September 30

2009 Allen & Ginter #261 - John Danks

On this day in 2008, John Danks pitched the game of his life in the Blackout Game.

Game number 163. The White Sox send out a call to their fans attending to wear black. It is one of the most defining statements that the Sox can make and it looked incredible and intimidating. John Danks pitched eight outstanding innings, giving up two hits, three walks and zero runs. The only legitimate threat came in the fifth inning when Michael Cuddyer led off with a double. Cuddyer almost made it home later in the inning, but a quick play by center fielder Ken Griffey Jr., throws him out at the plate. A Jim Thome no doubt solo home run and a brilliant ninth inning by Bobby Jenks sealed a White Sox winner.

September 29

1914 Cracker Jack #94 - Eddie Cicotte

On this day in 1917, the White Sox won their 100th game of the season.

One hundred wins is still a season franchise record for the White Sox. Eddie Cicotte picked up the 3-1 win in the second game of a double header against the Yankees. The dominant Sox team would go on to win the World Series vs. the New York Giants.

September 28

2008 Upper Deck Piece Of History Red #109 - Donny Lucy (/149)

On this day in 2011, Donny Lucy played his last MLB game.

Drafted in the second round of the 2004 amateur draft by the Sox, Donny played parts of three seasons with the parent club; 2007, 2010 and 2011. Over the course of those three seasons, Donny batted .250, with one home run and three RBI.

September 27

1960 Leaf #88 - Cam Carreon

On this day in 1959, Cam Carreon made his MLB debut with the White Sox.

Even though he would make his debut against the Tigers in the bottom of the sixth inning as a defensive replacement for John Romano, Cam wouldn't get his first hit until almost a year later, on September 18, 1960, off Bob Bruce in Detroit. Carreon would last on the Sox until 1964. He would finish off his MLB career with one year stints in Cleveland and Baltimore.

September 26

1999 Fleer Brilliants #142 - Brian Simmons

On this day in 1998, Brian Simmons became the third player in franchise history to homer from both sides of the plate in a game.

Simmons managed this feat off of Kansas City Royals pitchers Brian Barber and Allen McDill. Brian drove in five runs, while the Sox cruised to a 13-5 win.

Ken Henderson was the first to accomplish this feat in 1975. Tim Raines became the second to do so for the Sox in 1993. Jose Valentin seems to own this category for the Sox. Jose homered from both sides of the plate in the same game three times for the Pale Hose.

September 25

1922 Exhibits (W461) #21 - Bibb Falk

On this day in 1922, the White Sox played an exhibition game in Galva, Illinois

The White Sox played against a team made up from the Three I, Western and American Leagues at Swanson's Field on the southwest edge of Galva. The Galva American Legion and the Illinois Valley Baseball League collected the $2000 at the gate. After expenses were paid, they were able to split $500.

The White Sox starters  squared off against an All-Star team led by Bill Jackson, a former Peoria Three I manager. The All-Stars were leading 6-5 in the ninth inning, but the White Sox came roaring back with five runs to win the game 10-6. Various reports claim that Elmer "Chum" Leaf came up with an idea to pin numbers on the players' uniforms, so the crowd could identify players from a distance. Team captain Eddie Collins balked at the idea, allegedly saying, "What do you think we are, a bunch of prisoners with numbers on our backs?"

Though no box score has been found, it's hard not to imagine that the starting left fielder, Bibb Falk, was not in the game. Only 23 at the time, he batted .298 in 1922, and appeared in 131 games. 129 of those were patrolling left field. With the White Sox surging past the All-Stars in the ninth, I can see Bibb in the mix.

September 24

1994 Upper Deck: The American Epic #29 - Joe Jackson

On this day in 1919, Joe Jackson drove in the game-winning and pennant clinching double against the St. Louis Browns.

The White Sox would go on to lose the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds. Joe would hit .375 with twelve hits and six RBI in the eight games of the 1919 World Series. After a series of events, fortunate or unfortunate depending on your point of view, Jackson would be out of professional baseball after 1920.

September 23

1995 Upper Deck #437 - Lance Johnson

On this day in 1995, Lance Johnson went six for six against the Minnesota Twins.

