SIX factoids today:

May 24, 1929 - In one of the greatest pitching performances in the history of baseball, Sox starter Ted Lyons threw all 21 innings in a heartbreaking 6-5 loss to the Tigers. He allowed 24 hits in the 21 innings and faced an incredible 85 hitters. His opponent that day, George Uhle, pitched 20 innings and faced 79 batters himself.

Only five other pitchers ever threw more innings in a game, none by Sox pitchers.   

May 24, 1946 - Sox manager Jimmy Dykes was fired by the organization. Dykes was in charge for 12 years, 13 days, the longest tenure in franchise history. His White Sox record was 899-940. The 899 wins is the franchise’s most ever by a manager.

He also was involved in a footnote that could have changed White Sox and baseball history. In March 1938, the White Sox played a benefit exhibition against the Pasadena Sox, a group of young players from that California city. Holding forth on the local team was a 19-year-old black youth who made several brilliant plays. Dykes said, “Geez, if that kid was white, I’d sign him right now.” In March of 1942, Dykes allowed the phenom and another black baseball player, Nate Moreland, to try out for the White Sox. He sent them away without an offer. Perhaps he allowed the tryouts only to deflect racial criticism, since no Major League team had yet expressed any positive attitude toward integration. In any event, nothing came of it.

How history might have changed if he had been able to offer a contract to that phenom, a lad named Jackie Robinson!

May 24, 1961 - For the first time since the 1950 season the Sox dropped into last place in the American League for a time after they lost a double header in Baltimore 5-3 and 6-4.

The plight of the Sox actually caused some Chicago aldermen in city council session to publicly ask what was going on. The Sox would rebound though to end the year in fourth place with 86 wins.

May 24, 1967 - Sox first baseman Tommy McCraw had his career day. In a game at Minnesota, McCraw slammed three home runs and knocked in eight RBI’s as the Sox pounded the Twins 14-1. On the day he went 3 for 6, with three runs scored. The eight RBI’s, tied a franchise record.

May 24, 1983 - The 1983 season turned around completely on this evening as the White Sox destroyed Boston and pitcher Doug Bird 12-4. Bird, who hadn’t lost a game in two years, was roughed up as the Sox blasted five home runs on the night. Greg Luzinski hit one of them which was his fifth shot in five games. It was the start of the drive that would lead, four months later, to the Western Division championship and 99 wins.

May 24, 2011 - Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin wrote his name in the franchise record book when he hit three home runs in a game against the Rangers. Quentin hit them before and after a rain/high wind delay of almost three hours which caused the game to end at 1:27AM local time. He went 3 for 5 on the night with five RBI’s in the Sox 8-6 win.

9 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said:

SIX factoids today:

May 24, 1929 - In one of the greatest pitching performances in the history of baseball, Sox starter Ted Lyons threw all 21 innings in a heartbreaking 6-5 loss to the Tigers. He allowed 24 hits in the 21 innings and faced an incredible 85 hitters. His opponent that day, George Uhle, pitched 20 innings and faced 79 batters himself.

Only five other pitchers ever threw more innings in a game, none by Sox pitchers.   

May 24, 1946 - Sox manager Jimmy Dykes was fired by the organization. Dykes was in charge for 12 years, 13 days, the longest tenure in franchise history. His White Sox record was 899-940. The 899 wins is the franchise’s most ever by a manager.

He also was involved in a footnote that could have changed White Sox and baseball history. In March 1938, the White Sox played a benefit exhibition against the Pasadena Sox, a group of young players from that California city. Holding forth on the local team was a 19-year-old black youth who made several brilliant plays. Dykes said, “Geez, if that kid was white, I’d sign him right now.” In March of 1942, Dykes allowed the phenom and another black baseball player, Nate Moreland, to try out for the White Sox. He sent them away without an offer. Perhaps he allowed the tryouts only to deflect racial criticism, since no Major League team had yet expressed any positive attitude toward integration. In any event, nothing came of it.

How history might have changed if he had been able to offer a contract to that phenom, a lad named Jackie Robinson!

May 24, 1961 - For the first time since the 1950 season the Sox dropped into last place in the American League for a time after they lost a double header in Baltimore 5-3 and 6-4.

The plight of the Sox actually caused some Chicago aldermen in city council session to publicly ask what was going on. The Sox would rebound though to end the year in fourth place with 86 wins.

May 24, 1967 - Sox first baseman Tommy McCraw had his career day. In a game at Minnesota, McCraw slammed three home runs and knocked in eight RBI’s as the Sox pounded the Twins 14-1. On the day he went 3 for 6, with three runs scored. The eight RBI’s, tied a franchise record.

May 24, 1983 - The 1983 season turned around completely on this evening as the White Sox destroyed Boston and pitcher Doug Bird 12-4. Bird, who hadn’t lost a game in two years, was roughed up as the Sox blasted five home runs on the night. Greg Luzinski hit one of them which was his fifth shot in five games. It was the start of the drive that would lead, four months later, to the Western Division championship and 99 wins.

May 24, 2011 - Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin wrote his name in the franchise record book when he hit three home runs in a game against the Rangers. Quentin hit them before and after a rain/high wind delay of almost three hours which caused the game to end at 1:27AM local time. He went 3 for 5 on the night with five RBI’s in the Sox 8-6 win.

1967 a year that will live in infamy, that last week still gives me a lot of heartache and nightmares.

Edited May 24May 24 by The Mighty Mite