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* Tribune…
Mayor Emanuel flubbed a chance to take batting practice on the topic that has been the subject of so much South Side hand-wringing and North Side schadenfreude this week: the rebranding of Sox Park thanks to a corporate naming rights deal with mortgage lender Guaranteed Rate.
Perhaps thinking of his relationship with Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, Emanuel initially was circumspect when asked by WBEZ reporter Lauren Chooljian what he thought about calling the stadium Guaranteed Rate Field.
“I’m going to focus on my day job, that’s all,” he said. “Look, that’s a decision for them to make. What’s important is, obviously, the team does well and continue to make the city proud. I will — let me say this on behalf of the Reinsdorf family, both with the Bulls and also with the Sox, they’re incredibly generous in giving back to the community.”
Um, maybe he just didn’t want to make some of his constituents more miserable than they already were. Sheesh, man.
Sox fans love to criticize our own team. I’ve vented here myself. But if Cub fans join the fray, we get a bit ticked off. Go back to your publicly drunken little blue teddy bear fantasy world.
* So, let’s look on the bright side with Steve Daniels…
The collective reaction of the town seemed to be: Really? This is the best the White Sox could do?
But, in between snickers, consider this. If the teams we root for and invest our time and dollars in are going to sell the naming rights to their sports stadiums to businesses, isn’t it at least a little refreshing that a local success story will adorn one of them?
Since its launch in 1999, Guaranteed Rate has grown into the 16th largest mortgage lender nationally, according to industry trade publication Inside Mortgage Finance. It’s the eighth largest if you leave out companies that make loans originated by outside brokers and mortgage banks. (Guaranteed Rate’s people originate all of the company’s loans.)
It managed to survive the worst housing bust in decades when dozens of firms like it failed.
Guaranteed Rate employs about 1,200 locally, more than 700 in its Ravenswood headquarters, and 3,200 across the country. It has 168 offices across the country. The company is originating about $2 billion in loans each month, growing at about 20 percent a year, according to founder and CEO Victor Ciardelli III.
He expects the company to make $21 billion to $22 billion in mortgages this year. It made $18 billion last year.
Ciardelli is an unusual character. He doesn’t come off as a slick corporate guy. He grew up in west suburban Oak Brook and bounced around for awhile before figuring out what he wanted to do. He’s driven and has ambitions beyond most mortgage banks. Hence, the White Sox deal. Hence, the unusual TV ad budget.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:24 pm
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LOL, that’s what I love of Sox fans. Unfiltered, unpasteurized, pure bitterness. It’s fun for me to watch it.
Comment by Try-4-Truth Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:29 pm
Spot on, Try-4-Truth.
Comment by Former Downstater Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:37 pm
“Publicly drunken.” Pathetic considering what two drunk Sox fans did to a KC Royals first base coach.
Comment by Jackie Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:46 pm
lol, sounds like it’s just about football season on the South Side
Comment by JohnnyPyleDriver Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:47 pm
“Publicly drunken.” How pathetic considering what two drunk Sox fans when running onto the field and beating the KC Royals coach. Yea, great fan base.
Comment by Jackie Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:49 pm
Jackie, those two morons came directly to Sox Park that day from… wait for it… Wrigley Field.
So, I hold y’all responsible.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:50 pm
If “pure bitterness” means the Sox won a World Series in 2005, I will own that all night long!
Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:50 pm
Your Daniels excerpt is what Rahm should have said.
Comment by Name/Nickname/Anon Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:50 pm
I got several mortgages through GR and each time was a great experience. I highly recommend them.
Nobody gives a hoot about corporate stadium names anyway.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:50 pm
===sounds like it’s just about football season on the South Side ===
Since about May.
lol
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:51 pm
Yea, because no one drinks at a Sox game. Nice try.
Comment by Jackie Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:54 pm
And last night’s field jumpers, Rich?
Comment by Former Downstater Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:54 pm
- 47th Ward - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:50 pm:
I got several mortgages through GR and each time was a great experience. I highly recommend them.
Nobody gives a hoot about corporate stadium names anyway.”
this
Comment by Ron Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:54 pm
===because no one drinks at a Sox game===
Yeah, that’s what I was talking about. Right. OK.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:56 pm
Whatever may come, no matter how rough the Sox sailing gets, totally worth it since I’ve had a World Series victory in my lifetime.
