The Faux SoxFest weekend starts on Friday, as White Sox fans try to find a replacement for the annual fan fest while the team aims to make some news during the quiet Chicago winter.
A special event for season ticket holders on Friday at the Field Museum is essentially taking the place of the traditional SoxFest, which was canceled in 2021 due to the pandemic and never resumed. The Sox are not promoting it much, hoping not to seem like they are just responding to fans who believe the cancellation was to avoid complaints.
As of Thursday, no media availability was scheduled for Friday’s event, indicating the Sox want this to be a private gathering with its most loyal, paying customers. Snacks will be served, which may also explain why the media is not invited.
The Sox are hoping to still attract media attention on a slow sports weekend in Chicago, without the hassle or expense of planning a large, multi-day event.
On Friday, the Sox announced the return of SoxFest in January 2025 to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the 2005 World Series team and the 125-year anniversary of the organization.
If the Sox make any news at the Field Museum, it would likely be leaked first by individual fans, perhaps via Sox Twitter (or Sox X, if you must), to the fans who weren’t invited. Obviously fans have many questions for the Sox brain trust, from the lack of major offseason moves to the Dylan Cease situation to the possibility of a new South Loop stadium. There’s also the newly signed broadcaster John Schriffen to discuss, as well as the one he replaced, Jason Benetti. And what’s the progress of the investigation into the mysterious gunshots in the left field bleachers? situation There’s also the newly signed broadcaster John Schriffen to discuss, as well as the one he replaced, Jason Benetti. And what’s the progress of the investigation into the mysterious gunshots in the left field bleachers? If a normal SoxFest were in place this weekend, it would be the first time for general manager Chris Getz to explain his plan to fans, just as former GMs Ken Williams and Rick Hahn faithfully did most of the last two decades, with mixed results. A SoxFest without some creative tension is not a true SoxFest.
It would be a great opportunity for manager Pedro Grifol to explain why he expects things to be different in 2024, with a lower payroll and holes in the rotation, bullpen and infield. And marketing boss Brooks Boyer could explain how he plans to get people in the seats in a ballpark the team seemingly admits is not worth preserving. Meanwhile, the potential South Loop Park has gotten a generally positive reception without any details being announced. Wouldn’t it be perfect to reveal the renderings at SoxFest? Meanwhile, the potential South Loop Park has gotten a generally positive reception without any details being announced. Wouldn’t it be perfect to reveal the renderings at SoxFest? At Faux SoxFest, there’s no need to drive to McCormick Place or a downtown hotel and pay for parking, an admission fee or maybe even a hotel room. All you need is a few chairs, some cold beverages and three or more fellow Sox fans to discuss the state of the organization. Malört is optional. Anyone bringing up Justin Fields is promptly shown the door.–Sox therapy is available for free and is always encouraged, regardless of the time of year. A Faux SoxFest would help reduce the team’s carbon footprint and also assist fans in reducing stress caused by the compulsive and unnecessary refreshing of the
Any mlbtraderumors.com chairman?
It’s certain that this has been a difficult winter for Chicago baseball fans, regardless of which side of town they support. However, the fact that the Cubs held their downtown fan convention while the Sox did not is particularly upsetting to some Sox fans. A new season deserves to be celebrated in the winter, when there are no losses, no injuries and no random shootings.
Players are typically in a great mood, including Eloy Jiménez, who recently stated on A.J. Pierzynski’s podcast, “Fair Territory,” that he would hit over 40 home runs in 2024 “if I’m healthy.” That’s not exactly his usual behavior, but it’s never too early to aim high. The ‘24 Sox have to depend on Jiménez, Luis Robert and Andrew Vaughn to lead the offense, assuming they don’t trade Jiménez along the way.
But this will be a discussion topic this weekend at your local Faux SoxFest, where people are all equal — and where everyone knows your name. Faux SoxFest weekend starts on Friday, with White Sox fans looking for a suitable replacement in the absence of the annual fan fest, and the team striving to create some buzz in the middle of a Chicago winter. A season ticket holders event on Friday at the Field Museum essentially takes the place of the traditional SoxFest, which was canceled during the pandemic in 2021 and never… without any details being announced. Wouldn’t it be perfect to reveal the renderings at SoxFest?
Alas, for those fans who aren’t invited to the Field Museum, a Faux SoxFest will have to suffice.
What is that? According to reliable sources, a Faux SoxFest contains all the elements of the real deal, except without players to sign autographs, executives to yell at about their decisions or memorabilia booths selling action photos of former catcher Carlton Fisk tagging two guys out on one play at the plate.
At Faux SoxFest, there’s no need to drive to McCormick Place or a downtown hotel and pay for parking, an admission fee or maybe even a hotel room. All you need is a few chairs, some cold beverages and three or more fellow Sox fans to discuss the state of the organization. Malört is optional. Anyone bringing up Justin Fields is promptly shown the door.
Sox therapy is free to dispense and always welcome, no matter what time of year. A Faux SoxFest would reduce the team’s carbon footprint while helping fans relieve stress caused by the compulsive and unnecessary refreshing of the mlbtraderumors.com website.
It’s undeniable this has been a lousy winter for Chicago baseball fans, no matter which side of town you call your own. But the fact the Cubs held their downtown fan convention while the Sox had none is particularly galling to some Sox fans. A new season deserves to be celebrated in the winter, when there are no losses, no injuries and no random shootings.
Players are usually in a great mood, including Eloy Jiménez, who recently told A.J. Pierzynski’s podcast, “Fair Territory,” that he would hit more than 40 home runs in 2024 “if I’m healthy.”
That’s not exactly his MO, but it’s never too early to think big. The ‘24 Sox have to rely on Jiménez, Luis Robert and Andrew Vaughn to carry the offense, assuming they don’t deal Jiménez along the way.
But that’s a topic to be discussed this weekend at your local Faux SoxFest, where people are all the same — and where everybody knows your name.
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