Lance led off the game with a triple and ended up scoring on a Frank Thomas single. In the second, Johnson tripled, scoring Doug Brady. Lance would score on a Tim Raines sacrifice fly. In the fourth, Lance singled. In the sixth, Johnson would single and score on a Frank Thomas single. In the seventh, Lance would triple, scoring Chris Snopek and Doug Brady. Johnson would score on a Dave Martinez groundout. In the eighth, Lance would single, scoring Chris Snopek.

Three triples and three singles in Minnesota. If the Sox could have extended the ninth inning, Lance may have had a seventh opportunity. They fell three batters short.

September 22

1959 Topps #22 - Al Smith

On this day in 1959, the White Sox won the American League pennant.

Al Smith and Jim Rivera would hit back to back home runs to propel the White Sox to victory in a 4-2 win over Cleveland. The ChiSox would go on to lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

After the Sox clinched, Chicago fire commissioner Robert Quinn ordered the air raid sirens to alarm. This caused celebration and panic among Chicagoans.

September 21

1903 Breisch-Williams (E107) - Fielder Jones

On this day in 1901, the Chicago White Sox won the first official American League pennant.

Even though the Sox lost to the Athletics that day, they statistically won the pennant. The White Stockings would end up finishing the season four games ahead of the Boston Americans to take the pennant. The World Series was not created until 1903, two years later. The Pale Hose would finish with a record of 83-53.

The National League winners were the Pittsburgh Pirates. If tensions were not so high between the leagues in 1901, the first World Series may have been between the White Stockings and the Pirates.

September 20

1910 American Caramel E90-3 #18 - Frank Smith

On this day in 1908, Frank Smith threw his second no-hitter.

Frank would post a 16-17 record in 1908, with a sparkling 2.03 ERA. His first no-hitter would be thrown on September 6, 1908 in Detroit. The White Sox would win that game 15-0. For his second no-hitter, the margin of victory would be minuscule in comparison, at 1-0. It would be against the Philadelphia Athletics, this time in front of a home crowd, in Chicago.

Smith was drafted in the rule V draft in 1903 and make his debut the next season. Frank stayed with the Pale Hose until August 11, 1910, when he was traded to Detroit.

September 19

1994 Pinnacle Museum Collection #130 - Rodney Bolton

On this day in 1995, Rodney Bolton played his last MLB game.

Rod was selected by the White Sox in the thirteenth round of the 1990 amateur draft. He was a bit hyped up before his arrival in the big leagues in April 1994, but that was only because the White Sox were projected to win the World Series that year. Rodney had managed to crack the starting rotation.

Bolton would be sent to the pen for the 1995 season, as other options were found for the rotation. In January 1996, Rodney was sold to the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (Japan Pacific). After a year in Japan, he would find himself in the Cincinnati minor league system, followed by Philadelphia's and then Milwaukee's. Bolton last played for the independent league Camden Riversharks in 2001.

September 18

1971 Chicago White Sox Picture Pack #NNO - Lee Richard

On this day in 1948, Lee Richard was born.

Lee was drafted by the White Sox in the first round of the 1970 amateur draft. He played in parts of the 1971, 1972, 1974 and 1975 seasons for the ChiSox. Richard was pretty versatile for the Sox, playing shortstop, center field, third base, second base and right field for the Pale Hose throughout his tenure on the South Side.

Lee's downfall was his bat. Over four season with the Sox, he batted .217 in one hundred seventy-three games. Richard was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in December 1975, for Buddy Bradford and Greg Terlecky. He lasted one season with St. Louis and never played in the majors again.

September 17

1983 Donruss #521 - Rudy Law

On this day in 1983, Rudy Law was on base when Julio Cruz was sacrificed home by Harold Baines, as the White Sox clinched the American League Western Division.

Bottom of the ninth inning, in a 3-3 tie, Jerry Hairston led off the inning by lining out to Seattle pitcher Bill Caudill. Julio Cruz walks next, then steals second, as Rudy Law is batting. Rudy eventually walks, as well. Carlton Fisk walks to load the bases. Cruz at third, Law at second and Fisk at first.

