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* The setup, via Richard Roeper…
We’ve heard Obama say “real baseball” is played on the South Side. We’ve seen the president-elect in his Sox cap as he takes the girls to school or goes for a workout. We’ve seen pics of Obama throwing out a first pitch before Game 2 of the ALCS. (Note: after Obama’s appearance, the Sox never lost another postseason game. Maybe he really is The One.)
But will this translate into some sort of boost for the Sox nationwide?
Writes Madden: “Dare we say it? Can it be? The White Sox America’s team?”
* The Question: Are the White Sox now America’s team, or will they be soon? Explain.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:23 am
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I give the Sox about a 50/50 chance.
Comment by Levois Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:24 am
you need fans to be America’s team, I would assume…
Comment by j Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:27 am
No they will not, they do not have a fan base outside of Chicago. Let’s not get carried away here.
Comment by scoot Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:27 am
No but I understand that Ozzie is being vetted to be US Ambassador to Venezuela.
Comment by tominchicago Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:29 am
Dallas Cowboys = America’s Team
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders = America’s Sweethearts
Comment by Quacktastic Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:30 am
Thank you for giving me a hearty chuckle this morning Rich.
Comment by Beerman Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:31 am
Never. They arent even Chicago’s team.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:41 am
Never, Sox fans hate themselves/their team too much to be that.
If the capitolfax could not propel them, then Obama cannot either.
Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:43 am
The Chicago White Sox are NOT going to become “America’s Team.” Of course, I don’t know of any self-respecting White Sox fan who would want to root for “America’s Team.”
If anything, they would take pleasure in rooting for the ballclub that beats up on “America’s Team.”
Being the nation’s darling just goes against the character of the South Side ballclub.
-30-
Comment by Gregory Tejeda Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:43 am
At least Obama won’t have to worry about a White Sox bailout.
A more interesting question might revolve around an SEC investigation of Mark Cuban, who wants to purchase the Cubs and the SEC being overseen by the Country’s biggest Sox fan. Could make for some interesting fun.
Comment by trafficmatt Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:43 am
They will become “America’s Team” as much as the Texas Rangers became America’s Team when W took office.
Comment by Elliot Ness Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:45 am
The thing about White Sox fans, is that they are real baseball fans. None of that poser stuff we see so often see on the North side, catching a couple innings before and after bar hopping. So it would depend, are there enough real baseball fans to make it America’s team?
Comment by leigh Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:46 am
Most people don’t care who the president roots for, even if those people like the president. I didn’t see a big rush on Texas Rangers tickets and apparel when George W. Bush was still popular.
The White Sox are my AL team, but not because of the president-elect’s penchant for them. Of course, it’s still the AL. Real baseball is played in the NL, and played best by the Cardinals.
Comment by Fan of the Game Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:49 am
===Sox fans hate themselves/their team===
Cub fans think their own automoton/totalitarian-style team “love” is normal. It ain’t. We’re humans, y’all are drunken robots.
Just sayin’
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:50 am
No. The South Side and Sox fans are too parochial to be embraced as America’s team, and that’s a good thing.
The Sox were for short time, however, America’s Gangbanger Team when they adopted the black hats, and bangers around the country wore them as a fashion statement.
It’s smart politics for Obama to stick with the Sox, as their shot-and-beer reputation help combat his effete image in some circles (remember the bowling and the arugula?).
Still, how do you claim you’re playing “real baseball” when you have a designated hitter?
The ‘85 Bears truly were America’s Team for a while, and they earned the designation with their ferocious play and unprecedented collection of whack jobs, stone-cold hitters and Hall of Famers (Jimbo Covert should be next).
They crowned themselves that year when they traveled to Dallas and drilled the self-described America’s Team Cowboys 44-0, their worst home loss ever. From the frown on Tom Landry’s face to the fear in Danny White’s eyes, I can remember every wondrous moment of it.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:52 am
America’s Team? Who cares about that pansy stuff? Get some beers and dogs, take a seat somewhere in the shade by left field and relax,…or get outta here. Go Sox!
Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:58 am
The opinions of Chicago baseball fans should not be taken into consideration on this question, since for some strange reason, the overwhelming majority of them have supported a losing team for 100 years. That just doesn’t make sense. The people of Chicago have a lot of excuses for this, new ones seem to come up every year. So that’s 100 years of excuses. Lovable losers? Losers yes. Lovable…well that ship sailed a long time ago…20 years ago, at least.
Comment by Deep South Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 11:03 am
let us judge the level of Obamania and how it relates to the White Sox. an avid Red Sox fan is also an Obamaniac. he is going to Europe. when I tell him he’ll have to take a Sox (as in White Sox, the first Sox) hat to Europe cause that’s what Obama would do and he (the Red Sox fan) is now from Chicago and he should represent, he tells me I am correct and he thinks he will do that. never underestimate what the Obamaniacs will do for their leader.
Comment by Amy Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 11:11 am
===We’re humans, y’all are drunken robots.===
I don’t know which Cubs fans you’re talking about. Myself and all the other ones I know are INEBRIATED.
