Word came down yesterday afternoon that Cub season tickets had started to arrive, so imagine my surprise when I got home and found this sitting on my doorstep:
Inside the box were the two ticket books, a collection of parking passes, and some miscellaneous paperwork. The tickets themselves have returned to a portrait orientation, and feature photos of all-time White Sox greats.
Fireworks Night
April 26 (Minnie Minoso Statue)
May 10 (Pink Scarf)
July 19
August 2 (Frank Thomas HOF Plaque)
August 16
August 30 (Tony LaRussa Bobblehead)
September 13
September 27
Family Day
April 13
April 27
May 11
May 25
June 1
June 15
July 6
July 20
August 3
August 17 (Spirit & Mascot Day)
August 31
September 14
September 28
Other Fun Stuff
March 31 – Opening Day
April 12 – 1983 Fleece Blanket
May 24 – Chris Sale Bobblehead
May 31 – Kids Baseball Glove
July 5 – Home Kids Jersey
100 years ago today, Bill Veeck, the former club treasurer for the Cubs and two-time owner of the White Sox, was born here in Chicago. Veeck followed his father, the then president of the Cubs, into baseball. As a 13 year old, Veeck came up with the idea of planting ivy to cover the outfield walls at Wrigley Field. In 1937, as general manager, he oversaw the construction of the iconic hand operated scoreboard that is still in use today.
Veeck left the Cubs in 1941, striking out on his own and buying the minor league Milwaukee Brewers. While he owned the team, he also served in the Marines during World War II, where he injured his leg, which required amputation. After the war, Veeck sold his interests in the Brewers and bought the Cleveland Indians, returning to the major leagues. In July of 1947, Veeck broke the color barrier in the American League by signing Larry Doby. In 1948, the Indians won their first World Series title since 1920. Veeck was forced to sell the Indians in 1949 due to his divorce.
2 years later, Veeck was back in business, purchasing the St. Louis Browns. While trying to force the Cardinals out of town, Veeck came up with one of his most famous, or perhaps infamous, stunts, signing Eddie Gaedel, standing 3 feet and 7 inches tall, and sending him to the plate in the second game of a double header against the Detroit Tigers on August 19, 1951. Gaedel walked on four pitches and was lifted for a pinch runner. American League president Will Harridge voided Gaedel’s contract the next day, claiming that Veeck was making a mockery of the game. In response, Veeck threatened to request an official ruling on whether Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto, the reigning MVP, was a short ballplayer or a tall midget.
Ron Santo has been elected to the Hall of Fame. The former Cub (and, for a brief time, White Sox) third baseman waited for years to get elected and wore the disappointment on his sleeve every time he was passed over. Now, one year after his death, he is selected by a veteran’s committee made up by his peers. It’s almost as if they were waiting for him to pass on before bestowing him with the honor.
Passed over for induction was former White Sox outfielder Minnie Minoso, who got a major push and support from the team and the New York Times. Falling a few votes short, Minoso seems to be penalized for the stunt late in his “career” to become a 5 decade player, returning for a few at-bats in the late 70s and early 80s. Which is a shame, because he was a tremendous player in his day, becoming the first dark skinned Latin superstar. Hopefully the voters are not waiting for him to die before they will elect him to Cooperstown.