As a fan of the Chicago White Sox, you don’t approach your team’s potentially record-breaking defeat without a certain sense of self-deprecating humor and burning anger at team owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
Both were exhibited on Tuesday.
When the White Sox played the Los Angeles Angels, Chicago fans took in the surreality of a team on the verge of its 121st loss, breaking the MLB record set by the Mets in 1962. Fans were fully prepared to watch their team slide into infamy, with cheers for the Angels, calls for Reinsdorf to sell the team, and finally boos as the White Sox made an improbable comeback with a 3-2 victory.
These fans knew exactly what was coming.
A large “SELL THE TEAM” banner was carried into the park and unfurled behind the home base.
One brave fan even went so far as to propose to his girlfriend, if the White Sox video board is to be believed. We don’t know how Veronica reacted, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for her.
The most White Sox moment came in the fifth inning, when a pop-up by Mickey Moniak in the infield caused the pitcher, catcher, first baseman and third baseman to all converge for an easy out. A Little League-like misunderstanding caused the ball to hit the ground, prompting more “Sell the team” chants.
After the White Sox dropped a pop fly in the infield and stole a base in the fifth inning, the cry “Sell The Team” rang out in Guaranteed Rate Field. pic.twitter.com/77n5e2ph0r
— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) 25 September 2024
The crowd was so eager to go wild that when Angels second baseman Jack López hit a home run in the eighth inning to give the Anaheim team a 2-0 lead, there was booing, chanting, murmuring, and who knows what else, along with resounding cheers.
It was a strange night.
The reaction was much clearer when the game ended. After a comeback in the eighth inning, the White Sox took the lead and defended it with a save by former Angel Justin Anderson.
The home crowd booed the home team.
With that, the White Sox avoided their 121st one-night loss, but that probably won’t change the mood for their final two home games against the Angels. Barring a miracle, the record will come, and Chicago fans will likely accept it if it brings Reinsdorf closer to selling this beleaguered franchise.
