Games and Moments

May 6,1971
vs. Boston Red Sox
at White Sox Park

"It was our worst game of the year" Chuck Tanner said in summing up this day's effort against the Bosox. He was being too kind. The White Sox committed a whopping six errors and other miscues in getting bombed, 10-1.

The game itself, held on a Thursday afternoon with overcast skies and temperatures in the 40s, was hastily rescheduled after a rainout the day before. Red...

Games and Moments

May 2,1971
vs. Washington Senators
at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
Washington, D.C.




Joel Horlen injured his knee in the final spring game vs. the Cubs on April 4. New pitching coach Johnny Sain's solution was to promote reliever Wilbur Wood to the starting rotation.

Woodie wasn't so hot on the idea when it was presented to him. He was quite satisfied in the bullpen, thank you very much. A pep talk...

Games and Moments

May 1, 1971
vs. Washington Senators
at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
Washington, D.C.

The White Sox' Opening Day DH sweep of the A's created a huge buzz over the team, one that was positive for once. 44,250 crammed their way into White Sox Park on Good Friday for the home opener. The crowd got a huge thrill when Chuck Tanner's boys beat the Twins 3-2 on a 9th inning single by Rich McKinney. (See: Game of the Year, 1971).
...

Games and Moments

April 7, 1971
vs. Oakland A's (DH)
at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

It was a very new, much younger White Sox team that took the field for Opening Day of 1971. 1970 vets Bill Melton, Carlos May, Ed Herrmann and Walt Williams were joined on the field by newcomers Jay Johnstone, Mike Andrews, Rick Reichardt and Lee "Bee Bee" Richard, the shortstop phenom with a strong arm and blazing speed.

Richard had been...

Chuck Tanner brought a new spirit and positive attitude not felt on the south side since the Go Go Glory Days. He anointed players like Bill Melton and Walt Williams to be starters for his 1971 team. Both had struggled in 1970 (Melton with his defense, Williams with hitting) and Tanner's votes of confidence was his way of boosting both players.

Tanner was the anti-Eddie Stanky. The Brat was an old school coach, the type that would bellow in players' faces, tear them down, question...