But with the South Siders losing by 11 runs and being eliminated from American League Central title contention, it certainly wasn’t a desired sort of history. Lee entered the game at catcher in the seventh as a defensive replacement for Kyle Teel, then he flew out to center fielder Kyle Isbel to end the frame.
Lee then went to the mound for two innings, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over 31 pitches (17 strikes) during his debut on the other side of the plate.
“Unfortunately when I’m pitching, bad things are happening. I don’t want that to happen,” Lee said. “Just trying to help the team, save the bullpen and so be it. We get to go on to the next day.
“I grew up as a kid just playing baseball. That’s what it felt like. At the end of the day, it’s still really, really hard. Kudos to all the pitchers. Like I said, it’s just unfortunate I had to go in there because of the situation.”
Frank Isbell and Sam Mertes were the first two White Sox players to catch and pitch in the same game, both in the second game of a doubleheader on Sept. 28, 1902. Lee hit 89.5 mph, per Statcast, with an eighth-inning pitch to Maikel Garcia, but also offered a 42.8 mph slider to Jonathan India in the ninth.
Shortstop Colson Montgomery, who was out of action with left side soreness, gave Lee his glove for the eighth. Lee then borrowed Shane Smith’s glove for the ninth, with the All-Star delivering a message to Lee after his effort.
“He was proud. Obviously, I thanked him for using his glove,” Lee said. “As a catcher, you throw a lot, so I think my arm is in shape for that. Just keeping it light and easy and not trying to do too much because of the situation.”
“Obviously you hate to be in that situation, but we’re in that situation,” said White Sox manager Will Venable of Lee pitching. “You just hope that a guy can get through it healthy and throwing strikes. And he did a really nice job.”
