* August 30th in the Sun-Times…
The Sox and developer Related Midwest brought their flashy renderings of a potential new South Loop stadium partially to life this week, creating a baseball diamond where players could eventually take the field if the team lands public financing for a ballpark in the vacant parcel known as The 78.
The makeshift South Loop sandlot — which faces northeast, toward a skyline-spanning view, with the Willis Tower looming over left field — solidifies some of the vision released earlier this year in renderings of the park that Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf wants.
It’s situated between Clark Street and the Chicago River south of Roosevelt Road in what the developer has touted as the next addition to Chicago’s roster of 77 official community areas.
While state lawmakers have all but rejected the possibility of dedicating any public money to a stadium — either for the Sox or the Bears, who want a new home of their own — a Related Midwest spokesperson said the developer is having some “fun” with the tantalizing home plate view.
They enlisted longtime White Sox groundskeeper Roger Bossard, known as “The Sodfather,” to make the temporary diamond and “showcase how a baseball field could enhance and fit in with the greater plans for the neighborhood.”
* The sandlot pic…
* On a “related” note, legislators recently received this invite…
“Round the bases and shag ground balls on the diamond with White Sox Greats and Hall of Famers.”
Should be fun, doubt it will work.
- TJ - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 11:29 am:
They are persistent, I’ll give them that.
But okay, come see some dirt. Neat. Open bar or did Jerry only provide for a cash bar, I wonder?
- Jerry - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 11:31 am:
Nice of the White Sox to donate a park for the City of Chicago. That’s the way its supposed to be with Millionaires! Good of the team to help out like this. The Cubs did this with Gallagher Way out of their own pocket.
Oh, and by the way, there is still no money in the budget for an another Free Stadium paid for by an Entitlement Program financed by hardworking taxpayers either.
- low level - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 11:38 am:
Grab some folding chairs, bring a cooler, watch amateur baseball. Kind of like how it is at Guaranteed Low Interest Field.
Sell the team, then get back to us.
- Skeptic - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 11:53 am:
Putting a new spin on “Field of Dreams”
- 47th Ward - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 11:54 am:
===The Cubs did this with Gallagher Way out of their own pocket.===
Before it was Gallagher Way, it was the 3600 block of North Seminary Street. The Cubs got the city to vacate the street. That kind of feels like it came out of the public’s pocket.
- Rabid - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 11:55 am:
Nice job pounding sand
- ChicagoVinny - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 12:12 pm:
Maybe we’re looking at this the wrong way around and this is about the Related Midwest folks happily taking JR’s money to do things with dubious effectiveness.
- DuPage Saint - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 12:26 pm:
Great they got the field done without public funds now all he had to do is surround it with bleacher seats and he has a brand new stadium.
- Red Ranger - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 12:39 pm:
As a White Sox fan, I think this would be awesome. As an IL tax payer, I hope Jerry and pals dont get one more nickel from us; I mean more than they already get because of the super sweetheart deal they already have for the G-Rate.
- James the Intolerant - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 12:47 pm:
Not a thing wrong with the ballpark on 35th Street, except for the inferior product sold there, with minor leaguers brought up from the system developed by the individual they promoted to GM.
- NIU Grad - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 1:01 pm:
The positive: They’re demonstrating that they’re taking this seriously and it’s not just a Reinsdorf pipe dream.
The negative: Without public financing, policymakers aren’t going to take this seriously unless they can show the financial viability of this plan and…that the White Sox actually want to stick around town (the current team’s self-destruction isn’t helping this argument).
- In_The_Middle - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 1:02 pm:
Maybe this is what the White Sox need. A change of scenery, back to basics. No big crowds to distract them. A lot of open space. /s
- Give Us Barabbas - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 1:11 pm:
It’s about the right speed for the current Sox to play in. After a month or so, let’s see how it’s being utilized, and what vandalism and mischief ensues.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 1:16 pm:
Just pay for it Jerry and George……
- Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 1:18 pm:
Looks like a great spot for a House-Senate softball game.
- low level - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 1:25 pm:
==Before it was Gallagher Way,==
Anytime I see that I cant help but think of Bill and Ted’s and “No way” “Way” Gallagher No Way…
- Amalia - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 1:39 pm:
Northwestern went small so go low Sox
- ChicagoBars - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 1:40 pm:
That better be one magical open bar on that sightseeing cruise if you’re trying to sell anybody on another ISFA boondoggle to spare the Sox the pain of using their own equity for a new stadium.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 1:49 pm:
===great spot for a House-Senate softball game===
Illinois GA vs. Wisconsin GA
- Northsider - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 1:56 pm:
Rabid @ 11:55 with a wicked cutter for the win.
- TJ - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 2:53 pm:
Snark mode activated
And yet the Sox still couldn’t fill their new stadium out to capacity.
Snark mode deactivated
Mocking the franchise, not Sox fans reasonably not giving Jerry money.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 2:56 pm:
===not Sox fans reasonably not giving Jerry money===
It’s not really that horrible, considering. I’m surprised it’s as much as it is, frankly.
- Um, no - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 5:59 pm:
The Sox are 33-111. 78 games below .500.
Fans should show up in U-Hauls with bags over their heads reading “Sux” brandishing maps to Nashville.
- Scoot - Monday, Sep 9, 24 @ 7:34 pm:
As a Cubs fan I really hope this project happens. For the Sox but also for the city and this empty parcel of land. Chicago is an amazing international city and this just adds to it.
- Soxnut67 - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 12:02 pm:
Love it. I’ll pay for it. Get it done.
- Soxnut67 - Tuesday, Sep 10, 24 @ 12:08 pm:
And of course Accuweather has cloudy and rain for that day. Figures.