Today in White Sox History: October 26

1931

White Sox founder and owner Charles Comiskey died in his home in Eagle River, Wis. He left his entire estate to his son, J. Louis Comiskey, including the White Sox. His estate was valued at more than $1.5 million at the time.

1993

White Sox manager Gene Lamont, who guided the team to its first postseason appearance in 10 years, was named American League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Lamont beat out New York’s Buck Showalter for the honor, getting 72 total points to Showalter’s 63. Lamont picked up eight first-place votes, to seven for Showalter.

1994

Even though his quest for the Triple Crown was cut short by the labor impasse shutting down baseball six weeks early, Frank Thomas still did enough to garner his second straight MVP award from the Baseball Writers Association of America. Thomas outdistanced future Sox outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. and future teammate Albert Belle, finishing with 24 first-place votes out of a possible 28. He ended up with 372 points to Griffey’s 233 and Belle’s 225.

Thomas, in 113 games, hit .353 with 38 home runs, 101 RBIs, 106 runs and 109 walks. With the award, Thomas became the first back-to-back AL MVP since New York’s Roger Maris in 1960 and 1961.

2005

On this night, the White Sox became World Series champions for the first time since 1917.

Freddy García and three relief pitchers shut out the Astros on five hits, 1-0, sweeping the Series in four games. Chicago shut out Houston for the final 15 innings of Series play.

Outfielder Jermaine Dye drove in the game’s only run and was named MVP. The South Side exploded in an orgy of delight, as fans celebrated all over the Chicagoland area.