Today in White Sox History: March 21
A first, under the lights.
1900
After a meeting with the Chicago Cubs, the way was cleared for Charles Comiskey to bring his team from St. Paul, Minn. to Chicago. They would set up shop on the South Side of the city. (In truth, Comiskey was bringing the team to town regardless of whether the Cubs approved. The meeting was set up in hopes of avoiding any conflicts.)
1931
The White Sox defeated the New York Giants, 11-6, in the first night game played between American or National League teams. The contest took place in front of 2,500 fans at Buff Stadium in Houston, under 235-kilowatt bulbs held aloft by six steel towers, each 120 feet high.
There were 23 total hits in the game, but the score was deadlocked 6-6 after nine innings. In the top of the 10th, Bill Cissell scored Willie Kamm with a single for the game-winning RBI. Luke Appling also clubbed a two-run double in the rally.
The Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues were the major league team to play under lights, in 1930, hosting the Homestead Grays among other clubs.
1997
The White Sox suffered a major blow to their hopes for a championship when star third baseman Robin Ventura destroyed his ankle and lower leg in a compound fracture on a slide at home plate in a spring game against the Red Sox. The injury was so horrific that a woman sitting in the stands passed out when she saw the aftermath, caused by Ventura’s spikes catching in the wet, muddy ground. The result was that Ventura’s foot was pointed 180 degrees in the wrong direction.
The injury took place only 10 days before the season opener, and the Sox were left in a state of shock.
GM Ron Schueler announced that the team would be looking for a replacement — and then did nothing to fill the void. The Sox stumbled out of the gate with an 8-18 start. Thankfully, after a rigorous rehabilitation process, Robin came back on July 24, to play in 54 games, and would continue his outstanding major league career after he left the White Sox as a free agent.