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I was just throwing those two out there ... I wouldn't dismiss that Griffey throw so quickly especially considering the circumstances, the collision and some of the other plays on the list

The Sox had four plays in MLB Network's Countdown 75 Most Spectacular Defensive Plays in MLB History: 41) Calderon's wall-scaling catch in LF at Tiger Stadium on July 27, 1987; 15) Iguchi's flying throw to first from 2B in 2006; 8) Wise's catch which preserved Buehrle's perfect game on July 23, 2009; 6) Buehrle's between the legs throw to first on Opening Day 2010 The most glaring oversight when it comes to the Sox was Uribe's diving catch into the stands in Houston in Game 4 of the 2005 World Series. Others? How about two from the "Black Out Game" when Ken Griffey Jr. threw out a runner at the plate and Brian Anderson's game-ending catch ... On Opening Day 2000, I remember Ray Durham making a phenomenal diving catch with his back to the plate. More?

A few nuggets from Thursday’s game in which the White Sox defeated the Angels 1-0 at U.S. Cellular Field behind a first inning run scored by the Sox first batter of the game and a complete-game effort from left-hander John Danks. This was the … … first 1-0 win at home since the “Black Out” victory over Minnesota on 9-30-08 (Danks eight innings; Jenks one inning for the save; run scored on Jim Thome’s seventh inning homer) … first 1-0 win with run scored in first inning since 7-14-05 at Cleveland (Iguchi scored on Thomas 2B) … Contreras seven innings; Politte, Marte and Hermanson went the rest of the way with Hermanson getting the final two outs for the save … first 1-0 win with run scored in the first inning at home since 9-13-00 (Thomas and Baines back to back two out doubles) … Parque seven innings, Howry one inning, Foulke one inning for the save. … first complete game by Sox pitcher in a 1-0 victory at US Cellular Field since Charlie Hough on 8-4-91 vs. Baltimore. … Hough outdueled Mike Mussina, who was making his big league debut … Only run came on a Thomas homer … first 1-0 win with run scored by Sox first batter of the game since 8-15-87 at Toronto (Guillen walk, steal, to third on Donnie Hill groundout and scored on Harold Baines groundout) … Dotson six-hitter. … first complete game by a Sox lefty in a 1-0 victory since Britt Burns beat the A’s on three hits on 6-19-83 at Comiskey Park … Run scored when Baines doubled in Kittle with two outs in the fourth … first 1-0 run with run scored by Sox first batter of the game at home since 6-12-78 vs. Cleveland (Garr bunt single and to second on error; third on sac; scored on Wayne Nordhagen sac fly) … Ken Kravec pitched the first seven innings before giving way to Jim Willoughby who earned the save. ... coupled with Jake Peavy's 1-0 win at Washington on June 19, this is the first season since 1991 that the White Sox have had two 1-0 complete game victories in a season. In 1991, Charlie Hough defeated Baltimore 1-0 on Aug. 4 and Jack McDowell topped Jim Abbott and the Angels 1-0 in California on Sept. 13.

Johan Santana homered and pitched a complete game shutout for the Mets on Tuesday night. The last time that happened for the Sox was on Aug. 2, 1969 when Gary Peters went deep and limited the Tigers to six singles in a 5-0 win in Detroit. Now you know

