THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: FEBRUARY 29TH

 

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TEAM COMISKEY STAYS

1940: A judge made sure the White Sox would stay in the Comiskey family when he denied an attempt by a bank to sell the franchise. The First National Bank of Chicago, the club’s principal lender, tried to force a sale by the heirs of the late J. Louis Comiskey, the son of the team’s founder. A judge ruled in favor of the Comiskeys saying that Mrs. Grace Comiskey could keep the club for their 14-year-old son‚ Charles II‚ until he is 35. History tells us that Charles II never got the club. Grace wound up selling to Bill Veeck before the 1959 season.

 

ROBIN FOR TWO

1992: The White Sox and Robin Ventura agreed on a two-year contract. The deal extended through what would have been Ventura’s first year of arbitration.

 

PHILLIPS UNRETIRES

1996: Two days after suddenly retiring, White Sox left fielder Tony Phillips unretired and rejoined the club in spring training in Sarasota, Fla. Two days earlier, the Sox announced Phillips was retiring for family reasons. Upon his return, the Sox released a statement saying Phillips’ family problems had been resolved. Speculation had Phillips leaving the game because he felt unappreciated after having to take a $2.5 million paycut for 1996 despite a banner year with the Angels. General manager Ron Schueler said three of Phillips’ closest friends – including Dusty Baker and Dave Stewart – were able to persuade Phillips to return. It’s a good thing they did, too. Phillips went on to have one of the great seasons ever by a Sox leadoff hitter. Phillips hit .277 with a league-best 125 walks and a sensational .404 on-base percentage spearheading an attack that should have carried the White Sox to at least a wild card berth that year. In addition, Phillips played a stellar left field, leading the league with 345 putouts, 13 assists and three double plays.

 

 

Tony Phillips was really good at spitting

maybe smoking crack makes you salivate.