Today in White Sox History: January 11
1881: A unique sporting event took place in Chicago, as a series of Tuesday baseball games were played on ice, featuring both professional and amateur players. This innovative winter tradition would become a staple for years to come.
1949: After a decade-long career with the White Sox, catching 981 games, Mike Tresh was sold to the Cleveland team. His career WAR of 2.1 is notably lower than other players on the all-time list, including Billy Sullivan with 8.4.
1962: A young Donn Pall, born on this day in Chicago, would later become a prominent figure in baseball. Pall, who attended Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park in 1979, spent most of his career with the White Sox from 1988 to 1993. Interestingly, another notable pope, Leo, is just seven years older than Pall, creating a fascinating possibility of one pope attending a White Sox game while the other was pitching.
1973: The designated hitter rule was introduced, but only for American League (AL) teams on a three-year experimental basis. Three months later, Mike Andrews made history as the first White Sox designated hitter, popping out in the second inning of Opening Day. Despite this, Andrews finished the day with a double and a walk, contributing to the team's success.
2000: Carlton Fisk, a Hall of Famer, was elected to the Hall of Fame for the second time. Despite playing 343 more games with the Boston Red Sox, Fisk's Hall plaque featured a Red Sox cap. Also on this day, the legendary Bob Lemon, a former White Sox manager and pitching Hall of Famer, passed away at 79 in Long Beach, California. Lemon's remarkable 61-year career in baseball included managing the 1977 South Side Hit Men to 90 wins and later leading the Yankees to a World Series victory.
