February 24: Today in White Sox History
Transformative Trades: White Sox's Strategic Move in 1948 and Tom Seaver's Twist of Fate in 1966
In 1948, White Sox General Manager Les O’Connor orchestrated a significant trade, sending pitcher Eddie Lopat to the Yankees in exchange for three players. Lopat, known for his finesse as a soft-tossing, off-speed pitcher, left a notable impact during his four-year stint with the Sox, achieving 50 wins and twice maintaining an ERA below 3.00. Surprisingly, this move would lead to Lopat’s swift development into one of the aces on the Yankees’ dynasty of the 1950s, contributing to 113 wins over seven-and-a-half years and an impressive 4-1 record in World Series play.
While the players received in return had limited success on the South Side, the deal wasn’t entirely a loss for the Sox. Catcher Aaron Robinson, acquired in the trade, was later sent to the Tigers in November 1948 for a promising young talent named Billy Pierce. Pierce went on to achieve remarkable success, winning 186 games in a White Sox uniform from 1950-61, securing the fourth-most wins in franchise history.
In 1966, the White Sox faced an unconventional situation with future Hall-of-Famer Tom Seaver. Initially selected by Atlanta in the first round but at a surprising No. 20 overall, Seaver signed for $40,000. However, due to NCAA regulations and USC rendering Seaver ineligible for college play after signing a professional contract, a special drawing was organized by Commissioner William Eckert to determine Seaver’s team placement. Teams willing to match the original $40,000 bonus, including Cleveland, Philadelphia, and the Mets, participated in the drawing. The Mets, in a twist of fate, emerged as the winners, marking the beginning of Seaver’s illustrious career. Eighteen years later, the White Sox made a bold move by selecting Seaver as free agent compensation, resulting in two successful seasons before his induction into Cooperstown.
In 1978, the defensive hero Dewayne Wise, born in Columbia, S.C., became a notable part-time player for the White Sox. His standout performance in the 2008 ALDS loss to Tampa Bay showcased his offensive prowess, slashing .286/.375/.857 over three games. However, Wise achieved lasting White Sox immortality by making an impossible catch in his first play as a defensive replacement during Mark Buehrle’s 2009 perfect game.
