and Eddie Einhorn signed All-Star catcher Carlton Fisk giving their regime instant credibility. Fisk became a free agent when the Boston Red Sox failed to postmark his contract. The Sox literally camped out on Fisk’s doorstep in getting him to agree to a $3 million contract. Fisk became a legend in his first game with the Sox when he launched a game-winning homer against his old team in his old park. Days later, in his home debut, Fisk thrilled the 51,560 at Comiskey Park with a grand slam. Fisk went on to become one of the greatest and most popular players in team history despite his many squabbles with management throughout his tenure in Chicago. BO KNOWS COMING, GOING, COMING AND SURGERY 1992: On a day he was both demoted and retained, White Sox DH Bo Jackson announced he would have surgery – most likely replacement surgery -- on his ailing hip. Jackson injured his left hip while playing for the Raiders on Jan. 14, 1991. Bo was released by the Royals but signed by the Sox and he joined the team for September of that season. The following spring training was a struggle for Jackson. While his numbers were good, the hip ailment curtailed his mobility. It was sad seeing Jackson struggle out of the box to first base even if it was in a Sox uniform. On this date, the Sox demoted Jackson to Triple-A Vancouver. Upon refusing the assignment, Bo became a free agent and agreed to a one-year pact with two options. Jackson sat out the 1992 season after having reconstructive hip surgery on April 5. Jackson made history when he became the first player in history to appear in a big league game with an artificial hip on April 9, 1993. LETTING THE AIR OUT 1995: Farmhand Michael Jordan walked out of the White Sox spring camp in Sarasota, Fla., ending his quest to become a Major Leaguer. Publicly, Jordan did not blame anyone for his decision to retire but he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Owners were using replacement players in exhibition games while the union was still on strike. Union chief Donald Fehr countered by declaring that minor leaguers who played in paid exhibition games would be considered strikebreakers. To avoid the mess, which obviously made him uncomfortable, Jordan bolted. Eight days later, Jordan announced he was returning to the NBA. Jordan spent 1994 at the Sox Double-A affiliate in Birmingham, Ala. Playing the outfield, Jordan hit .202 with three homers, 51 RBIs and 30 stolen bases while setting attendance records throughout the Southern League. Not bad for a guy who had never played professional baseball before. ROID RAGE 2003: Sixteen White Sox expressed a desire to refuse a steroid test in hopes of inflating the failure rate. A refusal counted as a failure and if the failure rate gotover five percent, mandatory testing would continue through 2005. A few veteran players talked the 16 members of the team out of their plan.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 9TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com TRAGEDY STRIKES 1927: A suicide attempt on this date cost White Sox star outfielder Johnny Mostil all of the 1927 season. It happened in the Sox spring training hotel in Shreveport, La. According to Rich Lindberg’s “Total White Sox,” Mostil inflicted 13 razor cuts to his wrist, arms and neck. The wounds put him near death for days but he slowly recovered his strength and will to live, according to Lindberg. Press reports of the day claimed that Mostil complained of neuritis though rumors circulated that the engaged Mostil was depressed and the cause of that depression was an affair he was having with a teammate’s wife. Mostil came back in 1928 and played briefly in 1929 before leaving the game. He returned to the Sox in 1949 as a scout and thrived for two decades in that role. A DIFFERENT KIND OF STRIKE 1972: The White Sox were the first team to authorize a strike while the union and owners were in negotiations. The Sox voted 31-0 to authorize the stoppage. The main issues in the conflict were health and pension benefits for the players. LAYING THE GROUNDWORK 2003: In his bid for the fifth spot in the rotation, non-roster invitee Esteban Loaiza fired four scoreless innings in the White Sox 5-3 Cactus League loss to Oakland in Tucson. Loaiza went on to go 4-2 in the spring and became the first non-roster invitee to make the Sox Opening Day roster since Danny Darwin in 1997. Loaiza won 21 games and started the All-Star Game at US Cellular Field in 2003. TUCSON POWER 2006: The defending World Champion White Sox got home runs from Ryan Sweeney, Ross Gload, Josh Fields and Darren Blakely in blasting Seattle 10-3 in a Cactus League game in Tucson, Ariz. Sweeney’s blast was his team-leading third of the spring while Fields’ and Blakely’s dingers were three run shots.

