THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 12TH

 

For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com

 

BAD BREAK FOR SULLY

1910: The White Sox suffered a setback when starting catcher and 1909 manager Billy Sullivan stepped on a rusty nail. Sullivan, a rock during the Sox “Hitless Wonder” era of the early 1900s, did not go to a doctor and eventually suffered from blood poisoning. The malady kept him out of the lineup until July 1.

 

HOOSIER SPRING HOME

1945: The White Sox opened their final wartime spring training camp in Terre Haute, Ind. Wartime travel restrictions forced the White Sox into some unconventional spring training homes. In 1943 and 1944, the Sox trained in French Lick, Ind., better known as the hometown of NBA legend Larry Bird. After working out in Terre Haute -- where Bird played for Indiana State – for one year, the Sox went West after the war, returning to Pasadena, Calif., where they had trained from 1933 to 1942.

 

CONQUEST OF THE CUBS

1950: The White Sox had to sweat out their exhibition opener against the Cubs in Pasadena, Calif. The Sox jumped to a huge lead but didn’t secure the 8-7 victory until Randy Gumpert whiffed pinch-hitter Hank Edwards to halt the Cubs’ six-run uprising and the game.

 

BEATING UP THE BIRD

1981: The White Sox put a dent in Mark “The Bird” Fidrych’s comeback when they pounded the Detroit right-hander in a 13-5 Grapefruit League victory in Lakeland. The Sox ripped Fidrych, who had struggled with injuries since winning the 1976 A.L. Rookie of the Year Award, for six runs. The big blow was Rusty Kuntz’s two-run home run in the first inning.

 

BIG HURT BIG DEAL

1992: The White Sox signed first baseman-DH Frank Thomas to a three-year contract which would see the “Big Hurt” through his MVP campaigns of 1993 and 1994. According to press reports of the day, the deal, including bonuses, could be worth $5 million. Baseball-almanac.com had Thomas’ salary at $620,000 for 1992, $1,115,000 in 1993 and $2,755,000 in 1994.

 

 

Thomas’ salary at $620,000 for 1992, $1,115,000 in 1993 and $2,755,000 in 1994.

 

Best deal ever?