April 27

1965 Topps #70 - Bill Skowron

On this day in 2012, Moose Skowron died from congestive heart failure after a long battle with lung cancer.

Moose was always up to spin a good yarn with anyone within earshot. He was an ambassador for both the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox. Skowron would entertain White Sox fans every time he dropped in on a broadcast. The longer he stayed, the harder it was to get him to wrap up stories that would keep even the announcers on the edge of their seats with joy.

Skowron was named to the 1965 All-Star team for the White Sox in 1965. He was the prototype slugging first baseman that paved the way for players like Frank Thomas and Paul Konerko to shine on the South Side. Although Moose never made it to a playoff game during his four seasons on the ChiSox, but his teams were always in the running, well into September. If divisional play existed before 1969, Skowron may have had a pennant or two with the White Sox to add to those with the Yankees and Dodgers.



White Sox April 27th birthdays:

1909 - John Whitehead
1910 - Frenchy Uhalt
1924 - Bill Higdon
1960 - Brian Giles