White Flag Trade

July 31, 1997
San Francisco Giants get:	Chicago White Sox get:
Wilson Alvarez	Lorenzo Barcelo
Danny Darwin	Mike Caruso
Roberto Hernández	Keith Foulke
	Bobby Howry
	Brian Manning (never reached majors)
	Ken Vining

On July 31, 1997, the Chicago White Sox trailed the Cleveland Indians by just 3 1/2 games, but the club made a trade that convinced fans they were giving up. Known as the "White Flag Trade", the Sox sent starters Alvarez, Darwin, and closer Hernandez to the San Francisco Giants for six minor league prospects. Sox fans were upset, and the team ended up finishing six games behind the Indians. But of the six players acquired by the Sox, five reached the majors and three made significant impacts with the club. Shortstop Caruso was a starter for the 1998 Sox, hitting over .300. Howry saved 49 games for the Sox over the next five seasons. Foulke had the greatest impact, notching 100 saves with the club as the Sox closer. Meanwhile, Alvarez, Darwin, and Hernandez all became free agents after the season.