Arlington Heights making stadium pitch to White Sox?

[PaleAleSox]

Going to guess that video says Wrigley is number 1, and that person is just wrong. Anyone who says that, to me, is just trying too hard to be some purist. The place sucks.

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

47 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

 

Search for MLB ballpark rankings and you'll find that Rate Field ranks at or near the bottom in almost every review - especially if you discount the A's and Rays stadium debacles.   We Sox fans can keep repeating how the current park is "just fine" all we want.....but hardly anyone outside of hard core Sox fans believes this.

They did a great job in renovating the park 20 years ago and I agree with the difference between the lower deck experience (pretty good) and upper deck experience (not so great).  But, at the end of the day, it's an unremarkable ballpark in an unremarkable neighborhood.   The Sox could probably get away with this mediocrity if they didn't share a city with a team that plays in a ballpark that most people outside of the Sox fan base consider a must-see baseball experience.  

Here's another recent review.  Sox fans aren't going to like which park is ranked dead last (after Sacramento and Tropicana Field) and which park is ranked #1.  But this is the world we live in.  

 

Wrigley is awful. Worst park I've ever been to. 

[waltwilliams]

2 hours ago, 77 Hitmen said:

 

Search for MLB ballpark rankings and you'll find that Rate Field ranks at or near the bottom in almost every review - especially if you discount the A's and Rays stadium debacles.   We Sox fans can keep repeating how the current park is "just fine" all we want.....but hardly anyone outside of hard core Sox fans believes this.

They did a great job in renovating the park 20 years ago and I agree with the difference between the lower deck experience (pretty good) and upper deck experience (not so great).  But, at the end of the day, it's an unremarkable ballpark in an unremarkable neighborhood.   The Sox could probably get away with this mediocrity if they didn't share a city with a team that plays in a ballpark that most people outside of the Sox fan base consider a must-see baseball experience.  

Here's another recent review.  Sox fans aren't going to like which park is ranked dead last (after Sacramento and Tropicana Field) and which park is ranked #1.  But this is the world we live in.  

 

 

[waltwilliams]

8 minutes ago, waltwilliams said:

 

The neighborhood around Sox Park is definitely not unremarkable. Bridgeport on one side and Bronzeville on the other have seen a tremendous renaissance over the past 10 years. And the neighborhood that Sox Park is actually in -- Armour Square -- is also home to one of the city's most notable tourist areas, Chinatown. It is, in fact, a much more vibrant area than the desolate area of the South Loop where the 78 is. The issue has always been that the White Sox have tried to ignore the neighborhood, with the sea of parking lost and insistence on having visitors only pay for what's inside the stadium. 

8 minutes ago, waltwilliams said:

 

 

[Dick Allen]

If the Rate is the worst park in MLB, MLB has no problems with ballparks.

[Tnetennba]

21 hours ago, waltwilliams said:

The neighborhood around Sox Park is definitely not unremarkable. Bridgeport on one side and Bronzeville on the other have seen a tremendous renaissance over the past 10 years. And the neighborhood that Sox Park is actually in -- Armour Square -- is also home to one of the city's most notable tourist areas, Chinatown. It is, in fact, a much more vibrant area than the desolate area of the South Loop where the 78 is. The issue has always been that the White Sox have tried to ignore the neighborhood, with the sea of parking lost and insistence on having visitors only pay for what's inside the stadium. 

 

This is where reality and perception don't align in the White Sox favor. I would agree with everything you said about the neighborhoods surrounding Sox Park, but a negative perception, often times influenced by misinformation or mistruths, bias and stigma, still persists. The org also doesn't do itself any favors by ignoring the neighborhood as you said. It is very clear that the ballpark isn't part of the fabric of the community the way Wrigely is, and sadly I believe it is too late to ever remedy or rectify that. And while the 78 itself is pretty desolate, the South Loop is percieved as much more vibrant, and the proximity to downtown will have tourist appeal that Armour Square simply can't compete with.

But at the end of the day, for the White Sox to ever flourish, JR has to relinquish control. Until that happens, we are all just biding our time hoping for a day that often seems like it will never come.

[The Mighty Mite]

On 6/3/2025 at 1:00 PM, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Wrigley is awful. Worst park I've ever been to. 

I attended a game at old Connie Mack Stadium in Filthydelphia back in 1967, both Wrigley and old Comiskey are palaces compared to that dump.

Edited June 4 by The Mighty Mite

[caulfield12]

7 hours ago, The Mighty Mite said:

I attended a game at old Connie Mack Stadium in Filthydelphia back in 1967, both Wrigley and old Comiskey are palaces compared to that dump.

Sure, but that was almost sixty years ago.

If you remember the old Tiger Stadium, that place was also pretty much a dump (except for the overhanging outfield decks made it interesting) in a neighborhood and yet people wax nostalgic about that place now as well.

The one thing I can practically guarantee is that nobody will reminisce fondly about US Cellular or Angels Stadium out in Anaheim, 30-40 years in the future.

