TEXAS HEAT, CHICAGO FIRE

"This is going to be a good book!" - Joe Horlen

 NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON & OTHER ONLINE SITES

https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Heat-Chicago-Fire-Remarkable/dp/1539507610/ref=sr_tnr_p_1_10332456011_1_twi_pap_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1486837189&sr=1-1&keywords=texas+heat+chicago+fire 

 

Texas Heat, Chicago Fire :

The Remarkable Life of Joe Horlen

 

From an early age, anyone who saw Joe Horlen play knew he was going to be a star.

His parents and sibling could see his passion for baseball. "Little Joe," as he was called by many, excelled in youth baseball. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, Joe was given support and love by his proud family. His brother Bill, was his best friend and biggest fan. When Joe went on to help his team win the inaugural PONY League World Series in 1952, others began to notice too. Joe was a phenomenal pitcher.

Joe went on to win the College World Series with Oklahoma State University in 1959 and signed on to the Chicago White Sox the same year. He played in the minor leagues until the Sox called him up to the majors in 1961. The major league would hold surprising challenges for Horlen--and a family tragedy had the potential to derail his life...

Texas Heat, Chicago Fire is a labor of love that stemmed from dozens of interviews the author conducted over the years with Horlen. Horlen's warm personality and charisma confirmed everything Robert L. McCartha had heard about the pitcher.

Available Now on Amazon Books

...an astonishingly detailed 292-page authorized biography of San Antonio, Texas native,  Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics pitcher, Joe Horlen.

 

Just Weeks Away...

TEXAS HEAT, CHICAGO FIRE

The Remarkable Life of Joe Horlen

  

Joe Horlen's Biography Release Date

Release Date January 2017

(Marking 50 Years since Joe's dramatic no-hitter during the 1967 A.L. Pennant Race)

Texas Heat,

Chicago Fire 

  

The Remarkable Life of Joe Horlen

By Robert L. McCartha

Foreword by Bob Sakamoto

R. I. P. Walt "No Neck" Williams

Walt Williams

1943 - 2016

Walt Williams was a fan favorite wherever he played -- his enthusiasm for the game, unsurpassed -- and his hustle on the field, non-stop.    Walt provided an offensive spark his first year with the Chicago White Sox in 1967.  Had manager Eddie Stanky chosen to play"No-Neck" more often (instead of veterans Rocky Colavito and Ken Boyer during August/September of the 1967 American League pennant race) -- the final outcome that memorable season may have been very different.

New York Times (Link Below) 

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/28/sports/baseball/walt-williams-72-player-known-as-no-neck.html?_r=1

At Sarasota's Payne Park

R.I.P. Jim O'Toole

Jim O'Toole

1937-2015

Link below:

http://redlegnation.com/2015/12/30/remembering-jim-otoole/

Jim O'Toole's big league career ended following his 10th season in 1967 with the Chicago White Sox.  He won 4 games while compiling a splendid 2.82 ERA through July that year before being sidelined with a shoulder injury.  On May 13, 1967,  Jim had tossed his 18th and final major league shutout. It was a magnificent 10 inning complete game 2-hitter. He struck out 11 batters, while walking just one. 

A year ago, Jim kindly offered remembrances of 1967 regarding a book being compiled about teammate, Joe Horlen. 

I got hurt early in the (pennant) race -- when Stanky said after I pitched a 2 hit 10 inning shutout -- He said, 'If you see a sanitary sock with a baseball tied above your locker, that means you're pitching that day!'

R. I. P. Minnie Minoso "Mr. White Sox"

http://abc7chicago.com/sports/white-sox-legend-minnie-minoso-dies-at-89/539430/

R.I.P. Jim King

http://www.nelsonberna.com/sitemaker/memsol.cgi?user_id=1525194

Joe Horlen Biography

The hope is for Mr. Joe Horlen's authorized biography to be published in the not-to-distant future.   More to follow...

 

White Sox Sweep Sunday Doubleheader From Yankees In Front of 62,000

June 11, 1967 (D) @ Yankee Stadium

GAME 1: Chicago needed solid pitching from the back end of the rotation and got it with Jim O'Toole (3-1) and Bruce Howard (2-4) providing strong outings and leading the White Sox to a twin killing at Yankee Stadium, 2-1 and 3-2.

O'Toole checked New York on 4 hits through 5 innings in game 1 (an rbi by Mickey Mantle) and Hoyt Wilhelm 3.2 innings and Wilbur Wood 1/3 inning (his 2nd save) chipped in with solid relief  helping Chicago clip the Yanks in Game 1.  It was Wayne Causey lining a hit to right scoring JC Martin with the go ahead run in the 4th and the Sox held on for the 2-1 win.

Fritz Peterson (0-5) suffered the game 1 loss.  Don Buford and Ken Berry had 3 hits a piece with Causey and Buford knocking in the lone 2 runs for Chicago.  Pete Ward (3), JC Martin (1), Don Buford (14) and Ken Berry (5) each had a stolen base. The White Sox dinged out 11 base hits in the opener.

