Today in White Sox History: June 4

The Chili Dog Game ... and a first for an SSHP editor

1959

It was a year for marathon games for the White Sox. This was the first of many that went at least 17 innings, and all took place against Baltimore. In this game, Earl Torgeson’s solo home run in the last of the 17th was the difference, in a 6-5 win. Bob Shaw pitched five relief innings to get the victory.

1972

It is forever known as the “Chili Dog Game.” In the nightcap of a doubleheader with the Yankees, White Sox manager Chuck Tanner wanted Dick Allen to be ready to pinch-hit in the last of the ninth inning if needed. Allen at the time was wolfing down a chili dog, since he had played in the first game, was sitting out the nightcap, and was hungry. Allen quickly had to put on a uniform, getting the last of the chili dog all over his top that caused the clubhouse boys to give him a new, clean jersey.

With two men on and the Sox losing, 4-2, Allen was called to hit. On the third pitch from future Sox relief pitcher Sparky Lyle, Allen deposited the ball into the left-field lower deck for a 5-4 win and a sweep of the twinbill.

As a side note, future sportscaster Keith Olbermann, a Yankees fan, wrote about listening to this game in a book that he co-authored with Dan Patrick. Olbermann wrote that when Allen hit the home run, he threw his radio out of the second floor window of his parents' house.

1973

White Sox pitching ace Wilbur Wood appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. At the time, it looked like Wood was on his way to 30 wins, given he already had 13 before June 1. The headline read, “Wizard With a Knuckler.” But because of a massive number of injuries to the team, Wood would “only” finish with 24 wins. He started 48 times, had an ERA of 3.46 and threw an incredible 359 innings. The Sox that year wound up using the disabled list 38 times.

1977

In a game at Comiskey Park versus the Yankees, Richie Zisk (the “Polish Prince”) hit a rooftop home run near the left-field line off of Don Gullett. Zisk became the seventh Sox player to do this. Unfortunately, the Sox would lose the game 8-6.

Eight-year-old, future South Side Hit Pen editor Brett Ballantini attended his first White Sox game that night.