White Sox Fans At Fever Pitch As Team Returns Home In Miraculous Playoff Run

BRIDGEPORT — The Chicago White Sox, the Second City’s second team, have a chance to do something on Wednesday afternoon that it hasn’t done in 120 years: win a playoff series in front of its home crowd.

Dave and Dan Wilk, both life-long Sox fans, are hoping to witness that history Wednesday afternoon.

Like thousands of other fans, the father-and-son duo got to the ballpark a few hours before the first pitch at 3 p.m. It’s been a long time since they had a team to root for in October. The last time both of them were at a home playoff game was Game 2 of the 2005 World Series, a win that was one of the greatest in team history.

Wednesday’s American League Division Series at Rate Field has a lot to live up to.

“I think they get it done today,” said Dan Wilk, who lives in Ukrainian Village. “This team doesn’t give up. They’re never out of it. That’s what made them such an easy team to root for. I’ve been in for every out.”

The White Sox — a young and incredibly charming group of players — have been comfortable being the underdogs all season long.

The Sox were picked to finish last in their division by experts and oddsmakers, competed for the division until the last day of the season and became the first team in Major League Baseball history to make the playoffs after consecutive 100-loss seasons.

In and around the ballpark Wednesday, Sox fans dressed in playoff black arrived early to tailgate Wednesday’s ALDS game against the division rival Cleveland Guardians.
Lines of fans stretched outside of Grandstand, the locally owned White Sox gear store at 600 W 35th St., waiting to get their hands on team gear.

The smell of brats wafted in the air at Lot A where Justin Agresti of Tinley Park cracked his third Miller Lite of the morning.

The 2026 White Sox, with their penchant for shenanigans, viral moments and lack of media training, has reminded fans of what baseball in Chicago is all about.

“My favorite part of the season has been this team’s resiliency,” he said. “You could have all the talent in the world, but if the boys aren’t having fun, you don’t play well. This team’s reminded us that it’s a kid’s game.”

Sean Granger, of Northern Indiana, has been a season ticket holder for 39 years. The last few years has tested his fandom, he said. Over that stretch, he had trouble giving away tickets to games, let alone sell them.

“I probably went to 10 games total in the last three years,” Granger said. “I would go to games where there were 3,000 people here. This year I’ve been to 40. They’re a special group.”

Granger was at Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, the same game as Robert Francis Prevost, who later became Pope Leo XIV and who recently blessed the young upstarts before their unbeaten streak in the playoffs so far.

“We’re never out of a game,” Granger said. “They’re more resilient than they’ve ever been. And my favorite part has been seeing the crowds come back. The Cubs are always going to sell out, and Sox fans, we don’t want to see a losing team.”

For Granger, the team has also been the conduit that has brought him and his father closer together. His 80-year-old dad had heart surgery earlier this year and doesn’t get around as well as he used to.

“Part of his rehab has been watching the Sox,” Granger said. “We’ve watched all the playoff games together. He’s always calling me to ask when they’re on, what channel, all that stuff. We love it.”

The Sox have been anything but a losing team. They’ve made believers out of Sox fans for the first time in years, all with an underdog mentality.

The Sox came into the playoffs as the sixth seed in the American league and have won four straight games on the road. On Wednesday, they’re one win away from reaching the AL Championship Series next week.

Sean Burke, one of the heroes of Game 2 for a masterful relief appearance, told the Sun-Times he’s expecting the “most rowdy crowd I’ve ever played before in my entire life.”

Fans showed up as early as 3 a.m. to get in line to Rate Field’s parking lots, hoping to grab a prime tailgating spot.

“When we get in there, this place is going to explode,” Chris Frank said, shirtless in the parking lot before the game with a few of his buddies. “I’ve been to 60 games this year. This team reminds me of the ’05 team. They’re going to sweep all the way to the show. I’m just enjoying the ride.”

Frank, of Tinley Park, and his high school friend Kraig Kabat hadn’t talked in years before this season. They connected this summer over the Sox.

“We linked up for my birthday,” said Kabat, of Homewood. “We went to Sox games all year ever since then and here we are.”

For Sox fans who have endured three straight 100-loss seasons, the 2026 team has provided a special summer on the South Side.

“It feels like 2005 again,” Bassam Odisho said.

______________________________________________________________________

Support Local News!

Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe? Click here to gift a subscription, or you can support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.