Today in White Sox History: March 28

1940

During a 10-1 preseason loss at Wrigley Field to the Cubs, White Sox second baseman Jackie Hayes was hit by a drifting speck of cinder in his eye. Hayes’ eye became infected, and by the end of the season had lost full sight in the eye, and retired from the game. By 1943, Hayes was blind in both eyes.

At the time, Hayes speculated that it was the cinder during the game, or soap, that had irritated his eye, leading to his eventual blindness. But in truth, as he later acknowledged, Hayes was afflicted with glaucoma, robbing him of his sight.

Hayes played as a part-timer in 1940 for the White Sox, getting into 18 games and hitting .195/.233/.245. The second baseman was a stellar defender, and over nine years with the White Sox tallied 6.1 WAR, including a career-high 2.6 in 1936.

Interestingly, on August 22 of his final season, with a rash of beanings plaguing the game, Hayes became the first MLB player to wear a batting helmet.

1981

The White Sox dealt pitcher Ken Kravec to the Cubs for pitcher Dennis Lamp.

Over the next three seasons, Lamp would do everything for the South Siders ... start, pitch long relief, and close out close games.

Lamp tossed a one-hitter against Milwaukee on August 25, losing his no-hitter in the ninth inning when Robin Yount blooped a double.

By 1983, Lamp had shifted to closer, leading the “Winnin’ Ugly” 1983 Western Division champion White Sox with 15 saves. He was also the winning pitcher on September 17, 1983, when the Sox beat Seattle 4-3 to clinch their first playoff berth in 24 years.