CHICAGO -- Any White Sox fan wanting to take in a full organizational experience should visit Rate Field on July 11.
That Saturday game against the Athletics, originally scheduled for 3:10 p.m. CT, has been switched to a first pitch of 1:10. The first Alumni Home Run Derby follows at this contest’s conclusion, with Jose Canseco, Alexei Ramirez, Gordon Beckham, Leury Garcia, Scott Podsednik and Daniel Palka announced on Monday as the six contestants.
But with the MLB Draft scheduled to begin around 12:30 p.m. CT, and the White Sox holding the top overall pick, fans will be able to check out this all-important selection live inside the stadium.
“For a White Sox fan, you get three things all in once,” executive vice president Brooks Boyer told MLB.com. “We’ll be able to open the ballpark, hopefully the team is taking batting practice.
“You’ll be able to watch the first pick in the ballpark. We’ll have analysis. Hopefully, there is a way with technology we can talk to the Draft pick or talk to [director of amateur scouting] Mike Shirley so fans can get a quick reaction.
“One day, three big things,” Boyer added. “The Draft, game and then the postgame Home Run Derby.”
Boyer guaranteed some interesting and entertaining contestants without giving away names before Monday, and the announcement followed up on his promise. Canseco has the most career home runs of the six at 462, but he hit just 16 with the White Sox, although his last homer came on Oct. 3, 2001, with Chicago at Yankee Stadium.
Ramirez launched 115 for the South Siders, including four grand slams during his 2008 rookie campaign. Beckham, who still does television analyst work on CHSN for the team, finished with 67, while the switch-hitting Garcia knocked 34 over the fences for the White Sox.
Palka put up 29 and 27 as a rookie in 2018. Podsednik only hit 12 over two different White Sox stints, but of course, he has one of the most iconic long balls in franchise history for a walk-off winner in Game 2 of the 2005 World Series.
This Alumni Home Run Derby features a three-round format, beginning with each participant having either 10 outs or three minutes to hit as many home runs as possible, according to the White Sox. The top four sluggers will advance to the semifinal round, with the top two finishers competing for bragging rights and the championship trophy. The Derby also includes designated “Blue Moon Orange Baseballs,” counting as two home runs, as well as a fan vote in the event of a player tie.
It’s another reason for fans to get fired up around the White Sox, who entered the month of June as a playoff contender. They sat one game behind the first-place Guardians in the American League Central coming into Monday's action.
The South Siders’ three-game weekend home sweep of the Tigers drew 88,218, with all three crowds over 28,000. Not only are the fans coming to games, but they are getting into them from first pitch to last pitch.
That noticeable intensity includes the latest stadium to take on the ‘Tarps Off’ section, moving around the ballpark from game to game. Boyer clearly enjoys their raucous enthusiasm, with one caveat.
“They are beautiful,” Boyer said while smiling. “We do have families here so I would prefer no F-bombs. But I always encourage the Green Bay or Detroit or whoever they want to insert in their 'sucks' chants. Those are all great. I would like to stay away a little bit from the profanity.
“Obviously, they are bringing a ton of energy to the ballpark. Sports is fun, and if people are having fun at the ballpark, it’s going to have them come back and connecting them with this team has been a blast.”
Fans’ overall enjoyment is tied in part to the team winning. It also has something to do with the closeness of the White Sox players.
“The fact these players have connected so well with each other, that has connected with the fan base,” Boyer said. “The culture from this dugout and clubhouse certainly has carried over to connecting with the fans which has been awesome.”