This Day In Sox History 7/15...

Three factoids today:

July 15, 1963 - Sox pitcher Gary Peters, on his way towards being named Co-Rookie of the Year, threw a one-hitter at Comiskey Park in beating the Orioles 4-0. Future Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts got the start for Baltimore and got that team’s only hit… in fact he would be the only O’s base runner on the night. That hit came in the third inning a single to center field.

J.C. Martin and Tommy McCraw blasted two-run home runs for the Sox. Peters would strike out 13 that night and would finish the year with 19 wins despite not getting his first start until May 6 in Kansas City.

(On a personal note this was the first Sox game I ever saw in-person...)

July 15, 1994 – “Batgate” came to Comiskey Park. Indians’ slugger and future Sox outfielder Albert Belle was caught using a corked bat by Sox manager Gene Lamont in the first inning.

In order to keep Belle from being suspended further, teammate Jason Grimsley crawled through the air ducts and dropped into the umpire’s room where the bat was being held for examination. Grimsley replaced Belle’s bat with a Paul Sorrento model which tipped off everyone to the switch.

Umpire Dave Phillips then realized the bats had been switched and the police investigated; the league demanded that the Indians return Belle's bat; four days later, Belle's bat was sent to New York; it was x-rayed and cut open in the presence of Belle and G.M. John Hart and discovered to have cork in it; Belle was suspended for 10 games. The Sox lost the game 3-2.

July 15, 2003 - Sox pitcher Esteban Loaiza started the All-Star Game being hosted by the White Sox for the fourth time in franchise history the others being the inaugural game in 1933, 1950 and the 50^th anniversary contest in 1983.

He went two scoreless innings and got no decision in the A.L.’s 7-6 come from behind win. He was joined in the game by teammates Carl Everett (OF) and Magglio Ordonez (OF).

Edited July 15Jul 15 by Lip Man 1