THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 29TH/McCraw, Huff, Simas

THIS DATE IN WHITE SOX HISTORY: MARCH 29TH

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TOMMY CAN YOU HEAR ME? YOU’RE TRADED

1971: The White Sox traded first baseman-outfielder Tommy McCraw, a member of the organization since 1960, to the Washington Senators for outfielder Ed Stroud, who had previously been with the team in 1966 and 1967. McCraw was solid performer in his eight years with the Sox, hitting between .220 and .261. He was a rare commodity in Sox history, a leadoff hitting first baseman with speed. McCraw swiped at least12 bases in seven of his eight seasons with the Sox. McCraw experienced the best and worst of the game in his time in Sox yarns. On May 24, 1967, McCraw clubbed three home runs and drove in a franchise-record eight runs in a 14-1 win at Minnesota. On May 3, 1968, McCraw tied an A.L. record by committing three errors in an inning. Stroud didn’t pan out in 1971, hitting just .171 in 53 games.

OFF IN A HUFF

1994: The White Sox traded utilityman Mike Huff to the Toronto Blue Jays for first baseman Domingo Martinez. Huff, a graduate of New Trier East High School and Northwestern University, played with the Sox from 1991 to 1993 serving mostly as a reserve outfielder. Martinez, who had gotten into 15 games with Toronto in 1992 and 1993, never played for the White Sox. He did go on to have a solid 1994 at Triple-A Nashville, hitting .270 with 22 home runs and 81 RBIs. 1994 turned out to be Martinez’s only season in the Sox chain.

BREAKING IN BANK ONE BALLPARK … SIMAS DEMOTED

1998: The White Sox closed out their inaugural spring training in Arizona by defeating the Diamondbacks 3-0 before 48,198 in the first game ever at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix. … After the game, the Sox optioned pitcher Bill Simas to Triple-A Calgary because they were convinced the right-hander’s velocity had not returned after shoulder surgery. Simas, a staple in the Sox pen the previous three years, returned to Chicago after making five minor league appearances and wound up leading the team with 18 saves. Simas’ season also included 13 consecutive successful save chances.