The season opener to a memorable, pennant-winning year started in Detroit where Billy Pierce faced Jim Bunning. The Sox blew a 7-4 lead when the Tigers got three runs in the eighth inning, and matters weren’t decided until the 14th. That’s when Nellie Fox, who hit home runs as often as he struck out, blasted a two-run shot to give the Sox the 9-7 win. Fox went 5-for-7 and knocked in three runs that afternoon, despite freezing temperatures.
1961
White Sox outfielder “Jungle” Jim Rivera was always good for the unexpected.