President Obama doesn't hide his allegiance to Sox
Often overshadowed by the Cubs in their own city, the White Sox now can officially lay claim as being America's No. 1 baseball team thanks to new President Barack Obama.
If Obama's allegiance to the Sox wasn't known before Tuesday's inauguration, it should be now.
"He certainly raises the level of our brand awareness, without question," Brooks Boyer admitted Wednesday.
Boyer, the White Sox' marketing director, was so glued to the TV during the inauguration festivities that he jokingly called for chairman Jerry Reinsdorf to dock him a day's pay.
But Boyer and the rest of the organization got some additional serious publicity from Obama late Tuesday during the Commander-in-Chief's Ball.
Speaking with members of the Illinois National Guard currently serving in Afghanistan on a satellite feed, Obama offered a verbal quiz: Sox fan or Cubs fan?
Most were the latter.
"We may be outnumbered, us White Sox fans, but whether you're a White Sox, Cubs, or Cardinals (fan), no matter where you are from, we are all proud of you," Obama said.
Often spotted wearing his black Sox cap, Obama is becoming a one-man marketing machine for the South Siders.
It's only fitting that, in a letter dated Jan. 20, the White Sox officially invited the new president - and former resident of nearby Hyde Park - to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day, an April 6 game against the Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field.
Scott Reifert, the Sox' vice president of communications, has been working on trying to get Obama back to the Cell. Reifert also lives in Hyde Park and resided a few blocks from Obama.
"We're very conscious of respecting everything that's been going on," said Reifert, who was in Washington for the inauguration. "We're hopeful, but it's too soon to say if it's going to happen."
Obama threw out the first pitch before Game 2 of the 2005 American League championship series. As Boyer was quick to point out, the White Sox went on to beat the Los Angeles Angels on A.J. Pierzynski's head's-up baserunning play in the ninth inning and never lost another game that postseason.
"Hopefully he'll be available to come out on Opening Day," Boyer said. "But not only would we love to have him on Opening Day, we'd love to have him any day. President Obama already knows the invitation is there, so we'll let him get settled in and hopefully it works into his schedule."
Like Reifert, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams was in Washington for the inauguration.
"We had a good time and, yes, he's a big supporter," Williams said in an e-mail. "I hope we make he and all Sox fans proud - again. Other than that, I have to get back to work."
Taking a cue from Obama, the White Sox are working on getting their fans to partake in community service.
In a news release, the Sox say they will organize community-service events during the upcoming season that will incorporate support from the organization, players, staff and members of the new volunteer group.
Fans can sign up to volunteer by going to whitesox.com/servechicago.
"Sports organizations have a responsibility to give back to their communities," Reinsdorf said. "And it is a responsibility the White Sox take very seriously. President Obama has called upon all Americans to grow a spirit of service toward our cities and our community.
"Taking President Obama's charge to heart, we believe a volunteer corps, centered on the White Sox and our existing relationships in the Chicago community, can be a very powerful force for change."