The Pride of the South Side

[South Side Irish]

I'm new to the forum, but I've long browsed soxtalk. I came across this forward, and I thought it'd be great to post up here for some inspiration. You can copy it into a forward yourself... I'm sending to every single person I know and work with. Do the same, please.

 

Last year, some Cardinals fan wrote something like this and in just 5 hours, it generated so much pub that it was being read on air on TV news broadcasts and on radio shows. It TOTALLY got people jacked up, so I wonder if this will do the same.

 

I've sent it to a few people, but if everyone sends this forward to the TV, radio, and print press, maybe it can get some pub, too. I think it's an awesome "article," and would love to see it make the rounds.

 

Pass it on... and GO SOX.

 

 

********************************************************************

 

It’s wonderful that our White Sox are doing so well, and I thought I’d write a little piece to help other people – Cubs fans, baseball fans anywhere, ESPN, non-Chicagoans – understand why the Sox are so special. There’s more to Chicago baseball than the northsiders, and there’s much more to Sox fans than their unfair reputation. There’s more to their history than being the “2nd team of Chicago” and the team that threw the ’19 Series. White Sox Baseball is unquestionably special.

 

 

 

1. The Sox have never choked. They’ve never blown a 2 or 3 game Series lead, never blown a 10 game division lead to end the season. Goats and Black Cats are only cheap excuses.

 

 

2. The Sox aren’t cursed. We don’t need some absurd marketing idea to make us more loveable and make losing seem acceptable.

 

 

3. We had Harry Carry first. Jack Brickhouse, Ed Farmer, John Rooney, and – for all his annoyances – Hawk Harrelson have become the standard as legendary and respected broadcasters.

 

 

4. Our founder, Charles Comiskey, is one of Baseball’s founding fathers.

 

 

5. Comiskey Park (US Cellular Field) is a great place to watch a game. Much credit goes to the namesake for making Sox Park a fun, cozy, and loud place to watch a game. It may not be old, but it’s still a wonderful place to be.

 

 

6. Sox Fans are good people. Just because one insane, drug addicted family does something stupid doesn’t mean we all mirror such idiocy. Cubs’ fans have been shot at games, pissed on neighbors’ lawns, and are notorious for getting insanely drunk at games. Other people’s fans have attacked and jumped into bullpens, have streakers, attack opposing fans, ruin an unlucky fans life for grabbing a foul ball, and jump into backstop netting. Every fan base has a couple idiots.

 

 

7. “Na-Na-Na-Na, Na-Na-NaNa, Hey Hey Hey, Gooo-oood Bye!” is one of the greatest homerun celebrations in any stadium. Certainly better than an Apple announcing the shot or a water fountain display.

 

 

8. Oh, and Sox Fans have jobs. That’s why we’re not getting tanked at a 1:00 game, or packing the place right at 7:00. Our kids have little league games, we’re working overtime, and we’re driving to the city from our friendly and much more affordable communities around Chicagoland. Sox fans aren’t college kids, tourists, and bums. We can’t call in sick or play hooky all the time. We’re people who work our butts off, and sometimes being a cop, fireman, teacher, dockworker, waitress, business owner, nun, writer, restaurateur, laborer, builder, manager, social worker, or even being a parent prevents us from going to games right away, if at all. That’s why you see us at on more Mondays and Tuesdays, too. Their cheaper, and in case people don’t understand math, its much easier to attend a game when it only costs $50 and not $100. Win or Die Trying... it represents the kind of work ethic that all of us have. They bust their butt because they're supposed to, regardless of recognition, fame, or selfish pride. It’s why we love them.

 

 

9. The White Sox have a storied history. We are one of the charter American League Franchises, have long played at the corner of 35th and Shields, and our uniforms – like many other well known franchises – have remained true to our history. Well, accepted for a phase in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Oops!

 

 

10. We have some of the baseball’s greatest players. Minnie Minoso and Luis Aparicio set a standard for Latin players, and allowed them to become an irreplaceable part of baseball culture. Shoeless Joe Jackson never cheated – show me proof – and is the greatest player in the history of our franchise. Nellie Fox, Harold Baines, Billy Pierce, Early Winn, Luke Appling, Red Faber, and Ted Lyons are the greats that played for the Southside. Carlton Fisk’s Sox are White, too. He may be enshrined as Red, but in Chicago, he defined baseball for over 10 years.

