South Side Brotherhood
South Side Brotherhood
Jordan Danks was called up to the White Sox on Thursday, and if he’s still here when is brother John comes off the disabled list they would be the fourth set of brothers to play for the franchise at the same time. Here’s a look at the other three:
Sandy Alomar Jr. and Roberto Alomar (2003-04): Roberto was past his Hall of Fame prime as a second baseman when he was acquired July 1, 2003, to aid a failed push toward an AL Central title. Sandy also was past his all-star prime as a catcher when he arrived in 2001. Roberto hit .239 in 84 games in his two stints — he signed with Arizona to start 2004 but returned to the South Side in August to finish his career. Sandy hit .268 in 2003 and .240 in 2004 in limited action. Their father, Sandy Sr., also was a utility infielder with the Sox from 1967-69.
Dick and Hank Allen (1972-73): The Allen brothers combined for 37 homers and 113 RBI in the memorable 1972 season when the Sox chased eventual World Series champion Oakland to the wire in the AL West. Of course, all the homers and RBI belonged to Dick Allen in an MVP season in which he also hit .308. Hank Allen went 3-for-21 after he was signed for September at his younger brother’s “urging” so he could gain more big-league service time toward a better pension. Dick Allen was headed toward another big year in 1973 at .316 with 16 homers and 41 RBI when it ended with a fractured kneecap in late June. Hank Allen hit a robust .103 (4-for-39) with no RBI in his last big-league season.
Ted and Homer Blankenship (1922-23): The Texas natives made their big-league pitching debuts just a couple of years after the Black Sox scandal devastated the organization. Homer pitched only 8 games and 18 innings in those two years but picked up his only big-league win. Ted fared much better as he started 17-24 and would go 17-8 in 1925, but a broken finger the following year curtailed his effectiveness. He finished with a 77-79 record in a nine-year career spent entirely with the White Sox.
— Marty Maciaszek