It’s no July 1st but the White Sox have had their share of memorable moments on Independence Day. Here is a countdown of the White Sox Top 10 July 4th moments: 10. In 1988, Mark “The Chief” Salas went 3-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored to lead the White Sox past the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 before 16,457 at Comiskey Park. 9. In 1964, Gary Peters outdueled Sam McDowell in the White Sox 4-0 win over Cleveland before 12,161 at Comiskey Park. Peters went the distance and gave up three hits and four walks with eight strikeouts in improving to 9-3. McDowell struck out 12 but he walked 11. This was the Sox first shutout on Independence Day since a 13-0 drubbing of the Browns in St. Louis in the first game of a doubleheader in 1953. 8. In 1967, Tommy John celebrated the Fourth of July with a sensational outing in the first-place White Sox 4-0 win before 25,613 at Comiskey Park. John gave up two hits -- both to Luis Aparicio -- in facing just two over the minimum to post his fourth shutout in five starts. 7. In 1972, Ed Herrmann tied big league record for catchers with three double plays in a nine-inning game in the White Sox 2-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles before 26,105 at Comiskey Park. Herrmann equaled the mark by throwing out three would-be stealers following strikeouts. 6. In 2000, Ray Durham and Jose Valentin started the White Sox game at Kansas City with consecutive home runs. It marked the first time the Sox had accomplished the feat since Boze Berger and Mike Kreevich did it on Sept. 2, 1937 against Boston. The White Sox wound up losing to the Royals 10-7. 5. In 2005, Jermaine Dye’s first-inning grand slam and six RBIs powered the future World Champion White Sox to a 10-8 win over Tampa Bay before 37,351 at US Cellular Field. Dye’s slam came right after Paul Konerko gave the lead for good with an RBI single. 4. In 2006, Jose Contreras extended his club record winning streak to 17 in the White Sox 13-0 win over Baltimore at U.S. Cellular Field. Contreras earned the win with 6.2 scoreless innings. The streak would end 13 days later against the Yankees. 3. In 1928, future Hall of Famer Ray Schalk played and managed his last game for the White Sox. Schalk resigned as White Sox manager effective at the end of this day’s doubleheader against St. Louis at Comiskey Park. Schalk, who would be replaced by Lena Blackburne, started himself at catcher in the 11-8 loss in Game 1 and caught Ed Walsh, the son of the Sox legend who was making his big league debut. That made Schalk the only backstop to catch a father and a son in a big league game. Walsh gave up five runs in four innings and left the game with Schalk, who delivered an RBI single in his final game in Sox yarns. 2. In 1911, the legendary Ed Walsh halted Ty Cobb’s 40-game hitting streak in the White Sox 7-3 win at Detroit in the first game of a doubleheader. 1. In 1977, Oscar Gamble hit the White Sox first indoor home run in a 6-2 win over the Mariners at the Seattle Kingdome. Gamble’s blast came in the sixth off John Montague in the Sox first official game indoors. Gamble’s dinger was followed by a Jim Spencer homer. Ralph Garr homered in the eighth as the first place White Sox won for the fifth straight time.

Triple by 43-year old Omar Vizquel on Wednesday was the first by a White Sox 40-year old since 44-year old Carlton Fisk's three-bagger on July 23, 1992 at Milwaukee ... Now you know

