Today in White Sox History: January 12
Kicked to the curb: Navarro's tempestuous tenure came to an end on this day, 20 years ago. To think we coulda had Roger Clemens instead.
2000
White Sox GM Ron Schueler made amends for one of his worst moves by shipping disgruntled pitcher Jaime Navarro and John Snyder to Milwaukee as part of a four-player deal. In exchange, he got long-ball hitting shortstop José Valentín and pitcher Cal Eldred.
Both would play a large part in the unexpected divisional championship in 2000. Eldred went 10-2 in 20 starts for the team before an elbow injury basically ended his White Sox career in July. Valentín played five years on the South Side, averaging 120 hits, 27 home runs and 76 RBIs — and he was a Cubs-killer.
One of the highlights in José's White Sox stint was a very rare accomplishment, a "natural" cycle that took place against the Orioles on April 27, 2000. He singled in the first, doubled in the second, tripled in the third and homered in the eighth inning of a 13-4 win.
Mark Liptak is originally from Chicago and has been a White Sox fan since 1960. He and his wife Zoe reside in Pocatello, Idaho where he is the radio voice as part of Idaho State athletics in volleyball, football, women's basketball and softball.
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