August 17

1987 Fleer #635 - Steve Carlton

On this day in 1986, Steve Carlton was picked up on waivers by the Chicago White Sox.

Carlton had just struck out Eric Davis for his 4,000th strikeout, when the San Francisco Giants decided to cut ties with him. Steve had performed very sub-par for the Giants and when the allure of the milestone strikeout was over, so was Carlton's welcome.

Steve performed very well for the 1986 White Sox, during his short stint in Chicago. He won four games in ten starts for the Pale Hose, but was released after the season.

It always seemed weird to me that Steve Carlton's Fleer card commemorating his 4,000th strikeout, showed him in a White Sox uniform instead of a Giants uniform. Who am I to complain though? I didn't approve that mess.

Cashing In On Hawk-isms

Ken "Hawk" Harrelson has been around baseball for fifty plus years, as he will inevitably mention at least three times a game. Lately, he has been pulling out catchphrases from all his broadcasting years. If he's not telling a story, Hawk might sound close to a jukebox. Push a button and there is a phrase for almost every situation.

Hawk is also pretty sly at seamlessly transitioning sponsors into the broadcast. Here's a radical idea to generate some extra income to use for free agents, waiver deals, trades and draft signings. Sponsor the Hawk's greatest hits.

That's a can of corn. This can of corn sponsored by Green Giant Whole Kernel Sweet Corn. If you have a can of corn, ho ho ho, make it Green Giant.

That's a chopper, two hopper. The Chopper Hopper can process almost any agricultural product like corn into a mash or puree for a variety of industrial uses, including ethanol production. The Chopper Hopper by the good folks at Moyno Inc.

Cinch it up and hunker down. Cinch-it, the revolutionary dog collar by Petnique. Inspired by the great outdoors for ultimate performance.

Oh, he got a cookie and couldn't do anything with it. For a cookie you can do something with, try Matt's Cookies. Traditionally delicious.

Dadgumit! Dad's Gum Care, for a comforting formulation for relief of symptoms associated with Gingivitis, Pyorrhea, Sore or Bleeding Gums that can be used by anyone, not just dads. Essential oils by Gritman.

Double barreled action in the bullpen. For double barreled action, Ugartechea, classic shotguns at a fraction of the cost.

We're down to our last bullet. When you're down to your last bullet, make it a Barnes Bullet. The leading lead free bullets provided to the hunting, military, and law enforcement industries.

There's a little duck snort. Brought to you by Aflac. I love that duck.

Ducks on the pond. When you have ducks on the pond, feed them Wonder Bread. America's favorite bread.

Get foul. It will! When you need to get fowl, get Brown's Chicken and Pasta. It tastes better.

That was a 1, 2, 5 double play, for those of you scoring at home. For those of you who are scoring at home, use Trojan brand latex condoms. America's #1 most trusted condom brand.

GAS! He gone! Gas-X. The trusted leader in gas relief.

Mercy! Mercy Hospital and Medical Center. For 150 years, a center of excellence.

Rack 'em up! Another double play turned by the Sox! When you have to rack 'em up, use Delta-13, the true triangle. The official billiard rack of the WPBA.

The Sox have something cooking here in the eighth. When you have some cooking to do, learn at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, right here in the city beautiful, Chicago.

Stretch! Get on back there! Stretch your dollar at Dollar Tree!

You can put it on the board! Yes! Yes to clear and more radiant skin. Yes To Tomatoes skin clearing facial mask. Yes!

As I wrote these, I could actually hear Harrelson shilling these products seamlessly into his jukebox of hits. It might be a great experiment of juxtaposition, but most importantly, it would provide some unexpected entertainment. There were more than a few of these that I had to chuckle at, hearing Hawk's voice rattle these off, if only just inside my head.

Maybe if Hawk becomes an advertising automaton, then Kenny Williams could stop complaining about lack of revenue for a tiny bit. I'm sure there are many more Hawk-isms that could be exploited by advertising.

August 16

1999 White Sox Lemon Chill #4 - John Snyder

On this day in 1974, pitcher John Snyder was born.

John came to the White Sox through a trade with the California Angels in 1995. The Angels received Jim Abbott and Tim Fortugno, while the Pale Hose welcomed Snyder, Bill Simas, Andrew Lorraine and McKay Christensen. Snyder made his debut on June 30, 1998, in Houston, in a rather unspectacular way. He came into the game in the fifth inning replacing Jaime Navarro. At the time, the Astros were leading by four runs. John worked and inning and two-thirds, giving up six runs and officially put the game out of reach.

Snyder pitched parts of the 1998 and 1999 seasons with the White Sox. He was then traded to the Milwaukee Brewers on January 12, 2000 with Jaime Navarro for Cal Eldred and Jose Valentin. John played one year with the Brewers, and spent the rest of his days in the minors before falling off the map after the 2003 season.

