Today in White Sox History: March 4

Harry Hooper arrives, to ply the South Side’s spacious outfield grass

1921

In the wake of the “Black Sox,” owner Charles Comiskey attempts to rebuild his team, and one of the first moves he makes is to acquire future Hall-of-Famer Harry Hooper from the Red Sox for two players, John “Shano” Collins and Harry “Nemo” Leibold. Hooper would play five years on the South Side, and hit better than .300 in three of them. He was also a solid fielder, leading the league in 1922 with 19 assists and 289 putouts.

1994

Basketball superstar Michael Jordan, who retired in October 1993 from the Chicago Bulls, makes his Spring Training debut in a White Sox uniform. He played in his first game at the major league level against the Rangers in Sarasota. Facing lefthander Darren Oliver, Jordan tapped back to the mound and was tagged out by the pitcher.

Jordan collected his first Spring Training hit on March 14 against the Twins, a single off of pitcher Jeff Innes.

2013

José Abreu’s grand slam paces a Team Cuba rout of China, 12-0, in the World Baseball Classic, in a game that ended early due to the mercy rule. Eight months later, Abreu signed with the White Sox.