Today in White Sox History: November 9
Roy Schalk was born in Chicago on November 9, 1908 and would eventually join the White Sox 36 years later. His career is noted for a twelve‑year gap between his debut with the Yankees in 1932 and his return to the majors in 1944, a span that no other player has matched while still appearing in at least 100 games after the hiatus.
In his comeback season he posted a –1.4 WAR as Chicago’s everyday second baseman, improved slightly to –0.3 WAR in 1945 and finished 19th in American League MVP voting before ending his MLB tenure at age 37.
In 2005 Ozzie Guillén was honored as the Baseball Writers Association of America Manager of the Year after guiding the White Sox to a 99‑win division title and a dominant postseason run that culminated in a four‑game World Series sweep. Other notable November 9 moments include Luis Vera’s severe facial injury in Cuba in 2009 and his rapid two‑month recovery, Toledo’s first football game at the new Sox Park in 2016, Luis Robert Jr.’s 2020 Rookie Gold Glove win despite missing the Rookie of the Year top vote, and longtime broadcaster Jason Benetti’s departure for Detroit in 2023.
