Today in White Sox History: November 20

The roots of the White Sox were forged on this day, long, long ago. Also, a big, moody masher came to town.

Brief flirtation: It was a weird day indeed, when Albert Belle signed with the White Sox. (Baseball Hall of Fame)

1893 — The Western League was formed. It was the direct forerunner to what would become the American League in 1900. The league started with seven franchises in Detroit, Sioux City, Toledo, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids and Minneapolis. The Minnesota franchise would eventually be moved to the South Side of Chicago by Charles Comiskey.

1996 - The Sox shocked the baseball world when owner Jerry Reinsdorf announced that he has signed slugger Albert Belle to the largest contract in baseball history. Sox fans were torn between being happy the Sox spent money on a star and being worried because of Belle’s sullen, moody reputation. Other baseball owners were furious with Reinsdorf, feeling that he deliberately signed Belle to the large contract to pay them back for agreeing to settle the 1994 labor dispute. Reinsdorf would be removed from the labor relations board, the body that advised the commissioner in all labor matters, over it.

Belle would put up some monster seasons in his short White Sox career, especially in 1998 when he hit .328 with 49 home runs and 152 RBIs.