[WBWSF]

Todays Sun Times seems to think the Michael Reese location would be a better site for the new White Sox stadium.  I don't many people would agree with that. That being said I'm told by a real good  source that the Bears don't have the money ($5 billion dollars) for the new stadium in Arlington Heights. They want some investors to put  money into buying parts of the Bears. There are enough investors willing to do that but those investors want some say so in running the team. The Bears don' t want to give up control of the team. I would think that the Ishbia  family could work something out with the Bears where they would own a part of the Bears  and get a new baseball stadium in Arlington Heights. I don't know if the White Sox fan base would be happy with a Arlington Heights location.

[Nardiwashere]

On 6/3/2025 at 1:59 PM, waltwilliams said:

The neighborhood around Sox Park is definitely not unremarkable. Bridgeport on one side and Bronzeville on the other have seen a tremendous renaissance over the past 10 years. And the neighborhood that Sox Park is actually in -- Armour Square -- is also home to one of the city's most notable tourist areas, Chinatown. It is, in fact, a much more vibrant area than the desolate area of the South Loop where the 78 is. The issue has always been that the White Sox have tried to ignore the neighborhood, with the sea of parking lost and insistence on having visitors only pay for what's inside the stadium. 

 

Bridgeport and Bronzeville may have seen a renaissance but there is nothing to do in short walking distance after the game.  There are 2 bars near the ballpark and people just drink beers on the sidewalk after a game because there's not enough capacity.  Last time I tried, we gave up and ended up taking an uber to a bar a few blocks from the 78 site.  

You bring up Chinatown... The 78 is probably closer and easier to get to Chinatown to than Sox Park is. 

[The Mighty Mite]

1 hour ago, WBWSF said:

Today’s Sun Times seems to think the Michael Reese location would be a better site for the new White Sox stadium.  I don't many people would agree with that. That being said I'm told by a real good  source that the Bears don't have the money ($5 billion dollars) for the new stadium in Arlington Heights. They want some investors to put  money into buying parts of the Bears. There are enough investors willing to do that but those investors want some say so in running the team. The Bears don' t want to give up control of the team. I would think that the Ishbia  family could work something out with the Bears where they would own a part of the Bears  and get a new baseball stadium in Arlington Heights. I don't know if the White Sox fan base would be happy with an Arlington Heights location.

Haven’t heard about the Michael Reese location, had my tonsils taken out at the Hospital in 1950 when I was 4 years old, I still remember nurses bringing me lots of ice cream.

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

1 hour ago, WBWSF said:

Todays Sun Times seems to think the Michael Reese location would be a better site for the new White Sox stadium.  I don't many people would agree with that. That being said I'm told by a real good  source that the Bears don't have the money ($5 billion dollars) for the new stadium in Arlington Heights. They want some investors to put  money into buying parts of the Bears. There are enough investors willing to do that but those investors want some say so in running the team. The Bears don' t want to give up control of the team. I would think that the Ishbia  family could work something out with the Bears where they would own a part of the Bears  and get a new baseball stadium in Arlington Heights. I don't know if the White Sox fan base would be happy with a Arlington Heights location.

There is zero chance the bears couldn't find investors that would only be interested in financing and not operating.

[Tnetennba]

2 hours ago, Nardiwashere said:

Bridgeport and Bronzeville may have seen a renaissance but there is nothing to do in short walking distance after the game.  There are 2 bars near the ballpark and people just drink beers on the sidewalk after a game because there's not enough capacity.  Last time I tried, we gave up and ended up taking an uber to a bar a few blocks from the 78 site.  

You bring up Chinatown... The 78 is probably closer and easier to get to Chinatown to than Sox Park is. 

And that’s the rub. Two bars on 33rd and a shitty hotdog stand on 35th a few blocks west. Not a whole hell of a lot to do before or after games w/in walking distance. Drop Sox Park at Roosevelt & Clark and you have a few dozen a short walk away, including easier access to Chinatown. If the White Sox want to be a viable entertainment option for tourists and casual fans alike, 35th & Shields or 29th & King won’t cut it. 

[77 Hitmen]

7 hours ago, WBWSF said:

Todays Sun Times seems to think the Michael Reese location would be a better site for the new White Sox stadium.  I don't many people would agree with that. That being said I'm told by a real good  source that the Bears don't have the money ($5 billion dollars) for the new stadium in Arlington Heights. They want some investors to put  money into buying parts of the Bears. There are enough investors willing to do that but those investors want some say so in running the team. The Bears don' t want to give up control of the team. I would think that the Ishbia  family could work something out with the Bears where they would own a part of the Bears  and get a new baseball stadium in Arlington Heights. I don't know if the White Sox fan base would be happy with a Arlington Heights location.

The Michael Reese location seems to be a much worse location for the Sox than their current location.  Still nothing to do in the area and further away from the L, the Rock Island Metra, and the expressways.  Plus, right off the lake for that ice cold lake breeze for early season games.   The Ishbias would be idiots to move to that location.

