January 31

1911 T3 Turkey Red #121 - Billy Sullivan

On this day in 1909, White Sox catcher Billy Sullivan secured a patent on the first chest protector. It contained a wind pad with compressed air. It was the forerunner of the modern catcher’s chest protector.

January 30

1969 Topps #222 - Duane Josephson

On this day in 1997, Duane Josephson passed away at the age of 54.

Duane signed with the Chicago White Sox before the 1964 season and made his MLB debut with the Pale Hose on September 15, 1965. Josephson's best season came in 1968, when he posted career-highs in hits (107), doubles (16), triples (6), RBI (45), games (128), and was selected to the All-Star Game.

Duane was traded to the Boston Red Sox before the 1971 season. He was forced to retire during the 1972 season, due to pericarditis.

January 29

2004 Topps Total #361 - Willie Harris

On this day in 2002, the White Sox obtained Willie Harris in exchange for Chris Singleton.

Team four! Perhaps Willie Harris will best be remembered for scoring the winning run in series clinching Game four of the 2005 World Series. Jermaine Dye may have drove him in, but if Willie Harris wasn't on base, the Sox may have had another World Series extra inning game on their hands. Not too shabby for someone who just got into the game as a pinch hitter and ripped a single.

January 28

2007 Upper Deck #613 - David Aardsma

On this day in 2008, the White Sox sent David Aardsma to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league players Willy Mota and Miguel Socolovich.

Radio broadcaster Ed Farmer favorite player (mostly because he can say Aardsma's last name like a pirate) came to the club via a trade with the Chicago Cubs, which saw pitcher Neal Cotts move to the North Side team. David had a fantastic April for the South Side in 2007, but when May hit, so did everybody else. Aardsma's number slid in May and by June 2nd, he was sent to the minors. David continued to struggle when recalled later in the month. His last game for the White Sox was July 4, 2007, against the Orioles, where he gave up three runs and made a throwing error.

January 27

2010 Upper Deck #139 - Gavin Floyd

On this day in 1983, Gavin Floyd was born.

After beginning his career with the Philadelphia Phillies, Gavin was dealt to the White Sox after the 2006 season. Since joining Chicago, Floyd has matured into a decent starter, who shows flashes of brilliance. Gavin has flirted with numerous no-hit bids during his time with the White Sox. After a stellar 2008 season, Floyd has regressed in the win/loss column, but has gained a veteran presence.

Hooray Red Stripe!

What do I think of the new Sunday home garb for the White Sox? Hooray Red Stripe Beer!
In the past twenty-one seasons, throwback uniforms have become the rage. The Chicago White Sox don't have much variety in their vintage uniforms, so I love it when someone digs out the interesting relics and displays them proudly.

I am a bicentennial baby (1976 for those who are staring blankly at that reference). The first uniforms that I can remember the White Sox wearing are the lovely late 70s/early 80s numbers with the disco collars that had a pajama look to them. I remember vividly, the fan created circus uniforms (it could have been much worse) and the cursive mistake before settling on the current style of uniform.

I have seen throwbacks to 1906, 1917, 1929, 1959 and 1983 from the White Sox since the first Turn Back The Clock Game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Those are just the ones that I can remember off the top of my head. There may be more lingering out there in the recesses of the mind.

I always thought that the early to mid-seventies uniforms would make a great throwback uniform to wear during a game and I wondered why no one thought to drag them out. Now I finally get my wish, as do many others. I have heard nothing but positive response to this Sunday promotion and I can't wait until some photographs from these games start appearing on baseball cards.

January 26

1956 Topps #267 - Bob Nieman

On this day in 1927, Bob Nieman was born.

The White Sox received Bob in a trade with the Tigers after the 1954 season. After spending the 1955 season and a sampling of the 1956 season, Nieman was traded to the Baltimore Orioles, along with George Kell, Mike Fornieles and Connie Johnson for Dave Philley and Jim Wilson.

While with the South Siders, Bob batted .285, which was only slightly better than his time at Detroit. Nieman went on to have his greatest success with Baltimore. Bob started his big league career with the St. Louis Browns, in 1951, which became the Baltimore Orioles in 1954, where he was eventually traded in May 1956.

January 25

1990 Bowman #319 - Scott Fletcher

On this day in 1983, Scott Fletcher was traded from the Chicago Cubs to the Chicago White Sox as part of a deal that kept the White Sox from taking an unprotected Fergie Jenkins in the free agent compensation draft. Scott had two different stints with the White Sox. He played mainly at shortstop, third and second base.

