Lip Man 1

Four factoids today: April 23, 1919 - Perhaps the greatest White Sox team ever, in terms of talent, opened the season in St. Louis destroying the Browns 13-4. Claude ‘‘Lefty’’ Williams got the win throwing a complete game. This time however, six months later, after winning the American League pennant, the ‘‘Black Sox’’ reportedly threw the series and lost to the Cincinnati Reds. Eight players would be banned the following year, including Williams, and the only franchise capable of stopping the emerging New York Yankees juggernaut was decimated. April 23, 1949 - Sox left hander Billy Pierce won his first Major League game. Pierce came in to relieve starter Al Gettel, throwing almost four scoreless innings, and got the decision as the Sox won 12-5 against the Browns at Comiskey Park. Billy would win 186 games with the Sox, make the All-Star team seven times as their representative, throw four one-hitters and finish with 211 wins overall in his brilliant career. April 23, 1955 - The White Sox hammered the Athletics 29-6 at Kansas City. The 29 runs were an American League record that stood until 2007. The Sox collected 29 hits that afternoon as well with seven home runs. Every starter had at least one hit including pitcher Jack Harshman. Bob Nieman had seven RBI’s with Sherm Lollar and “Minnie” Minoso adding five each. Nieman went 3 for 4 with a pair of home runs. Perhaps most unique of all, with two hits in both the second and sixth innings, Lollar became the only player in MLB history with two hits in two separate innings of a single game. April 23, 1990 - It was an unusual event even though it happened in an exhibition game. Utility player Steve “Psycho” Lyons played all nine positions for the Sox during the annual “Crosstown Classic” game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Manager Jeff Torborg moved him all over the field during the contest won by the Sox 6-5. Outfielder Dave Gallagher threw out the potential tying run at home plate to end the game.

