On this date, July 7, 1906 approximately one hundred years ago, the seventh of eleven children were born to John and Lula Paige in the town of Mobile, Alabama. This child would turn out a little more successful than the other ten; he would eventually be honored in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Leroy “Satchel”…
Bill Veeck Bats: Unknown • Throws: Unknown Born: February 9, 1914 in Chicago, IL Died: January 2, 1986 (Aged 71-327d) in Chicago, IL Hall of Fame: Inducted as Pioneer/Executive in 1991. (Voted by Veteran’s Committee) View Bill Veeck’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos). Full Name: William Louis Veeck View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject Notable Events and Chronology for Bill Veeck Career Biography…
1991 – Bill Veeck, the colorful owner of the Browns, Indians and White Sox (twice), and Yankees great Tony Lazzeri are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.
The scoreboard at Old Comiskey Park ‘explodes’ for the last time when Frank Thomas goes deep off Randy Johnson in the seventh inning of a 13-4 loss to Seattle. The Monster, which has shot off fireworks whenever a White Sox player hit a home run since 1960, was an innovation of team owner Bill Veeck, who was inspired by the design of a pinball machine.
On January 2, 1986, legendary major league owner Bill Veeck dies at the age of 71. The victim of a heart attack after several years of poor health, Veeck had owned the St. Louis Browns, Cleveland Indians, and Chicago White Sox at various times during his career. Known as one of the most colorful and…
1980 – Admitting that he can no longer compete financially in today’s inflated economy, colorful owner Bill Veeck agrees to sell the Chicago White Sox to Youngstown, OH shopping-mall magnate Eddie DeBartolo, Sr. for a reported $20 million. The sale will fall through, however, when American League owners twice fail to give Veeck the 10 votes needed for approval.
On April 10, 1979, Chicago White Sox owner Bill Veeck offers fans free admission to the next home game after his team’s unimpressive debut on Opening Day. The White Sox’ 10-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays prompts the unusual action by Veeck…
The White Sox fire Larry Doby, who posted a 37-50 record for the fifth-place team as a mid-season replacement for skipper Bob Lemon. Owner Bill Veeck names 35 year-old shortstop Don Kessinger, obtained from St. Louis at the end of the 1977 campaign, as the club’s player-manager for next season.
White Sox owner Bill Veeck gives Yankee free-agent Ron Blomberg, who has played in only one game during the last two seasons, a generous four-year contract worth $500,000 that includes an additional $80,000 signing bonus. The questionable deal will turn out to be a complete bust when ‘Boomer’ hits only .231 in 169 plate appearances in his one year with Chicago.
1977 – The Chicago White Sox select Harold Baines with the number-one pick in the June draft. Chicago’s owner Bill Veeck had first seen Baines play Little League ball and had followed his career. Pitcher Bill Gullickson is taken with the second pick by the Montreal Expos, and the Milwaukee Brewers take University of Minnesota infielder Paul Molitor with the third pick.
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