Olt first to homer for Cubs/Sox in same season
Third baseman sixth position player to play for both in one campaign
CHICAGO -- Mike Olt became the first player to homer for the Cubs and White Sox in the same season, per Elias Sports, when he went deep off Cody Martin with nobody out and Rob Brantly on base in the fourth inning Wednesday night at U.S. Cellular Field during a 9-4 White Sox victory over the A's.
Olt stands as the 14th player and sixth position player to suit up for both teams in the same season. He's the first player to do so since catcher Josh Paul in 2003, according to the White Sox media guide.
"Yeah, it's pretty cool," said Olt of making history. "I'm surprised that it hasn't happened. I guess not a lot of guys get traded over here from the Cubs or the opposite. It was definitely something I'll be able to tell my kids about down the road."
Video: OAK@CWS: Olt, Johnson on win over the Athletics
"You know, it's a nice accomplishment," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura. "I mean, both teams have been around for a long time. It is surprising that nobody's done that before, so I'm glad he did it here. I'm glad he got the second one here."
When the 2015 campaign began, Olt was playing third for the Cubs with rookie Kris Bryant waiting in the Minor League wings. Olt homered off Kyle Kendrick in the third inning on April 11 in Colorado, and said after Wednesday's win that it's difficult for him to forget that night because Adam Ottavino hit him with a pitch in the ninth.
That hit-by-pitch produced a hairline fracture in Olt's right wrist, and while he had three more at-bats for the Cubs before going on the disabled list, his time on the North Side basically was done. The White Sox claimed him off waivers from the Cubs on Sept. 5 and have given him the chance to play regularly at third base since the acquisition.
Switching organizations this late in the season could present a bit of an adjustment issue, but Olt has felt at home with the White Sox, hitting .257 and trying to push his name into the future mix at third base.
Video: OAK@CWS: Olt makes a terrific barehanded play
"I guess it could be strange, but the guys here have made it really easy for me to step in," said Olt, who has played 10 games and had 35 at-bats for the White Sox. "Any kind of help I need they've been very supportive. That's the sign of a good team. It's fun to be a part of that.
"This is going to be some motivation for the offseason. I'm going to try to get myself in a great position to come into spring and hopefully win a job."
Jimmy Stewart (1967), Earl Averill (1960), Lloyd Merriman (1955) and Sammy Strang (1902) were the other position players to be part of the Cubs and White Sox in the same season.