SoFi Stadium in LA cost $5.5B, but the Titans new stadium has a cost of $2.1B.  Sounds like the Bears might have to scale back their plans for Arlington Park if they can't finance that higher amount.

And no, I don't think most of the Sox fan base would be happy if the team moved to AH....except for the fans who live in or near the northwest suburbs.  

[Buehrle>Wood]

4 hours ago, Tnetennba said:

And that’s the rub. Two bars on 33rd and a shitty hotdog stand on 35th a few blocks west. Not a whole hell of a lot to do before or after games w/in walking distance. Drop Sox Park at Roosevelt & Clark and you have a few dozen a short walk away, including easier access to Chinatown. If the White Sox want to be a viable entertainment option for tourists and casual fans alike, 35th & Shields or 29th & King won’t cut it. 

Imagine calling 35th Street Red Hots shitty.

[Tnetennba]

55 minutes ago, Buehrle>Wood said:

Imagine calling 35th Street Red Hots shitty.

There are far better hotdogs to be had around the city. It’s a shame it’s the only option left on 35th street. 

[Melton1972]

On 6/4/2025 at 12:03 PM, The Mighty Mite said:

I attended a game at old Connie Mack Stadium in Filthydelphia back in 1967, both Wrigley and old Comiskey are palaces compared to that dump.

Dump or not I have to say I envy you. I always wanted to experience being at those old stadiums like Ebbet Field, Polo Grounds and Connie Mack Stadium. At least the stands at Connie Mack didn't collapse like Philadelphia's Baker Bowl did. 

[The Mighty Mite]

16 minutes ago, Melton1972 said:

Dump or not I have to say I envy you. I always wanted to experience being at those old stadiums like Ebbet Field, Polo Grounds and Connie Mack Stadium. At least the stands at Connie Mack didn't collapse like Philadelphia's Baker Bowl did. 

Been to 14 stadiums including the original Yankee Stadium in 1965, the one that Ruth built.

[Buehrle>Wood]

54 minutes ago, Tnetennba said:

There are far better hotdogs to be had around the city. It’s a shame it’s the only option left on 35th street. 

Incorrect.

[mac9001]

20 hours ago, 77 Hitmen said:

The Michael Reese location seems to be a much worse location for the Sox than their current location.  Still nothing to do in the area and further away from the L, the Rock Island Metra, and the expressways.  Plus, right off the lake for that ice cold lake breeze for early season games.   The Ishbias would be idiots to move to that location.

SoFi Stadium in LA cost $5.5B, but the Titans new stadium has a cost of $2.1B.  Sounds like the Bears might have to scale back their plans for Arlington Park if they can't finance that higher amount.

And no, I don't think most of the Sox fan base would be happy if the team moved to AH....except for the fans who live in or near the northwest suburbs.  

The Sox don't have a fan base anymore. Between the failures on the field, the substandard ballpark experience and the debacle that has been the new TV network there's not much to retain in their current location. Anyone objectively looking at the Sox right now would likely lean that a departure from Chicago(land) for a new location is probably the best course of action. Moving to AH would still likely lead to increased visibility and attendance, but the Sox are effectively starting from zero now.

[caulfield12]

7 hours ago, mac9001 said:

The Sox don't have a fan base anymore. Between the failures on the field, the substandard ballpark experience and the debacle that has been the new TV network there's not much to retain in their current location. Anyone objectively looking at the Sox right now would likely lean that a departure from Chicago(land) for a new location is probably the best course of action. Moving to AH would still likely lead to increased visibility and attendance, but the Sox are effectively starting from zero now.

Except they have the massive advantage of the AL Central in their favor.

And the third largest media market when they actually start spending again...and viewer numbers start to return (especially with Cubs' fans all forced to subscribe to the premium Comcast tier next year).

 

[Dick Allen]

On 6/6/2025 at 6:06 PM, Tnetennba said:

There are far better hotdogs to be had around the city. It’s a shame it’s the only option left on 35th street. 

The double cheeseburger at 35th Steet is easily the  greatest $7 double cheeseburger and fries in Chicago. Plus the fried shrimp is supreme.

[Milkman delivers]

8 hours ago, Dick Allen said:

The double cheeseburger at 35th Steet is easily the  greatest $7 double cheeseburger and fries in Chicago. Plus the fried shrimp is supreme.

The shrimp is Lawrence’s, but I’ve heard people say it actually tastes better than from Lawrence’s.

[The Mighty Mite]

On 6/3/2025 at 2:54 PM, waltwilliams said:

 

I have actually read some reviews  that had the Rate as high as 20th and 21st, can’t remember what sites did the reviews.

[WBWSF]

The Missouri legislature passed some bill which will finance stadiums for the Royals and Chiefs. This should keep the teams in Missouri. The governor of Missouri is expected to sign the bill. The voters rejected  a similar bill last year to finace both stadiums.  I wonder how the owners of the Bears and White Sox feel  about what is happening in Missouri.