Seven factoids today: April 22, 1940 - In his season debut, sixth career game and fourth career start, Vallie Eaves set a White Sox record that still stands, with 12 walks in a 6-5 loss vs. Detroit. The rookie fell behind in the second inning after four walks, a wild pitch, a double and triple — but escaped the inning down just 2-0! Another three walks and a wild pitch saw Eaves get the hook in the eighth inning — amazingly, the righty left the game with a 5-3 lead. He walked in two of Detroit’s three runs on his watch, but it was Clint Brown out of the White Sox bullpen who blew the game, and Eaves’ shot at his first White Sox win. Just 13 pitchers have ever thrown more than 12 walks in a single game, with two of them coming against the White Sox — including a 14-walk game, tied for fourth-most ever. April 22, 1959 - In one of the most bizarre innings in baseball history, the Sox got 11 runs in the seventh inning as part of their 20-6 win at Kansas City. The uniqueness of it was that fact that those 11 runs scored on only one hit! It took 45 minutes to play the half inning. Johnny Callison got the only Sox hit in it. Here is the play by play from it: WHITE SOX 7TH: GORMAN REPLACED WARD (PITCHING); Ray Boone reached on an error by DeMaestri [Boone to first]; Al Smith reached on an error on a sacrifice bunt by Smith [Boone to second]; Johnny Callison singled to right [Boone scored (unearned) (error by Maris), Smith scored (unearned) (error by Maris), Callison to third]; Luis Aparicio walked; Aparicio stole second; Bob Shaw walked; EARL TORGESON BATTED FOR SAMMY ESPOSITO; FREEMAN REPLACED GORMAN (PITCHING); Torgeson walked (walk was charged to Gorman) [Callison scored, Aparicio to third, Shaw to second]; Nellie Fox walked [Aparicio scored, Shaw to third, Torgeson to second]; Jim Landis forced Shaw (pitcher to catcher) [Torgeson to third, Fox to second]; Sherm Lollar walked [Torgeson scored (unearned), Fox to third, Landis to second]; BRUNET REPLACED FREEMAN (PITCHING); Boone walked [Fox scored (unearned), Landis to third, Lollar to second]; Smith walked [Landis scored (unearned), Lollar to third, Boone to second]; Callison was hit by a pitch [Lollar scored (unearned), Boone to third, Smith to second]; LOU SKIZAS RAN FOR CALLISON; Aparicio walked [Boone scored (unearned), Smith to third, Skizas to second]; Shaw struck out; “BUBBA” PHILLIPS BATTED FOR TORGESON; Phillips walked [Smith scored (unearned), Skizas to third, Aparicio to second]; Fox walked [Skizas scored (unearned), Aparicio to third, Phillips to second]; Landis grounded out (pitcher to first); 11 R, 1 H, 3 E, 3 LOB, 10 BB, 1 HBP The 11 runs in the seventh inning are the most the Sox have ever scored in that frame. April 22, 1972 - In the first game of a double header against the Royals, Sox pitcher Wilbur Wood reached on a fielder’s choice and scored the only run of the game thanks to an error, in the 1-0 win. Wood went the distance allowing seven hits in a game that took less than two hours at Comiskey Park. The Sox also won the second game 3-2 thanks to a home run from Carlos May in the eighth inning. April 22, 1991 - Frank Thomas hit the first White Sox home run in new Comiskey Park, a two-run blast in the fifth inning. The Sox won the first ever night game in the stadium beating Baltimore 8-7. The homer came off of Ben McDonald and scored Carlton Fisk who had doubled. April 22, 1998 - Ray Durham tied a Major League record by reaching base safely three times via error in a 14-7 win over a sloppy Cleveland club. The Indians would commit five errors in the game. The second baseman reached base six times in the game, getting three additional hits, as well as scoring four runs and knocking in two. Amazingly, Durham also advanced bases on the two other errors in the game, once advancing to third due to a wild throw on a steal of second base, and also getting all the way home when his triple forced another error. Four of the five errors were committed by future White Sox players Kenny Lofton, Sandy Alomar Jr. and Jim Thome (two). April 22, 2000 - The Sox and Tigers had an on-field brawl which reminded many longtime fans of the fights from the 1950's with the Yankees. This one lasted for almost 30 minutes and saw eight players from both sides get kicked out along with Sox manager Jerry Manuel. A record number of players would be fined and subsequently suspended, 16 total for various lengths. The brawl started after Detroit pitcher Jeff Weaver hit both Paul Konerko and Carlos Lee in the fourth and sixth innings. Sox pitcher Jim Parque then drilled the Tigers Dean Palmer leading off the seventh and the fight was on. One of the more lingering memories was Sox relief pitcher Keith Foulke suffering a gash on his face courtesy of a sucker punch from the side believed to have been thrown by either Karim Garcia or Bobby Higginson. He needed five stiches to close the wound. Tigers catcher Robert Fick was seen taunting White Sox fans in the bleacher seats in right field and got deluged with beer over it. The Sox won the game 14-6 and used it as a rallying point for the rest of the season as they went on to win 95 games in route to the Central Division championship. April 22, 2024 - The nightmare White Sox season continued as they were shut out in Minnesota 7-0 dropping their record to an unbelievable 3-19. It was the eighth time in the first 22 games the team was held without a run, that had never happened before in baseball history.

Sorry that song belongs to the Blackhawks dynasty years.

Bell looked like he was going to have a fine career until he blew his knee out on a collision if I remember right.

They hit home runs they win games. I look for Bido to be waived/released in the next few days. He was awful.

