Join Ozzie, Paulie, and the rest of the 2005 White Sox squad this weekend at US Cellular Field as the franchise celebrates the team that brought a World Series championship back to Chicago for the first time in 88 years.
Twenty-one former players and coaches are slated to be in attendance for all three games this weekend with festivities taking place throughout. This is in addition to the crucial series on the field against the first place Kansas City Royals.
Fans await game one of the 2005 World Series, the first postseason classic the city had seen since 1959. (Photo courtesy of US Navy)
Despite predictions in Spring Training that the team would finish fourth in their division, the 2005 White Sox went wire to wire to finish first in their division and then rode an amazing 11-1 stretch in the playoffs to their third World Series crown.
Memories ingrained in Sox fans everywhere include the four straight complete games by the team’s starting pitchers in the American League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and of course, Paul Konerko’s grand slam in the seventh inning and Scott Podsednik’s walk off shot in the ninth inning of game two of the World Series.
The weekend kicks off Friday night with the second game of a day-night doubleheader (there is a 1:10 makeup game earlier in the day) featuring a fireworks show at the end. The reunion continues at 1:10 p.m. Saturday with the first 20,000 fans 21 and over receiving a replica 2005 World Series ring. The last game of the weekend is Sunday, with the first 10,000 fans getting a Sox tailgate flag.
Good seats are available for all three games and start at just $5. The ballpark is located in the Bridgeport neighborhood at 333 W. 35th St. and is accessible via the Sox-35th Red Line stop and has plenty of parking. Those driving should exit the Dan Ryan at 31st St., 35th St., or Pershing Road. For more information visit chicago.whitesox.mlb.com.
The fun does not end after the series, however. Several visiting members of the 2005 club will take part in “A Season to Remember: A Night with the 2005 World Champions” at the Chicago Theater on Sunday, July 19 at 6:30 p.m. Players and coaches will share their favorite stories memories from that season.
The participates include former manager Ozzie Guillen, players Konerko, Podsednik, Joe Crede, Jermaine Dye, and Jon Garland. Regular tickets range from $40 to $80, while VIP tickets cost about $250. VIP tickets include a reception with event participants, a photo opportunity with the World Series trophy and catered food and beverage for the duration of the event in a private mezzanine-level booth. All proceeds will go to White Sox charities. For tickets, please visit thechicagotheatre.com/events/2015/july/a-season-to-remember-at-the-chicago-theatre.