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Hard to know what to think when I have no idea who he is.

Of all of the changes, this is the part that has brought civic leaders to the table with serious interest in making it happen IMO. 40 years ago, what is considered the South Loop now was mostly empty warehouses and former industrial buildings, not the posh neighborhood it is today. The city no doubt wants to see this sordid parcel of land developed and added into the tax base, and would seem to have a vested interest in finally getting something developed on this site. JR knows time is a factor too, with a ballpark lease expiring soon as well as his own mortality as he approaches 90. He can’t sit on his billion dollar asset indefinitely the way he has for the past 40 years. There has to be a plan for the future after him. His options for holding lawmakers hostage again is also limited, with very few viable locations available in the city to build a new park. Both sides seem to have more incentive to meet in the middle here as opposed to the last time around.

Elias just has to show opponents the O’s prospect rankings and voilá, instant forfeit. Easiest waltz to the World Series in the history of organized baseball.

Funny that the north side of Roosevelt and right across Clark were all part of the same rail yards, yet somehow they were viable for condos, a shopping plaza, and a pricy private school.

Sox PR would self own even trying to play evil genius master troll. Let's be real here.

Chicago and NY have always had multiple teams, might be why none are located downtown or in the central business district. The Dodgers are a mid-century transplant and moved into a Chavez Ravine location near downtown when suburban flight was en vogue. Both Chicago teams have played in the same locations for a century, same for the Yankees. The Mets have always been in Queens, correct? None of these four teams were a part of the 90s wave of new downtown parks, although it was an option for the Sox and fairly universally considered a mistake to have not made the move.

Thanks for that clarity. The UC area has empty lots, but I can't see those working for the necessary footprint for a ballpark without some permanent tree closures. And if we are being perfectly honest, the UC isn't any more desirable a location than Armour Square. Damen is already a slog on game/event nights and there are less transit options, even once the Damen Green Line stop opens. I imagine JR would run into similar issues building out a ballpark village type fan experience as in the 11th ward.

I was refuting the notion that there was a trend in baseball of moving to the suburbs in recent years. All of the teams I listed either moved closer to downtown or remained adjacent to. MLB teams aren't looking to move out of urban centers any more with rare exception.

This one was especially dumb, but its also very on brand for Sox PR.

The A’s Las Vegas ballpark site is within the city limits too, yes? Not in Henderson or Boulder City or across the AZ border? But close to the tourist strip in very tiny Las Vegas, Nevada?

You mean the “trend” of building downtown ballparks that’s been happening since oh 1989? The one with only a few odd outliers over the past 30 years? Let’s see, off the top of my head: Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Philadelphia, & San Diego all abandoned the suburbs and moved into new parks in the city. SF, Seattle, StL, NYY, NYM, CWS, Minnesota, Tex, Hou all built new parks in their city. Washington moved and built a new park in the very limited space in the District of Columbia and not an outlying suburb. Oakland wanted to and tried to move downtown before new ownership held the franchise hostage. Atlanta is the only team I can think of that abandoned a downtown location and moved to suburbia in the past 30 years. This trend you speak of simply doesn’t exist in Major League Baseball.

But Colas was already anointed the RF of the future... oh wait...

Well said. The city and state likely has a vested interest in seeing this massive plot of prime real estate developed into something, anything other than the empty wasteland it has been for 40+ years. Unlike the sweetheart deal of Comiskey II that benefitted very few outside of JR himself, the city actually gets something out of aiding in the construction of a new park. Anchoring this development with a tenant that won't be going anywhere for a few decades at minimum seems ideal.

Honestly, same. 1/$5 is pocket change compared to what they've already blown on washed up crap. If he sucks, its no big loss to cut him loose.

This is why I'm actually hopeful that this isn't just some grand ruse. This isn't just JR alone saber rattling about a new stadium, the developers of the stalled 78 project seem to have a vested interest as well. I'm sure the city wants this large swatch of ugly open space in the bright shiny new South Loop developed into something that contributes to the tax base, while removing a massive eyesore adjacent to downtown.

If we give the naming rights to Nationwide, will they end that wretched jingle??

That rumored Wintrust proposal came to mind, but with Wintrust Arena not far away, seems like a lot of confusion waiting to happen.

White Sox Park at Dearborn Park Presented by The Village of Bedford Park

Oh I know. I was a Columbia kid splitting a tiny loft apartment back then. Hardly in any position to buy before every inch of space exploded into $$$ condos.

April weather sucks ass, but I feel like the added cost of a retractable roof probably kills any hope of a new park happening. Along with the added footprint needed to support the structure. I'm no engineer, but it's hard to visualize a retractable roof stadium with an intimate park vibe inside and also space for any sort of fan plaza outside. There is only so much space available onsite.

I lived in the South Loop in the early 2000s. Printer's Row was the closest thing to nightlife outside of a few scattered spots. I'm still surprised by the volume of foot traffic now compared to then. It's really a night and day difference.

I meant throughout the South Loop, not just ballpark adjacent.

Depends. This is probably true for the older developments between Clark & State close to where the ballpark would be. Anecdotally, I know plenty of younger late 20s/early to mid 30s couples who have bought condos in the South Loop. Flo & Santos would be right around the corner. I'd image a few more spots would pop up close by too. Maybe the old Wabash Tap even reopens.

Cool, enjoy having no place to play all of those prospects while finishing 3rd because your pitching sucks…