Today (Jan. 4) in 1993, the White Sox signed outfielder Ellis Burks to a one-year contract in what proved to be a great move.
Burks, who had struggled with back injuries during the later stages of his career in Boston , turned in a stellar season as the White Sox right fielder.
Under the watchful eye of trainer Herm Schneider, Burks played in 146 games and hit .275 with 17 home runs and 74 RBIs in helping the Sox win the American League West.
Burks emerged as a team leader as the season wore on and was often seen sporting a “Go Hard or Go Home” t-shirt late in the year.
He provided the Sox with one of the lasting moments in their history when he gloved the final out in the A.L. West Division-clinching victory over Seattle Sept. 27, 1993 at Comiskey Park .
In the playoffs, Burks hit .304 with a homer and three RBIs as the Sox lost the American League Championship Series in six games.
Burks signed with Colorado after the season and played there until 1998. His big league career lasted until 2004.