July 1st is one of the most eventful dates in the 109-year history of the Chicago White Sox. Consider … in 1903, the legendary Cy Young drove in the only run and was the winning pitcher Boston in a 1-0 win over the White Sox at South Side Park. … In 1905, Frank Owen started, completed and won both games of the White Sox doubleheader against St. Louis. … in 1910 the White Sox christened Comiskey Park with a 3-1 loss to St. Louis before 28,000 at the edifice that would become known as “The Baseball Palace of the World.” … in 1962, the White Sox lofted a big league record three sacrifice flies in an inning in a 7-6 win over Cleveland in the first game of a doubleheader at Comiskey Park. Indians' outfielder Gene Green dropped fly balls by pitcher Juan Pizarro and Nellie Fox that were ruled sacrifice flies. Sox outfielder Al Smith accounted for the lone "normal" sac fly when he flew out to Green for the first out of the fifth inning. … in 1973, Minnesota’s Harmon Killebrew launched the 18th roof shot home run in Comiskey Park history. He victimized Dave Lemonds. Killebrew was the last Hall of Famer to hit a roofer. He was one of five Hall of Famers to land a homer on the roof of Old Comiskey Park. … in 1977, Richie Zisk hit two home runs as the Southside Hitmen White Sox stopped the Twins 5-2 before 35,709 at Comiskey Park. Zisk’s homers came in the first and third innings and helped the Sox move into a tie for first with Minnesota in the A.L. West and ingnited a nine-game winning streak which would see the White Sox open up a 4.5-game lead in the West. … in 1985, the White Sox celebrated Comiskey Park's 75th birthday with a post-game concert by Alabama. … in 1989, Richard Dotson celebrated his return to the White Sox by giving up an earned run in six innings but received no decision in the White Sox 6-4 win over Kansas City at Comiskey Park. … in 1990, New York Yankees' pitcher Andy Hawkins no-hit the White Sox but lost 4-0 on Old Comiskey Park's 80th and final birthday. The White Sox scored four unearned runs in the eighth. Three of those runs scored when left fielder Jim Leyritz botched Robin Ventura's fly ball. Barry Jones got the win in relief as the Sox moved into a first-place tie with Oakland. … in 1991, the White Sox recorded their 7,000th win in franchise history with a 5-4 triumph in Minnesota. … in 1992, Craig Grebeck went 5-for-5 with three doubles, two runs and two RBIs in the White Sox 8-5 win at Cleveland. … in 1993, Jack McDowell retired the final 20 Orioles he faced in the White Sox 1-0 loss before 25,691 at Comiskey Park. McDowell allowed just three hits and did not permit a man to reach after the third inning in a game that lasted just two hours and 11 minutes. … in 1997, Frank Thomas registered the 1,000th hit of his career in the White Sox 10-7 loss before 19,211 at Comiskey Park. … in 1998, Albert Belle became the 12th player to reach the upper deck in left field at the Astrodome in the White Sox 10-4 loss in Houston. Belle’s 426-foot homer was also the first by a White Sox player in the Astrodome. … in 2001, Baltimore’s Cal Ripken Jr. went 3-for-4 with three runs in his final appearance at Comiskey Park. In typical fashion, Ripken played the entire game at third base despite a lopsided Baltimore win. Prior to the game, the Sox honored Ripken with a ceremony and gave him a seat from Old Comiskey Park, where he played his first All-Star Game and playoff game. … in 2003, the White Sox acquired second baseman Roberto Alomar and outfielder Carl Everett in separate trades. The Sox picked up Alomar from the Mets and obtained Everett from Texas. … in 2006, A.J. Pierzynski launched a three-run homer with two-out in the ninth off Cub closer Ryan Dempster to lead the Sox to a stunning 8-6 victory at Wrigley Field. … in 2010, the Sox were idle. Oh well, they call can’t be gems!

