THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: JANUARY 16TH

 

For more see, www.whitesoxalmanac.com

 

LAST CHANCE FOR BILLY

1974: Former White Sox pitcher Billy Pierce garnered just four votes in what turned out to be the last of his five years on the Hall of Fame ballot. Pierce, the Sox all-time leader with 1,796 strikeouts, received just 1.1 percent of the vote in balloting by the Baseball Writers Association of America. It was the third straight year he received four votes. Pierce’s Hall of Fame fate was left to the Veteran’s Committee, who have yet to elect him. Yankee teammates Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford easily surpassed the needed 75 percent for induction. In his fourth year on the ballot, Nellie Fox collected 79 votes, his best showing yet. Others with Sox ties receiving votes were Bob Lemon, George Kell, Phil Cavarretta, Don Larsen, Ted Kluszewski, Smoky Burgess and Rocky Colavito.

 

GOOSE PICKS UP STEAM

2001: In his second year on the Hall of Fame ballot, former White Sox pitcher Rich Gossage picked up 228 votes but still fell short of the needed 75 percent to gain induction into Cooperstown. The good news was that Gossage, who pitched for the Sox from 1972-1976, increased his total by 62 votes in balloting performed by the Baseball Writers Association of America. “Goose” would eventually be voted into the Hall in 2008. Dave Winfield and Kirby Puckett easily earned enough votes for induction. Other with Sox ties who received votes were Tommy John, Jim Kaat, Dave Righetti and John Kruk.

 

AT U.S. CELLULAR FIELD (AND BEYOND), IT WILL COUNT

2003: Major League Baseball announced that the winning league in the annual All-Star Game will receive homefield advantage in that season’s World Series. Owners unanimously approved the proposalafter the 2002 All-Star Game ended in an embarrassing tie in Commissioner Bud Selig’s hometown of Milwaukee. The 2003 All-Star Game at U.S. Cellular Field -- the first hosted by the Sox since 1983 – would be the first game played under these rules. The American League won the game at “the Cell” the following July.

 

 

 

 

AT U.S. CELLULAR FIELD (AND BEYOND), IT WILL COUNT

2003: Major League Baseball announced that the winning league in the annual All-Star Game will receive homefield advantage in that season’s World Series. Owners unanimously approved the proposalafter the 2002 All-Star Game ended in an embarrassing tie in Commissioner Bud Selig’s hometown of Milwaukee. The 2003 All-Star Game at U.S. Cellular Field -- the first hosted by the Sox since 1983 – would be the first game played under these rules. The American League won the game at “the Cell” the following July.

 

Very good stuff right here. Completely forgot we were the first.