Five factoids today: April 21, 1900 - The White Sox played their first regular season game as part of the American League. They’d drop a 5-4 decision in 10 innings to the Milwaukee Brewers managed by “Connie” Mack. The 1900 season though wasn’t officially recognized by baseball since in this season, the American League wasn’t considered a part of organized baseball but was designated a minor league. Even so they’d go on to win the pennant with a record of 82-53. April 21, 1947 - A terrifying moment marred a 6-4 win over Detroit, as Ralph Hodgin earned a game-winning RBI the hard way. The fifth batter of the game, facing Tigers southpaw Hal Newhouser with one out and the sacks packed, Hodgin was beaned in the head and had to be stretchered off of the field. Yes, a run scored, and yes, given Chicago never trailed the HBP counted as a GWRBI for Hodgin. The left fielder was fully conscious throughout, including during his X-rays at the hospital. Doctors diagnosed Hodgin with a severe concussion and contusions, predicting two or three weeks before his return. He in fact did not return until July 16. April 21, 1991 - After two losses to open their new ballpark, the White Sox won their first game at new Comiskey Park II, and in thrilling fashion. With two outs in the ninth and trailing, 4-3, Ozzie Guillen singled. Scott Fletcher followed with a deep fly to right-center that should have ended the game — but Tigers right fielder Rob Deer dropped the ball, tying the game as Guillen scampered all the way around to score. With Fletcher on second, Tim Raines was intentionally walked — and Lance Johnson dribbled a single right through the box for the game-winner. April 21, 1992 - In the ninth inning of a 4-3 loss to the Yankees at Comiskey Park, shortstop Ozzie Guillen tore up his knee in a collision with left fielder Tim Raines. On a pop into short left by Mel Hall, Guillen’s knee slammed into the shoulder of Raines who was attempting to make a diving catch. Ozzie had surgery and was lost for the rest of the year, only playing 12 games but through intensive off-season rehab work, came back strong in 1993 to regain his starting spot at shortstop for the eventual Western Division champions. It was the only serious injury he suffered in his 13 seasons on the South Side. April 21, 2012 – Phil Humber was a journeyman pitcher before this day. He was a journeyman pitcher after it. But on this particular day he was as good as any pitcher in history. Humber became only the third White Sox pitcher and the 21st in baseball history at that time, to throw a perfect game. Humber shut out Seattle 4-0 at Safeco Field. He fanned nine Mariners in the game and threw only 96 pitches. The closest a Mariners batter came to a hit was when Dustin Ackley lined out to Alex Rios in right field. Rios had to jump to make the catch of the ball at the warning track. There was some drama at the finish as the last Mariner hitter, Brendan Ryan struck out but argued with the home plate umpire for a second instead of realizing the ball got past catcher A. J. Pierzynski who had to retrieve it and throw it to first. A.J.’s throw just beat Ryan who might have ruined the perfect game had he been more alert and immediately started running!

Feel free to explain that to JR if he is still in charge.

If JR is still in charge (and assuming they are actually playing baseball) he'll be traded next July 2027. If Ishbia has taken over there is a realistic chance they work out a new extended deal. It's that simple.

Sun-Times story on Vasil and the bullpen issues: "Sox relievers have struggled to a 5.64 ERA this season, the third-worst in the majors entering play Monday." https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2026/04/20/mike-vasil-white-sox-tommy-john-recovery

Looks like this is going to be longer than the 4-6 week original diagnosis: https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2026/04/19/kyle-teel-recovery-white-sox-andrew-benintendi

Two factoids today: April 20, 2018 – White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar collapsed in the dugout after throwing 15 pitches in the sixth inning of a 10-0 loss to the Astros. He regained consciousness and was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent several emergency surgeries but eventually made a full recovery from a brain aneurysm. Farquhar never pitched in the majors again. April 20, 2022 – White Sox starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel allowed 10 runs, eight earned, in only a single inning of work in an 11-1 loss in the first game of a double header in Cleveland. Keuchel gave up eight consecutive hits in the inning. He became the first Sox pitcher to allow 10 runs in an inning since Milt Gaston on June 13, 1934. This was also the game where shortstop Tim Anderson flipped off the fans and would be suspended for his actions.

This is what I got when I asked AI the same question for what it's worth: "Based on historical data and modern trends, the league-wide average save percentage (Save Opportunity conversion rate) for MLB relievers in save situations has hovered around 88% to 90% for established closing pitchers. Medium +2 While individual, non-closer relievers may have lower rates, major league closers tasked with finishing games in recent decades have maintained a high baseline of success, with elite closers often exceeding 90% and career leaders averaging roughly 89%."

Sun Times with the post game wrap: https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2026/04/19/noah-schultz-munetaka-murakami-white-sox-athletics

I have no idea how accurate this is but I do know that when I've asked a baseball question from AI just to confirm some things that I knew to be true or accurate the answer I got was way off base. My point is that I don't think you can trust AI to a reasonable degree yet about anything.

