Today in White Sox History: May 2

On this day 34 years ago, the White Sox became the first team to pay tribute to the Negro Leagues. Before the game, Carlton Fisk and Bobby Thigpen met with former Chicago American Giants standout Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe. 1901 The White Sox were part of the first forfeit in American League history.

After the Detroit Tigers took a lead with five runs in the top of the ninth, rain began. White Sox players began stalling, hoping to have the game wash out and be called as of the last full inning played (the eighth), with the White Sox getting the win. Umpire Tom Connolly caught on to the scheme and forfeited the game to Detroit, as soggy Sox fans stormed the field in protest.

The final score was 7-5, Tigers, as Connolly had to be given a police escort to get out of the ballpark. 1907 The defending World Champion White Sox knocked off the Tigers in Detroit, 4-2, to ascend to first place, where they would stay until August 6. Nick Altrock spun the complete-game win, and was also a hitting star, with two singles and a walk in the win.

The White Sox flirted with first through the rest of August, but wouldn’t return to the top spot after August 25. With a final record of 87-64-6, Chicago finished in third place, 5 1⁄2 games out. 1919 In what remains the latest non-pandemic home opener in White Sox history, the 6-1 South Siders dropped their first game of the season at Comiskey Park, 11-4.