Seattle replaces Bill Caudill with Ed Vande Berg on the mound. Harold Baines sends the ball into center field, where future White Sox Phil Bradley catches it. Julio Cruz tags up and heads home to clinch the division. Rudy Law becomes someone with one of the best seats in the house as the White Sox win.

Catching Up This Week

I apologize for the lack of updates over the weekend. Those of you who are personal or Facebook friends already know that there was a death in the family that took priority over the blog. Things should be up to date by mid-week.

September 16

2009 Allen & Ginter Baseball Highlights #10 - Jim Thome

On this day in 2007, Jim Thome hit his 500th home run.

It was the last game of a home stand. The strain was starting to wear on the fans, waiting for the inevitable blast. Questions and scenarios ran rampant among everyone. Would Jim hit the milestone at home? If so, when?

Things looked bleak on a sunny Sunday afternoon. It was Jim Thome bobblehead day and the Sox were facing the tough Los Angeles Angels. Entering the bottom of the seventh, Jim Thome had one more chance to hit the milestone. The Sox were down 7-1 and Thome was seven batters away. An improbable comeback started to mount. Danny Richar and Andy Gonzalez hit singles. Richar scored on Toby Hall's single. Hall was forced out by Jerry Owens' grounder. Owens stole second base shortly after and scored with Gonzalez on Josh Fields' home run. Jim Thome struck out, followed by a Paul Konerko double and Jermaine Dye lineout. It seemed that Thome's chances of hitting the milestone at home had vanished. The Sox scored four runs, but were still short two runs with time dwindling down.

Juan Uribe walked to lead off the eighth. The next batter, Danny Richar, homered to tie the game. This set up another possible chance for Thome. He would be up in five batters. If the Sox continued on this torrid path, Jim would be up in the eighth. If one of the next three batters hit a solo home run and the rest got outs, then Thome would have to accomplish his historic homer on the road. The next three batters, Gonzalez, A.J. Pierzynski and Owens, all made outs.

MacDougal faced four batters in the top of the ninth, giving up a single, which was erased by a double play, and a walk, but got out of the half inning unscathed. The bottom of the ninth started with a right field single by Darin Erstad off of Angels reliever Dustin Moseley, who just came into the game, replacing Scot Shields. Thome stepped up to the plate and hit a home run to deep center field. No one could have scripted it better. Jim hit his milestone, in front of the home crowd. It was the first 500th home run to be a walk-off and also the first to be hit on that player's own bobblehead day.

September 15

1965 Topps #198 - Smoky Burgess

On this day in 1964, Smoky Burgess had his first at-bat in a White Sox uniform.

In the top of the eighth inning, Smoky pinch hit for pitcher Joe Horlen. The Sox were down 2-1 to the Tigers in Detroit. The South Siders were smack dab in the middle of a pennant race, so every game counted. Tiger pitcher Dave Wickersham threw a pitch in Burgess' wheelhouse and Smoky responded by hitting a home run to tie the game. The score would stay tied until the tenth inning, when Marv Staehle hit a single scoring J.C. Martin as the go ahead run. The White Sox would win their eighty-seventh game. The Sox would win ninety-eight games in 1964, but lose the pennant by one game to the New York Yankees.

Smoky was selected off of waivers by the White Sox from the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 12, 1964. He spent the rest of his career, until his retirement in 1967, in a White Sox uniform. Burgess only caught seven games for the Sox. He was used almost exclusively as a pinch hitter.

September 14

1986 Topps #447 - Jerry Don Gleaton

On this day in 1957, pitcher Jerry Don Gleaton was born.

Jerry was traded to the Chicago White Sox on June 27, 1984, from the Seattle Mariners, along with Gene Nelson for Salome Barojas. Gleaton hadn't played in the majors since 1982, but Jerry did decently enough in eleven games during the 1984 season for the Pale Hose, that he was with the parent club for the 1985 season.