August 15

1981 TCMA Glens Falls White Sox #18 - Randy Johnson

On this day in 1958, designated hitter Randy Johnson was born.

Randy was drafted by the White Sox in the third round of the 1979 January amateur draft. He made his MLB debut with the ChiSox on July 5, 1980 in a loss against the Oakland Athletics in Chicago. In the bottom of the seventh inning, in his third at-bat, Johnson hit a single to right fielder Tony Armas, but was stranded at second base when the inning ended. He made the last out of his debut game with a flyout to center fielder Dwayne Murphy.

Johnson got into twelve games for the White Sox in 1980, collecting four total hits in that span. Randy was dealt to the Minnesota Twins on September 2, 1981 in a deal that brought Jerry Koosman to Chicago. Johnson eventually landed back in the White Sox minor league system in 1985, which was the last year on record for him in professional baseball. The trade sent Roy Smalley to the Minnesota Twins.

August 14

2005 Topps Heritage #19 - Juan Uribe

On this day in 2008, Juan Uribe became the last player to homer when the Sox hit four consecutive.


For the first time in franchise history, the White Sox hit back to back to back to back home runs. This happened at home against the Royals in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jim Thome, Paul Konerko and Alexei Ramirez hit their home runs against Joel Peralta. Rob Tejada replaced Peralta on the mound for Kansas City and promptly gave up a dinger to Juan Uribe.

Juan spent 2004 through 2008 with the White Sox. He helped in making the final two outs of the 2005 World Series. The second to last out saw Uribe dive into the stands to catch a ball. The final out was a slow grounder off the bat of Houston Astros pinch hitter Orlando Palmeiro, over the head of pitcher Bobby Jenks, to shortstop Juan Uribe, who threw to first baseman Paul Konerko for the final out that made the White Sox champions for the first time in eighty-eight years.

August 13

1950 Royal Desserts #16 - Luke Appling

On this day in 1943, Luke Appling collects his 2,000th hit.

In Chicago, against the Boston Red Sox, in the first inning, off of pitcher Tex Hughson, Luke Appling hit a single that drove in Wally Moses for the first White Sox run of the game. The White Sox were trailing 2-0, at the time of Appling's 2,000th hit, but that laid the foundation for the White Sox to move ahead for good in the second inning on a two-run homer by Pale Hose catcher Tom Turner.

Luke was plucked from the Atlanta Crackers on August 19, 1930 by the Chicago White Sox and never looked back. Appling played from 1930 until 1950, only missing 1944 and part of 1945 due to military service in World War II. Luke still has the highest season batting average in White Sox history with .388 in 1936. Appling is also the White Sox leader in position player WAR, at-bats, games played, hits, singles, plate appearances and times on base. Luke was a seven time All-Star selection and has his number four retired by the White Sox.

WSC Aesthetic: Ray Olmedo

Card #12 - Ray Olmedo

August 12

1961 Fleer #136 - Ray Schalk

On this day in 1892, Hall of Fame catcher Ray Schalk was born.

Born in Harvel, Illinois, nineteen years after being incorporated into a village, Ray's original career saw him operating a linotype machine. When advancement in the printers trade proved difficult, Schalk began his career in baseball with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1911. In 1912, the White Sox purchased his contract and Ray made his MLB debut on August 11, 1912, one day before his twentieth birthday.

Schalk was with the White Sox from 1912 until 1928. He also occupied the manager's role in 1927 and 1928. Ray set MLB catching records for putouts, and still holds the MLB career record for double plays with 217 and the AL career mark for assists. Schalk was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1955.

August 11

1992 Donruss #495 - Wilson Alvarez

On this day in 1991, Wilson Alvarez pitched a no-hitter in his first appearance with the Chicago White Sox.

In Wilson's first MLB appearance, with the Texas Rangers, he could not get a batter out. His ERA was infinity after that game. In his second MLB appearance, his first with the White Sox, he threw a no-hitter against the Orioles in Baltimore.

"Let's just say I got a couple lucky breaks today. That ball stayed in and they hit some bullets right at people." - Wilson Alvarez

 One of the lucky breaks happened leading off the bottom of the eighth. Chris Hoiles hit a ball that was sure to be a triple, but Lance Johnson made a fantastic diving catch to save the no-hitter. Working from the stretch, in the ninth inning, after walks to Cal Ripken Jr. and Dwight Evans, Alvarez struck out Randy Milligan to capture the first White Sox official no-hitter since Joe Cowley's in 1986 and the first no-hitter by a left-hander in White Sox history.

August 10

1992 Fleer #81 - Craig Grebeck

On this day in 1990, Craig Grebeck hit his first MLB home run.

