The leading hitter (.279) on the 1906 "Hitless Wonder" White Sox, Isbell was a versatile
player who at one time or another played every position, including pitcher (4-7,
3.59). He joined the White Sox as a first baseman in 1900, the year before the AL
declared itself a major league. Totally bald, he was upset when the team picture
was taken without caps. The next year he led the new major league in stolen bases
(52). When his hitting declined, he moved to second base, where he played when the
weak-hitting White Sox won the World Championship in '06. Ironically, Isbell set
several WS offensive records that still stand: most hits, two consecutive games (7);
and most doubles and extra base hits in a game (4). He also held the record for most
errors in a WS by a second baseman until 1981, when Davey Lopes took that dubious
distinction.
(DB)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»August 10, 1901:
Before a crowd of 5,000 in Cleveland, the AL-leading White Sox cannot overcome a 7-0 lead and fall, 11–7. Frank Isbell sets an AL record for LOB with 11 left on base for the Sox.
»May 6, 1903: The White Stockings commit 12 errors, and the Tigers commit 6, for a modern major-league record by two teams in one game. Sox shortstop Lee Tannehill leads the way with four errors, while 3rd sacker Frank Isbell and Patsy Flaherty check in with three apiece. Trailing 9-7 in the 9th inning, Chicago salvages a 10-9 victory for Flaherty over Mal Eason.
»October 13, 1906: Mound magic disappears as both Ed Walsh and Ed Reulbach are knocked out. Paced by a WS record four doubles by Frank Isbell, the White Sox win the slugfest 8-6.
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