Ivan Rodriguez becomes the first catcher in major league history to compile 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in the same season. The Texas backstop reaches the milestone when he swipes second base off Brook Fordyce in the team’s 8-7 loss to the White Sox at Comiskey Park.
On April 4, 1999, Hall of Famer Early Wynn dies at the age of 79 from complications caused by a stroke. Known for his toughness on the mound, the highly competitive Wynn won exactly 300 games over a 23-year career with the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox.
Joining Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, and Babe Ruth, Albert Belle becomes only the fourth player to drive in 100 runs and hit 30 homers for seven consecutive seasons. The White Sox left fielder, who played in every game for the White Sox this season, will continue the streak next year with the Orioles.
On August 6, 1998, legendary broadcaster Jack Brickhouse dies from cardiac arrest at the age of 82. The likeable Brickhouse began his broadcasting career in 1934, working for a radio station in his native Peoria, Illinois. Known for his trademark home run call of “Hey Hey!,” Brickhouse announced Chicago Cubs games from 1941 to 1981….
At Miami, Wally Joyner is 3 for 4 with two walks, to lead the Padres to a 10 – 2 gaffing of the Florida Marlins. Joyner singles, doubles, triples, scores twice, and swipes two bases, including home on the back end of a double steal. The Marlins finally turn to John Cangelosi, who becomes the first position player to pitch for the team. The outfielder walks one in a scoreless 9th inning and retires Joyner on a fly ball. Cangelosi also pitched two scoreless innings for Pittsburgh against Los Angeles in 1988 and one scoreless inning for Houston against Chicago in 1995. Tony Gwynn is 1 for 5 and finishes the four-game series 2-for-17, dropping his average to .385.
1996 – One of Major League Baseball’s most controversial owners, Jerry Reinsdorf, and its most controversial player, Albert Belle, join forces with the Chicago White Sox. Belle signs a record five-year, $55 million deal that makes him the first player to surpass the $10 million per year mark. Reinsdorf, seen as the instigator in the owners’ vote against the collective bargaining agreement, draws the ire of owners in both leagues who feel he sold them out.
September 20, 1996 – Frank Thomas hits his 39th HR of the year‚ a grand slam‚ to power the White Sox to a 7-3 win over the Twins. Dave Martinez hits a solo shot in his only at-bat. Kevin Tapani gives up a 2-run HR to Rich Becker but emerges the winner. Paul Molitor…
Frank Thomas hits three homers for the White Sox, becoming the Sox career home run leader, but Boston wins, 9 – 8. Thomas hits his first two off Tim Wakefield to pass Carlton Fisk (214).
Eddie Murray blasts his 18th career grand slam, highlighting an 8-run 9th inning, as Baltimore beats the White Sox, 13 – 4. Murray’s slam ties him for 2nd place with Willie McCovey.
Cal Ripken records his 2,500th career hit with a single off White Sox right-hander Bill Simas in the Orioles’ 4-3 loss to Chicago in 10-innings. The Baltimore infielder will end his 21-year career with a total of 3,184 hits.
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