Today in White Sox History: July 12

The South Siders blowed up a ballgame real good, resulting in a forfeit — and a tin-eared promotion

By Mark Liptak Jul 12, 2021, 7:47pm CDT

**Steve Dahl** was about to blow up these disco records “real good,” prompting between-games chaos that would force a forfeit of Game 2 of the Disco Demolition Night doubleheader, 41 years ago today. Ironically, all that vinyl not only sounded pretty good, but would fetch a nice price today.

1919

Babe Ruth slugged his first-ever Comiskey Park home run. It took place while he was a member of the Red Sox, coming in the third inning off of Dave Danforth. Boston routed the White Sox, 12-4.

1951

White Sox starter Saul Rogovin threw 16 innings against the Red Sox in the second game of a doubleheader at Comiskey Park. Rogovin struck out 14 and faced 63 hitters, but Boston won, 5-4, in 17 innings, sweeping the two games.

1955

It was déjà vu all over again for Billy Pierce. The star lefthander got the nod to start his second All-Star Game. This time it was in Milwaukee, and just like in the 1953 game, Pierce went three innings, allowing one hit and got no decision in the NL’s 6-5 win in 12 innings.

Billy was joined on the team by Nellie Fox (2B), Chico Carrasquel (SS), Sherm Lollar (C) and Dick Donovan (P)

1979

On this night, between games of a doubleheader with the Tigers, the infamous “Disco Demolition” was staged. Fans rioted after DJ Steve Dahl blew up a load of disco records. The second game was forfeited to Detroit because of unplayable field conditions.

Among those in the stands that night for the game were future White Sox relief pitcher Donn Pall and future actor Michael Clarke Duncan (The Green Mile, Armageddon), who grew up to one day narrate the 2005 White Sox World Champions Highlight Film.

1990

White Sox starter Melido Perez threw a rain shortened no-hitter against the Yankees in New York. The Sox won, 8-0, with the game called after six innings. (Later, baseball removed this no-hitter, and all other rain shortened no-hitters, from the official record book.) The Yanks starter that night? Andy Hawkins ... the same guy who threw a no-hitter against the White Sox 11 days earlier, but lost 4-0!!

1994

White Sox hurler Jason Bere got tagged with the loss in the All-Star Game, as Moises Alou reached him for an RBI double to win the game in 10 innings, 8-7.

Pitcher Wilson Alvarez of the Sox was also on the A.L. squad, along with Frank Thomas (1B).

2005

Mark Buehrle got the nod to start the All-Star Game in Detroit, and he also got the win as the AL held off the NL, 7-5. Buehrle’s win continued an interesting pattern in White Sox All-Star history. When a Sox pitcher won the game, the Sox usually made the postseason. Examples? Buehrle in 2005, James Baldwin in 2000 and Jack McDowell in 1993.

Buehrle was joined on the team by Paul Konerko (1B), Scott Podsednik (OF) and Jon Garland (P). Mark threw two innings, with three strikeouts.

2016

Chris Sale started the All-Star Game in San Diego for the American League. Sale joined Billy Pierce (three times), Early Wynn, Esteban Loaiza and Mark Buehrle as Sox pitchers to have been given that honor. Sale also joined Pierce as the only White Sox pitchers to ever be named to five consecutive All-Star teams.

Sale pitched one inning, allowing a run, facing four batters, with one strikeout. He didn’t get a decision in the 4-2 AL win. He was joined on the team by fellow Sox pitcher Jose Quintana, who pitched a scoreless inning himself.