 

 

11. Bill Veeck – for all his craziness – still influences baseball today. The giveaways, fireworks, exploding scoreboards, outfield showers, fan-friendly amenities, and broadcasters singing the stretch – yep, he and Harry started that – are ideas that nearly every Ball Club has copied from Veeck, our former Owner.

 

 

12. We’re diverse. Unlike most of baseball, you see color and ethnic diversity at our park and in our dugout. The South Side Irish are here, sure, but so are the Latinos, Chinese, Blacks, Polish, Italians, Japanese, and dozens of other groups. We all love Sox baseball, and we’re helping it spread to new people. The Cubs, Red Sox, Cardinals Giants, and Braves certainly don’t do that.

 

 

13. White Sox Nation, in fact, exists. Despite the fact that we aren’t the most obnoxious fanbase, we still check our Blackberry’s during NYC business meetings, pick up the call by Ed Farmer and John Rooney on the way from class in Virginia, sit in the car with our family and listen to a game in Georgia, raise our kids in California as Sox fans, and check out minor league teams in Alabama and North Carolina. We’re everywhere, whether you bother to look or not. And you’ll hear from us all… real soon, too.

 

 

14. Frank Thomas was a great ballplayer and should be a Hall-of-Famer. If you ignore his attitude that’s quite common, sadly, he’s still a person who’s played 17 years with one team and puts up very good to great numbers over that time. Respect that please.

 

 

15. The White Sox are the Pride of the South Side. We love our team, and we’re PROUD of it, no matter what you think. Our fathers, grandmothers, neighbors, friends, and uncles are fans. We have Sox Pride, and yes, like I said… you’re going to learn that. Real soon. We rock the Cell, we throw bags and play catch in the parking lot, and actually believe – not just hope – that this is the year we get to prove that the White Sox don’t just exist, but that we’re the greatest team and the greatest fans in baseball.

 

 

JRL 10.6.05

 

 

 

GO SOX… FORWARD THIS ON TO LET EVERYONE KNOW JUST HOW GREAT SOX PRIDE IS!

Edited October 6, 2005 by South Side Irish

[knightni]

It’s wonderful that our White Sox are doing so well, and I thought I’d write a little piece to help other people – Cubs fans, baseball fans anywhere, ESPN, non-Chicagoans – understand why the Sox are so special. There’s more to Chicago baseball than the northsiders, and there’s much more to Sox fans than their unfair reputation. There’s more to their history than being the “2nd team of Chicago” and the team that threw the ’17 Series. White Sox Baseball is unquestionably special.

 

Someone missed.

[Reddy]

gonna have to change your name bud - we've already got an SSI on this board.

 

otherwise, as long as you aint toooo bandwagony, welcome aboard

[Kalapse]

gonna have to change your name bud - we've already got an SSI on this board.

 

otherwise, as long as you aint toooo bandwagony, welcome aboard

We have 2 active Southsideirish's on this board.

[Reddy]

We have 2 active Southsideirish's on this board.

 

really? huh. interesting. guess i never noticed that.

[Kalapse]

really?  huh.  interesting.  guess i never noticed that.

southsideirish

 

&

 

southsideirish71

[Reddy]

southsideirish

 

&

 

southsideirish71

 

 

 

lol i'm pretty sure that i always thought they were the same person.

 

(by the way is it a personal attack if i attack myself?)

[knightni]

lol i'm pretty sure that i always thought they were the same person.

 

(by the way is it a personal attack if i attack myself?)

Yes.

 

I suggest you ban yourself from yourself for 24 hours.

 

 

[Kyyle23]

7. “Na-Na-Na-Na, Na-Na-NaNa, Hey Hey Hey, Gooo-oood Bye!” is one of the greatest homerun celebrations in any stadium. Certainly better than an Apple announcing the shot or a water fountain display.

 

.....or its the best exit song for an opposing pitcher. Cant recall hearing that after a homerun

[Kalapse]

.....or its the best exit song for an opposing pitcher.  Cant recall hearing that after a homerun

Listen to Tadahito's HR again from yesterday. It's better when they pull the opposing pitcher but they play the song for both.

[Reddy]

.....or its the best exit song for an opposing pitcher.  Cant recall hearing that after a homerun

 

interesting... first we throw the 17 world series and now the na - na song is for the home run...

 

i always thought it was "You can put it on the board... yes!" but... could be wrong...

