Today in White Sox History: October 7
Death by 14 singles
1917
The White Sox took a commanding, two-game lead in the World Series, dropping the New York Giants in Game 2, 7-2. The two clubs exchanged pairs of runs in the second inning, and the game remained knotted until the fifth, when the South Siders exploded for five runs. Chick Gandil was the only Sox batter not to get to the plate, as a succession of six singles brought home five runs — and if not for Happy Felsch ripping a liner that doubled Joe Jackson off of second base, the damage could have gotten much worse.
New York could not retire Jackson in this game, as he went 3-for-3 with a walk, a run, three RBIs and two steals. Even starting pitcher Red Faber (complete game win) singled and walked.
Incidentally, the two White Sox runs in the second inning both came in courtesy of singles as well, as New York was killed by a thousand cuts in this game. In fact, the White Sox logged 14 hits in the win — all singles.
1919
On the road and down 4-1 in the World Series, Dickey Kerr tossed a Herculean, 10-inning complete game to keep the White Sox alive. The Pale Hose eked out a 5-4 win on ... Black Sox ringleader Chick Gandil’s single in the 10th.
The winning rally started with a Buck Weaver double, and Shoeless Joe Jackson laid down a sacrifice bunt that he beat out for a hit. After Happy Felsch struck out, Gandil trickled a grounder through the box that got through for the eventual game-winner. With two runners on, the game still could have been broken open, but Swede Risberg lined out to short, catching Jackson off of the bag and doubling him up.
Given the dirty nature of the Series, the White Sox could have easily folded up in this game, falling behind, 4-0, at Redland Field. But Jackson, Felsch and Ray Schalk all had RBI hits to even the game in the sixth, and Kerr took the game from there.
1925
Think the postseason City Series was a mere exhibition? Think again.
Chicago’s answer to the World Series (in those many years neither team from the city played in the Fall Classic) was fiercely-fought, with the winners taking home money that rivaled or surpassed MLB’s. This postseason, Game 1 of the City Series opened to a 19-inning, 2-2 draw. Both starters, Ted Blankenship (White Sox) and Grover Cleveland Alexander (Cubs), went the distance.
The Cubs scored a rare, easy Series win in 1925, four games to one. But in all, the White Sox were 91-60-3 in City Series games, and captured 19 of 25 series overall (the teams tied in the first City Series in 1903).
2001
White Sox All-Star outfielder Magglio Ordoñez became the first player in American League history to have a season with a .300 average, 40 doubles, 30 home runs, 100 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. He doubled against the Twins for his 40th, and the mark.
2005
At Fenway Park, the White Sox won their first postseason series since 1917 by beating Boston, 5-3, to sweep the ALDS in three games. Paul Konerko’s two-run home run gave the White Sox some breathing room, but it was a relief appearance that stole the show. Orlando Hernandez took a one-run lead into bases-loaded, no-out situation in the sixth inning and got two pop outs and a strikeout. It was an amazing performance in a pressure-packed situation.