The 1997 Chicago White Sox White Flag Trade: On the July 31st trade deadline in 1997, Chicago White Sox management decided to give up on the season, despite being only 3.5 games back in the AL Central. They traded three pitchers from their Opening Day roster, starters Wilson Alvarez and Danny Darwin, along with closer Roberto Hernandez for six prospects from the San Francisco Giants.
They ended up finishing eight games behind the eventual division winning Cleveland Indians.
White Sox players and fans felt abandoned and betrayed .