GAME 2:  Starting pitcher Bruce Howard handcuffed the Bronx Bombers with shutout ball through eight innings before allowing a 2 run home run to Jake Gibbs in the ninth. Bob Locker (9SV) induced Elston Howard to ground out for the final out to give the Palehose a 3-2 victory and sweep of the twinbill in front of over 62,000 fans.

Gerald McNertney had the big blow of the day with a one out 3 run home run in the 4 inning off Mel Stottlemyre (5-6) scoring Ken Berry and Dick Kenworthy ahead of him. It was all the scoring the Chisox needed as pitching again ruled the day. The White Sox leave New York in 1st place with a 31 - 20 record.

Gerald McNertney's 3 Run Home Run Powers White Sox to Sweep of Yankees June 11, 1967

Joe Horlen Game Used Flannel Jersey

I enjoy collecting Chicago White Sox game worn items, especially of the players from the 1967 season. Pictured is a game used jersey from 1970, pants, hat, stirrups and jacket. If you have a jersey, hat, helmet, bat, glove or any game used item from the '67 period, drop me an email. Thanks for looking.

Sox Explode w/ 18 HIts 9 Runs - Gary Peters & Ed Stroud Shine

June 10, 1967 Saturday
White Sox at Yankees (D) attendance 15,500+

The Chicago White Sox exploded for 18 hits Saturday to bomb the New York Yankees 9 to 0.
Southpaw Gary Peters (7-3) fired a complete game 4 hit shutout, striking out 9 with 3 BB. All 4 Yankees hits were singles including Mickey Mantle's safety in the 1st inning.

Ed Stroud's 1st inning single scored Walt Williams with the Sox first run of their wild offensive afternoon. Pete Ward finished the day 3 for 3 with an rbi and run scored;  Don Buford contributed a solo blast in the 5th inning;  Walt Williams and JC Martin each had a 2 for 4 day; and Ed Stroud led the way with 3 hits, 2 rbi's, 1 run, and his 7th stolen base of 1967. Peters smashed a 2-run home run (his 2nd) off Bill Monbouquette in the 8th inning. Yankees rookie righty Thad Tillatson (3-1) suffered his 1st loss of the season.

Gary Peters Shines in CG Shutout and blasting Home Run

Lefties Duel at Yankee Stadium, Sox Lose in 10

June 9, 1967 Friday (N)
White Sox at Yankees 1st of 4 games Weekend Series

Over 19,000 witnessed New York Yankees Al Downing and Chicago White Sox Tommy John in a classic pitching confrontation during the first game of an important four games series at Yankee Stadium. John surrendered a 7th inning solo home run to Elston Howard giving the Yanks a 1-0 lead, before Palehose centerfielder Ken Berry drove in Tommy McCraw with a 9th inning game tying single off Downing. Horace Clark's one out rbi single off reliever Bob Locker scored Steve Whitaker with the game winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning, giving the Bronx Bombers a 2-1 victory.

Tommy John was near flawless save for the Howard dinger;  allowing only 5 hits through 7 innings before giving way to Bob Locker in relief. Al Downing had 8 K's and surrendered 8 hits through 8 1/3 innings. Steve Hamilton picked up the win after pitching to only one batter in the 10th. Locker took the loss. Ken Berry was 2 for 4 with the lone rbi; Tommy McCraw went 2 for 4 and a run scored; while Walt Williams had 3 hits in 5 at bats. Tommie Agee had a tough night with 3 K's in clutch situations.

 No Neck Goes 3 for 5 June 9, 1967

3 Toms a Player: 10 Seconds of Tommie Agee, Tom McCraw & Tommy John - Starting at 1:58

Joe Horlen Wins 7th Straight, Chisox-Bosox Split DH

June 8, 1967. 

                 Horlen Won his 7th in a row during 1st game.

June 8, 1967 Comiskey Park DoubleHeader w/ Red Sox

Chicago Sun Times by Ed Munzel:
   < Insofar as the pennant race is concerned, the Chicago White Sox again were spinning their wheels Thursday, even as they had been for the entire homestand.
   They divided a doubleheader with the Red Sox capturing the opener 5-2 and losing the nightcap 7-3, and thereby also split in their eight-game homestand.
   A winning record on the tour just ahead looks like an insurmontable task. The White Sox play nine games on the road in the next 7 days, having doubleheaders in New York and Boston. It will put tremendous pressure on the pitching staff, which has shown occasional signs of cracking a bit of late.
   Failure of the pitching department cost the White Sox the nightcap Thursday when Bruce Howard was knocked out amid a five-run explosion in the second inning.
   Fortunately Thursday's nightcap debacle was balanced by another brilliant effort by Joe Horlen who fired a six-hitter in the opener for his seventh straight victory of the season.
   Horlen, who now has hurled four complete games and has an earned run average of 2.14, had his curveball working effectively once he shook off first-inning wildness. In evidence there were 17 balls hit on the ground with 16 of them going for outs.
   Only runs off Horlen came in the first inning - via a walk, SB and Yaz' double -- and in the 7th on Joe Foy's HR.
   "I just couldn't get loose at the start", said Horlen. "I was stiff around the top of the shoulders, probably because I slept with the air-conditioning on last night"  >