I have posted this on Christmas before ... This is the best day to do this! The White Sox make a brief appearance in the "Christmas Story" movie when the dad indicates that the team had traded "Bullfrog" while reading the paper. "Bullfrog" was Sox pitcher Bill Dietrich, a stalwart of the 1940s, who was never traded by the club. "Christmas Story" author Jean Shepherd was a huge Sox fan so he probably knew this White Sox "Christmas Story" ... The only player in Major League history with the last name Christmas played 12 of his 24 big league games with the 1986 White Sox. Catcher Steve Christmas hit .364 with a double, a clutch home run and four RBIs in his time with the White Sox. The Sox “Christmas Story” began on Nov. 21, 1983 when the left-handed hitter was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for infield prospect Fran Mullins. Christmas, who hit .059 in nine games with 1983 Reds, was a non-roster invitee to spring training in Sarasota, Fla., but began 1984 at the White Sox Triple-A affiliate at Denver where his teammates included Jerry Manuel, Ron Karkovice, Tim Hulett, Daryl Boston, Joel Skinner and Larry Rothschild. Christmas’ first stint with the Sox came from June 12 to June 22. The native of Orlando, Fla., was brought to Chicago when Carlton Fisk went on the disabled list. Christmas didn’t see any time behind the plate as the Sox went with the highly-touted Skinner in Fisk’s absence. Christmas’ first action with the Sox finally came on June 14 when he grounded out as a pinch-hitter for Jerry Dybzinski. Two days later, Christmas delivered a pinch-RBI single in the ninth inning of a 6-4 loss at Oakland. Christmas was hitting for Scott Fletcher and got his hit off of Oakland closer Bill Caudill. In his next appearance, Christmas came through again, this time notching a one-out pinch-double off future Sox “gas can” Mike Stanton in the ninth inning of an 8-2 loss at Seattle June 19. Christmas was returned to Denver after the White Sox 8-6 win over the Twins June 22 in Minnesota. Christmas finished the season at Denver where he helped the Bears earn a spot in the American Association playoffs. Denver upset the Cubs’ Iowa affiliate in five games in the semifinal round before bowing to Louisville in five games in the championship series. Christmas, who shared time behind the plate with Skinner, Karkovice and Jamie Quirk, hit .278 with four homers and 29 RBIs during the regular season for Denver. He returned to the White Sox for the rest of the season in early September. Christmas made his Comiskey Park debut in a 5-4 loss to Oakland on Sept. 5, 1984 when he was retired for the second out pinch-hitting for Vance Law in the ninth. After another unsuccessful pinch-hitting appearance Sept. 8, 1984 against the Angels at Comiskey Park, Christmas made his lone defensive appearance with the Sox. On Sept. 16, 1984 in Anaheim, Christmas entered the game in the eighth inning at catcher. He played one inning in the 4-2 setback, catching Richard Dotson and could not throw out Gary Pettis trying to steal. The next time Christmas took the field he made things merry for the Sox. On Sept. 19, 1984, Christmas, pinch-hitting for Marc “The Booter” Hill, launched a three-run pinch-homer in the seventh inning to break a 3-3 tie in a 7-3 win at Minnesota. The blast, which victimized the team that drafted and signed Christmas, came off Mike Smithson with Greg Walker and Dybzinski on base as the defending American League West champs barely stayed alive in the division race (nine games back with 11 to play). The next day, Christmas posted what turned out to be his final hit with the Sox. He led off the 13th with a single off Ron Davis batting for Hill and was then lifted for pinch-runner Rudy Law. The Sox couldn’t parlay Christmas’ last gift to the Sox into a run and wound up losing 5-4 to the Twins in the next inning. That hit peaked Christmas’ average and on-base percentage at a whopping .571 and placed his slugging percentage at a more-than-robust 1.143. From there, Christmas went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts to close out his Sox career. Christmas first time ended for the Sox on Dec. 10 when they released him. A little more than a month later, it was Christmastime again for the Sox as they signed him with a free agent. Christmas received another non-roster invitee to spring training but he did not make the club nor did he appear with the Sox during the 1985 season. Christmas spent 1985 at the Sox Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo where he manned third base and appeared some at designated hitter. Playing for John Boles, who would later manage the Flordia Marlins, Christmas finished fourth in the American Association with a .298 average while finishing second on the Bisons to Joe DeSa (17) with 16 home runs. Following the season, Christmas was granted free agency and signed with the Cubs thus closing the book on the Sox “Christmas Story.”

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=84...&topic=8433 The Sox current 4-game winning streak over the Cubs is tied for their longest in the series. The Sox also won four straight in 1999. ... John Danks' 9 strikeouts Wednesday were the msot ever by a Sox pitcher vs. the Cubs. The previous best was 8 set by the likes of Mark Buehrle and Javier Vazquez.

I heard that ... Amazing

The last two Sox pitchers scored in a game prior to Mark Buehrle and Clayton Richard on Sunday was on May 19, 1968 when Bob Priddy scored as a pinch-runner and Tommy John launched a three-run homer off Catfish Hunter as the Sox beat the A’s 6-2 in the first game of a doubleheader sweep before 11,708 at Comiskey Park. Here are some other nuggets I gleaned from the goings on in Milwaukee Sunday. … Buehrle was the first Sox pitcher to homer since Jon Garland went deep at Cincinnati June 18, 2006 0A … Buehrle was the first Sox pitcher to bat lefthanded and homer since Danny Murphy went deep against the Twins on June 28, 1970 at Comiskey Park ... Buehrle was the first Sox left-handed pitcher (Murphy threw right) to homer since Gary Peters went deep on Aug. 2, 1969 at Detroit … Buehrle was the first Sox player to hit his first Major League homer at and against Milwaukee since Warren Newson accomplished the feat on July 14, 1991 at County Stadium (I actually researched this stat in anticipation of Gordon Beckham’s first career homer) … Buehrle batted again after homering. He had a chance (but didn’t) to become the first Sox pitcher to post a multi-homer game in 52 years. On June 16, 1957, Dixie Howell hit two solo shots w hile getting the win with 3.2 shutout innings of relief in a Game 2 victory over Washington at Comiskey Park. … Prior to Clayton Richard on Sunday, the last Sox pitcher to score as a pinch-runner was Chuck McElroy on Aug. 15, 1997 against Oakland at New Comiskey Park … That was also the last time a Sox pitcher scored a run in the ninth inning. … Richard was the first Sox pitcher to score the winning run in the ninth inning or later since Joel Horlen crossed with the decisive tally in the 11th inning of the Sox 1-0 victory over Boston on Aug. 27, 1967 at Comiskey Park.