Wood did put up some numbers that I don't think you'll ever see in baseball again regarding innings pitched and games started. He was a horse that's for sure. This is how I got into my interview with him that I did in 2005: "He is a member of a very select fraternity. It’s a fraternity that goes beyond the usual small fraternity of former Major League baseball players. It’s so small that you can count the members on both hands, if that. That fraternity is composed of former Major League pitchers who excelled both in roles reserved for starting pitchers and relief pitchers. Think about it.....how many pitchers can you name who did well in both roles? A few immediately come to mind....Dennis Eckersley, Jim “Mudcat” Grant, John Smoltz and Hoyt Wilhelm but many fans don’t know that Wilbur Wood was both a league leading relief pitcher and a league leading starting pitcher in his days with the Sox. Wood’s White Sox career spanned from 1967 through 1978 and during it he was a key part of three of the most memorable White Sox teams in club history. * He was a part of the deep bullpen the Sox had in 1967. The “Near Miss” White Sox had the World Series squarely in their sites, until a disastrous final week. * He was the lead starter on the 1972 “Outhouse or Penthouse” White Sox (Author’s Note: That phrase was authored by Sox outfielder Rick Reichardt when talking about the surprising season.) Those Sox battled the Oakland A’s down to the final week for the Western Division championship. If not for the back injury to third baseman Bill Melton, the A’s dynasty of the 70's might never have happened. * He was also a spot starter on the 1977 “South Side Hit Men” Sox club that smashed all existing team hitting records and carried on as the baseball version of the 1985 Chicago Bears."

Not with the atrocious bullpen's the past several years. Hard to win with guys blowing winnable games left and right.

Congratulations to Schultz on his first win. He looked a lot more comfortable out there than in his first start.

Five factoids today: April 19, 1907 - Ed Walsh tied a Major League record in a 1-0 win over St. Louis — but not for his pitching prowess. In this game, it was his fielding, as Walsh had 11 assists and 13 total chances in the field. There is no play-by-play data available for the game so it’s uncertain whether the Browns were bunting a bunch to try to get on against the fourth-year ace or that there were just an inordinate number of comebackers through the box. April 19, 1960 - Orestes “Minnie” Minoso made a triumphant return to the White Sox, blasting two home runs, including the game winner in the ninth inning for a wild 10-9 victory over the A’s on opening day. “Minnie”, re-acquired over the off season from the Indians, also had a grand slam and drove in six RBI’s. More ominous however was the fact that the vaunted American League champion Sox pitching staff gave up nine runs in the first place and the team committed two errors in the field. Those shortcomings would eventually lead to a third-place finish with a record of 87-67. In 1960 Minoso hit .311 with 20 home runs, 105 RBI’s and 17 stolen bases winning a Gold Glove and making the All-Star team in one of his finest individual seasons. April 19, 1961 - In the home opener against Washington, Sox owner Bill Veeck hired a number of shorter people to sell concessions throughout Comiskey Park. Why? Because Veeck received a number of complaints that taller sellers were obstructing the fans view of the game itself! Given that the Sox lost the game 7-2 said fans may not have wanted to see the game much anyway. April 19, 1965 – White Sox manager Al Lopez tied the record when he used five pinch hitters in the seventh inning of what turned out to be a 7-2 win over the Orioles at Comiskey Park. The Sox trailed 2-1 when Lopez began his maneuvering. By the time the inning was over he used Don Buford, Danny Cater, Johnny Romano, Dave Nicholson and Gary Peters as pinch hitters with Romano and Peters both hitting singles and driving in runs. Peters hit would give the Sox the lead for good. Lopez first used five pinch hitters in an inning on May 18, 1957 also against the Orioles in Baltimore. April 19, 1966 – The White Sox beat the Angels 3-1 in the first game ever played in the new Anaheim Stadium aka “The Big A.” Tommy John went seven innings with Eddie Fisher getting the save. The game was played before over 31-thousand fans. Don Buford singled home Tommie Agee in the eighth inning with what proved to be the winning run.

