CHICAGO (AP) 鈥� The Chicago White Sox are expanding their tribute to Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native and longtime fan of the baseball team.
The White Sox announced on Friday that they will hand out pope-themed hats to all fans who attend their Aug. 11 game against Cincinnati. The promotional item was originally limited to fans who had purchased specialty theme night tickets.
鈥淭he fans have spoken, and unlike some of our more limited quantity promotions, the White Sox Pope Hat is one we believe all fans should have the opportunity to take home,鈥� Brooks Boyer, the chief revenue and marketing officer for the team, said in a release. 鈥淲e viewed the promotion as a creative way to celebrate one of the franchise鈥檚 most popular fans, and by the overwhelming response we received, White Sox fans certainly agreed.鈥�
The hats are shaped like the Pope鈥檚 miter, with the team鈥檚 sock logo in the middle. The White Sox said fans who had already purchased the specialty tickets would receive the hat and an additional item.
The pope, the former Robert Prevost, attended Chicago’s 2005 World Series opener against Houston and watched as his beloved team beat the Astros 5-3 on the way to a four-game sweep and its first title since 1917.
In May, the White Sox near the seat paying tribute to Pope Leo and that moment. The pillar artwork features a waving Pope Leo XIV, along with a picture from the TV broadcast of the future pope sitting with good friend Ed Schmit and his grandson, Eddie.
In June, Rate Field hosted an event honoring his election as the first American pope. A month later, at a pregame ceremony honoring the 2005 team, White Sox great Paul Konerko was presented a jersey signed by the pope, a gift from one No. 14 to another.
Pope Leo broke Vatican protocol by donning a White Sox cap last year. In October, he shouted 鈥渢hey lost鈥� to someone who screamed 鈥済o Cubs.鈥� And a few weeks ago, he gave a thumbs up to someone who yelled 鈥淕od bless the White Sox!鈥�
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