When the Chicago White Sox announced that SoxFest 2020 was going to at McCormick Place, I was intrigued. If you have never been to McCormick Place, the venue is enormous. Large enough to display almost every car manufacturer's new releases for the Chicago Auto Show. It just seems the building goes on for miles and miles.
That's why on Friday, as I was trying to weave through the crowd, I was a bit taken aback. The White Sox made this huge venue feel tight. At times I didn't know if I was following the flow of people traffic or accidentally standing in an autograph line. Perhaps having the event sold out is why it felt that way, but polling fans who attended also shared the same sentiment.
Some very kind words for @SoxMachine by Rick Hahn at #SoxFest2020 @soxmachine_josh
— Matt Dilger (@matt_dilger) January 25, 2020
Rick Hahn lauded communities like #soxmachine / #southsidesox for fans to be part of. When Benetti asked where they were someone in the crowd responded “They’re at the bar!” @soxmachine_josh @SoxMachine pic.twitter.com/q6BG5Wswb2
— Zebs and Flow (@Zebs312) January 25, 2020
It is a rare instance when a general manager gives praise to a blog in front of a large gathering. Speaking for myself, I'm very appreciative of Rick Hahn's positive feedback. Yes, we have been critical of the team's decision making in recent years. Still, I believe what has been written and spoken on our various content formats has been fair. There is no point in trying to sugarcoat bad play or news. Fans are so much smarter today than they were yesterday. Most want to know, "Why is X happening?"
Now, I'm biased, but I think Jim Margalus is the best in providing even-handed analysis about the White Sox. Nobody is better digging into the vast amount of statistics looking for answers than Patrick Nolan. I think Greg Nix does a wonderful job capturing how we all feel as fans in his writing, and then there is Ted Mulvey. Thanks to Ted, I feel like an idiot every Saturday morning while failing his Sporcle quizzes. Still, he forces me to embrace the White Sox past. Because of them, they have made me a better fan.
I hope you feel the same way, too. For our old friends who have been reading Jim from the beginning or migrated from our South Side Sox days, thank you. We wouldn't have made it this far without your generous support. It's the reason why the White Sox GM pays attention to us. How we pack bars with our special events, and why we get invited to talk about the team on various radio stations. You have helped build us up to where we are today.
For those that are new and just discovered Sox Machine, welcome. Here you will find a community of people that have White Sox fandom woven into their DNA. We'll be writing and talking about this team daily, covering what is happening in the majors, minors, international signings, and the amateur draft. Your support will help us expand our future coverage of the White Sox.
So let's sit back, relax, and strap it down. The 2020 White Sox season should be a wild ride, and I'm glad you are along for it.
