Last summer, the White Sox fell victim to Clayton Kershaw’s 3000th career strikeout and I decided to take a look back at the historic games I’ve attended over the years. Here is part four, featuring another six games where an individual hit a career plateau or a team clinched a pennant.
October 19, 2017 – Dodgers 11, Cubs 1
With a decisive Game 5 victory over the Cubs in the NLCS, the Dodgers win the NL Pennant, avenging their loss from the year prior. Kiké Hernández became just the fourth Dodger to hit a post-season grand slam and Chris Taylor and Justin Turner were named co-MVPs for the NLCS. It was the third straight year the NL champion was crowned at Wrigley Field.
June 18, 2019 – White Sox 3, Cubs 1
With a 1-2 pitch that caught Ivan Nova looking in the top of the third inning at Wrigley Field, Cole Hamels became just the tenth left-hander to notch 2500 career strikeouts and the 38th overall. He finished the day with eight strikeouts over seven innings, getting a no-decision as the crosstown rivals proved victorious.
May 25, 2021 – White Sox 8, Cardinals 3
With a socially distanced crowd in attendance, Joe West worked the 5,376th regular-season game of his umpiring career, eclipsing Bill Klem’s record that stood for 80 years. Working behind the plate, West’s feat became official after the top of the fifth inning with the White Sox out to an early lead and, following the fifth inning, he was greeted by the San Diego Chicken, who presented West with a bouquet of multi-colored roses. West retired at the end of the year, ending his 43-year career with 5,460 games umpired.
August 16, 2021 – White Sox 5, A’s 2
In the top of the 8th inning with a full count, Craig Kimbrel enticed Matt Chapman to chase a slider that ended up three feet outside of the zone to record his 1,000th career strikeout. He finished the night with 1,001 strikeouts, all coming in relief.
September 3, 2023 – Tigers 3, White Sox 2
In his 875th game, Tim Anderson led off against Tarik Skubal and the Tigers, lacing the first pitch into the gap in left center field for his 1000th career hit. He became just the 1343rd player in MLB history to reach that milestone and was the fifth quickest in White Sox history, trailing Bibb Falk, Magglio Ordonez, Frank Thomas, and Jose Abreu.
June 3, 2026 – A’s 5, Cubs 4
In the fourth inning of last night’s game against the homeless Athletics, Ian Happ doubled for his 1000th career hit. He is just the 37th player to have 1000 hits as a Cub and the 1415th player in MLB history to reach the plateau.