Gleaton's pitching worsened during thirty-one games in the 1985 season. His ERA ballooned past five, even while primarily working as a left-handed specialist to only a few batters or less per game. Jerry spent all of 1986 with the AA affiliate Buffalo Bisons. Gleaton was selected by the Kansas City Royals through free agency after the 1986 season. With the exception of 1983 and 1986, Jerry spent 1979 through 1992 in the majors.

September 13

1968 Topps #99 - Rocky Colavito

On this day in 1967, Rocky Colavito ended a shutout in the seventeenth inning.

White Sox hurler Gary Peters and Cleveland Indians right-hander Sonny Siebert were locked in a 0-0 tie for eleven innings. Both starters were relieved in the twelfth inning after commanding performances. Although Seibert gave up more hits (4), he gave up no walks. Peters gave up ten walks, but only one hit. Both allowed no runs to cross the plate, in the heat of a pennant race. The bullpen continued the good fortune for each side into the seventeenth inning. In the bottom of the seventeenth, the Sox started to stir, with a single from Ken Boyer. Boyer was replaced by Buddy Bradford on the bases. Bradford took second on a passed ball to Tommy McCraw, who eventually was intentionally walked. Rocky Colavito, who had played all seventeen innings in right field, hit a single scoring Bradford from second to win the game. Colavito went 1-7 in the game.

Rocky was traded to the White Sox on July 29, 1967 by the Cleveland Indians for Jim King and Marv Staehle. Rocky didn't make much of an impact with the Sox, just hitting .221, but occasionally, he showed a flare for the dramatic, such as the game against his former team on September 13, 1967. On March 26, 1968, Colavito was purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rocky was released by the Dodgers in July 1968 and was signed by the New York Yankees, where he finished the season and his career.

September 12

2008 Topps Red Hot Rookies #16 - Clayton Richard

On this day in 1983, pitcher Clayton Richard was born.

Clayton was selected in the eighth round of the 2005 draft, out of the University of Michigan. He was the second Michigan alum taken in that draft by the Chicago White Sox. The first being Chris Getz, drafted in the fourth round. Richard moved up the ranks in the Sox minor league system each year, until his debut with the parent club on July 23, 2008.

Richard spent part of two years, 2008 and 2009, with the White Sox. During this time, he compiled a 6-8 record with a 5.14 ERA. Throwing errors plagued his time with the South Siders and cost Clayton some victories. On July 31, 2009, Richard, along with Aaron Poreda, Adam Russell and Dexter Carter, were traded to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Jake Peavy.

September 11

2001 Topps #758 - Chicago White Sox Team

On this day in 2001, the White Sox were in New York, waiting to start a three game series with the Yankees, when tragedy struck.

The calls started pouring in shortly after 9AM, to the Grand Hyatt, where the team was staying. Bullpen coach Art Kusnyer got a wakeup call from his wife. Broadcaster Ken Harrelson was brushing his teeth, when he glanced at the television and saw a tower in flames. The team had arrived at the hotel only three to four hours prior, after getting into town late from Cleveland. Mark Buehrle was anxiously awaiting his first trip to Yankee Stadium. That would ultimately be delayed three weeks.

Chaos, confusion and tense moments were commonplace the rest of the visit. The bustling city of New York had turned into a ghost town before the team's eyes. A general haze hung over the sky and players were waiting for a building to come falling down on them, mainly because the hotel they were staying at was connected to Grand Central Terminal, another potential target. The White Sox received permission to bring buses into Manhattan through the NYPD liaison, who normally worked with MLB teams. Two buses arrived for the team on September 12th, just shy of 24 hours after the attacks began. Two nurses hitched a ride with the Sox across the George Washington bridge. One of the last images of a surreal 24 hours.

Many of the team personnel that were on that trip are still with the club. Out of the players that were part of that trip, only Paul Konerko still remains with the White Sox.

September 10

1960 MacGregor - Ted Kluszewski

On this day in 1924, Ted Kluszewski was born.

On August 25, 1959, the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Ted Kluszewski to the Chicago White Sox for minor leaguer Bob Sagers and Harry "Suitcase" Simpson. Over one season and a half, Ted hit seven home runs and forty-nine RBI. By the time Klu came to the White Sox, his career was nearly over. He was reduced to a part-time player, due to injuries.

