I believe you are thinking of another season . The 1972 season was delayed because of the players strike. The Sox opened the season with a loss in Detroit and it turned out to be a crucial loss because the Sox finished 1/2 game behind the Tigers that season. I recall the announcers lamenting the opening day loss to the Tigers at the end of the last game of the 72 season.....that season has always stuck with me because the Sox missed out on going to the ALCS by 1/2 game.