Today in White Sox History: October 29
El Señor: Lopez, hired on this day 63 years ago, would win 840 games with the White Sox. (Wikipedia)
1956 — Al Lopez replaced Marty Marion as White Sox manager. Marion,who did a fine job in replacing Paul Richards, had missed an important board meeting to be with his family at an event. It was all the excuse the Sox needed to let him go, despite third-place finishes and winning records in 1955 and 1956.
“El Señor” would prove to be a most able replacement, however. Lopezhad nine straight winning seasons with the White Sox and copped the 1959 American League pennant. Many say he was the finest manager in team history; he holds the franchise record for the highest winning percentage for any manager who lasted at least five full seasons, at .562. Lopez eventually won 840 games over nine full seasons and two partial ones.
1986 — Larry Himes was hired as the new White Sox GM, replacing Ken Harrelson. Himes drafted and signed Sox future stars like Frank Thomas, Jack McDowell, Robin Ventura and Alex Fernandez. He would be fired in September 1990 after philosophical differences between him and ownership made working together impossible.
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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