On this day in 1914, the Chicago White Sox purchased the contract of Oscar "Happy" Felsch from the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association.
Happy made his MLB debut on April 14, 1915 for the White Sox with a win over the Browns in St. Louis. From 1915 until 1920 Felsch roamed center field for the Pale Hose. With the exception of 1918, which Oscar only played in fifty-three games due to military service, he was one of the top batters in the league from 1916 through 1920. finishing in the top ten of many offensive categories. Happy also provided excellent defense.
In 1920, Felsch batted .338 with fourteen home runs and one hundred fifteen RBI, at the emergence of the live ball era. Unfortunately, Happy was on the precipice of banishment, due to his involvement in the 1919 World Series scandal. Baseball would never know how high Felsch's numbers could have been in the twenties.
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