Jim Landis Interview

[Cubs Suck23]

Jim Landis joked he "really didn't want to remember the 1959 World Series."

 

But the former five-time Gold Glove White Sox center fielder realizes Series appearances in Chicago are rare.

 

 

Landis, 71, and nine of his former Go-Go Sox teammates plan to be in Chicago the weekend of June 17-19 when the Sox play host to the L.A. Dodgers at U.S. Cellular Field. It marks the first time the Dodgers have faced the Sox in Chicago since Game 6 of the 1959 World Series, which the Dodgers won four games to two.

 

The Sox won the first game 11-0 with right-hander Early Wynn getting the victory over Roger Craig at Comiskey Park. Ted Kluszewski drove in five runs with two homers and a pair of singles. Johnny Podres outdueled Sox starter Bob Shaw for a 4-3 victory in the second game to even the series. In Game 3 in Los Angeles, Don Drysdale beat Dick Donovan 3-1 as Carl Furillo drove in two runs with a pinch-hit single and Charlie Neal added an RBI double in the eighth inning.

 

Reliever Larry Sherry, who would earn World Series MVP honors, was credited with the victory in Game 4. Despite a three-run homer by Sox catcher Sherm Lollar, the Dodgers prevailed 5-4 when Gil Hodges homered to lead off the eighth. Three White Sox pitchers combined to blank the Dodgers 1-0 and beat Sandy Koufax in Game 5. But the Dodgers would celebrate the '59 title with a 9-3 thrashing of Wynn in Game 6.

 

"We were happy to be ahead in the Series 1-0, but we knew there were many games to go," Landis said.

 

Known more for his speed and defense, Landis was a .247 career hitter over 11 seasons, the first eight with the White Sox in 1957-64. But Landis batted .292 (7-for-24) in the '59 World Series.

 

"As young as I was, I was just happy to be there, to be honest with you," Landis said.

 

The Sox's appearance in the '59 World Series was their first since the infamous 1919 Black Sox scandal.

 

On June 18, Landis is to be joined by Rudolfo "Rudy" Arias, Joe Hicks, Ron Jackson, Jim McAnany, J.C. Martin, Billy Pierce, Claude Raymond, Jim Rivera and Shaw. In addition, current Sox and Dodgers players will wear '59 replica uniforms and the center-field video board will feature 1959 trivia and entertainment.

 

WGN-Ch. 9 will incorporate throwback graphics and in-game features on 1959 team members into it broadcast.

 

Festivities at U.S. Cellular Field begin June 17 when the Sox and Miller Lite will give away '59 replica caps to the first 10,000 fans 21 and older.

 

"I remember how it was in 1959, how the fans were so excited and greeted us at the airport," Landis said. "When the Sox win the pennant this year, the fans will be like that also."

 

Overheard:

 

Landis' style of play would fit into manager Ozzie Guillen's philosophy this season.

 

"I am old school, I know that," Landis said. "But the game does not change. A winning team has real good defense and good pitching. I am very proud of the organization going that way. A lot of teams can hit 200 home runs and still finish dead last."