StatManDu

MARTINEZ: WALKOFF SLAM 1995: Dave Martinez’s walkoff grand slam powered the White to one of their most dramatic victories ever in a 10-6 triumph of the Detroit Tigers before 27,220 at Comiskey Park. The slam was the second of Martinez’s career and the Sox first walkoff slam since Robin Ventura victimized Texas’ Rich Gossage on July 31, 1991. Kirk McCaskill got the win with three perfect innings of relief.

LET YOUR DEFENSE WORK 1927: Ted Lyons did not issue a walk or post a strikeout in a complete game effort in the White Sox 5-1 win at Boston. Lyons gave up eight hits and one earned run improving to 9-2. ORIOLES BUG SOX 1959: The White Sox game with the Orioles was delayed by 30 minutes when gnats swarmed Comiskey Park. Bugspray did not work but the postgame fireworks show accompanied by a bug bomb did and the game was able to resume. Unfortunately, the Sox lost 3-2. CHAMPS NO MATCH FOR KEN 1979: Ken Kravec blanked the defending World Series champion New York Yankees in a 7-0 win in the Bronx. Kravec limited a lineup that included Mickey Rivers, Willie Randolph, Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson to three hits while facing just two over the minimum. Kravec, a lefty, walked two and struck out three in moving to 6-3. He gave up a hit in the first, sixth and seventh innings and retired the last nine batters he faced. Kravec’s shutout was preserved in the sixth when Chris Chambliss was thrown out home by center fielder Chet Lemon to end the frame. WELCOME BLACK JACK 1987: The White Sox used their first round pick on Stanford pitcher Jack McDowell, who was the fifth overall selection of the draft. After signing, McDowell made a quick tour through the minors before debuting with a win Sept. 15 vs. Minnesota at Comiskey Park. McDowell went on to become a two-time 20-game winner and a Cy Young winner with the Sox.

ROBIN COMES ABOARD 1988: The White Sox and general manager Larry Himes made one of the great picks in franchise history with the selection of Robin Ventura out of Oklahoma State in the first round of the amateur draft. Ventura, a third baseman, was the 10th overall pick of the draft and was in the bigs by the end of the 1989 season. He became a regular in 1990 and quickly became one of the most popular players in team history.

1970: The White Sox had their best offensive game in 15 years and their second best overall in hammering the Boston Red Sox 22-13 at Fenway Park. The 22 runs were the most by a Sox team since they scored a club record 29 in a win at Kansas City April 23, 1955. The 35 runs by both teams tied the club mark set on Sept. 9, 1921 and April 23, 1955. The Sox banged out 24 hits but their only home run came from Bill Melton, who hit a solo shot in the sixth. Melton finished with four RBIs. Leadoff man Walt Williams went 5-for-7 with five runs, a double and two RBIs while Luis Aparicio was 5-for-5 with three runs, a triple and three RBIs. Duane Josephson was 3-for-6 with two doubles and three RBIs and Ossie Blanco, who started at first base and batted third, was 2-for-5 with three RBIs. The Sox scored six in the first off Boston starter Gary Peters, who lasted just two-thirds of an inning. The Sox scored one in the third, three in the fourth, one in the fifth, seven in the sixth and four in the eighth.

1985: A couple of future Hall of Famers led the White Sox to a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals before 16,041 at Comiskey Park. Cartlton Fisk launched the second and last roof-shot home run of his career and Tom Seaver turned in 7.1 innings for his fifth victory as the Sox won for second straight day in a streak that would reach five. Fisk’s “roofer” came in the fourth with a man on, gave the Sox the lead for good and was the 40th in Comiskey Park history. Seaver struck out one and gave up eight hits in improving to 5-3 for his 293rd career victory.

On this date in 1950, Howie Judson ended a 15-game losing streak in the Whie Sox 12-8 victory over the Browns in St. Louis. Judson, a native of Hebron, Ill., got the win in relief after losing 14 straight in 1949 and one in 1950.

Or how about this wild one ... On this date in 1995, the White Sox and Tigers treated 10,813 at Tiger Stadium to a good old fashioned slugfest. The Sox and Tigers combined to break or equal five Major League records as the Southsiders rallied from a six-run deficit to post a 14-12 victory. The Sox and Tigers set records for combined homers (12) and solo homers (10) and tied marks for most players with two or more homers (four) and most players on one team with two or more homers (four). The clubs also tied an American League record by logging 21 extra-base hits. Ray Durham, Ron Karkovice and Craig Grebeck hit consecutive home runs marking just the fourth time in club history that feat has been accomplished. Durham’s dong was the first of his career.