Every major league player remembers their first home run. Especially when, over a twelve year career, they've only hit nineteen. It's hard to forget when that first homer is off of a Hall of Fame pitcher named Nolan Ryan.

Weird things happen in doubleheaders. In the second game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers, the White Sox threw out Wayne Edwards as a starting pitcher against Nolan Ryan. Not only did Wayne Edwards get the win over Nolan Ryan, but in the bottom of the second inning, Craig Grebeck and Ozzie Guillen hit back to back home runs of the Ryan Express. Grebeck hit the only home run he would hit in 1990, driving in Ron Karkovice and Sammy Sosa. Ozzie Guillen followed that up with the only home run he would hit in 1990. Grebeck's homer would be all the Sox needed, as they won 5-1 over the Rangers to sweep the doubleheader.

Craig would stay on the White Sox from 1990 until 1995, hitting twelve of his nineteen career homers in a Pale Hose uniform. He would leave for the Florida Marlins through free agency after the 1995 season. Grebeck would also play for the Anaheim Angels, Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox before his last game in 2001.

WSC Aesthetic: Brian Bruney

Card #11 - Brian Bruney

August 9

1978 Topps #153 - Steve Stone

On this day in 1977, Steve Stone won his twelfth game of the season.

Stoney would kick off a string of four years where he would not have a losing record, culminating in his 1980 Cy Young season for the Baltimore Orioles, where he went 25-7. In 1977, Steve would win fifteen games for the White Sox, in his second stint with the team. Stone went seven innings, giving up three runs, eleven hits and one walk while striking out two. It may not have been the prettiest game of Stone Pony's career, but he gave a nice quality start while his offense lived up to their nickname as the South Side Hitmen. Eric Soderholm led the charge with two homers. Most of the hitters followed by example with home runs from Chet Lemon, Oscar Gamble, Jim Essian and Royle Stillman.

Stone played for the White Sox in 1973 and again in 1977 and 1978. The Sox sent Steve to the Cubs on December 11, 1973, along with Ken Frailing, Steve Swisher and Jim Kremmel for Ron Santo. After the Cubs asked Stone Pony to take a pay cut, he played out his contract and signed back with the White Sox for the 1977 season. Owner Bill Veeck took a chance and was rewarded with a 15-12 record from Stoney during the 1977 season. Steve got a raise in the 1978 season and posted a 12-12 record. Stone became a free agent again after the 1978 season and decided he wanted to sign with a team that would have the best shot at the postseason. Steve signed with the Orioles and got to play in the 1979 World Series, for two innings. While with the Orioles, Stoney drastically changed his approach to his pitching and eventually won a Cy Young Award before developing arm trouble by throwing more curveballs. One year after his amazing twenty-five win season, Steve retired. He has since become an intuitive broadcaster for both the Cubs and White Sox.

WSC Birth Years: Jose Quintana

Card #114 - Jose Quintana

Born: January 24, 1989

Picked up as a minor league free agent after the 2011 season, Jose has proven to be a steal. He was brought up to fill in on May 7, 2012, under a new rule that allows teams to have a twenty-sixth player for a doubleheader. Quintana was brought up again to take John Danks spot in the rotation, when Danks went down with an injury. Jose has pitched above and beyond during that stretch, earning a permanent spot in the rotation.

Quintana has done so well in 2012, he has forced Philip Humber (who had pitched a perfect game in 2012) back to the bullpen, when the ChiSox went back to a five man rotation. The Yankees may be kicking themselves for not re-signing Jose, but the White Sox have been grateful for the move. Quintana has been one of the factors that have kept Chicago in the pennant race during the 2012 season.

August 8

1919-21 W514 #3 - Happy Felsch

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.

August 7

1967 Dexter Press #9 - Jerry McNertney

On this day in 1936, White Sox catcher Jerry McNertney was born.

Jerry was signed by the Chicago Withe Sox as an amateur free agent before the 1958 season. Starting with the Holdrege White Sox Class D team in 1958, Jerry slowly worked his way up the Pale Hose minor league system until he made his debut in the 1964 season. Originally, McNertney was an outfielder and first baseman before being converted into a catcher during the 1961 season. All but fourteen games, one with the White Sox, were played at catcher during his MLB career.

After a return to the minors in 1965, Jerry was in the majors full time until the 1973 season. McNertney was never a full time catcher with the ChiSox. Jerry split duties each season he spent with the Sox. McNertney's time with Chicago came to an end during the expansion draft after the 1968 season. He was selected as the seventh pick in the draft by the Seattle Pilots. While in Seattle, he finally became a full time catcher. That luxury would last through his stay in Milwaukee in 1970. Jerry would go back to part time status in his final years with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates.