A Historic Night at Comiskey
July 22 marks a special date for White Sox fans. Thirty-nine years ago, Harold Baines changed the franchise history books. He hit his 155th career home run during a game against the Baltimore Orioles. This single shot moved him past Bill Melton for the all-time lead. The moment happened at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Per South Side Sox, Baines hit a two-run shot that night. It was a huge milestone for a player known for his power. The Orioles had scored three runs early in the game. The White Sox fought back hard with five runs of their own. Baines was the star of the comeback effort.
The game did not end well for the Sox pitching staff. Baltimore scored five more runs in the third inning. This burst sent starter José DeLeón to the showers early. The White Sox eventually lost the game 10-5. Yet, the home run record still stands as the main story. Baines held the title for a while before others passed him. Frank Thomas took the lead in 1996 with 448 total home runs. Paul Konerko later hit 432, and José Abreu added 243 to the list. Baines now sits fourth all-time with 221 long balls. His legacy on that July night remains untouched.
Other Legends on This Date
The White Sox have other great memories from July 22. In 1962, outfielder Floyd Robinson had a perfect day at Fenway Park. He got six singles in six official at-bats against the Red Sox. Robinson drove in one run and scored another in a 7-3 win. This performance raised his batting average to .319 for that season. He finished the year with 11 homers and 109 RBIs. According to South Side Sox, he was the third player in team history to get six hits in one game. That kind of consistency is rare in the major leagues.
The date also features a strange moment from 1954 involving the Yankees. Mickey Mantle hit a home run while playing shortstop. He was down to the bottom of the tenth inning against the Sox. Mantle hit a solo shot off pitcher Don Johnson to win the game 4-3. It was the only time Mantle ever homered as a shortstop in the majors. Casey Stengel had moved Mantle in from center field for that at-bat. The Yankees swept the Sox in a doubleheader that day. They won the second game 11-1 to move six games ahead in the standings.
Why History Matters Today
Fans love these stories because they connect past and present. The team has seen many changes since 1987. Yet, the records set by players like Baines and Robinson still matter. They show what is possible when a team clicks. The 1987 game proved that offense can overcome bad pitching. A leadoff homer from Ken Williams started the rally. Then Baines and Iván Calderón kept the pressure on with back-to-back shots. The power display was enough to put Baines at the top.
Current players look at these numbers as goals to reach. Frank Thomas and Paul Konerko built on the foundation Baines laid. José Abreu joined that elite group later on. Each player added their own chapter to the team’s story. The history of July 22 shows the depth of talent in Chicago. It reminds fans that legends are made in single moments. A two-run shot in the eighth inning can define a career. The White Sox will keep chasing these milestones.
