May 7, 1999: Carlos Lee gives White Sox instant offense with home run in his first at-bat

The 1999 Chicago White Sox, managed by Jerry Manuel, were navigating a season of mixed results. General manager Ron Schueler made a bold move by sending left fielder Jeff Abbott to Triple-A Charlotte on May 7 to help him regain his swing.1 Outfielder Abbott had made his major-league debut with the White Sox on June 10, 1997, and played in 19 games that season. In 1998 he played in 89 games and batted .279 with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs. In 1999 he was off to a slow start, hitting .158 with 2 home runs and 6 RBIs to start the season. With the White Sox last in the American League in runs scored, the club believed a move was necessary. “We need offense,” Schuler said, justifying the decision to demote Abbott.2

Abbott’s reassignment left a gap in left field, prompting the unexpected call-up of a young Panama-born player, Carlos Lee. Initially a third baseman, Lee had played only nine games as a left fielder in Triple A and wasn’t considered an elite fielder. He did play some left field in the Arizona Fall Instructional League in 1998. His offensive prowess was undeniable, with a .351 batting average, 4 home runs, and 20 RBIs

Lee nearly made the White Sox out of spring training, but it was decided to have him play every day at Charlotte rather than fight for at-bats on a club loaded with young outfielders. Schueler said Lee wasn’t switched to left field with the intent to send Abbott down. Rather, he decided to demote Abbott after watching him struggle in a series against Baltimore.

On the evening of May 7, the 15-15 Oakland Athletics, managed by Art Howe, faced the 13-13 White Sox before a crowd of 11,181 at Comiskey Park. White Sox starter Jim Parque delivered a flawless first inning, retiring the side with a strikeout, a groundball, and a fly out.

In the bottom of the inning, the White Sox showcased what Schueler was looking for: offense.

Knuckleball specialist Tom Candiotti, the Athletics’ starter, allowed the first four White Sox to reach base. He walked Ray Durham, then surrendered singles to Mike Caruso, Frank Thomas, and Magglio Ordóñez, giving the White Sox a 2-0 lead.

Batting seventh, Lee led off the bottom of the second inning and launched a solo home run to left field off Candiotti’s knuckleball, extending the White Sox lead to 3-0. As A’s center fielder Jason McDonald watched the ball go over the outfield wall, White Sox fans cheered and the scoreboard launched a display of fireworks as Lee rounded the bases. The White Sox batboy and White Sox center fielder Darrin Jackson greeted Lee at home plate to congratulate him on his accomplishment. When Lee got back to the dugout, Brook Fordyce, Frank Thomas, Magglio Ordóñez, and the rest of the White Sox squad cheered their rookie teammate.

The White Sox continued to thump Candiotti. Fordyce walked and later scored on a passed ball. Thomas then hit a two-run homer to left field, pushing the lead to 6-0.

Lee’s inexperience in the field showed in the fourth inning. The A’s Olmedo Sáenz reached second with one out when Lee booted his fly ball. Parque retired the next two batters. Parque surrendered a run in the fifth inning on a hit batsman and two singles, the RBI blow was struck by Tim Raines, making the score 6-1.

In the bottom of the sixth, the White Sox’ Paul Konerko hit his second home run of the season, extending the lead to 7-1. This was more than enough for Parque, who allowed six hits and no walks before leaving the game with two on and one out in the seventh. “Today was the first time I ever chewed gum during a game,” he commented after the game. “It really helped me relax.”3

Lee’s home run earned him a place in the baseball history books. Of the ball he hit, he said, “[I] will sign it and give it to my mom and dad so they can save it. It was the most exciting moment of my life.”4

In a fortunate twist, both Lee’s mother and fiancée were in the stands to witness his debut. They had arrived in Charlotte to watch him play in Triple A the day before he got the call-up. They followed him on to Chicago, making his historic night even more special.

The White Sox finished the season at 75-86-1, with a tie in game 162 versus the Minnesota Twins.5 Future Hall of Famer Thomas, the designated hitter and first baseman, had another solid year, batting .305 with 15 home runs and 77 RBIs, and demonstrating his consistent ability to get on base with a .414 on-base percentage. Ordóñez had a breakout season, batting .301 with 30 home runs and 117 RBIs. Ordóñez’s performance earned him his first All-Star selection and established him as a key player for the White Sox. Parque finished the 1999 season with a 9-15 record, with a 5.13 ERA, with over 173 innings pitched. Lee, the rookie left fielder, batted .293 with 16 home runs and 84 RBIs. His strong debut season was the model of his consistent production in his six seasons with the Chicago White Sox.

The Athletics finished the 1999 season with a record of 87 wins and 75 losses. Key players for the Athletics included Jason Giambi, who had a standout season while emerging as a leader both on and off the field. Giambi hit .315 with 33 home runs and 123 RBIs. Miguel Tejada was the shortstop for the Oakland Athletics, contributing a solid .251 batting average with 21 home runs and 84 RBIs. Tejada’s defensive prowess and offensive potential made him a cornerstone for the Athletics’ future. The Athletics also had a standout performance from their rookie starting pitcher Tim Hudson; the right-hander posted a strong 11-2 record with a 3.23 ERA.

Sources

In addition to the sources cited in the Notes, the author consulted Baseball-Reference.com and Retrosheet.org.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA199905070.shtml

https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1999/B05070CHA1999.htm

Photo credit: Carlos Lee, Trading Card Database.

Notes

1 Jimmy Greenfield, “Carlos Lee Replaces Slump-Mired Abbott,” Chicago Tribune, May 8, 1999, https://www.proquest.com/chicagotribune/docview/418819288/fulltext/B5953D5CDC32451BPQ/1?accountid=69&sourcetype=Newspapers.

2 “Carlos Lee Replaces Slump-Mired Abbott.” Schueler also said about the move to send Abbott to Charlotte, “I didn’t see the quality at-bats that I wanted. With about 10 days to go in spring training, he took himself out of the lineup for about three or four days with a virus. I just felt he hasn’t been up to his strength, and maybe that contributed. But right now, we just want him to get his swing right and come back.”

3 Jimmy Greenfield, “A Night for Homer History,” Chicago Tribune, May 8, 1999, https://www.proquest.com/chicagotribune/docview/418819388/abstract/B5953D5CDC32451BPQ/2?accountid=69&sourcetype=Newspapers.

4 “A Night for Homer History.”

5 The game ended in a tie, halted by rain, after the Twins scored in the top of the seventh to tie it.