The final giveaway of the day is a Chicago White Sox 1984 Calrton Fisk Authentic Mesh Batting Practice Jersey in size large. the first to comment this facebook post will win.
Happy Holidays everyone! Thank you all for being such amazing fans! Check back with us on Monday for more giveaways!
Today marks the 20 year anniversary when Carlton Fisk set the Major League record for home runs by a catcher, hitting number 328 off Texas Ranger, Charlie Hough. Fisk surpassed Johnny Bench's previous record of 327 and also become the Sox's all-time leader with 187 home runs. "Pudge," as Fisk was known, played both with the Boston Red Sox (1969, 1971-1980) and the Chicago White Sox (1981-1993.)
Fisk was known as one of baseball's most durable catcher after doing so in 2,226 games in 24 years, more than anyone in history. His number 72 was retired by the Chicago White Sox in 1997. Fisk was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000, choosing the Boston Red Sox cap for his plaque, although he played for more seasons with the Chicago White Sox.
Mitchell & Ness keeps Fisk's memorable career alive for his fans by offering his 1990 White Sox home jersey as part of our authentic jersey collection.
After making a run for the pennant in the previous year the outlook for the 1975 season would be filled with high hopes. After suffering a knee injury in June 1974 tearing several knee ligaments Carlton Fisk would return for a full season after being told that he would never play again. Two phenom, power hitting rookies would also be added to the '75 roster - Fred Lynn & Jim Rice. Although there was much reason to be hopeful for the coming season fans were still feeling the lingering devistation from the injury plauged and devastating slump that finished up the 1974 season leaving them in 3rd place.
As pre-season got under way news of the two rookie phenoms spread like wildfire with pictures and stories being delivered from Florida. This got Red Sox fans thinking. This optimism was short lived when Fisk was hit in the right arm and suffered a break. Rick Wise would also be returning from a injury suffered in '74 as well. He would help beef up the rotation which included Luis Tiant and Bill Lee. Also included in the line up would be Carl Yazstrzemski who would start at first base and Rico Petrocelli at third.
April brought the season opener with the Red Sox defeating the Miwaukee Brewers with Sox pitching ace Tiant on the mound. After the first week the Red Sox would tie for first place with Milwaukee. By the end of april the Sox would fall from first place and not regain their position until the end of May.
We love it when the legends of the game speak out on the current state of affairs. No need to tell you what they're talking about. You know.
First was Carlton Fisk.
"There's a reason they call it performance-enhancing drugs. That's what it does — performance enhancement. You can be good, but it's going to make you better. You can be average, but it is going to make you good. If you are below average, it is going to make you average.
Carlton Fisk on Mark McGwire
Now Ferguson Jenkins.
"It's tough to hit a home run off your back," Jenkins said. "In my era, Seaver, Gibson, Drysdale, Carlton, there were so many guys that would have probably knocked him on his butt. He wouldn't have hit home runs the way he did in that era."
Ferguson Jenkins on Mark McGwire
Keep talking guys. Your opinions matter and your voices should be heard.