This Day In Sox History 1/6...

[Lip Man 1]

January 6, 1964 – The White Sox revealed their new road uniforms, a bold powder-blue that departed from traditional gray. The South Siders thereby kick-started a road uniform look that lasted for two decades across Major League Baseball. The base powder blue had navy blue accents trimmed in white.

 

January 6, 2005 - Needing catching help, Sox G.M. Ken Williams took a gamble and inked catcher A.J. Pierzynski to a free agent contract. A.J., who had a reputation as a ‘clubhouse cancer’ turned out to be a model teammate and his contributions to the 2005 World Series champs, would be incalculable. Sox announcer Ken “Hawk” Harrelson pitched A.J. to the front office since he knew him for a number of years (both lived in Orlando, Florida) and got the organization to take the chance.

Two of the most memorable A.J. moments took place in 2005. The first came on June 18 when he hit an opposite field home run to cap a four run ninth inning as the Sox beat the Dodgers 5-3. The Sox were wearing 1959 replica uniforms for the game.

The second and far more important moment, came on October 12, the second game of the A.L.C.S. With the Sox down a game to the Angels and tied in the ninth, Pierzynski struck out then started running to first base as former Sox player Josh Paul, the Angels catcher, rolled the ball back towards the mound thinking the inning was over. A.J. thought the ball hit the dirt and was trapped which required a put out at first base. Umpire Doug Eddings agreed and Pierzynski got the base. The play led to the eventual winning run, evening the best of seven series which the Sox went on to win in five games to get to their first World Series since 1959.

Another 'classic' A.J. moment came on May 20, 2006 during a Cubs/Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field. Scoring the first run in an eventual 7-0 Sox win, A.J. got tangled up with catcher Michael Barrett and went back to touch home plate. As he was doing so, he bumped Barrett which resulted in the Cub player losing it and sucker punching him. Four players wound up being ejected in the fight. A.J. would play for the franchise from 2005-2012.