Moose Skowron Acquired by White Sox

July 13, 1964 - The Washington Senators sent Bill (Moose) Skowron, Chicago native and a veteran of eight World Series, to the White Sox today in a “waiver deal” which turned out to be a trade.

Under baseball law, the only player deals permitted after June 15 must be via the waiver route. The waiver price is $20,000. So, Skowron was “waived” to initiate the deal.

Instead of paying the Senators the $20,000 waiver price, the White Sox gave them Joe Cunningham and a player to be named later.

Skowron, 33, was traded from the Yankees to the Dodgers two years ago. He appeared in 89 games with the National League champions, batting only .203 with four home runs. But the right-handed slugger came back strong in the World Series against his former Yankee teammates, helping the Dodgers to a four-game sweep.

But this didn’t save Moose from being sold to the Senators on Dec. 6.

Skowron has been enjoying one of his better seasons with the ninth-place Senators this year. In 73 games, he has 71 hits, including nine doubles and 13 home runs. His average is .271, and he has 41 RBI’s. Skowron always has hit particularly well at Comiskey Park.

White Sox general manager Ed Short, who contacted Skowron as soon as the trade was consummated said, “Moose is extremely happy over the deal.”

“We think we’ve got a shot at it all,” said Short. “All we needed was to beef up our right-handed hitting, and we’ve done this in a week’s time by getting Jeoff Long and now Skowron.”

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