Today in White Sox History: November 25

Cheeky rookie: Guillén made quite a splash in his 1985 debut. (Fleer)

1985 — Ozzie Guillén of the White Sox was named AL Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Guillén, who came to the Sox in a deal involving 1983 Cy Young winner LaMarr Hoyt, didn’t disappoint. His defense was outstanding, committing only 12 errors the entire season. Offensively, Ozzie recorded 134 hits and had a .273 batting average. He received 16 of 28 first place votes and finished with 101 points. Teddy Higuera of the Brewers was second. Ozzie would return to the Sox after his playing days ended to become the manager, winning the 2005 World Series with the club.

2005 — White Sox GM Ken Williams rolled the dice and traded popular outfielder Aaron Rowand to the Phillies for slugger Jim Thome. The Peoria native would hammer 42 home runs and garner the AL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2006, but many felt the trade changed the chemistry and philosophy of the club that won the World Series in 2005 — to say nothing of the defensive hole it created in center field. Thome would play almost four years with the Sox, with 134 home runs and three seasons of at least 90 RBIs. Thome hit his 500th career home run in 2007 at U.S. Cellular Field.