Still, Ted provided the right punch to vault the Sox into the postseason for the first time since 1919. Kluszewski hit two home runs in the 1959 World Series opener, helping his team score a 11-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ted was taken in the expansion draft by the Los Angeles Angels. The inaugural season in Los Angeles turned out to be Kluszewski's last in the majors.

WSC Birth Years: Leyson Septimo

Card #118 - Leyson Septimo

Born: July 7, 1985

Originally signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2003, Leyson was selected off of waivers by the Chicago White Sox on June 13, 2011. After making his way through AA Birmingham and AAA Charlotte, Septimo found himself pitching in the big leagues on June 29, 2012, against the Yankees in New York, pitching a perfect ninth inning, striking out Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano.

Septimo throws a four-seam and two-seam fastball, a slider and a changeup. He has been used primarily as a left-handed specialist, since his MLB debut, a role in which he has excelled.

September 9

1983 Donruss Action All-Stars #4 - Greg Luzinski

On this day in 1983, Greg Luzinski hit a home run, completing back to back to back home runs for the White Sox.


Rudy Law may have started the bottom of the first off with a groundout to first base, but the next batter would change the fortunes of the White Sox against Tommy John and the California Angels. Carlton "Pudge" Fisk took John deep. Then Tom "Wimpy" Paciorek took Tommy John deep. Finally Greg "Bull" Luzinski took the battered Angels pitcher deep. When all was said and done, Sox pitcher Britt Burns threw a one-hit gem and the South Siders won the game by a score of 11-0. Those three home runs ended up being the only ones hit out that night.

Bull was purchased by the White Sox from the Philadelphia Phillies on March 30, 1981. Luzinski would spend his final four years in a White Sox uniform. He was chosen "designated hitter of the year" in 1981 and 1983. Greg hit eighty-four home runs with the White Sox.

September 8

1977 TCMA The War Years #15 - Tom Turner

On this day in 1916, catcher Tom Turner was born.

Tom was selected by the Chicago White Sox from the St. Louis Cardinals on October 3, 1939, in the Rule 5 draft. He made his debut on April 25, 1940, in Cleveland, pinch hitting for pitcher Clint Brown in the top of the ninth inning. Turner struck out in his first plate appearance. The White Sox lost 3-1 and went to a 1-5 record on the young season.

Turner would play with the White Sox for four and a half seasons. He managed a .234 average during his time with the Sox. On July 31, 1944, Tom was purchased from the Pale Hose by the St. Louis Browns. Once there, he hit .320 over fifteen games and made the postseason. Turner made one appearance, in the fourth game of the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. He pinch hit for pitcher Tex Shirley and flew out to center fielder Johnny Hopp. The Browns lost the series in six games. That appearance in the World Series was the last time Tom played in the major leagues.

September 7

1982 Donruss #143 - Tony Bernazard

On this day in 1982, Tony went three for four with two RBI.

Although Tony didn't do much at the end of the game, his at-bats before his strikeout consisted of an RBI single, a solo home run and a sacrifice bunt. Bernazard's selflessness at the plate and consistent hitting helped the White Sox get the early lead on Tommy John and Bruce Kison of the California Angels. The White Sox won, in California, 7-4.

Tony came to the White Sox through a trade with the Montreal Expos on December 12, 1980. He was one of the players that helped the White Sox grow with their new owners and develop into a division winning team by 1983. Bernazard probably provided the key ingredient to the 1983 team... by being traded to the Seattle Mariners on June 15, 1983. The White Sox received Julio Cruz in return for Tony, who helped spark that team win the division by twenty games.

September 6

1911 Turkey Red (T3) #118 - Frank Smith

On this day in 1905, Frank Smith pitched the most lopsided no-hitter in American League history.

