* Tribune…
In the days and months before he died in July 2020, Ed Schmit received comfort in phone calls from an old friend. “Father Bob,” as Schmit knew Robert Prevost, was then a Catholic bishop in Peru, but Schmit and Prevost shared a bond forged through their South Side roots, their work at St. Rita High School in Chicago — and their mutual love of the Chicago White Sox.
During those phone calls in Schmit’s final days, fighting a battle he couldn’t win against pancreatic cancer, he always told Prevost the same thing, one of Schmit’s daughters, Heidi Skokal, said Monday. And what Schmit said to Prevost was this:
“Father Bob, I know you’re going to be the next pope. I may not be here to see it, but I’ll definitely be looking down” when it happens. Skokal paused to collect herself and continued through the tears, remembering her father. “I’m sure he is” looking down, she said.
Skokal recounted the story after the White Sox unveiled a mural in honor of Prevost, now known around the world as Pope Leo XIV. The artwork is on a pillar near Section 140 at Rate Field, where in 2005 Prevost and Schmit and members of Schmit’s family cheered on the Sox during their victory against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the World Series.
* Visuals…
I just think there’s no way that Jerry Reinsdorf can move the team out of Sox Park and into the South Loop after this historic development. The place is almost like a shrine now.
But, maybe it won’t last.
Your thoughts?
- Leatherneck - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 8:38 am:
Now do whatever is necessary to put a similar shrine in Soldier Field.
- Southside Markie - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 8:39 am:
Nothing comes between Reinsdorf and making a dollar. He already tore down one shrine, Old Comiskey Part. He’ll lose no sleep bolting from this one if there’s money to be made.
- TJ - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 8:40 am:
I wouldn’t put anything past Reinsdorf in the realm of making bad decisions, so I don’t see this having an impact longterm one way or the other, tbqh.
- Leatherneck - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 8:41 am:
=He already tore down one shrine, Old Comiskey Part=
He also fired (or ran off) a Pope-like figure to some who once worked on the South Side, Harry Caray.
- TheInvisibleMan - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 8:53 am:
“But, maybe it won’t last.”
Once the honeymoon phase is over, and the details of his participation in helping to cover up child abuse is learned by more people, it won’t last.
This is the same guy who Father McGrath of Providence HS reported to in the Augustinian order, and was the order moving him around and protecting him from prosecution. Millions of dollars in abuse settlements were paid out from other incidents as well.
He’s currently in the “Bill Cosby in the 80s” phase of his popularity. Eventually, it will change into the Bill Cosby current reputation phase.
- James the Intolerant - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 8:54 am:
Only Reinsdork would make the person responsible for such a bad minor league system that we have no home-grown talent General Manager. The Pope can’t help us. As the great Pogo said, “We have mer the enemy, he is us”
- Alton Sinkhole - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 9:15 am:
I don’t think Reinsdorf cares at all
- Joseph M - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 9:34 am:
The only sensical change for the White Sox stadium situation is just tearing up some parking lots and turning them into revenue generating buildings, similar to Wrigley and what the United Center is attempting. Building a new Sox stadium is pointless and will never get state support. But Reinsdorf probably won’t budge until he sees the effects of the United Center developments (if that ever happpens).
- Mister Ed - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 9:47 am:
Anyone who thinks Reinsdorf would keep the Sox there just for that reason is naive.
- Norseman - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 9:48 am:
Celebrate the hometown hero but stay classy and respectful. Most importantly, consider the Pope’s messaging and beliefs.
Most importantly, if you’re selling items donate some proceeds to Catholic Charities.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 9:55 am:
I think there are a lot of good reasons for the Sox to stay where they are and develop the area around the ballpark. If this gives the Sox the cover to make that pivot, then call it divine intervention.
- Garfield Ridge Guy - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 9:57 am:
This one-time altar boy from the South Side is very excited about the Pope’s connections to Chicago and the White Sox, but asking whether this connection would affect Reinsdorf’s thinking is like asking whether the team should stay put because Southpaw’s birthday was first celebrated at 35th and Shields.
The reason the White Sox won’t move is that the Governor and local pols have no patience for giving sports teams subsidies and Jerry is too cheap and short-sighted to consider any level of investment. Jerry might think it’s still 1988 and that Mike Madigan’s going to come stop the clock any minute now, but that clock’s not stopping.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 10:00 am:
I don’t think it’ll mean much to Jerry.
- ChrisB - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 10:01 am:
I almost commented in yesterday’s Bears thread, but I’m well past the point of giving any money, neither via ticket sales/merch nor taxpayer, to any owners for a new shiny stadium after years and years of watching abysmal on-field product. This goes doubly true for Mr. Reinsdorf.
He can do whatever he wants. Just as long as he’s using his own money.
- ChicagoBars - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 10:04 am:
I don’t get the impression the White Sox ownership (or the community around the ballpark tbh) were ever interested in or supportive of developing anything on their acres of asphalt.
Add onto that how Reinsdorf is going all in with Wirtz interests in the West Loop and just seems like team and stadium will be in limbo until his kids inherit the team. They may be terrible at baseball lately but no MLB franchise is losing value.
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 10:33 am:
I think Leo’s effect on the team, if any, is more in the realm of keeping them from moving to Nashville as opposed to keeping them grounded on 35th St.
- Thomas Paine - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 10:52 am:
=== I don’t get the impression the White Sox ownership (or the community around the ballpark tbh) were ever interested in or supportive of developing anything on their acres of asphalt ===
That’s just grossly incorrect.
Reinsdorf sought repeatedly over the years to create economic development.
He sees the sea of bars, restaurants and hotels that the government played a role in developing around Wrigley Field, enriching the Ricketts, and he wants the same thing.
That is the main reason he wants to move.
Mayor Daley’s ward is full of NIMBY’s that want Sox fans to leave immediately after the game. The venues would likely draw Black customers from the surrounding area on non-game days.
Is race a factor? I dunno, take a walk through the current pubs in the neighborhood.
- Thomas Paine - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 10:54 am:
To the post:
A new stadium would certainly have a section dedicated to Pope Leo, they probably would have him at Opening Day.
- regular democrat - Tuesday, May 20, 25 @ 11:36 am:
This is probably in the top 5 of the most unique stories in our city’s history. Maybe the new pope can throw out the first pitch in the new stadium. Talk about a unique story. Mister Ed covered it with one sentence.