CHICAGO -- A palpable buzz hovered in and around Rate Field on Wednesday afternoon, but it had little to do with what could be a clinching Game 3 for the White Sox against the Guardians in the American League Division Series.
This frequent discussion, starting on Tuesday night across all forms of media from social to broadcast, centered upon who was throwing out the ceremonial first pitch just before 3 p.m. CT. Former President Barack Obama and Pope Leo XIV, who are staunch White Sox supporters and fairly famous in their own right, were ruled out.
So, the guesses continue until the pitch is actually thrown. It’s just another example of how the White Sox have taken over the city of Chicago.
It takes something monumental to push the Bears/Packers NFL contest, scheduled for this Sunday in Green Bay, to secondary news. But this entertaining, highly likeable White Sox team has achieved that goal.
“I think that’s been one of the most fun things about this whole run, is seeing how the city, and now it’s starting to be the country, embrace this team,” White Sox assistant general manager Josh Barfield told MLB.com. “Whether it’s walking down the street and somebody stops me and says how much they enjoy watching the team or the calls and messages after the wins in the playoffs, it’s been really, really cool to see the effect this group has had.”
Fans made their way early to Rate Field for the first home playoff games since 2021. It’s also the first possible home postseason series clinch since 1906 and second possible all-time.
There were tailgates, and fans lining up to take pictures in a playoff-themed photo booth near the team store. Fans wore Munetaka Murakami jerseys. Fans wore Mark Buehrle jerseys. Fans wore Paul Konerko jerseys. There were even a couple of fans sporting Ken Griffey Jr. and Jake Burger White Sox jerseys.
Every player who has contributed gets recognized on this sort of special day. Of course, there were plenty of Pope Hats and almost as many wizard hats, celebrating the Mike Vasil magic influencing the team all season.
One 7-year-old fan was yelling “Go White Sox” to passing cars and passerbys as he waited with his dad to cross the street. They didn’t have tickets, but they came early to try to get autographs and take in the White Sox moment. It’s as much a Chicago thing as it is a White Sox thing.
“These guys are just so excited to come to the ballpark every day,” manager Will Venable said. “It really is -- it's been the center of their summer every day, coming especially to this ballpark.
“Playing in front of our fans is a special opportunity every day. So I think that they're focused on that and having another opportunity to play here at home. That's kind of where their minds are at.”