Today in White Sox History: September 1

Exciting news! South Side Hit Pen has added White Sox historian Mark Liptak to the roster! This Date in White Sox History is the first of many future features from Mark.

Short-lived: Al Lopez (center) celebrates a new Sox managerial contract with GM Ed Short (left) and owner Arthur Allyn (right). (Leo Bauby Collection.)

Good news, South Side Hit Pen readers! We've added another heavy hitter to our lineup, longtime White Sox writer and historian Mark Liptak. Mark is the foremost White Soxhistorian online, having written hundreds of past pieces for White Sox Interactive. We're proud to have him join South Side Hit Pen, where he will be bringing you this daily dose of White Sox history, ace features and interviews, and commentary on the current club.

1970 — With the Chicago White Sox about to end their worst season in franchise history, G.M. Ed Short was fired after nine years on the job. Short would make brilliant offseason deals in 1963 and 1964 to net the club players like Hoyt Wilhelm, Pete Ward, Tommy John and Tommy Agee. But starting in 1968, his moves backfired and lost the club players like Agee, Tommy McCraw, Don Buford and Bob Locker without getting anything back of substance in return.

1998 — Albert Belle hit his 42nd home run of the season in Baltimore. In the same game, he got his 337th total base of the season. Both milestones set the franchise record in their respective categories, in the 9-5 win. Belle ended the year with 49 home runs and 399 total bases.