When I Watch The White Sox

I think I like baseball. This is strange for me to say considering I’ve never been interested in the sport. I did play when I was a kid, but I wasn’t any good. I remember one season my coach let me pitch. Not a single straight ball was thrown that day, and too many kids were hit. I tried though, so that’s what counts. 

Anyways, I’ve been watching the White Sox play a lot more than usual this season. I’ve had an eagerness that’s unfamiliar to me. An eagerness to turn on the game. The thought “I need to watch at least a little bit of the game tonight” going through my mind. I’m not 100% certain what is going on, but I have a theory. I’ve been trying to deny this long enough, but I think I’m turning into my dad (in some ways). Over the last couple of years I have fallen in love with the Chicago Bears, started watching the White sox, love Frank Sinatra and have actually been turning on The Andy Griffith show from time to time when me and Baby O are just hanging out lol. 

My dad loved watching MeTV and all those old shows. I guess watching Andy Griffith reminds me of him. Plus the show is good. It teaches good values and morals. It’s also funny. Ah, off on another tangent. Let’s get back on track. Let me tell you the main reason why I enjoy the watching the White Sox suddenly. I’m sure you could guess it by now – it reminds me of my dad. When I watch the White Sox I am reminded of their 2005 World Series victory. I actually found game four of that series on YouTube. I plan to watch it soon to remember what a good White Sox team looks like. I remember watching that series with my dad. It was a lot of fun and he was so excited. Me? I’m just a casual fan. My dad? Well I think I could describe him as a diehard fan. He loved the Sox and he specifically loved that team back in 2005.

My favorite player from that era was Paul Konerko. He was the first basemen for the Sox back then. He was so good and there were so many reasons to love him. Why did fifth – grade – Peter love him though? Because we had the same initials. Yes, that is the truth. Corny, I know. But it was just another reason to make him my favorite player. I remember during game 2 of that series my dad and I were both watching as Paulie K went up to bat. Before the first pitch was even thrown I said “grand slam!”. Can you guess what happened next? That’s right. My guy hit a grand slam! We were so excited. I remember my dad went nuts lol. I also remember me being an annoying kid about it for YEARS, saying “remember when I called Paul Konerko’s grand slam?” lol. My dad would just respond “Yeah” with a smile on his face. Even if it was the hundredth time I mentioned it. 

When I watch the White Sox I am reminded of going to games with him. This one specific time I remember he took me and three of my buddies. He loved hanging out with us, especially at the Sox games. This time, though, we were a little older and wondered off and did our own thing. Leaving him there watching the game all alone. He was so ticked off lol. I do feel bad about it now, but we were kids and couldn’t sit still to appreciate the game. I don’t remember exactly but if I had to guess I would say my dad said something along the lines of  “I’m never taking you guys again!” lol. Those were good times. 

When I watch the White Sox I am reminded of how much my dad hated the Chicago Cubs. So much passion in his hatred for that organization. It was pretty comical. Sports hatred is always funny. Man, he couldn’t stand the Cubs. I remember one of my friends brought him a Cubs jersey t-shirt one time. We all thought it was so funny and we all definitely knew what was going to happen when he gave it to my dad. I remember my friend walked into our house with a huge smile on his face. He had his hand behind his back and said something like “Mr. K, I brought you a gift.” My dad looked confused, but he had a smirk on his face because he knew it was something stupid. We didn’t just get each other’s parents something nice out – of – the – blue. 

So my dad opened it and it was a Cubs jersey shirt. He smiled and then got up with the shirt and walked outside. We followed, of course. He then threw it into the fire pit and lit it up lol. That shirt was gone within minutes. It was a really funny scene and I think about it often when watching the Sox. 

As I’ve gotten older I’ve started watching baseball/the White Sox more and more. This year more than I ever have. After catching myself becoming really interested I’ve asked myself why. Why all of the sudden do I enjoy this sport and this team so much? Well, this post gives us the answers. It took some thought over a couple of days, but I figured it out. When I watch the White Sox I’m reminded of my dad. I feel like he’s here with me too. Watching quietly. Maybe even asleep on the couch. It’s nice to feel that way, even if its brief.

This post is for you, dad. Let’s go White Sox!

Peter

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