Gerry McNertney and Ken Berry blasted homeruns in the 1st game leading Chicago's 10-hit barrage.
Tommie Agee and Walt Williams also had key hits in the 5-2 win. Joe Horlen's childhood friend, Gary Bell, hurled a complete game in the nightcap allowing 9 hits and 3 earned runs gaining his 2nd Win of the year. Tommy McCraw had 2 rbi's and Ron Hansen a solo shot in the losing effort.

Tommie Agee scores from first on a single by Tom McCraw in the first inning of the nightcap, sliding past Boston Red Sox catcher John Gibson.

Ed Herrmann

1946 - 2013

R.I.P.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-12-22/sports/ct-ed-herrmann-dies-white-sox-spt-1223-20131223_1_prostate-cancer-white-sox-wilbur-wood

Welcome Chicago White Sox 1967 Preseason Newspaper Supplement

"Welcome Chicago White Sox"

A Sarasota, Florida 28-page newspaper supplement was issued on March 9, 1967 in the Sarasota Journal and on March 10, 1967 in the Herald Tribune. The 12"x15" insert featured numerous photos and articles on Chisox players, coaches and management. Spring Training at Payne Park and the upcoming 1967 season were also highlighted. Interesting advertisements from the Sarasota community were scattered throughout the special White Sox 28 page issue.

Agee's Clutch 2-Run Hit Caps Comeback Over Bosox 5 - 3
June 6, 1967 @ Comiskey Park (n) 


Tommie Agee struck out each of his earlier three at bats before delivering a two out single in the 7th inning leading the White Sox to a thrilling victory and defeating the Boston Red Sox, 5-3. Jim O'Toole started for Chicago before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the 3rd inning trailing 3-0. Chicago's comeback began in the 3rd inning with Ed Stroud's rbi single scoring J.C. Martin and a Ken Berry groundout plating Walt Williams.

Down 3-2 in the 4th, Wayne Causey chopped an infield rbi single to tie the game 3-3 setting the stage for Agee's clutch hit in the 7th. Pitchers John Buzhardt, Don McMahon, Hoyt Wilhelm and Wilbur  Wood shutout the Red Sox the final 6 innings with Wilhelm (3-1) notching the win and Wood capturing his first save of the year. Darrell Brandon started and suffered the loss for Boston. 10,463 attendance saw Chicago's record improve to 27-18.

White Sox Tommie Agee Game Winning 2-Run Single 6/6/67

Chicago White Sox Ed Stroud Continues Hot Streak June 6th

Chisox Wayne Causey Delivers Clutch RBI Single June 6, 1967 

June 4, 1967 Comiskey Park (Daytime Doubleheader)

White Sox Split Pair With Kansas City

Game 1
30,552 soaked in the sun as Tommy John hurled a CG shutout defeating Jim 'Catfish' Hunter and Kansas City 2-0. TJ scattered 5 singles, struck out 7 while allowing only 1 BB. Chicago White Sox Ken Berry had the big hit singling in Ed Stroud (who led off the frame with a three bagger) and Tommie Agee (HBP). John was never in serious trouble and retired the A's in the 9th, 3 up and 3 down.

1967 Chicago White Sox Publicity Photograph of Tommy John

Game 2

Kansas City Athletics starting pitcher Jim Nash (6-5) handcuffed the Palehose through 7 1/3 leading KC to a 5-4 victory and earning a split of the twinbill. The A's pushed across 4 runs in the 4th off Chisox starter Johnny Buzhardt (2-4) and held on to win despite a 2-run HR by Tommie Agee (who also stole his 18th base of the year) and Ed Stroud's 2 runs scored. Stroud started both games and batted 3rd each game. The White Sox are now 26-18 on the season.

Chisox Ed Stroud Tripled & Scored 3 Times During the 6/4/67 Doubleheader

KC's Chuck Dobson 5-Hitter Stymies Palehose 3 - 1

June 3, 1967 @ Comiskey Park (Day)

23 year old Kansas City Athletics Chuck Dobson cruised to a complete game 3-1 victory over the White Sox allowing only 5 hits registering his 2nd win of the season. Kansas City scored its first run in the 6th as Ramon Webster reached base on a Don Buford error, eventually scoring on a sac fly off the bat of Dick Green. Dobson helped his cause leading off the 7th inning with a single igniting the winning 2 run rally off starter Gary Peters.

The Sox lone run came by an RBI double from Tommy McCraw scoring Tommie Agee. Ken Berry led Chicago going 2 for 4. Gary Peters pitched 6 1/3 with 2 K's while allowing 2 earned runs. Peters record is now 6-3.