On this date in 1973, Dick Allen’s three-run homer off Ed Farmer in the 21st inning powered the White Sox to a 6-3 win over Cleveland in a game that began two days earlier at Comiskey Park. Bill Melton forced extra innings with a home run in the eighth inning and eight frames later the game was suspended by curfew in the 16th inning with the score 3-3. Wilbur Wood came on in the 16th and tossed five shutout innings for the win in what was the longest game in team history. Wood also started the regularly-scheduled game and tossed a four-hitter in a 4-0 before 17,419 at 35th and Shields. Wood gave up two walks with four strikeouts in improving to 13-3.

I was aware of Perez's no-hitter that wasn't. However, that was not against a defending champ and it took place in July while the Perez no no took place in September.

And I know no one was BUT for the hell of it, here are two nuggets heading into tonight's clash: MARK BUEHRLE was the last White Sox pitcher to fire a complete game shutout against a reigning American League champ. On July 23, 2009, Buehrle threw a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays at U.S. Cellular Field. MELIDO PEREZ was the last White Sox pitcher to throw a complete game shutout against a reigning American League champ on its own field. On Sept. 17, 1990, Perez tossed a five-hitter in a 7-0 win at Oakland. Earlier that year, Eric King also logged a shutout at Oakland. So now you know

SOX HITTERS 1.000 HITTERS AS OF RIGHT NOW Dallas McPherson, 2011..............1-for-1 (single) Cliff Politte, 2005.............1-for-1 (double) Neal Cotts, 2004.............1-for-1 (double) Phil Regan, 1972.............1-for-1 (single) Don Eddy, 1971.............1-for-1 (single) Al Worthington, 1960............2-for-2 (singles) Bob Rush, 1960.............1-for-1 (single) Charlie Lindstrom, 1958............. 1-for-1 (triple) Gus Keriazakos, 1950 .............1-for-1 (single) Billy Meyer, 1913.............1-for-1 (single)

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 at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix. For the record, the White Sox Frank Thomas had the stadium's first hit and RBI and teammate Mike Cameron logged the first walk, steal and run. Mike Sirotka had a big day. The left-hander combined with James Baldwin for six shutout innings and delivered a run-scoring single to right field as the Sox ended the practice games 18-12. ... … 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.

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.

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. Jaime Navarro allowed one run in five innings as the Sox ended a spring training run in Florida that started in 1960. The Sox 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. ... Albert Belle and Frank Thomas ended training in Florida with no homers in 120 at-bats.

MARCH 25TH: 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. MARCH 26TH: 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 effective -- 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 15.43 ERA. The no-hitter turned out to be the final win of Cowley's career. Redus became the Sox regular left fielder and swiped 52 bases.

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 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 Comiskey Park opener April 9.

MARCH 23: 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. MARCH 22: BUCK WALKS 1920: Buck Weaver threatened to leave the White Sox spring training camp in Texas unless he got more money. After telling manager Kid Gleason he did not want to suit up for practice, Weaver headed to the railroad office and bought reservations for Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune. Weaver was looking for a boost in his $7,000 a year salary. History tells us Buck hung in there for the 1920 season, which would be his last because he was banished from the game for life for his role in the "Black Sox Scandal." NOTE: Sorry about missing the 22nd ... Bailing water in basement!

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.

THE WELCOME MAT FOR THORNTON 2006: General managera 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 has blossomed into an All-Star and will become the team's closer in 2011 after serving as a dominant setup man. Like he had with the Sox, Borchard was a disappointment with Seattle, lasting just six games. When the career synoposis of Williams is written, this move will have to be at or near the top of the list as his best.

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 Ohio University 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.

I do a lot of research for the White Sox in my job for the Scoreboard. Those "Sox Almanac" items that scroll in the middle innings during games are the result of my work as are the "Sox Stumpers," visitor trivia, Sox Notes, Farm Notes and stats on the Jumbotron during at bats. In my research, I stumbled across the attached note -- a fascinating look at when the White Sox gave Jackie Robinson a look-see. I may have posted this last year but I think it is so interesting and gives a great glimpse into what baseball and the country was like at that time. Anyway ... enjoy! JACKIE.doc

Happy 45th to the ace! His 20th win in 1993 -- a 1-0 complete game at Minnesota in which seven of his 10 strikeouts came with men on base -- is one of the most underrated contests in team history!

Happy 55th to the best pitching coach in the game! That's what Jose Contreras, Esteban Loaiza and Matt Thornton would say!

HAPPY 59TH BIRTHDAY YOU BIG TUB O' GOO. A great reliever, yes, but did you know that Terry Forster once hit a searing .526 (10-for-19) for the 1972 Sox?

Two others I remember ... Mike Cameron had one in the Metrodome where he just covered an insane amount of ground to make a catch Lance Johnson made a diving catch in the Metrodome in Jack McDowell's 20th win in 1993 Darrin Jackson had an over the wall grab in RF in 1994 at the Cell (then New Comiskey Park)