Day 2 of SoxFest Live felt very familiar, with many of the same key talking points raised by GM Chris Getz and manager Will Venable the night before. However, the atmosphere seemed a little different. While Friday night set the tone for a more intimate gathering, Saturday’s sold-out crowd made it feel more like a party.
Friday evening was only open to season ticket holders, while Saturday opened the doors to everyone with general admission and VIP options. GA ticket holders had access to the lower level, but the VIP experience added the upper level for exclusive player photo opportunities and meet-and-greets (ahem, Bo Jackson), along with a nightcap afterparty that felt less like a formal event and more like a late-night hangout. White Sox staff, coaches and players mingled with fans as the music swelled, conversations flowed in the kind of environment where walls came down and personalities emerged.
Our very own Crystal O’Keefe and her son Hayden went the VIP route, and it paid off. The up close access made a real difference. “My son was able to collect more signatures and especially enjoyed talking to Miguel Vargas,” O’Keefe said. Moments like this, unhurried, unscripted and personal, seemed to set this reimagined SoxFest apart.
O’Keefe also spoke with pitcher Davis Martin, who talked about how excited he is for the season. The interactive format of the event allows players and fans to really connect with each other. They didn’t just answer questions or take pictures; they laughed, joked and even danced with the DJ.
The general atmosphere of the weekend was positive and the optimism was quite evident. Many of the fans we spoke with were excited about the direction and momentum of Rebuild 2.0. A lifelong South Side fan, one who has been a fan of the team for more than 60 years, told us he has officially bought back, convinced by the new wave of young talent the Sox have acquired and developed. That kind of hope, from someone who has seen it all, says a lot.
Young fans also enjoy the connections they make with players they can identify with:
South Side Sox writer Hannah Filippo delved deeper into Friday night’s event in her review, delving deeper into the clubhouse culture and the organization’s emphasis on bringing in players with a specific makeup. Fans’ skepticism about Reconstruction and culture is understandable and justified, given recent history. But having seen firsthand what happens when a clubhouse lacks cohesion (talking to you, 2022), it’s hard not to at least recognize the importance of getting that part right.
For many people, the 2005 championship team was special not only because of talent, but also because of the close bond between the players. That became clear during the 20th World Series reunion last summer on the baseball field. After interviewing six different players from the current team on Friday, it became clear that they really enjoy being together. Just looking at their social media posts, you’ll see that a lot of them got together in the offseason. This young core loves to compete and push each other, while understanding that there is still a lot of work to be done. They seem willing to give their best, and their skipper seems to have their attention, and more importantly, their trust.
Will “vibes” or clubhouse culture really make that big of a difference? Probably not. But it certainly won’t hurt. And it’s hard to ignore how damaging the previous group’s toxic culture seemed to be in the long run.
Perhaps this rebuilding will also fizzle out. We know all too well that this is a possibility. But for now, I’m willing to take the chance. This group appears modest, sympathetic and goal-oriented. That’s a foundation I think is worth rooting for.
Still, it’s entirely fair that many Sox fans are hesitant. No one should feel pressured to “enjoy the ride.” That’s what makes being a sports fanatic so much fun: everyone experiences it in their own way. At South Side Sox, we call the team when we need to, and we will continue to do so. You can count on it. We are fans first, always.
But it’s also fair to give credit where it’s due. The White Sox seem to be making a real effort to do things differently by hiring people outside the organization, modernizing the long-neglected infrastructure and transforming SoxFest into an event that truly connects players and fans.
At least for one weekend at the Ramova Theater it felt like a step in the right direction.
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