Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.
Now that we have those pesky warm holiday greetings out of the way, let's plow right ahead into sheer commercialism. Black Friday is upon us, and since it's highly likely you have White Sox fans in your family and/or office, I thought I'd provide the public service of offering gift ideas.
Obviously, you can go the more standard routes -- MLB.com, your favorite apparel stores, etc. So I tried to supplement the easy-to-find stuff by rooting through Amazon and eBay and a few other places to look for more off-beat gifts. (No, it's not a thinly-veiled excuse to look at schlock. Not at all.)
And check the Facebook page for more ideas. Above all else, it seems like experiences -- SoxFest, game tickets, etc. - make for the simplest way to go. And hey, if you buy two tickets, it's like a gift for yourself.
Can't go wrong
Provided it's not the only gift you give your wife...
White Sox Outsider 2009 and White Sox Outsider 2010 -- There's no better way to tell somebody you love them than to get them started on this wonderful series of books.
(By the way, 2010 is on Amazon. I make less money off it, but it's easier to combine with your other orders. Just sayin'.)
1959 World Series DVD -- A very cool featuring White Sox and Dodgers highlights from both 1959, and some collected footage from 1956-60, produced by a Naperville company.
Frank Thomas Starting Lineups -- You can actually find a ton of them all over eBay, and starting at eminently reasonable prices (unlike some others, as you'll see below).
Old Comiskey seats -- As suggested by Clifford on the Sox Machine Facebook page. I know my dad's always on the lookout. Be forewarned: They cost a lot.
Old Comiskey turnstile -- Bidding starts at $500, but that's more rare than a seat. Put it in front of your bathroom.
White Sox traffic light -- I don't think anybody would not want this, at least if bar decor is acceptable.
Depends on the person
Odd stuff that might hit home...
Shoeless Joe Jackson bobblehead -- Everything is cool about this one except the price tag ($109.95). I'm tempted to buy it just to see if the dealer takes the money, then tries giving it back. You could make the same joke for the $250,000 1919 World Series billboard.
Hawk Harrelson/Darrin Jackson bobbleheads -- The Harrelson head is fixed, because remember: DJ always agreed with Hawk, and not the other way around.
Mark Salas bobblehead -- The natural order of things: Legend --> Broadcaster --> Bullpen catcher. But he's a real nice guy.
It might not be as awesome as the Buehrle no-hitter champagne, but for the Don Cooper fans in your household, how about a bottle of Coopernet (that sounds more like a startup ISP)? Or maybe you'd like this mid-80s 8"x10" photo of Coop?
Are you playing Secret Santa for somebody with "Ligue" in their name? I found not one, but two kinds of flasks.
How about an autographed poster of three key Winning Ugly members that is only barely showing its age?
This small 1940 White Sox photo collage is fun to look at, even if I could only positively identify five guys as definite White Sox. Hey, that team won 82 games.
Personalized White Sox mouse pad -- I couldn't figure out whose name they wiped off the back of the jersey. For as much Sox baseball as I watch, I still can't ID players by their butts. Problem with this one is, whomever you buy it for is automatically Juan Pierre.
Irony!
For fans who are delighted by the sight of an Andy Gonzalez jersey in the wild...
White Sox Jenga -- Whenyou pull out the piece that topples the tower, instead of yelling"Jenga!" you can yell "Swishalicious!" (In previous years, it would be"Rowand!")
Who doesn't love an obscure game-used jersey? Ranking them in order of personal appeal:
- Walt Hriniak (doubles as a silent campaign)
- Pablo Ozuna (owner of the last walk-off bunt)
- Andy Sisco (doubles as a nightshirt)
- Jerry Owens (sleeveless, to show off that one-homer muscle)
- Mike Myers (for Halloween)
- Jimmy Gobble (for Thanksgiving. Seriously, I almost want it for that one day a year.)
- Oneli Perez (it's $129.95, or $0.00 with the six-finger discount)
- Donny Lucy (good luck out-bidding Larry for it)
- Danny Richar (the real One Dog)
- John Van Benschoten (there are a bunch of spring training AAA players besides Dutch Oven, but his name looks funny)
- Jack Egbert (I feel nothing)
What the hell?
Why would anybody...
Snapback White Sox cap -- Here's an eBay phenomenon I'm not getting -- snapback caps with prohibitive prices. This one's particularly ugly, and priced at $149.95.
Josh Fields game-used glove -- Two disappointing things about this one: 1) It's $1,100, and 2) it's not even The World's Tiniest Mitt. What gives? Then again, if it's Fields' glove, you could grade "Like New."
White Sox toaster -- This was a lot cooler when it unevenly singed the Flying Sock into your bread.
Melido Perez Starting Lineup -- The good news is that it dropped in price by $10 from the last time we saw it.
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If you can wait a weekend, you might be able to gifts that fit all categories at the White Sox Holiday Clubhouse Sale. I've still never been home for one, but anywhere you can get Jerry Owens' locker nameplate is a place I want to be.
