1969 Those Amazin’ New York White Sox?

Fifty years ago, the Mets shocked the world by unexpectedly winning the World Series. They became known as the Amazin’ Mets or Miracle Mets.

But what Sox fans should remember is that they probably would not have won anything were it not for some former White Sox players that joined the Mets.

Sox players Tommie Agee, Al Weis, and J. C. Martin were members of that 1969 Mets team. They had been acquired thanks to two awful trades made by the White Sox to acquire aging sluggers that did nothing for the Sox while giving the Mets key pieces to win a title.

During the 1969 season, the North Side Ball Club Inc. had gotten off to a great start and the side of town north of Madison Street was just giddy with delight. However, as the season went on they collapsed while the Mets caught fire and ended up finishing 8 games ahead of the team from the wrong side of Chicago. The Mets won 100 games during the regular season thanks in part to Agee, Weis, and Martin (and some great pitching that they all backed).

Agee was the biggest contributor. There was a lot of buzz when he joined originally the White Sox, much like some of the young guys the Sox are bringing in now. He could have been a centerpiece for the future for the Sox. But no. That dreadful trade was made and the Sox badly regressed and the Mets won a title.

That year of 1969 was pivotal in the City of Chicago. That’s the year the North Side Ball Club Inc. took over Chicagoland, and the Sox became the second citizens after that. Certainly, not among real Sox fans, but in the larger world. Sox are still paying for that.

The 1969 New York Amazin' Former White Sox. "Start spreadin’ the news..."