Who's next for the great Cooooo? Retiring Rafael Palmeiro's number? Use the link for a take on the Cubs' 'honoring' Greg Maddux http://www.kenoshanews.com/sports/marran__...er_4607651.html

There are some numbers that are firm in any era. You look at the numbers from Tinker, Evers and Chance, and tell me what makes them Hall worthy? Or Bill Mazeroski? Also, while this doesn't exactly apply in Harold's case, there are some things numbers can't measure. The most obvious case here is, of course, Jackie Robinson. Minnie Minoso has garnered little support from Hall voters over the years. Yet, some consider a huge pioneer and trailblazer for the Latin player. That is in addition to his standout talent. Anyway, I guess a large part of my point is that players shouldn't be dismissed automatically as Hall of Famers because they didn't reach certain numbers, benchmarks, etc

Because of his injuries, Ben Sheets is a drain on a team ... Not worth the payoff

Those two strikes cost him huge in terms of hits. Instead of battling to get 3,000 hits at the end of his career, he would have been hanging around to get 500 home runs. It's just disappointing that a player who was so consistent and such a professional hitter would be so easily dismissed as a Hall of Famer. Off the top of my head, I know Harold is more of a Hall of Famer than Mazeroski, Tinker, Evers and Chance. I know there are others. Isn't he basically the same player as Orlando Cepeda and Billy Williams? Also, there is a tremendous sentiment that the best players at their position (Ozzie Smith, Luis Aparicio, Joe Morgan, Ryne Sandberg) or the most dominant players at their position of their era (Whitey Ford, Sandy Koufax) gain induction into the Hall, there should be some credence given to DHs and relief pitchers along this line.

Orlando Cepeda? Bill Mazeroski? Joe Tinker? Johnny Evers? Frank Chance?

If I had a Hall of Fame ballot, I would proudly vote for White Sox legend Harold Baines. The members of the Baseball Writers Association of America have their ballots and the results of the Hall of Fame election will be released Jan. 12. Baines is on the ballot for the third time. He was listed on only 5.3 percent of the ballots in 2007. Inexplicably, last year, Baines lost a vote and was named only 5.2 percent of the ballots. Candidates earning 75 percent of the vote earn induction into the Hall of Fame. It’s hard to believe Baines doesn’t get more support for the Hall the way Jim Rice, Andre Dawson and Bert Blyleven do considering … … he finished his career with 2,866 hits. Among the Hall of Famers he’s ahead of on that list are Ernie Banks, Johnny Bench, Yogi Berra, Gary Carter, Joe DiMaggio, Jimmie Foxx, Frankie Frisch, Reggie Jackson, Harmon Killebrew, Mickey Mantle, Eddie Mathews, Willie McCovey, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Kirby Puckett, Brooks Robinson, Ryne Sandberg, Mike Schmidt, Duke Snider, Willie Stargell and Billy Williams. … he finished his career 384 homers. Among the Hall of Famers. Among the Hall of Famers he’s ahead of on that list are Yogi Berra, Gary Carter, Orlando Cepeda, Joe DiMaggio, Carlton Fisk, Hank Greenberg, Ralph Kiner, Johnny Mize, Tony Perez, Kirby Puckett, Brooks Robinson, Ryne Sandber, Al Simmons and Hack Wilson. … much like many others in the Hall of Fame, he was the dominant player at his position during his era. Baines is the all-time leader in games played by a DH, was named designated hitter on The Sporting News A.L. All-Star Team in 1988 and 1989 and was named DH on The Sporting News’ Silver Slugger team in 1989. … he hit over .300 eight times, hit over .290 six times and reached double figures in homers 20 times. …he was a six-time All-Star (and hit .375 in those games). …he appeared in eight post-season series and hit .348 in the Division Series and .333 in the League Championship Series. Baines’ Hall of Fame candidacy is paying the price for baseball’s labor strife of the 1980s and 1990s. The 1981 strike cost an ascending Baines approximately 50 games. The 1994 work stoppage and late start to the 1995 season cost Baines, in the midst of a late career resurgence, approximately 60 games. With those games, Baines would have easily surpassed the 3,000-hit mark and would have made a run at 500 home runs – both locks to get a player (not embroiled in a steroid controversy) into the Hall. What really stands out in contrast to Baines, though, are some of the players that are already in the Hall. If the likes of Tony Perez, Orlando Cepeda and Billy Williams are Hall of Famers – not to mention Tinker, Evers, Chance and Bill Mazeroski – Baines should be voted in – with ease!

