Today in White Sox History: December 15

Blossoming star Tommie Agee was sent packing on this day 54 years ago, hastening the demise of a once-proud franchise.1960

White Sox owner Bill Veeck made up for some of his bum deals after the 1959 season by getting pitchers Juan Pizarro and Cal McLish from the Reds for infielder Gene Freese. Manager Al Lopez and pitching coach Ray Berres had their eyes on Pizarro for a few years, but Milwaukee refused to deal him to the Sox. Veeck craftily got his friend Bill DeWitt of Cincinnati to swing a deal with Milwaukee, then shipping Pizarro to the South Side.

Pizarro was an enigmatic, moody pitcher but when he got on the mound, he was all business. Possessor of a blazing fastball, the lefthander…