‘68 Pale Hose and ‘80 Halos split opening series

August 16 - Comiskey Park, Chicago

‘68 White Sox 11, ‘80 California 0

The KOD11 season began with a bang for the home team White Sox, as they could do no wrong this Opening Day. Team captain Luis Aparicio led the attack with 4 hits, 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Ken Berry hit a grand slam off Angels' starter Frank Tanana, and Duane Josephson collected 3 hits, including a solo HR, and 3 RBIs. On the pitching side, this one belonged to Chicago starter Joe Horlen who allowed only 4 hits and struck out 8 on his way to a complete game shutout. Horlen was so dominant that he allowed an Angels base runner to reach as far a 2nd base only once.

August 17 - Comiskey Park, Chicago

‘80 California 7, ‘68 White Sox 3

California evened the series with an overall team effort in this back-and-forth affair. Joe Rudi’s RBI single in the 1st inning gave the Angels the early lead. But Chicago tied it in the 2nd on Duane Josephson double, and then took the lead in the 3rd when Bill Voss singled home Tommy Davis. Angels went up 3-2 in the 4th when Carney Lansford singled in 2 runs. But the White Sox answered in the 5th with a Tommy Davis HR’ed at the start of the inning to tie the game again. Rod Carew’s double in the 7th inning put the Angels up for good, as solid relief help from Mark Clear and Andy Hassler kept the White Sox off the board for the remainder of the way. Chicago hurlers allowed only 7 hits. But 10 free passes helped to keep the Angels constantly on the base paths. Ed Halicki picked up the win in relief. Wilbur Wood took the loss.

August 18 - Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, CA

‘68 White Sox 8, ‘80 California 7 (10 innings)

This game appeared to be all over but for the shouting after 8 innings. California held a 7-3 lead after strong pitching performances by Alfredo Martinez and Andy Hassler. “Disco” Dan Ford had homered in the 6th innings off Chicago starter Tommy John and the Angels chased him for good in the 8th.

But things got interesting in the top of the 9th innings. Reliever Dave LaRoche walked Duane Josephson and then hit pinch hitter Buddy Bradford. Sensing a growing disaster, closer Mark Clear was brought in to put out the fire. Clear induced Luis Aparicio to  ground out, allowing the runners to advance. But then he poured gasoline on the rally’s smoldering flames, walking Sandy Alomar to load the bases, and also Tom McCraw to force in a run. The Sox had the bases loaded and 1 run in without the benefit of a hit. But that wasn’t to last long, as next batter Tommy Davis cleared the bases with a triple, and the score was suddenly tied 7-7.

After having made such a remarkable comeback, it was almost anti-climactic when Aparicio singled home the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th. 45-year old Hoyt Wilhelm picked up the win, shutting down the Angles in both the 9th and the 10th innings, stunning the silent home town fans.

August 19 - Anahiem Stadium, Anaheim, CA

‘80 California 3, ‘68 White Sox 2

The final game of the series looked to be a high-scoring affair, as TomMcCraw drove in a run in the 1st inning on a sacrifice flay and another in the 3rd with a single off Angels starter Bruce Kison. In between, Brian Downing went deep against White Sox starter Gary Peters with a man on, and the score was tied 2-2 after 3 innings. But then both pitchers found their rhythm, and it was nothing but goose eggs for both teams until the 9th inning. Dave LaRoche relieved Kison in the top of the frame.

McCraw led off with a walk, but was cut down by Downing trying to steal 2nd base. This proved to be crucial because moments later Tommy Davis singled. Chicago may have had runners at the corners with no outs. But instead, Pete Ward’s drive to right field was just a fly out instead of a sacrifice fly. Ken Berry then popped out to end the inning.

After the Angels loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of  the 9th, it appeared that the White Sox were going to also escape unharmed. Joe Rudi popped the 3rd baseman Pete Ward for the 2nd out, and Dickie Thon hit a routine grounder to 3rd, which should have ended the inning. But the ball scooted under Ward’s glove, and Bert Campaneris trotted home with the unearned, winning run. LaRoche picked up the win in relief. Peters was handed the hard-luck loss despite yielding only 4 hits, 2 walks, 2 earned runs and 8 Ks in 8.1 innings of work.

--submitted by Douglas Zaner--