Comment by BandCamp Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 11:14 am
LOL. You have got to be kidding me! Has Obama walked on water yet?
Comment by Boscobud Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 11:44 am
No, there is no “America’s Team” in any sport…that’s just something networks do to justify their over-coverage of teams like the Dallas Cowboy and NY Yankees.
Comment by Fenway Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 11:51 am
All teams are “America’s Teams”. It doesn’t matter if they win or lose its about America. We should be proud to be American’s and as long as you are a US citizen and pay taxes then you are an American.
Comment by Boscobud Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 11:58 am
There is too much self-loathing in White Sox World to ever allow This Bunch to be America’s Team. Maybe Wasilla’s team, but no. Not America’s.
Comment by Mike Ward Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 12:03 pm
Another Cub fan with a projection problem.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 12:04 pm
NO FREAKIN WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 12:06 pm
We don’t want to be “America’s Team,” we don’t need validation.
Go Sox!
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 12:07 pm
How about South America’s team? Or better yet, let the President convince Jerry Reinsdorf to move the team to DC.
As far as I’m concerned, you can call the Sox anything you want. In fact, I call them a lot of different names…none of them complimentary.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 12:09 pm
The White Sox will ‘Merica’s team - but not in the Cowboy fashion. They will be ‘Merica’s team in the Raiders fashion. Over dere in Yurp, people wear the Raiders garb before the other teams because the Black and silver look cool. Not because of fan favoritism.
Your White never could make the REd White and BLue look cool, that option has been held by the OldStyle Drinkers from the north end.
Comment by printdude Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 12:24 pm
I think Obama’s stewardship of the team may increase their profile nationally more than it will locally.
It is still a Cubs town, unfortunately.
Comment by stones Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 12:36 pm
White Sox as America’s team? No way!
Comment by Sinister Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 12:52 pm
>(Note: after Obama’s appearance, the Sox never lost another postseason game. Maybe he really is The One.)
That’s incorrect. If that comment was factual they would had won the World Series instead of the Phillies.
Comment by Segatari Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 1:00 pm
Last time I went to a Sox game, I got robbed on the way back to the car only to discover my stereo had also been stolen. Maybe it is America’s team.
Comment by Truth Be Told Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 1:53 pm
If that comment was factual they would had won the World Series instead of the Phillies. -Segatari
Except that Rich was talking about 2005, not 2008.
Comment by doubtful Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 2:07 pm
He didn’t specify a year. I assumed 2008 cause they were in the playoffs.
Comment by Segatari Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 2:15 pm
As a Sox fan, dare aint no frickin way dat I want my team ta be America’s team. no frickin way man.
Comment by RobRoy Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 2:33 pm
If Obama buys a skybox then maybe, but I don’t think Signal Faded Field is going to become the new ‘place to be seen.’ Nice try, thoug.
Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 4:15 pm
Does anyone really think Obama privately gives as much of a second thought one way or another whether the White Sox win or lose?
Comment by Suburban Republican Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 4:41 pm
We Sox fans aren’t interested in becoming America’s Team. Y’all keep going on up to the North Side, where they (and the media) think they’re America’s team. We don’t want a repeat of 2005 when all those loser Cubs fans filled up the Cell so they could see winning baseball.
Comment by The Mad Hatter Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 4:54 pm
Cubs? White Sox?
STL Cardinals have been, and will remain, Americans team.
Comment by Speaking At Will Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 5:12 pm
“Still, how do you claim you’re playing “real baseball” when you have a designated hitter?”
For that matter, how can it claim to be an _American League_ with that stupid rule? Go Cubs.
Comment by 22Skidoo Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 6:55 pm
Nope…thats the one power he won”t have.
Comment by downhereforyears Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 7:51 pm
Rich! First with your QOTD I threw up in my mouth a bit when I read it. Second, with Kerry Wood gone the Cubs might have a chance next year. Third, though Obama may claim to be a Sox fan, his “hope and change” rhetoric is more in line with Cubs fan’s beliefs rather than the acute bitterness of Sox fans.
Comment by HoBoSkillet Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 8:34 pm
I know zip about baseball, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but all indicators are there that we’re headed for a strong “All Things Obama” wave, though I’m still skeptical that it will last very long.
As long as he keeps being photographed wearing that cap, sales will go up.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 12:37 am
I’m just trying to imagine the promotions Bill Veeck would devise in this situation. What would President’s Night entail?
Comment by Boone Logan Square Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 12:38 am
It may well improve sales of the caps, but it won’t draw more fans. There are already many people wearing the caps who know nothing about the team. And that’s ok; people can wear what they like.
Comment by cub fan Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 6:13 am
Boone, I hadn’t thought of that. Veeck being a Hyde Park liberal probably would have been tight with Obama, too.
How about anyone wearing an Obama pin and bringing the labels from two jumbo jars of Open Pit BBQ sauce gets half-price Falstaff at the park?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 6:35 am