Today in White Sox History: August 23

1906

The Sox beat Washington, 4-1, for their 19^th straight win, a franchise record that still stands. Roy Patterson picked up the win.

This was the streak that propelled the Sox into a position to take the AL pennant and eventually the World Series crown. During the run, the White Sox beat Boston six times, Philadelphia five times, New York seven times and Washington once.

1972

White Sox slugger Dick Allen made history again on this day. He slammed a pitch from the Yankees’ Lindy McDaniel into the center-field bleachers, directly under the scoreboard at Comiskey Park, becoming the first Sox player to ever do this. It came in the seventh inning with a man on base.

White Sox announcer Harry Caray, who was broadcasting the game from that area, nearly caught the ball in the fishing net that he kept with him for just such an occasion. The Sox won, 5-2.

1983

Normally a first baseman, manager Tony La Russa moved Mike Squires to third base in the eighth inning of a 10-2 loss to the Royals. Squires was left-handed! It was the first time in at least 50 years a lefthander had played that position in a major league game. Squires faced three batters from that spot without handling any chances. Twice, Mike played left-handed catcher for an inning as well.

2002

White Sox third baseman Joe Crede hit the 1,000^th home run at the new Comiskey Park (now Guaranteed Rate Field), when he put one into the seats off of former Sox pitcher Tanyon Sturtze during an 8-2 loss to the Devil Rays.

2005

In an excruciating game in Minnesota, Chicago’s Freddy García tossed a complete game one-hitter — and lost, 1-0. The only mistake he made was allowing a home run to Jacque Jones leading off the eighth inning.

2011

White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, a mainstay for the team since being acquired in a trade before the start of the 1999 season, collected his 2,000^th career hit in a 5-4 loss to the Angels in Anaheim. The hit was a single that tied the game, 4-4. All but 48 of Konerko’s 2,000 hits had come with the White Sox; he’d finish with 2,340 hits over his 18-year career.