10 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

The Sox don't even need to "pass" the Cubs. Just building the fanbase past the leagues worst revenue generation machine has to happen. Building new fans has to happen. Getting people who show up for something other than playoff seasons has to happen. A new park in an active neighborhood with things to do will help immensely.

Yep. Chicagoland has 9M people - they don't have to surpass the Cubs to become a successful franchise here, they just have to start making the playoffs more frequently AND have a park and area that'll draw more than just legacy Sox fans and keep people coming back even during the down times.

We'll see if Ishbia wants to privately finance a new ballpark at the 78. The news about him in serious talks to buy the Amtrak yard across the river sure seems to strongly indicate a "yes" to that, though it's far from certain, of course.

7 hours ago, Ducksnort said:

Exactly. I couldn't care less about passing the Cubs. As a Sox fan that's been a fan since childhood and will be one for life, I just want a winning baseball team, which will draw fans in and of itself. A new ballpark, done the RIGHT way, will help draw in even more people that aren't currently fans of the team. I'm all for this fanbase to grow and there is plenty of opportunity for that. Who cares if the Cubs are more popular. This isn't a popularity contest, there is plenty to go around for both teams. Ishbia just needs to go about things the right way to really capitalize on opportunities, and there are ways I'm sure to do that and make fans happy at the same time, unlike Jerry who for some reason it always feels like his decision making ends up going against the fans' interest. Ya know, the people that ultimately bring in the dollars, aside from the investors.

Jerry has long had an antagonistic relationship with the fans other than the people in the luxury suites. He runs the team in a very insular way. He's more interested in proving his critics (the fans, the media) wrong than what is in the fans' interest.

Needless to say, buying the Sox for somewhere close to $2B is a huge investment for Ishbia and in all likelihood it's a team that he'll own for decades. Surely he knows what isn't working with the franchise both on and off the field. If he thought the current ballpark situation was "just fine", he wouldn't be buying up a huge tract of land next to the 78.

Edited March 23Mar 23 by 77 Hitmen

On 3/22/2026 at 10:57 AM, southsider2k5 said:

The Sox don't even need to "pass" the Cubs. Just building the fanbase past the leagues worst revenue generation machine has to happen. Building new fans has to happen. Getting people who show up for something other than playoff seasons has to happen. A new park in an active neighborhood with things to do will help immensely.

I was at Dick's in the west suburbs last week and popped in looking for Sox gear. I saw two full sections of cubs, full wall of Blackhawks, all of the Bears and Bulls stuff... and three women's shirts for Sox. I asked a kid that worked there where the Sox section was and he just shrugged and said there was no Sox section. They genuinely had more German national soccer team gear than White Sox gear.

We're losing (or already lost) the next generation of fans. We need a reason to be in the stores, and for people to see the brand and support the team. Getting this stadium right is key.

8 minutes ago, MiddleCoastBias said:

I was at Dick's in the west suburbs last week and popped in looking for Sox gear. I saw two full sections of cubs, full wall of Blackhawks, all of the Bears and Bulls stuff... and three women's shirts for Sox. I asked a kid that worked there where the Sox section was and he just shrugged and said there was no Sox section. They genuinely had more German national soccer team gear than White Sox gear.

We're losing (or already lost) the next generation of fans. We need a reason to be in the stores, and for people to see the brand and support the team. Getting this stadium right is key.

And the I REMEMBER THE 1959 WHITE S9X crowd is very quickly leaving us. We need to tap into the next generations if the Sox are going to remain viable, because lord knows Jerry had burned this once proud franchise to the ground

24 minutes ago, MiddleCoastBias said:

I was at Dick's in the west suburbs last week and popped in looking for Sox gear. I saw two full sections of cubs, full wall of Blackhawks, all of the Bears and Bulls stuff... and three women's shirts for Sox. I asked a kid that worked there where the Sox section was and he just shrugged and said there was no Sox section. They genuinely had more German national soccer team gear than White Sox gear.

We're losing (or already lost) the next generation of fans. We need a reason to be in the stores, and for people to see the brand and support the team. Getting this stadium right is key.

Jerry FTW!

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/build-wins-come-175524247.html

12 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

And the I REMEMBER THE 1959 WHITE S9X crowd is very quickly leaving us. We need to tap into the next generations if the Sox are going to remain viable, because lord knows Jerry had burned this once proud franchise to the ground

Yep. I think you've got basically that boomer crowd (my father for example), then the 2005 folks (so people already 35+) and almost nothing after that iconic player wise or success that moves the needle. You can say MB and Konerko but again those names are long gone now. Who is our most iconic player in the last 5 years? Probably Garrett, and he gawn. Sale was fun but he never won s%*# here either and will forever be known mostly for his time with the other color Sox.

Nothing lasts forever, and JR turning the Sox into what he claims is a money losing enterprise is a prophecy self fulfilled largely.

Edited March 25Mar 25 by chitownsportsfan

I am optimistic about the White Sox in 2026. I am not expecting miracles but let's see if some of the youngsters take the next step this season. We have Roch & Ishiba on deck; both could be absolute game changers.

I’m also probably on the optimistic side. Not contention by any means, but continued progress. I’ll go with 72-90 as my prediction, with next year hopefully the year we make moves (assuming there’s baseball).