2005: WORLD CHAMPIONS. The greatest season in the 106-year history of the franchise known as the Chicago American Ballclub ended with a 1-0 win over the Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston. The triumph gave the White Sox a sweep of the World Series and their first championship since 1917. It was a beautiful game -- tense, tight and low scoring probably because the teams has played past 1 a.m. earlier in the day in finishing off the White Sox Game 3 triumph. When a charging Juan Uribe threw out Orlando Palmeiro for the game’s final out, it set off a wild but respectful celebration in Houston and throughout Sox-land. The Sox scored the game’s only run in the eighth when pinch-hitter Willie Harris led off with a single, took second on a Scott Podsednik bunt, advanced to third on a Carl Everett ground out and scored when Jermaine Dye pushed a single through to center field. The Astros threatened in the ninth but Uribe made an unbelievable diving catch into the stands and then assisted on the final out to hand the Sox the crown. Freddy Garcia got the victory, Bobby Jenks earned the save and Dye was named World Series MVP. In a beautiful chunk of symmetry, the Sox began the season with a 1-0 win, began the second half with a 1-0 win and ended their season with a 1-0 win. Long live the kings!

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: OCT. 23RD OCTOBER 23RD 2005: Let’s just call it the greatest game in the 106-year history of the franchise known as the Chicago American League ballclub. On a cold and wet Sunday night in Chicago, Scott Podsednik’s walkoff home run lifted the White Sox to a 7-6 mind-blowing win over Houston before 41,432 in Game 2 of the World Series at U.S. Cellular Field. Podsednik’s heroics, the 14th game-ending blast in Fall Classic history and the first by a player who had no dingers during the regular-season, came with one out in the ninth off Brad Lidge. The shocking blast put the White Sox up 2-0 in the Series. The Sox looked to be control of this one in the seventh when Paul Konerko’s grand slam – the first by a Sox player in postseason and the 18th in World Series history -- gave them a 6-4 lead. Konerko’s blast was the first slam in Series history that came in the seventh inning or later and erased a deficit. This game was not without controversy. With one out in the seventh, Jermaine Dye was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The Astros protested that the ball hit the bat and not Dye and replays backed that up. However, Dye took first and Konerko followed with the slam. Those feisty Astros tied the game with two in the ninth off Bobby Jenks with the tying run scoring on a close but clearly safe play at the plate. In the ninth, Juan Uribe led off with a fly out to center before Podsednik sent Lidge’s 2-1 pitch into the right field stands to put the Sox two wins from their first World Series title since 1917. When I walked out of the park that night – for the last time during that magical season – I knew I had not only witnessed the greatest game inthe history of the Sox but in the history of the great City of Chicago as well.

Grama was fleet in her prime. Anyway ... this name just came to my head ... CHRIS STEWART. He was a strong-armed catcher the Sox drafted in 2001 and brought the system and he made it to the bigs for a sip of the java in 2006. Unfortunately, the Sox dealt him to Texas in a minor league deal because they brought on Toby Hall. When Hall got injured, the Sox were left with Gustavo Molina. When Hall healed the Sox were left with ... well Toby Hall. This Stewart, whose minor league numbers are competent, is with the Yankee system. Maybe he could be brought back for a look-see.

