The Pope, a president, Patinkin and more: Famous fans of the White Sox

CHICAGO – Let’s make an important distinction before discussing some of the most famous supporters of the White Sox franchise.

Just because a celebrity threw out a first pitch at Comiskey Park or Rate Field doesn’t make them an ardent fan. And just because they wore a White Sox hat in a video or at an event doesn’t translate to the White Sox being at the top of their list.

With that disclaimer out of the way, here are some well-known people possessing or who have possessed some level of White Sox devotion.

Pope Leo XIV
A man named Robert Francis Prevost from Dolton, Ill., was in attendance with lifelong friends for Game 1 of the 2005 World Series in Chicago. Twenty years later, he became the first Pope to be born in the United States. He also has quickly become the most famous White Sox fan in the world.

If someone connected to the White Sox has the distinct honor of meeting with Pope Leo XIV, it’s immediately talked about. If something good happens for the White Sox, there seems to be some level of credit given to the spiritual guidance provided by Pope Leo XIV.

Section 140, Row 19, Seat 2 is recognized at Rate Field in honor of Pope Leo XIV. It’s the seat where Prevost sat during the World Series and witnessed victory No. 1 of the four-game sweep.

President Barack Obama
In 2005, the 44th president, who was then a senator from Illinois, threw out a first pitch before Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Angels. The White Sox won that contest and didn’t lose again in the ‘05 postseason.

President Obama watched Nationals rookie Stephen Strasburg in person in Washington, D.C., in 2010, facing the White Sox. The president was true to his fandom, wearing a White Sox cap.

The Mayors Daley
Major Richard J. Daley oversaw Chicago from 1955 until his death in 1976 as its 48th mayor. His son, Richard M. Daley, served as the city’s 54th mayor from 1989 to 2011. One of the other many traits they share is their love for the White Sox.

In fact, the younger Mayor Daley can be seen clapping from his seats located near the home dugout when a video was played on the Rate Field scoreboard to honor Mark Buehrle’s return to Chicago with the Blue Jays in 2013. Yes, they are South Side baseball through and through.

George Wendt
When the late Mr. Wendt’s name is mentioned, one word comes to mind: “Norm!” He played the iconic Norm Peterson on the equally iconic television series, Cheers, and delivered some of the best one-liners in TV history. In connection to Chicago sports, Wendt is much better known as Bob Swerski, one of the “Superfans” and worshippers of the Bears and Mike Ditka.

The native of Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood also was connected to the White Sox. Wendt did a “Good Guys Wear Black” commercial with Joan Cusack in 1996 where he imagines being a White Sox player. Ken “Hawk” Harrelson is on the call, and Wendt’s dream fittingly ends with him sliding into third and being given a beer.

Steve Dahl
Dahl is at the top of the list when talking about the greatest personalities in Chicago media history, let alone Chicago radio, where he found his fame and entertained millions. He also will be remembered for hosting Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park on July 12, 1979, with the crazy on-field activities leading to a forfeit of Game 2 of a doubleheader, but he was a season ticket holder and a true supporter.

Chance The Rapper
Chance is a Chicagoan and has represented the White Sox within his wardrobe choices from time to time. He also held a special daylong concert called the Magnificent Coloring Day Festival at what was then U.S. Cellular Field on Sept. 24, 2016, and did an on-field performance during a Savannah Bananas game at Rate Field in ’25.

Dennis Deyoung
The onetime lead singer for Styx is friends with Tony La Russa and was friends with Ed Farmer, a onetime closer for the White Sox and a respected, entertaining part of their radio broadcast team who passed away on April 1, 2020.

Mandy Patinkin
His name is Inigo Montoya in the Princess Bride, a cinematic classic. But the Chicago native, who told the story about attending White Sox games with his father as a young fan, narrated Comcast SportsNet’s “Believe: The Story of 2005 White Sox,” an original documentary debuting in ’15.

Michael Clarke Duncan
When Duncan passed away in September 2012, then-general manager Ken Williams released a statement paying tribute to his friend and South Side native. He also narrated the official 2005 World Series DVD.

Jean Shepherd
If you own a television and happen to watch it during Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, there’s a good chance of running across the movie A Christmas Story. That famous film was written by Shepherd, who passed away on Oct. 16, 1999. The storyteller and humorist also was a long-time supporter of the White Sox.

Richard Roeper
For close to 40 years, Roeper shared his exceptional work with readers on a regular basis in the Chicago Sun-Times. He was nationally known as a movie reviewer for close to eight years while sharing the spotlight with film critic legend Roger Ebert on Ebert & Roeper and At The Movies with Ebert & Roeper. But Roeper also wrote “Sox and the City: A Fan’s Love Affair with the White Sox.”

Steve Perry
The onetime lead singer for Journey, who hails from California, isn’t a die-hard White Sox fan, per se. But when Don’t Stop Believin’ became a clubhouse anthem for the 2005 team’s push to a World Series title, with an 11-1 playoff run, Perry became an unofficial part of the team. He was there for the clinching game in Houston and for the celebratory parade.