Chicago White Sox History: June 14

The Chicago White Sox have recorded several statistical anomalies over the last century, including George Davis stealing four bases in a 1905 game and Mark Buehrle hitting his only career home run in 2009. These events reflect the team’s evolution from the dead-ball era to the modern game, marked by rare pitching feats and historic offensive streaks.

How did George Davis set a 121-year-old record?

George Davis stole four bases during a 5-3 victory against Washington in 1905, a mark that has remained unmatched for 121 years, though it has been tied nine times. Davis led a White Sox effort that saw the team swipe seven bases in one afternoon without being caught once.

According to team records, nine different White Sox players stole at least 11 bases in 1905, with the team totaling 194. Despite his four-swipe performance, Davis finished the season with 31 steals, one fewer than first baseman Jiggs Donahue.

Davis led the American League with 7.2 WAR and was the presumptive MVP, though the award wasn’t officially given at the time. He was elected to the Hall of Fame posthumously in 1998. Due to the dead-ball era environment, Davis finished with a .693 OPS.

Did You Know? George Davis’s record of four stolen bases in a single game has stood for 121 years, although nine other players have since tied the mark.

Why did Eddie Smith lead the league in losses in 1942?

Eddie Smith led the American League in losses in 1942 with a 7-20 record, despite a 3.98 ERA that was near the league average. Smith’s misfortune was highlighted by a winless streak that lasted 12 tries in 1942, including a stretch of 15 straight losses dating back to the end of 1941.

Smith finally earned his first win of the year in the nightcap of a doubleheader against Washington, winning 11-4 to improve to 1-10. Records show he didn’t pitch poorly during his streak, recording seven complete games and five one-run losses with a 3.83 ERA and 4.16 FIP.

The White Sox offense struggled during this period, scoring only 21 total runs in the 11 games leading up to Smith’s blowout win. Based on the team’s 66-82 winning percentage, Smith likely would have gone 12-15 on the season instead of 7-20.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that Eddie Smith’s 1942 season serves as a primary example of how poor run support can skew a pitcher’s win-loss record, as his ERA and FIP suggested a much more competitive performance than his league-leading loss total indicated.

What happened during the 1953 doubleheader against Boston?

Pitchers Billy Pierce and Sandy Consuegra both threw shutouts in a doubleheader sweep of the Boston Red Sox at Comiskey Park in 1953. The White Sox won the games 6-0 and 1-0.

Pierce recorded eight strikeouts, two hits, and one walk in the opener for a 90 game score. Consuegra won the nightcap with an eight-hit shutout, supported by a second-inning RBI single to center by Chico Carrasquel.

These head-to-head wins moved Chicago from a tie for fourth place with the Washington Senators into third place. The team remained no lower than third for the rest of the 1953 season.

How long did the 2000 home run streak last?

The White Sox set a club record by hitting at least one home run in 17 consecutive games starting May 26, 2000. The streak ended during an 11-4 win over Cleveland.

George Davis – Baseball Hall of Fame Biographies

During the 17-game stretch, the team hit 28 home runs, but they came from only seven players:

Frank Thomas: 8
José Valentín: 5
Carlos Lee: 5
Ray Durham: 5
Magglio Ordoñez: 3
Chris Singleton: 1
Greg Norton: 1

The streak included 18 solo shots, seven with one runner on, two three-run homers, and one grand slam. The team went 13-4 during this run, extending their AL Central lead to five games. This momentum contributed to a later eight-game winning streak and a divisional lead that the team never relinquished.

When did Mark Buehrle hit his only career home run?

Mark Buehrle hit the only home run of his major league career in 2009 during a start in Milwaukee. Buehrle led off the third inning with a home run against Braden Looper.

Entering the game, Buehrle was a career 3-for-36 hitter with a -49 OPS+. He finished his 14-year career with 9 hits in 125 at-bats, resulting in a .072/.087/.112 slash line and a -1.0 WAR.

The White Sox won the game 5-4 after A.J. Pierzynski singled in the winning run in the eighth inning off Trevor Hoffman. Pitcher Clayton Richard scored the winning run after pinch-running for Jim Thome.

What may happen next?

Future White Sox players could attempt to break the 17-game home run streak, though the reliance on only seven hitters in 2000 suggests a possible need for deeper roster power. Similarly, modern base-stealers may attempt to surpass George Davis’s 121-year-old single-game mark if the game continues to emphasize speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who held the record for the most stolen bases in a single game for the White Sox?
George Davis stole four bases in a 1905 game against Washington, a mark that has stood for 121 years.

How many home runs did the White Sox hit during their 17-game streak in 2000?
The team hit 28 home runs during the streak, with Frank Thomas hitting the most at eight.

What was Mark Buehrle’s career batting average?
Buehrle finished his major league career with a .072 batting average, going 9-of-125.

Which of these historical White Sox anomalies do you find most surprising?