THIS DATE IN SOX HISTORY: MARCH 8TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com YOU’RE ON THE AIR! 1948: The White Sox will have their games put on that new-fangled device called television, it was revealed on this date. The plan was for WGN, which was billed a “new television station” in the Chicago Tribune, to air the White Sox home schedule in its entirety. Jack Brickhouse and Harry Creighton would call the games until 1954 when Vince Lloyd joined the team. This began a relationship which would have the White Sox exclusively on WGN through 1967 before they moved to WFLD. The Sox relationship with WGN resumed in 1981 for a year and again in 1990. BAD OMEN FOR THIGGY 1993: Bobby Thigpen, the White Sox career saves leader, fashioned another stinker in the White Sox 11-5 win over the Minnesota Twins in a Grapefruit League game at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. Thigpen yielded five runs in an inning on the heels of his spring debut in which he surrendered five earned runs in one inning. “It’s spring training, who cares,” Thigpen said after the turbulent outing against Minnesota. Truth be told, Thipgen was never the same after that historic 57-save season of 1990. By the time of this rough spring start, Thigpen had lost his closer’s job to Roberto Hernandez. 1993 was a struggle for Thigpen. On Aug. 10, he was dealt to Philadelphia for Jose DeLeon. CINTRON ACQUIRED 2006: The White Sox obtained some depth and versatility when they acquired infielder Alex Cintron from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league pitcher Jeff Bajenaru. Cintron, who was playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic at the time of the trade, had compiled a .279 average while playing second, short and third in five seasons with the Diamondbacks. Cintron would go on to hit .285 in 91 games for the 2006 Sox and .243 with two homers and 19 RBIs in 68 games for the 2007 White Sox. He was released after the 2007 season.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 7TH For more see, whitesoxalmanac.com INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION 1975: The White Sox lost to the Chunichi Dragons 1-0 in an exhibition game in Sarasota, Florida. The Dragons were touring the States as the defending champions of the Japanese Central League. JOHNSTONE, SPIEZIO CUT 1973: The White Sox abruptly released outfielder Jay Johnstone and utlityman Ed Spiezio. Johnstone was probably deemed expendable because of the arrival of Ken Henderson, who was slated to join Pat Kelly and Carlos May in the 1973 outfield. Spiezio was most likely cleared out because of the return of Bill Melton at third. Spiezio was acquired during the 1972 season to fill in for the injured Bill Melton at third base. WHO NEEDS THE DH? 1994: White Sox ace Jack McDowell gave up one hit in four innings and delivered a run-scoring double in a 3-2 split squad loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a Grapefruit League game in Bradenton, Fla. The reigning Cy Young Award winner drove in Mike LaValliere with a gapper in the fourth-inning for his first hit in seven spring training at bats. The next day’s Chicago Tribune pointed out that McDowell notched his first spring hit before Michael Jordan did. IT COULDN’T LAST FOREVER 2004: The White Sox suffered their first loss in the Ozzie Guillen Era. After opening the Cactus League season with three straight victories, the Sox lost to the Diamondbacks 8-7 at Tucson Electric Park. HAVE A DAY WIDGE 2006: Chris Widger launched two home runs and Paul Konerko homered and drove in four as the White Sox whipped Oakland 8-5 in a Cactus League game. The victory was the defending champs’ second straight after starting the exhibition season with six straight Ls.

THIS DATE IN SOX HISTORY: MARCH 6TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com WHITE SOX-CUBS: TOGETHER AGAIN 1981: The White Sox and Cubs announced that they will resume their exhibition series the following April. The series, which had been dormant for nearly a decade, would actually resume the following August in the wake of the players strike. The city rivals would play an exhibition game in each Chicago park as a tuneup for the resumption of the “championship” season. The games in 1982 never materialized and the series wouldn’t resume until 1985. BO DOESN’T KNOW FIRST BASE 1993: The White Sox gave Bo Jackson a look-see at first base in a 6-2 Grapefruit League loss to the Texas Rangers in Port Charlotte, Fla. Three quick errors may have showed the Sox that the Jackson was not cut out for first base. “I knew I stunk out there but I was having fun,” Jackson said in the Chicago Tribune. “I was lucky to get out of there with three errors.” Jackson never played a regular season game at first base in his eight-year career. UNDEFEATED OZZIE 2004: The White Sox stayed perfect in the Cactus League under first-year manager Ozzie Guillen by defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-1 before 8,834 at Tucson Electric Park. Jon Rauch and Jason Grilli, battling Dan Wright for the fifth spot in the rotation, pitched well as the WhiteSox improved to 3-0. FINALLY … A WIN 2006: For the first time since winning the World Series, the White Sox posted a victory. After opening the Cactus League season with six losses in a row, the White Sox defeated Colorado 4-2 before 2,829 at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Ariz. Pablo Ozuna’s two-run single in the sixth fronted the Sox for good in their first victory since topping Houston in Game 4 of the 2005 World Series. SOX LOCK UP JAVVY 2007: The White Sox signed pitcher Javier Vazquez to a three-year contract extension worth $34.5 million. The move left many to speculate that with Jose Contreras already signed through 2009, there wouldn’t be enough money or years to go around for both Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland, who were each approaching free agency. That dilemma solved itself when Buehrle signed an extension and Garland was eventually traded.

THIS DATE IN SOX HISTORY: MARCH 5TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com WHERE’S MOE? 1926: Rookie shortstop Moe Berg was not at the White Sox spring training camp in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Sox explained that Berg was taking a law course at Columbia University in New York and won’t be available until May 15. Who knows where Berg actually was? Later in life, he spent time working for the O.S.S., the forerunner to the CIA. With Berg out of the picture (he actually didn’t play for the Sox in 1926), the Sox brought on Everett Scott, recently released by Washington, to play shortstop. Bergis one of the most interesting players in baseball history. His Society of American Baseball Research bio is worth a read at http://bioproj.sabr.org/bioproj.cfm?a=v&am...amp;pid=9621959 A COURT VICTORY FOR VEECK 1959: A judge denied two petitions where Charles Comiskey had sought to block the sale of 54 percent of White Sox stock to Bill Veeck. The move, by Judge Robert Jerome Dunne (which came with a scolding according to the Chicago Tribune) cleared the way for Veeck to purchase the Sox stock of Dorothy Rigney -- Comiskey’s sister -- and give controlling interest of the franchise to someone other than a Comiskey for the first time ever. JORDAN’S FIRST START: 0-FOR-3, RUN, RBI 1994: In his first start, Michael Jordan went 0-for-3 with a run and an RBI in the White Sox 15-7 Grapefruit League win over the Texas Rangers in Port Charlotte, Fla. Jordan started in right field and batted sixth. The offensive hero of the day was Robin Ventura, who homered and drove in four runs in his only two at bats. FINALLY, NELLIE A HALL OF FAMER 1997: The Hall of Fame finally came to its senses when its Veterans Committee elected White Sox legend Nellie Fox into the Hall of Fame. Fox, an All-Star and Gold Glove second baseman, failed to gain induction from the Baseball Writers Association of America during his 15 years of eligibility. Fox did come close in his final year on the ballot of 1985 when he received 74.68 percent of the vote. Needing 75 percent to gain induction, the Hall did not round up, saying Fox did not have a “pure” 75 percent. Fox’s fate was left to the Veterans Committee and they finally delivered in 1997. A year earlier, on this same date, Fox received more than the 75 percent for induction but Hall rules allowed just one modern-day player to be voted in by the Vets. Since Jim Bunning topped Fox in the Vets voting, it was Bunning who got in. A CACTUS CLUBBING OF THE CUBS 2002: The White Sox used a 10-run fifth inning in crushing the Cubs 20-6 in a Cactus League game before 6,618 in Mesa, Ariz. Minor league slugger Mario Valenzuela went 3-for-3 with four RBIs and Paul Konerko added four hits as the Sox posted their second spring win in five attempts. The Sox banged out 12 hits in that big fifth inning. 2-FOR-2 IN OZZIE’S DEBUT 2004: After a one-day delay because of rain, the White Sox ushered in the Ozzie Guillen (Cactus League) era with a pair of split squad victories in Tucson, Ariz. As the visiting team, the White Sox blanked Colorado 3-0 with starter Jon Garland tossing three shutout innings. As the hosts at Tucson Electric Park, the Sox edged Arizona 4-3 in 10 innings thanks to Bobby Smith’s walkoff single. “I’m unbeaten now, so they should give me a contract extension,” Guillen joked. In the victory, the game went into extra innings because Shingo Takatsu blew his first save opportunity.

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 4TH For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com SARA-SOX? 1988: A White Sox source confirmed the team was negotiating wit the city of St. Petersburg, Fla., about a backup stadium plan should the Chicago deal collapse. St. Petersburg was in the process of constructing a stadium even though it did not have a team while the Sox were looking for a replacement for 78-year old Comiskey Park. The St. Petersburg Times reported that the St. Pete’s assistant city manager had made two trips to Chicago and had phoned Sox offices 12 times and called once to a Sox official between Oct. 16 and Jan. 21, according to city phone records. The Sox eventually got a stadium deal, leaving St. Petersburg out in the cold. M.J. DEBUTS FOR THE WHITE SOX 1994: White Sox non-roster invitee Michael Jordan went 0-for-1 in his spring training debut in the White Sox 9-0 loss to the Texas Rangers in the Grapefruit League opener before 7,091 curiosity-seekers at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla. Jordan, signed by the White Sox as a free agent in February, entered the game in right field in the sixth and was retired by Texas pitcher Darren Oliver on a comebacker in his lone at bat. “I good wood on it,” Jordan said of his at bat. “I didn’t strike out so that’s a step forward.” The only action he saw in the field was gloving a Jose Canseco bloop double but he had no fly balls hit his way. GOOD THINGS FROM CAL 2001: The White Sox received an encouraging outing from Cal Eldred in a 7-3 Cactus League win over Milwaukee before 3,644 in Tucson. Eldred, debuting only 20 days after surgery on his right elbow, blanked the Brewers in three innings in the White Sox first victory of the spring. Eldred played a major role in the team’s run to the American League Central Division title in 2000. Eldred was 10-2 before injuring his elbow. He did return on Sept. 27 but was not placed on the postseason roster. Eldred wound up going 4-0 in the spring but made only two appearances in the regular season before being disabled for good on April 12. BORCHARD’S GRAND PERFORMANCE 2003: Joe Borchard continued his Cactus League hot streak with an opposite-field grand slam in the White Sox 9-8 win over Texas in Surprise, Ariz. Ticketed for Triple-A Charlotte, the slam was part of a three-game performance which saw Borchard hit two home runs with a triple. Borchard, one of the biggest busts in Sox history, wound up hitting .207 in spring training. OZZIE’S DEBUT DELAYED 2004: Ozzie Guillen’s White Sox managerial debut was put on hold for a day when the team’s Cactus League opener against Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., was rained out. Guillen would make his debut the next day. A VICTORY … AT LAST 2005: The White Sox posted the first victory of their World Championship season when they beat Colorado 7-5 in a split squad game in Tucson, Ariz. The win came after the Sox had dropped their first three Cactus League outings. TAKE THAT, LOU 2007: The White Sox introduced new Cub manager Lou Piniella to the crosstown rivalry with a 13-2 Cactus League win over the Northsiders before 12,903 in Mesa, Ariz. The Sox launched five home runs: two from Paul Konerko, one of which was a three-run blast and one each from Rob Mackowiak, Jermaine Dye and Gustavo Molina.