· Chicago White Sox ·
I learned to be a Chicago White Sox fan from my dad.
He loved sports, and once we moved near Chicago, the major league teams available in the city were like a playground for him.
My dad worked long and hard hours, but my memory of attending so many professional games in the city was proof he did have leisure time.
I can still feel the excitement when the crowd would roar. I can taste the mustard and pickle relish on the hot dogs. I remember wishing for a ball to be hit towards me. I would catch it. The ball would be my trophy.
We lived in Skokie, a northern suburb, which gave us easy access to the city via car or the “L” (elevated mass transit). This meant we were closer to Wrigley Field, the home of the Cubs, than to Comiskey Park, on the south side, the home of the White Sox. But we attended games at both ball parks.
As a fourth grade student at East Prairie, I remember the White Sox race to the American League pennant in 1959 when they won 94 games. That was the year they finally beat the perennial favorites, the hated Yankees!
A majority of the kids at school were Cub fans, but I was fanatic for the Sox.
My favorite players on the Sox were second baseman Nellie Fox, shortstop Luis Aparico, and center fielder Jim Landis. I also recall Early Wynn winning the Cy Young Award in 1959 to help the White Sox win the American League crown.
“Nellie” was a nickname for Jacob Nelson Fox. Since my mom’s name was Nell, that made Nellie Fox even more special to me. But it was Fox’s hard work at playing the game, his determination and competitiveness, that made him special.
Even today, I can see Fox in his left-handed batting stance, crotching down, getting smaller, using a choked-up grip on his bat, waiting for the next pitch, his cheek bulging from an ever-present wad of tobacco.
He was a hustler turning double plays with Aparicio, and a relentless hitter, a great bunter, who rarely struck out. He had an eye for the ball.
Today, my 1959 Topps baseball card confirms that Fox was a little guy. It states he was 5’8″ and 150 pounds. Despite his small frame though, he learned to get on base and score without hitting home runs.
When I checked his record, I was reminded how much he stood out from the rest.
During his fourteen-year White Sox career, beginning in 1949, he was voted a Most Valuable Player one time, an All-Star twelve years, and won three Golden Glove Awards. It took him over thirty years to make it to Cooperstown, but he was admitted to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1997, twenty-two years after his death.
I can still hear the ballgames on our car radio during family vacations.
Jim Landis dives for a ball in center field. Luis Aparico fields a sharply hit ground ball; he flips it towards second. Nellie scrambles towards the base, touches the bag with his foot, and throws the runner out at first.
I was never the ball player my dad wanted me to be, but I was always a White Sox fan.
Go Nellie! Go-Go Sox!
Until next time, happy writing and reading!
My dad often got free tickets for both Cubs and Sox games from vendors he dealt with at International Harvester, where he worked. They were always box seats which I never appreciated as a kid. Once, Minnie Minoso was up to bat. He was known for throwing his bat and it happened while we were sitting not far from home plate. My dad saw the bat coming straight towards 10 year old me and he literally jumped over me and my seat (in front of him) and took the bat on his arm. Saved me from what could have been worse injuries. An usher came running, took names etc. The next week, we received a letter of apology from Minnie. Do you think anyone kept it? No! Sure wish I had it now.
Nancy, thanks for the memories. Yes, I remember Minnie Minoso. Another favorite. Good thing your dad had quick reflexes! The things we throw away and the things we don’t, would be an interesting blog. Go Sox! Jim
Jim, Nice! I forgot you were a White Sox fan. Go Cubs! James
It seemed like in grade school, in order to be a loyal fan, you had to choose one club or the other.
Jim, That was a good blog. You brought us right onto the ball field! Karen
Thanks, I wanted to give the feeling of being at a game besides telling about the awards earned by Nellie.
This story really resonated with me, Jim. I buy tickets for me and my son’s family to go to a Royal’s game every year. I believe those games are becoming good memories for me and my son’s family, including the grand kids. I started taking my ball glove and, like you, are always planning on catching a foul ball. These outings are worth any amount I spend to get everyone to the ball game.
Live entertainment is an opportunity to talk and share, an opportunity to (usually) root for the same team, to be surprised or disappointed, a chance to hope for the best. Thanks for writing! Go Royals!
Although I didn’t grow up a Sox fan, your memories took me back to my childhood. I grew up with the Texas Rangers, then the Kansas City Royals. LOTS of great baseball memories in childhood.
This is definitely my favorite blog of yours so far!
Bill, thanks for the positive feedback! Who or what would we be without memories? I wonder if the blog I post tomorrow will be to your liking. It’s about a writer-author-publisher from Halstead, Kansas. Stay tuned! Jim