Today in White Sox History: April 23
Carlton Fisk takes one for the team
1919
Perhaps the most talented White Sox team ever opened the season in St. Louis and destroyed the Browns, 13-4. The offense pounded out 21 hits, which remains tied for 40th-most ever by the White Sox in a game. Lefty Williams got the win, throwing a complete game.
Six months later, after winning the American League pennant, the ‘‘Black Sox’’ threw the series and lost to the Cincinnati Reds. Eight players would be banned the following year, including Williams, and the only franchise capable of stopping the emerging New York Yankees juggernaut was decimated.
1949
White Sox lefthander Billy Pierce won his first major league game. Pierce threw almost four innings in relief of starter Al Gettel and got the decision in a 12-5 win over the Browns at Comiskey Park.
Billy would win 186 games with the Sox, make the All-Star team seven times, throw four one-hitters and finish with 211 wins overall in his brilliant career.
1955
The White Sox collected 29 hits and hammered the Athletics, 29-6, at Kansas City. Every starter had at least one hit, including starting pitcher Jack Harshman.
The 29 runs were a major league record that stood until 2007, and remains tied with three other teams for second-most ever. The 23-run margin of victory remains the biggest in White Sox history, and the 29 runs and hits both remain team records.
The Sox hit seven home runs that night, which remains tied for the franchise-most in a game. Bob Nieman went 3-for-4 with two homers and seven RBIs. Sherm Lollar and Minnie Miñoso added five RBIs apiece.
1981
The White Sox erupted with 21 singles and 26 hits in an 18-5 doubleheader opener win. The Sox scored in every inning but the seventh and eighth, and put up seven-spots in the fourth and sixth. The top of the order (Bill Almon, Tony Bernazard, Carlton Fisk) went 10-for-17 with nine singles. Richard Dotson threw a complete-game win. The White Sox also took the nightcap, 5-3, improving to 7-3 on the season.
The 21 singles and 26 hits remain tied for the second-most in White Sox history. That hit and run total also were the most record in the American League during the 1981 season.
One oddity, this doubleheader was supposed to be on an off-day, but games earlier in the series postponed due to cold and snow forced this busy day.
1990
It was an unusual event, even for an exhibition game. Utility player Steve Lyons played all nine positions for the White Sox during the annual “Crosstown Classic” game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Manager Jeff Torborg moved him all over the field during the contest, won by the Sox, 6-5. Outfielder Dave Gallagher threw out the potential tying run at home plate to end the game.
1991
A silly distinction, perhaps, but when Orioles hurler Dave Johnson hit Carlton Fisk with a pitch leading off the second inning of a 10-4 White Sox win, it was the first hit-by-pitch at new Sox Park.