Comment by ChicagoVinny Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 2:57 pm
==“Publicly drunken.” Pathetic considering what two drunk Sox fans did to a KC Royals first base coach.===
Only slightly worse than what Cubs fans do to their own players:
http://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/29/sports/baseball-fan-tussles-with-myers-on-field.html
Comment by Arthur Sellers Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:23 pm
Looks like we’ll have to hang our hats on that 2005 World Championship for many years to come. It doesn’t seem as though the Sox have a long term plan or philosophy.
Comment by Stones Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:28 pm
I heard a cool story today. When August Busch bought the Cardinals, he wanted to change the name of Sportsmans Park to Budweiser Stadium. MLB wouldn’t allow the park to be named after a beer, so he named it Busch Memorial Stadium after his father.
Shortly thereafter, Anheuser-Busch introduced Busch Beer.
Comment by Old Shepherd Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:29 pm
Fantasy world = 81-45, best record in baseball. It’s a fantasy that a White Sox can only dream of right now. We get to live it.
Those two j’mokes may have come from Wrigley, but a quick check of the google machine confirms they are White Sox fans. Also confirms that Ligue the younger is still proud of his actions. Go Sox.
My recommendation is that if “Cubs fans join the fray, we get ticked off” then maybe you should consider the consequences of your words about Cubs and Cubs fans. Your rhetoric engenders hatred, and maybe makes us give you the stink eye a little more. Why is it a one-way street where you can malign the Cubs and their fans but your delicate flower sensibilities are damaged if a Cubs fan criticizes the Sox? No hypocrisy there.
I hope you get to keep Reinsdorf, Kenny and Robin forever. Y’all deserve it.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:37 pm
=== Why is it a one-way street===
Because it’s my blog, doofus.
:)
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:38 pm
Also, Cub fans, I’m not so sure you should be invoking the names of physical abusers who aren’t on and never have been on any actual team. Catch the drift?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:43 pm
===Jackie, those two morons came directly to Sox Park that day from… wait for it… Wrigley Field.===
Considering how expensive it is to get drunk at Wrigley, they really were morons.
The fact Cub fans brag about anything is dripped in irony. They’ve got a shot this year. Can y’all just shut up until you actually accomplish something?
Comment by A guy Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:44 pm
- A guy -
Nobody should have to stay quiet that long!
Comment by WhoKnew Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:51 pm
What is needed now is a contest to come up with what people will call it since no one will call it Guaranteed Rate. Winner gets one Sox season ticket. . . 2nd place is two tickets. . .
Comment by ChippewaDave Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:01 pm
Rich Miller @ 3:43 drops the mic
Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:02 pm
=Sox fans love to criticize our own team. I’ve vented here myself. But if Cub fans join the fray, we get a bit ticked off.= Spot on, Rich. They may be bums, but they’re our bums.
Comment by Bogey Golfer Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:08 pm
===drops the mic===
More like hurled the mic at a hostile audience.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:12 pm
well now if I’d said that, I would be afraid of the dreaded banishment!
yes, Cubbie fans, be so proud that your team can fire the dj for playing music that might offend (especially by bringing up the topic) but employ the guy who is violent. ok then.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:22 pm
===Catch the drift? ===
Yep, I catch it. You mean people like Brett Myers, right? No one is pure. Glass houses, stones, all that
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:26 pm
I was actually thinking about a far more recent issue with a current player who is lots more crucial to a playoff run. Glass houses, indeed. Enjoy your weekend.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:28 pm
sure Sale is pitching tonight, vs. Hernandez, so big fight in the game there. But heard on the radio that Blue Oyster Cult is playing at a free festival in Skokie tonight. More cowbell!!!!!
Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:29 pm
I’m sure if the Sox were in contention and had a chance to acquire Chapman, they would’ve passed out of morality and all. pffft
Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:31 pm
the crain’s piece seems reasonable to me, don’t see what all the fuss is about. chicago stadium change to united and comisky park went to the cell and world didn’t end. sox have brought home a championship this millennium unlike the team in wrigley so they can keep their mouths shut.
Comment by atsuishin Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:45 pm