1941: Wilbur Wood, one of the most durable pitchers in White Sox history, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The White Sox acquired the knuckleballing Wood from Columbus, a Pittsburgh Pirate farm team, for Juan Pizarro on Oct. 12, 1966. Wood, a left-hander, worked out of the White Sox bullpen from 1967 to 1970 and led the league in appearances for three consecutive seasons. Wood set an American League record with 88 appearances in 1968. Upon moving to the starting rotation, Wood thrived between 1971 and 1975. Wood won 20 games in each season between 1971 and 1974 while working at least 291.1 innings in each campaign between 1971 and 1975. Wood struggled after having his kneecap shattered by a line drive in Detroit in 1976. He came back and pitched in 1977 and 1978 before retiring with a 164-156 lifetime record.

THE GREATEST BACKUP CATCHERS IN WHITE SOX HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mike LaValliere! Ron Karkovice! Chris Widger! Tom Egan!

I say forget Toby Hall and find the best-throwing catcher out there no matter who it is and bring him North. If it's Donny Lucy. Good. Paul Phillips. Bring him back. Francisco Hernandez. Do it. Cole Armstrong. Bring him on. I would also put forth that if Ozzie gets a good throwing catcher he use him in late-inning situations much like an outfielder because. The stolen base rate against the Sox -- granted much of it has to do the pitchers -- is embarrassing. Here are the free agent catchers (gleaned from MLBrumors.com) Brad Ausmus (40) Paul Bako (37) Rod Barajas (33) - $2.5MM club option for '09 with a $0.5MM buyout Josh Bard (31) Michael Barrett (32) Henry Blanco (37) - $3MM mutual option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout Johnny Estrada (33) Toby Hall (33) - $2.25MM club option for '09 with a $0.15MM buyout Jason LaRue (35) Paul Lo Duca (37) Miguel Olivo (30) - $2.7MM mutual option for '09 with a $0.1MM buyout Ivan Rodriguez (37) David Ross (32) Javier Valentin (33) Jason Varitek (37) Gregg Zaun (38)

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RECENT SOX HOMER-ONLY 1-0 VICTORIES Date Player Opponent Inning (pitcher, out) Sept. 30, 2008 Jim Thome Minnesota 7th (Blackburn, 0 outs) Note—AL Central clincher (Game No. 163) … 461-feet. June 22, 2006 Jim Thome St. Louis 7th (Reyes, 1 out) Note—White Sox only hit. Sept. 7, 2005 Paul Konerko Kansas City 3rd (Wood, 2 outs) May 27, 1995 Ron Karkovice at Detroit 5th (Lira, 0 outs) Aug. 22, 1993 Frank Thomas at Minnesota 1st (DeShaies, 2 outs) Note—Jack McDowell’s 20th victory. Sept. 17, 1991 Bo Jackson Oakland 7th (Darling, 1 out) Note—Bo Jackson’s first home run with the Sox. Aug. 4, 1991 Frank Thomas Baltimore 6th (Mussina, 1 out) Note—Mike Mussina’s Major League debut. June 29, 1990 Ron Kittle NY Yankees 2nd (Cary, 0 outs) Note—The final 1-0 game at Old Comiskey Park July 21, 1989 Carlton Fisk at Boston 8th (Hetzel, 0 outs) July 19, 1985 Carlton Fisk Cleveland 2nd (Blyleven, 1 out) Note—HR helped Tom Seaver to win No. 298 and earn the last of his 61 shutouts. May 7, 1974 Ed Herrmann at Detroit 11th (LaGrow, 0 out) Note—HR made a winner out of Wilbur Wood (complete game two-hitter with 10 Ks) July 11, 1971 Ed Herrmann Milwaukee 5th (Parsons, 1 out) Note—Game 2 of a doubleheader … The Sox lost the first game 1-0. April 22, 1967 Tommie Agee at Washington 2nd (Ortega, 0 outs) July 4, 1965 Ken Berry at California 5th (Brunet, 0 outs) Aug. 12, 1962 Jim Landis at Kansas City 8th (Fischer, 1 out) May 3, 1962 Jim Landis NY Yankees 4th (Ford, 0 outs) Aug. 11, 1961 Luis Aparicio Kansas City 3rd (Archer, 2 outs) Note—HR was a part of the last of Billy Pierce’s 35 Sox shutouts Sources—retrosheet.org; mlb.com