THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: JANUARY 8TH

 

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PROPS FOR LUKE

1941: The White Sox Luke Appling was named the shortstop on the Baseball Writers Association of America All-Star team for 1940, which was released on this date in The Sporting News. Appling earned the honor by hitting .348 with 197 hits (13 of which were triples) in a season where he was named to the mid-season American League All-Star team.

 

KEEPING THE JUICE

1984: With a helping hand from broadcaster Ken Harrelson, the White Sox re-signed second baseman Julio Cruz. In the final year of his contract, Cruz was acquired from Seattle the previous June. “The Juice” played a key role in the Sox surge to the A.L. West Division championship but his return for 1984 looked to be in peril as the off-season wore on. The long-term deal was finally hammered out after Harrelson intervened. Unfortunately, Cruz never flashed his 1983 form for the Sox again. He struggled with injuries throughout the next three seasons. His disappointing tenure with the Sox came to an end when he was released on March 23, 1987.

 

FISK IN THE FOLD

1986: The White Sox signed Carlton Fisk, who had filed for free agency the previous Nov. 12, to a two-year contract. This was the second of five contracts the future Hall of Famer would sign with the Sox. … Also on this date, former White Sox players Ken Boyer, Minnie Minoso, Ron Santo, Dick Allen, Don Larsen and Wilbur Wood all received votes in balloting for Hall of Fame induction conducted by the Baseball Writers Association of America. None came close to reaching the 75 percent needed for induction. Willie McCovey was the only player who received enough votes for induction.

 

BRINGING BACK BAINES

2001: The White Sox inked Harold Baines to what would be his last contract. The minor league deal was for one year and included a non-roster invitation to spring training. Baines entered the year 145 hits shy of 3,000 but managed just 11 in 32 games in an injury-riddled 2001 season, which proved to be the final one in 22-year career.

 

 

"Ah luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuv thuh Juice!"

No wonder they named Hawk GM soon after...