Small crowds at U.S. Cellular shock Lillibridge

Even though Brent Lillibridge is playing for his third team of the season — the Indians — he still considers himself part of the White Sox.

The super utility man played with the Sox from 2009 until June 24 of this season, when he was sent to Boston in the Kevin Youkilis trade.

After the Red Sox designated him from assignment, Lillibridge caught on with Cleveland and he was looking forward to playing in front of some big crowds when the Indians played the White Sox this week.

Instead, the Sox drew 20,206 Monday, 13,797 Tuesday and 20,166 Wednesday, even though they led the AL Central all three games.

With four home games left, the White Sox rank 24th out of 30 major-league teams with an overall attendance of 1,868,671.

Lillibridge was livid, as he expressed on Twitter Tuesday night.

“A first-place team with only 6 home games left and the lower bowl isn’t even full,” Lillibridge tweeted. “You’re better than that Chicago.”

Before Wednesday’s White Sox-Indians game, Lillibridge didn’t back off.

“Coming in here Monday, I didn’t really know how the crowds have been since I left,” he said. “I just assumed and thought they’d be big because this city is such a sports town. Since it’s getting closer and closer to the playoffs, I thought there would be a lot more excitement and more people here at the ballpark. I got here and didn’t really feel it. It was kind of weird.”

Lillibridge said he received numerous negative replies from his tweet.

“I’m not calling out the fans at all because they’ve been nothing but good to me here,” he said. “But at the same time, I just want to see a playoff atmosphere here. It’s playoff time right now. I just want to see Chicago really embrace it. This is a team that no one expected to be here, even though we did when I was here.

“It’s not a rebuilding year. They’re here and I think it’s a great opportunity to watch some great baseball. You say the fans don’t have an influence, but they do. When people are in the seats yelling and screaming, you like it and it helps you play better.”