[Reddy]

Listen to Tadahito's HR again from yesterday. It's better when they pull the opposing pitcher but they play the song for both.

 

i havent heard it at the games i went to this year...

[Kyyle23]

I really cant remember hearing a a song after a homerun. I thought the crowd was singing it for sure. I guess I never paid attention to it.

[Kalapse]

interesting... first we throw the 17 world series and now the na - na song is for the home run...

 

i always thought it was "You can put it on the board... yes!"  but... could be wrong...

Actually our signature HR celebration would be the fireworks/exploding scoreboard, not to mention the small air-rade siren that goes off.

[South Side Irish]

Sorry guys... don't mean to come across as "bandwagonny." I usually don't post on message boards, but thought that this might be something you'd like.

 

Yeah, and I just noticed to goof with 1917. Big difference in winning the WS and "throwing" it. I'll change that.

[Kalapse]

I really cant remember hearing a a song after a homerun.  I thought the crowd was singing it for sure.  I guess I never paid attention to it.

I don't think Nancy plays it after every HR but she does play it for some of the bigger HRs.

[Reddy]

Actually our signature HR celebration would be the fireworks/exploding scoreboard, not to mention the small air-rade siren that goes off.

 

well right, but as far as... nevermind. ok heres what it comes down to:

 

theres lotsa s*** that happens when the sox hit home runs!!!!!!

[Wedge]

Counterpoint: I don't want "respect" from the media until this team actually does some thing and

 

a) wins a playoff series

B) wins a pennant

c) wins the whole damn thing

[Steff]

i havent heard it at the games i went to this year...

 

 

 

I've heard it at all of them. While the fireworks are going off.

[South Side Irish]

well right, but as far as... nevermind.  ok heres what it comes down to:

 

theres lotsa s*** that happens when the sox hit home runs!!!!!!

 

 

Yeah, I know the "signature" part is the Exploding Scoreboard, but I can remember hearing the "na-na-na-na" stuff, too. Not every time, but I know I heard it when Everett jacked one in the 7th against the Tribe on 9/19.

 

I don't remember hearing the siren lately though. I remember it when I was a kid, but don't know if I've heard it lately.

[Reddy]

Yeah, I know the "signature" part is the Exploding Scoreboard, but I can remember hearing the "na-na-na-na" stuff, too.  Not every time, but I know I heard it when Everett jacked one in the 7th against the Tribe on 9/19.

 

I don't remember hearing the siren lately though.  I remember it when I was a kid, but don't know if I've heard it lately.

 

 

actually ya know you're probably right about the nananana whatever. cuz thing is, when theres a sox homer i'm too busy screamin my head off to pay attention to the music!!!!

[South Side Irish]

actually ya know you're probably right about the nananana whatever.  cuz thing is, when theres a sox homer i'm too busy screamin my head off to pay attention to the music!!!!

 

 

I hear ya... I miss a lot of s***, too!

[southsider2k5]

I really cant remember hearing a a song after a homerun.  I thought the crowd was singing it for sure.  I guess I never paid attention to it.

 

Oh you youngin's need some history lessons... :headshake

 

The "Kiss Him Goodbye" tradition dates back to the 1977 South Side Hitmen team when Nancy Foust started playing that song during a key series against a rival (I wanna say KC) during the pennant race. The crowd responded and went nuts singing it at the top of their lungs after every HR. As a matter of a fact for a long time Nancy used to play "Runaround Sue" after a pitching change, while it has always been Steam for a Sox HR. It still gets played today, except she only plays the chorus through once, instead of repeatedly like she does for a huge HR.

[Reddy]

Oh you youngin's need some history lessons... :headshake

 

The "Kiss Him Goodbye" tradition dates back to the 1977 South Side Hitmen team when Nancy Foust started playing that song during a key series against a rival (I wanna say KC) during the pennant race.  The crowd responded and went nuts singing it at the top of their lungs after every HR.  As a matter of a fact for a long time Nancy used to play "Runaround Sue" after a pitching change, while it has always been Steam for a Sox HR.  It still gets played today, except she only plays the chorus through once, instead of repeatedly like she does for a huge HR.

 

i'm ashamed...

[Middle Buffalo]

lol i'm pretty sure that i always thought they were the same person.

 

(by the way is it a personal attack if i attack myself?)

Don't know. Is it sex if you're alone?