This has been the case for the last few years with predictable results. Has been's; stiffs; retreads; cast-offs and injury prone guys just hoping to hang around.

It's still incredible to me how the Sox haven't been able to produce a competent outfielder.

So far the bullpen is shaping up to be as awful as the ones in 2024 and 2025. It's going to be very hard to see any real improvement in the won/loss column unless that gets significantly better.

White Sox doing White Sox things. Another blown game by this brutal bullpen. 4th time this year the Sox had a lead in the 7th inning or later and lost. And the season is only three weeks old or so. And not being able to score with the bases loaded, no one out in extra innings was a crusher.

My third factoid in the list for today.

Seven factoids today: April 18, 1907 – The White Sox home opener started off inauspiciously, as the World Championship pennant was raised — and the pole flying it fell over! However, the game went more smoothly, in front of 10,000 fans at South Side Park. Nick Altrock pitched the distance, scattering seven singles in winning a 2-0 shutout over the Browns. The White Sox struck for their two runs in the fourth inning, when George Davis tripled home John “Jiggs” Donahue and Pat “Patsy” Dougherty. April 18, 1972 – Because of the labor impasse and the late start to the season it wasn’t until the middle of the month that the Sox finally opened at home. It turned out to be a night home opener and the 20- thousand plus fans who turned out gave a standing ovation welcome to new Sox slugger Dick Allen. Allen didn’t disappoint, going 2 for 4, with three runs and two RBI’s in the Sox 14-0 win over Texas. Afterwards Dick said, “I think I’m going to like it here.” Teammate Carlos May had six RBI’s on the night. Bill Melton added two. The heart of the Sox lineup drove in 10 runs that evening. White Sox fans were so thrilled to see the “New Look” team that a few hundred fans ran on to the field in the ninth inning briefly delaying the game. No damage was done to the playing surface unlike what would happen during the night of Disco Demolition. April 18, 1991 - The Sox opened the new Comiskey Park by falling flat on their faces and getting wiped out 16-0 to the Tigers. It was a strange game that saw Detroit have a six run third inning and a 10-run fourth inning. Sox pitchers Jack McDowell, Brian Drahman and Ken Patterson gave up the 16 runs on 14 hits along with four walks. The next day Sox players burned the jersey of pitcher Scott Radinsky at second base as a ‘sacrifice’ to the baseball gods for leaving the original park, according to teammate and losing pitcher in the first game, McDowell. April 18, 1994 - Sox leadoff man Tim Raines belted three home runs in a game at Fenway Park. He went 4 for 5 with four RBI’s in the easy 12-1 win over the Red Sox. It was the only time in his Hall of Fame career “Rock” had a three-home run game. April 18, 2000 - The White Sox set the franchise record for the most runs ever scored in the fourth inning of a game when they plated 11 of them in Chicago against the Mariners. They trailed 6-2 before sending 14 batters to the plate. Greg Norton and Mark Johnson homered in the frame. Tanyon Sturtze got the win in relief of Cal Eldred as the Sox won 18-11. April 18, 2007 - Mark Buehrle became only the 15th pitcher in franchise history to toss a no-hitter (16th overall at that time) as he beat the Rangers 6-0. Buehrle struck out eight and only allowed one base runner, giving up a walk to former Sox player Sammy Sosa in the fifth inning whom he then promptly picked off. His was the first no-hitter at home since Joe Horlen’s in 1967. Jermaine Dye had a grand slam and Jim Thome added two solo home runs to help Buehrle’s cause. April 18, 2025 – The disaster that the White Sox franchise had become continued to manifest itself in strange and unusual ways. In Boston the Red Sox pounded the club to a 10-3 defeat, it was the seventh straight road loss to open a season setting a franchise record. The Sox had lost six previous road games at Detroit and Cleveland.

Sun Times with the game recap and halfway down the story are some interesting comments from the pitchers regarding Venable's use of an "opener". https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2026/04/17/white-sox-seranthony-dominguez-anthony-kay-athletics