THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: FEBRUARY 14TH/Smalley, MJ

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: FEBRUARY 14TH

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SO LONG, SMALLEY

1985: After 47 forgettable games, the White Sox dealt Roy Smalley to the Minnesota Twins in a three player swap. The Sox received “the other” Randy Johnson and minor leaguer Ron Scheer for the switch-hitting shortstop. Smalley was acquired by the White Sox during the malaise that was the 1984 campaign but he could not provide that bummer of a team with a jumpstart. Smalley, who had hit at least 12 home runs in all but one season between 1978 and 1983, was acquired by the Sox from the Yankees for two players to be named later on July 18, 1984. Unfortunately, one of those players to be named later turned out to be future Cy Young winner Doug Drabek, who as a White Sox Class-A farmhand at the time. Smalley was a bust for theSox. He hit a paltry .170 with four homers and 13 RBIs for one of the most disappointing teams in franchise history.

M.J. WORKS OUT IN PRIVATE

1994: White Sox minor leaguer Michael Jordan worked out in private at the team’s spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla. Jordan was in the seventh day of his baseball career, which began when he signed a contract with the Sox and received a non-roster invitation to spring training. According to press reports of the day, 22 members of the media and six onlookers tried to take in the workout but were denied.