Frank did not allow a home run in 1904 or 1905. This control hit its apex on September 6, 1905, when he pitched a no-hitter in the second game of a doubleheader against the Tigers in Detroit. He struck out eight, walked three and retired the last seventeen hitters to pitch the fifth no-hitter in American League history. Detroit starting pitcher Jimmy Wiggs gave up eight runs in the first inning on five walks, five errors and one hit. He was relieved in the second inning, and the White Sox tacked on another seven runs over the remaining innings to build up a fifteen run lead. The Sox won the game 15-0.

Smith was drafted by the White Sox in September 1903. He would go 108-80 over seven seasons with the White Sox before he was traded to the Boston Red Sox in 1910. Frank pitched 156 complete games for the South Siders.

September 5

1965 Topps #81 - Don Buford

On this day in 1967, Don went three for five with a run scored and an RBI.

Don's big day came to a head in the eighth inning, when he hit the go-ahead home run off of Dooley Womack, to put the White Sox ahead for good against the New York Yankees. After a Fred Klages start that would last only one and a third innings, Wilbur Wood finished out the second inning for the Pale Hose. Steve Jones came in the game to start the bottom of the third inning and pitched four and a third innings to earn the victory in relief.

Buford signed with the White Sox in November 1959 and made his debut in 1963. While his best years would be in Baltimore, the foundation of those years came during the first half of his career in Chicago. In 1966, Don led the league in sacrifice hits with seventeen. Buford was second in the AL in stolen bases in 1966 and 1967, including his career high of fifty-one in '66. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles, along with Bruce Howard and Roger Nelson on November 29, 1967 for Luis Aparicio, John Matias and Russ Snyder.

September 4

1986 White Sox Coke #KH - Ken "Hawk" Harrelson

On this day in 1941, Ken Harrelson was born.

Call your sons! Call your daughters! Call your friends! Call your neighbors! It's Hawk's birthday!

While Harrelson never played for the White Sox during his playing career, which lasted from 1963 to 1971, he has certainly (for better or worse) ingrained himself into the lexicon for the baseball team that resides on the South Side of Chicago. Ken was hired as a broadcaster for the White Sox in 1982, after being fired from the Boston Red Sox broadcasting booth, and lasted through the 1985 season. Critical comments that he made during the 1985 season led to Harrelson being promoted to General Manager for the 1986 season. In what could only be called "disastrous", Hawk made questionable moves, such as trading away Bobby Bonilla and firing Tony LaRussa and Dave Dombrowski. Notable players that the White Sox received through trade during Hawk's tenure would be Ivan Calderon and Steve Lyons. Notable signings include Craig Grebeck and Steve Carlton. Scott Radinsky and Matt Merullo were drafted under his watch. His GM tenure is always the source of great debate among White Sox fans. Some bonehead moves were balanced out by smaller moves than panned out in the early nineties.

By 1990, Hawk was back in the broadcast booth for the White Sox, partnered with ex-White Sox player Tom Paciorek. He has since partnered with Darrin Jackson and Steve Stone, regularly since Paciorek's departure. Harrelson is now known more for his jukebox of catchphrases and overblown, imaginary arguments with umpires and personnel from the opposing team. Occasionally, Hawk will giggle like a schoolgirl at White Sox players getting hit in the testicles.

RIP Michael Clarke Duncan

Rest in peace, White Sox fan.

September 3

1987 Fleer #507 - Bobby Thigpen

On this day in 1990, Bobby Thigpen broke Dave Righetti's save record.

In the ninth inning, manager Jeff Torborg made a couple of changes. First, he replaced Frank Thomas at first base with Steve Lyons. Then he replaced pitcher Barry Jones with Bobby Thigpen. The crowd at Comiskey Park went wild when Thiggy took the mound. Royals manager John Wathan made one move of his own. He replaced third baseman Bill Pecota, who was leading off, with Kevin Seitzer. Seitzer proceeded to ground out to shortstop Ozzie Guillen. Center fielder Brian McCrae hit a ground ball between second and first. Future Hall of Famer George Brett, who was the designated hitter that night, stepped into the batter's box. Brett hit a ground ball to second baseman Scott Fletcher, who threw to Guillen, who stepped on second and threw to Lyons for the double play. Thigpen had saved his forty-seventh game, a new record. He would go on to record fifty-seven saved in 1990, a record that would stand until 2008, when Francisco Rodriguez broke the mark with sixty-two.