January 24

2010 Topps Opening Day #219 - Tyler Flowers

On this day in 1986, Tyler Flowers was born.

Tyler made his MLB debut with the White Sox in 2009 and has been an emergency backup for the past three seasons. 2012 may hold a true backup catching position for Flowers. Tyler had his first taste of starting catcher in 2011, when injuries sidelined both Ramon Castro and A.J. Pierzynski.

January 23

1991 Classic #T30 - Matt Stark

On this day in 1990, the Sox signed Matt Stark.

Matt already had MLB experience when the Pale Hose signed him. Stark played in five games with the 1987 Toronto Blue Jays. Even though he was a catcher, he never appeared in a game at that position for the White Sox. In the eight games that Matt played for the Sox, after his September 1990 call up, he played five as the designated hitter and three as a pinch hitter.

Stark spent 1991 playing for the White Sox AAA team in Vancouver and never again graced the majors, but continued to play minor league ball on and off until 1999.

January 22

1996 Collector's Choice #513 - Danny Tartabull

On this day in 1996, Danny Tartabull was traded to the White Sox from the Oakland Athletics for Charles Poe and Andrew Lorraine.

Danny spent one season with the White Sox, batting .254, while hitting 27 home runs and 101 RBI, playing in 132 games. It was a career resurgence for Tartabull, who had been slowed by injuries in previous years. The Sox chose not to re-sign him in 1997, which turned out to be a stroke of luck. The Phillies threw two million dollars at him, which he originally scoffed at, but thought differently when the Cincinnati Reds turned out to be the only other team interested in his services with a five hundred thousand dollar offer.

Tartabull played three hitless games with Philadelphia, broke his foot and never played again. The White Sox dodged an expensive bullet there.

January 21

1987 Topps Traded #106T - Jerry Royster

On this day in 1987, the White Sox signed Jerry Royster.

While with the Sox, Jerry played at third base, left field, second base and designated hitter during the course of fifty-five games. Royster hit an unhealthy .240 with the Sox before he was traded to the New York Yankees in August 1987. Jerry was on par with the rest of the 1987 White Sox batters, as no one that season hit over .293, with most hitting in the .250 range or lower.

Royster was signed as infield insurance by GM Larry Himes. He could play second, third, shortstop and the outfield. He was the third infielder added by Himes, after Donnie Hill and Fred Manrique. After third baseman Tim Hulett was sent to the minors in June 1987, Royster platooned with Steve Lyons at third. The plan was to play Lyons against right-handed pitchers and Royster against lefties.

Jerry was a popular player in the clubhouse and thought that the 1987 White Sox were the best group of guys he had played with, at the time he was traded. The Sox obtained pitcher Ken Patterson and infielder Mike Soper from the Yankees. Pat Keedy took Royster's roster place on the Sox, as manager Jim Fregosi liked Keedy's versatility.

January 20

1966 Topps #486 - Tommy John

On this day in 1965, Tommy John came to the White Sox from the Cleveland Indians in a three team trade that also saw Tommie Agee and Johnny Romano land on the White Sox. Cam Carreon was traded to Cleveland by the Sox and Jim Landis, Mike Hershberger and Fred Talbot were traded to the Kansas City Athletics in the deal. The Indians got Rocky Colavito from the Athletics in the three team deal.

Tommy spent seven seasons with the White Sox, compiling a 2.95 ERA with the Pale Hose with an 82-80 record, fifty-six complete games, twenty-one shutouts, eight hundred eighty-eight strikeouts and three saves.

January 19

2006 Upper Deck Special FX Purple #566 - Pablo Ozuna (/150)

On this day in 2005, the White Sox signed Pablo Ozuna.

Pablo appeared in a career high 70 games and also had career highs with 203 at-bats, 56 hits, and 11 RBI. Ozuna also had 14 stolen bases including a steal of home. During Game 2 of the 2005 ALCS, A.J. Pierzynski advanced to first base on a controversial dropped third strike call. Ozuna pinch ran for him, stealing second base on the second pitch of the at bat to Joe Crede. Ozuna scored the game winning run on a double by Crede.

January 18

2011 Topps Update Cognac Diamond #US196 - Philip Humber

On this day in 2011, Philip Humber was waived by the Oakland Athletics and claimed by the Chicago White Sox.

Humber responded by having the best year of his career, to this point. Philip forced the Sox to keep him in the rotation, leading to a six man rotation that lasted a good chunk of the 2011 season. Humber crushed a career high 21.2 innings pitched with the Kansas City Royals in 2010, by pitching 163 inning with the White Sox in 2011.