Sox Century: Sept. 8, 1917

The schedule afforded the White Sox a rare two-day break in Chicago, but because owners liked money and off days presented none, they were supposed to play an exhibition game in Beloit, Wisc., during the second of them. Weather scratched the game, and did worse things to Joe Benz’s car, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The weather was just as rotten [in Beloit] as it was in Chicago and there was nothing doing, except a narrow escape for John Collins and Joe Benz. they made the trip to the Wisconsin city in Joe’s automobile, stopping overnight on the way, and got caught in yesterday’s storm. Benz’s car was not accustomed to that kind of going and skidded into a ditch, but the damage was confined almost entirely to the feelings of Benz and to the clothing of the two tourists, which resembled Buck Weaver’s baseball uniform when they reached Beloit.

Regular baseball business resumed today, and Eddie Cicotte operated at full strength. Pitching on a full four days’ rest, Cicotte spun a four-hitter in a 2-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians for his seventh and final shutout of the season. Beyond the personal accomplishment, it was the White Sox’ 16th win in 17 games.

Comiskey Park once again had a heavy crowd with plenty of military in attendance, and another pregame ceremony. From the Chicago Examiner:

Before the ball game started the 6,500 soldiers and sailors passed in review around the ball park, then were presented with complete sets of baseball uniforms. The uniforms were gifts from President Comiskey of the White Sox and the Woodland Bards. President Joe Farrell of the Bards made the presentations.

(You may remember Farrell as the Sporting News’ correspondent during the world tour of 1913-14.)

The military boys and sailors made a splendid showing. The “hit,” however, was scored by the jackies when, to the waltz music of their big brass band, they went through their setting up exercises. That feature alone was worth the price of admission.

All of the scoring action of the game itself was limited to the third inning. Eddie Collins singled off Jim Bagby, and Joe Jackson followed with a double. Collins scored and Jackson advanced on a wild pitch, and after a walk to Happy Felsch, Chick Gandil singled for the second and final run of the game.

Bagby tightened up afterward, but Cicotte was too tough for Cleveland to get back in the game. Swede Risberg provided the Indians’ best scoring chances in the late innings with a pair of throwing errors — one in the seventh, and one in the ninth. Cicotte pitched around both to notch his 24th victory of the season.

Record: 90-47 | Box score