The Chicago White Sox Fan Club meets monthly and has since February 26, 2019. The atmosphere at this meeting included pizza, beer and White Sox talk.
“This is our sixth year since I came up with this wild idea. I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Glenn Grobli, club founder, said.
The White Sox Fan Club met for the first time, at Huntley American Legion Post 673’s Hall for 2024 on the day that all players had full squad workouts at the team’s spring training facility in Glendale, Arizona. The team is coming off a 61-101 season. Those gathered talked their favorite team’s prospects, as well as owner Jerry Reinsdorf’s bid for a new stadium deal.
They listened as Tony Izzerillo, who served as White Sox photographer from 1978-1992, gave his take on working with ballplayers.
“You have to know when to approach them,” Izzerillo said. “Most are very cooperative if they’re not busy with something.”
He told of the time he snapped the exclusive photo of a fight at old Comiskey Park involving Sox pitcher Ed Farmer, of the final fireworks show at old Comiskey Park and of the Disco Demolition Night there on July 12, 1979. That night, the second game of a doubleheader was forfeited to Detroit.
Former Chicago White Sox Fan Club members John Lampinen (L), of Huntley and brother Joe, of Algonquhin, attend the club’s first meeting for 2024.
“It was crazy,” he said of the promotion of radio personalities Steve Dahl and Garry Meier. “They locked the ballplayers in the clubhouses. The ushers tried to get the bases and only got one. One person tried to climb up the foul pole.”
Izzerillo showed a photo of an Old Timers All-Star Game played in 1983 at Comiskey Park. The photo included now 60 Hall of Famers.
White Sox fans gave plenty of thoughts on the state of their club.
“I have to look at it realistically. Reinsdorf is playing his cards,” Grobli said. “The way I see it, he can see the team, get a better lease on the current stadium or hope the taxpayers can be convinced on the deal for a new stadium.”
“But as Sox fans, we have been disappointed many times, but we’re loyal, and come out to support them year in and year out,” Grobli added.
“We can’t help but do better than last year,” John Lampinen of Huntley said. “I’ve been a fan since the 1950s and am a big Nellie Fox fan, he was a great little contact hitter.”
“I’m keeping my fingers crossed. We can’t help but be better than last year. I used to live on the northwest side of Chicago, near Wrigley Field, but would take the bus, then the “L” to Comiskey Park. We used to go to doubleheaders and sit in the left field stands in the first row,” said Tom Rudis of Sun City.
“I have been a White Sox fan since I was ‘this high,’” said Jan Krecioch.
The White Sox Fan Club’s next meeting is March 18 at Huntley American Legion Hall. There is a social hour at 6 p.m. Followed by a program at 7 p.m. For more information, call Grobli, 847-515-8336.