Bobby was drafted by the White Sox in the 1985 June amateur draft, in the fourth round. He spent eight seasons with the White Sox, racking up 201 saves. He was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies on August 10, 1993 for pitcher Jose DeLeon. Thigpen signed with the Seattle Mariners before the 1994 season and pitched in seven games for the team before being released. Bobby went to Japan and played with the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks for the 1994 and 1995 seasons. Thigpen was back in the White Sox organization in 1996, but never made it past AAA. Bobby is currently a pitching coach in the White Sox minor league organization.

WSC Birth Years: Brian Omogrosso

Card #117 - Brian Omogrosso

Born: April 26, 1984

To say that injuries haven't been a factor in delaying Brian's promotion to the majors would be like saying frozen water didn't play a major role in the sinking of the Titanic. Injuries were the only reason, but they played a huge part in why. Omogrosso was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2006, in the sixth round of the amateur draft. Brian already had Tommy John surgery in 2005, which led to a season out of college ball.

Omogrosso rose through the ranks slowly in the White Sox minor league system. By 2009, he had finally worked his way up to AAA Charlotte, when a torn labrum sidelined him again. Brian started back at the bottom in 2010, while returning from that injury. By 2011, he was back in AAA and finally made his MLB debut against the Texas Rangers on July 3, 2012. His first two games weren't at all spectacular, but Brian has settled down since and was brought back up to the parent club in the first wave of September call-ups.

September 2

1995 Topps #77 - Tim Raines

On this day in 1995, Tim Raines had his American League record forty consecutive steals end.

In the bottom of the third inning, at Comiskey Park, against the Toronto Blue Jays, Lance Johnson hit safely with one out. Johnson then stole second base with Tim Raines at the plate. It becomes moot when Rock Raines walks. With Dave Martinez at the plate, Lance and Tim attempt a double steal. Lance successfully steals third base, but Blue Jays catcher Randy Knorr throws Raines out at second, ending his AL record streak of consecutive steals at forty.

Tim came to the White Sox through a trade with the Montreal Expos on December 23, 1990. The Sox sent Ivan Calderon and Barry Jones to Canada in return for Raines, Jeff Carter and a player to be named later, which was Mario Brito. Rock played for the White Sox from 1991 until 1995, when he was traded to the New York Yankees after the '95 season for minor league pitcher Blaise Kozeniewski. Raines was third in stolen bases in 1991 and had a 100% stolen base percentage in 1994. He was also first in 1992 for left fielder range and first in left field fielding percentage in 1993. Tim returned as a coach with the White Sox for the 2005 and 2006 seasons.

September 1

2009 Upper Deck Icons #16 - Carlos Quentin

On this day in 2008 Carlos Quentin broke his wrist, ending his season prematurely.

If Joe Crede and Orlando Cabrera had only gotten outs, along with the flyball out by A.J. Pierzynski, in the ninth inning, Carlos Quentin would have never stepped to the plate for one last time. It was during this at-bat by Quentin that he fouled off the second pitch by Indians starter Cliff Lee. Carlos was so frustrated by that foul ball that he automatically did something he had done thousands of times before. He took the bat in his left hand and hit down the bat head on his closed right fist. Only this time he missed and nicked his wrist. He finished the at-bat by grounding into a double play, ending the game.

While the injury didn't prevent the White Sox from getting into the postseason. The Pale Hose only won twelve more games after September 1st, but it was enough to squeak by the Minnesota Twins in a Game 163. It did rob Carlos Quentin of a possible MVP trophy, at the very least. Without Quentin in the lineup for the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays, the White Sox looked limp. The White Sox only won the third game of the playoff series and their hopes of repeating as World Champions just a few seasons after their eighty-eight year drought ended was quickly dashed. This was Quentin's season to prove himself and he derailed it all by himself. Carlos provided peeks into his brilliant 2008 performance in further seasons with the Sox, but could never replicate his first season on the South Side. He was traded to the San Diego Padres on December 31, 2011 for Simon Castro and Pedro Hernandez.