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Today in White Sox History: September 28

A blockbuster deal raids the A’s.

By Mark Liptak
Al Simmons Dykes and Haas
Predating Bill Veeck’s bicentennial stunt by 44 years, Al Simmons, Jimmy Dykes and Mule Haas pose together in regimental form upon their revolutionary move to the White Sox, 89 years ago today.

1932

J. Louis Comiskey, son of Charles Comiskey the new owner of the White Sox, tried to rebuild his franchise. He paid an unheard-of sum (in those days) of $150,000 to the Philadelphia A’s for infielder Jimmy Dykes, outfielder Al Simmons and utilityman George “Mule” Haas.

Simmons would be elected to the Hall of Fame in 1953, and in three seasons with the Sox twice drove in over 100 runs. Dykes would eventually manage the team for 12 full seasons beginning in 1934 and a part of a 13th. He’d have five winning years, and one season at .500 in that time — yet (arguably) become the best manager in White Sox history.

Dykes also had the distinction of scoring the first-ever run in the All-Star Game.

1959

The White Sox team photo appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, with this headline: “Chicago’s New Champions Sit For Their Portrait.”

1997

Frank Thomas won the AL batting championship, with a .347 average. He joined Luke Appling as the only White Sox players to win a batting title (Tim Anderson would join the club, in 2019).

Thomas was one of only a handful of players in major league history with a batting title and at least 450 home runs to his credit. Thomas was also the largest player (both in height and weight) to ever win a batting crown.

2003

White Sox starter Esteban Loaiza recorded his 21st win of the season, beating the Royals, 5-1. The 21 wins tied the major league record for the most wins in a season by a pitcher born in Mexico (Fernando Valenzuela, 1986). Loaiza would finish second in the Cy Young voting that season; two 1-0 losses to a last-place Tigers team probably cost him the award.

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