THIS DATE IN SOX HISTORY: DEC 24TH/Raines

[StatManDu]

THIS DATE IN SOX HISTORY: DECEMBER 24TH

 

FINISHING OFF A BUM DEAL

1986: The six-player exchange with the New York Yankees which started the previous July 30 was completed when the White Sox received catcher Bill Lindsey as the player to be named later in the exchange. The controversial trade had Sox general manager Ken Harrelson sending popular slugger Ron Kittle, infielder Wayne Tolleson and promising catcher Joel Skinner to the Bronx Bombers for catcher Ron Hassey, prospect Carlos Martinez and, ultimately, Lindsey. Lindsey played in just nine games for the Sox – all in 1987. He resurfaced briefly in 1995 when he was listed in the Sox “replacement players” media guide.

 

WHEN IT RAINES, IT POURS

1990: In a move to give their offense more speed and power, the White Sox acquired leadoff man extraordinaire from the Montreal Expos. The price was steep, though. The White Sox had to surrender left fielder Ivan Calderon, who was coming off his most complete offensive season, and stellar setup man Barry Jones. In helping the White Sox to a surprising 94wins and a second place finish, Calderon hit .273 with 14 home runs, 74 RBIs, 32 steals and a team-record tying 44 doubles. Jones went 11-4 with a 2.31 ERA as the lead-in to Bobby Thigpen, who logged a still-standing big league record 57 saves. In Raines, the Sox got a lethal combination of speed and power at the top of the lineup as a counter to Oakland's Rickey Henderson. After shaking off a miserable start (which saw him shed his “Rock” nickname), Raines went on to have a decent 1991 and then fashioned more typical campaigns in 1992 and 1993. Raines was spectacular in the 1993 American League Championship Series, hitting .444 with a record-tying (for a six game series) 12 hits. The Sox also received pitcher Jeff Carter and minor leaguer Mario Brito in the deal. Both Calderon and Jones would return to the Sox for end of the season cameos during the 1993 A.L. West Division championship season.

 

 

 

 

[Greg The Bull Luzinski]

I still remember what exciting Christmas Eve news it was that the Sox acquired Raines.

 

Also interesting sidenote that two of the players in Christmas Eve deals Calderon and Carlos Martinez are now dead.

[JohnCangelosi]

I still remember what exciting Christmas Eve news it was that the Sox acquired Raines.

 

Also interesting sidenote that two of the players in Christmas Eve deals Calderon and Carlos Martinez are now dead.

What happened to Martinez?