On 3/24/2026 at 6:06 AM, MiddleCoastBias said:

I was at Dick's in the west suburbs last week and popped in looking for Sox gear. I saw two full sections of cubs, full wall of Blackhawks, all of the Bears and Bulls stuff... and three women's shirts for Sox. I asked a kid that worked there where the Sox section was and he just shrugged and said there was no Sox section. They genuinely had more German national soccer team gear than White Sox gear.

We're losing (or already lost) the next generation of fans. We need a reason to be in the stores, and for people to see the brand and support the team. Getting this stadium right is key.

Yep, they've lost so many fans over the years that they'll need to do more than field a team that makes the playoffs every few years to become relevant again in Chicago.

At the Dick’s in Naperville, there are Mune jerseys, Thomas and Konerko. Quite pathetic. Meanwhile there are probably 8 different Cubs players available.

On 3/24/2026 at 6:17 AM, southsider2k5 said:

And the I REMEMBER THE 1959 WHITE S9X crowd is very quickly leaving us. We need to tap into the next generations if the Sox are going to remain viable, because lord knows Jerry had burned this once proud franchise to the ground

Baby Boomers start turning 80 this year, Gen Xers (my age group) started turning 60 last year, and even Millennials start turning 45 this year. Let that sink in for a minute - by the time the lease is up at Rate Field, Millennials will be pushing 50.

The Sox can't just rely on legacy fans to start filling the ballpark again when they finally find some success on the field. Maybe if they rattled off a bunch of WS titles in quick succession like the Dodgers, but that's a VERY tall order even if Ishbia opens up his wallet (just ask Mets fans).

Most younger fans aren't going to devote a lot of time and money to see the Sox if all they get to do is drive to the park, see the game, and drive back home. Relying on "That's all that I've personally wanted for the last 50 years" fans isn't a winning business model going forward.

3 minutes ago, fathom said:

At the Dick’s in Naperville, there are Mune jerseys, Thomas and Konerko. Quite pathetic. Meanwhile there are probably 8 different Cubs players available.

You should pass that along to the Big Hurt's lawyers.

Here's an interview with the Crain's reporters who broke the news about Ishbia's intention to buy the Amtrak yard. The discussion is in the first 18:40 of this link. I don't think it's paywalled.

Sox owner-to-be lines up possible stadium site: Crain’s D...

Justin Ishbia is set to buy a massive South Loop rail yard for a potential White Sox stadium site. Crain’s reporters Danny Ecker and Justin Laurence discuss with host Amy Guth.

4 minutes ago, fathom said:

At the Dick’s in Naperville, there are Mune jerseys, Thomas and Konerko. Quite pathetic. Meanwhile there are probably 8 different Cubs players available.

They are stocking Sox jerseys that they think will sell, and they are probably right with those three. Things will change if Teel and both Montgomery’s become good players and Cholowsky turns out to be the phenom he is anticipated to be. Until then, what Chicago kid is buying any of those three Sox jerseys over a PCA jersey? Three players the kid has never seen play or the young exciting Cubs CF with dyed hair?

Edited March 25Mar 25 by WhiteSox2023

12 minutes ago, fathom said:

At the Dick’s in Naperville, there are Mune jerseys, Thomas and Konerko. Quite pathetic. Meanwhile there are probably 8 different Cubs players available.

You did'nt see more Sox jerseys because they were sold out. I see many more Sox hats than cub hats on heads everywhere.

Edited March 25Mar 25 by soxrwhite

This article is paywalled, but it's about plans for the empty piece of land just north of the 78 between Wells St and the river. It's not stadium-related, but some may be wondering about that empty land just west of the Roosevelt Collection.

South Loop developer lands $83 million construction loan...

The financing kicks off construction on what appears to be the first phase of the long-planned Riverline residential development in the South Loop.

1 minute ago, soxrwhite said:

  14 minutes ago, fathom said:

At the Dick’s in Naperville, there are Mune jerseys, Thomas and Konerko. Quite pathetic. Meanwhile there are probably 8 different Cubs players available.

Uhhh, no.

17 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said:

This article is paywalled, but it's about plans for the empty piece of land just north of the 78 between Wells St and the river. It's not stadium-related, but some may be wondering about that empty land just west of the Roosevelt Collection.

South Loop developer lands $83 million construction loan...

The financing kicks off construction on what appears to be the first phase of the long-planned Riverline residential development in the South Loop.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SOIL AND INGRESS!?!>?!?!?!?

2 hours ago, fathom said:

At the Dick’s in Naperville, there are Mune jerseys, Thomas and Konerko. Quite pathetic. Meanwhile there are probably 8 different Cubs players available.

Let's be honest, who would you put up the $200 for a new jersey of, that is on the White Sox today? Even a guy like Mune is most likely a two years tops guy. If he busts, he's gone. If he booms, he's gone.

9 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Let's be honest, who would you put up the $200 for a new jersey of, that is on the White Sox today? Even a guy like Mune is most likely a two years tops guy. If he busts, he's gone. If he booms, he's gone.

Have been getting my jerseys through this store. They are well made and I've got no complaints about the price either:

https://www.jerseyswholesalefactory.com.co/

6 hours ago, chitownsportsfan said:

When is Gordon going to sue the Sox?

USA Today has issued their MLB ballpark rankings for 2026. We're #27! Take that, Chase Field!

https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2026/03/25/best-mlb-stadiums-ranking-2026-edition-baseball-ballparks/89304877007/

Edited March 26Mar 26 by 77 Hitmen