Today in White Sox History: March 31

1983

Four days before the start of the regular season, the left shoulder of Britt Burns was so sore he could not pick up a baseball. While the White Sox had a rotation that was looking as strong as any, four-deep with young arms, Burns was the longest-tenured White Sox starter and a key for the season.

The southpaw eventually rested up enough to take the ball on May 9 start vs. Toronto and make 26 starts. However, Burns and the White Sox were so frustrated with his pitching (first 16 starts: 5-6 record with a 1.484 WHIP, 4.29 ERA and 3.86 FIP) he went to the bullpen to sort himself out for the first two weeks of August.

Burns threw a shutout in his first start back, went 4-5 while averaging 7…