White Sox game

[WildBill]

Going out to Chicago for 4 days next Saturday and thinking of catching a Cards-Sox game. What's the experience like at a game there? I know the area near the stadium isn't the best, but is it reasonably safe to take the train to a night game? I did read they are expanding capacity to 60% and have vaccinated only sections.

 

[John Kelly]

You'll be safe with the White Sox crowd, Bill.

The area around 35th Street is well-patrolled unlike the "L" station at 95th Street.

Hard to believe, Guaranteed Rate Field (formerly U.S. Cellular Field) is now more than 30 years old.

My treat to lunch or dinner when you're in Chicago.

Check your PMs for my cell number.

 

[John Kelly]

Tony LaRussa's name will be prominent when the White Sox host the Cardinals in a three-game series (May 24, 25 and 26).

The Wednesday game is a matinee affair.

 

[John Kelly]

PointsBet at Hawthorne is the closest sports book to Guaranteed Rate Field.

It's time for sports teams to ramp up their sports betting enterprises at their respective venues.

 

[John Kelly]

Like Dodger Stadium, Chinatown is not far from Guaranteed Rate Field.

 

[Rockfish]

John, you didn't give him an answer about the train. Wild Bill, DO NOT take the train at night. Absolutely not.

 

[Rockfish]

Around the ball park is safe. no doubt.

 

[WildBill]

John, you didn't give him an answer about the train. Wild Bill, DO NOT take the train at night. Absolutely not.

Anywhere or just that area? I have taken the train at night before with no issues.

 

[Rockfish]

That is the red line. During the day to white sox park it is not bad. The further you go south on that line it gets worse. it goes all the way to 95th st. Sox park is at 35th. At night after the game going back towards downtown you can have some bad characters on those trains.

 

[Rockfish]

You could take the train down to the park during the day and uber back at night.

 

[John Kelly]

The south and west sides of Chicago are danger zones.

I feel safe around Guaranteed Rate Field on gamedays or gamenights.

Plenty of police and security in the area.

Our family's first home was in the Gresham neighborhood of Chicago where Simeon High School sits at 8147 South Vincennes.

That's where basketball hoop star Ben Wilson was senselessly gunned down at the age of 17 in 1984.

 

[John Kelly]

The racial demographics of Chicago are well-balanced: 33% white, 33% black and 33% brown.

 

[Rockfish]

Bill, the trains have gotten worse since the pandemic. The bad guys have gotten more brave because the trains have no supervision. Meaning the conductor does not know what is going on inside the trains and they are not patrolled at all by cops. On a bus the driver can always pull over if bad guys are causing a problem.

 

[Rockfish]

The south and west sides of Chicago are danger zones.

I feel safe around Guaranteed Rate Field on gamedays or gamenights.

Plenty of police and security in the area.

Our family's first home was in the Gresham neighborhood of Chicago where Simeon High School sits at 8147 South Vincennes.

That's where basketball hoop star Ben Wilson was senselessly gunned down at the age of 17 in 1984.

JK, i totally agree with the neighborhood. it is the people on the train at night i am talking about. i have no problem walking from Sox Park to Chinatown at night. Did it two years ago by myself.

 

[John Kelly]

Bill, the trains have gotten worse since the pandemic. The bad guys have gotten more brave because the trains have no supervision. Meaning the conductor does not know what is going on inside the trains and they are not patrolled at all by cops. On a bus the driver can always pull over if bad guys are causing a problem.

ROCKFISH is a smart man.

No disagreements here.

Trains plus pandemic equals trouble.

 

[WildBill]

You could take the train down to the park during the day and uber back at night.

Thanks good to know. I might do that. I have gotten on subways and trains all over the world, even ones people have called less than safe such as Mexico City and never been that worried about it or had bad things happen. Sad that in a premier US city I have to be concerned...

 

[John Kelly]

We need BILLYSINK to handle the Chicago thugs.

 

[Rockfish]

Bill you would probably be ok. it is just IMHO not worth the risk at night. it is a very lonely feeling sitting on a train car and some bad guys get on at the next stop. Now you are kind of stuck. The red line is one of the more dangerous trains the city has to offer.

 

[Rockfish]

5,6,7 o'clock it is fine. Downtown worker going home to the South Side. 10 o'clock and later it is a different ball game on who is on those trains.

 

[John Kelly]

Where's EOG contributor BLUELINE to discuss the red line?

 

[ouch]

As a non-resident of Chicago, I always find going to games at Wrigley and White Sox park (or whatever corporate name they are now calling it) to be two very different experiences.

A Cubs game is an event. Cruising around the neighborhood, hitting some bars, grabbing some food, praying before the Ernie Banks and Billy Williams statues......it almost has a collegiate-type vibe to it. The crowd is gentrified, and yet gung-ho.

The atmosphere at the ballpark on the South side is more grim....it's all about the game. Sox fans are more working class and hard-core, and very territorial. It reminds me of the old days at Connie Mack Stadium in North Philadelphia. A no-nonsense crowd going to an event in a rough (and sometimes dangerous) neighborhood.

Enjoy the game, Wild Bill. And take an Uber back up town.

 

[John Kelly]

Excellent distinction between Cubs and Sox games.

One other note: If the White Sox don't win, they don't draw crowds.

Cub games are an event/party/experience, win or lose.

 

[Rockfish]

Bill, don't know what your food tastes are, but directly north of White Sox park is a place on 26th street called Ricobene's. Been there for 75 years. Known for their steak sandwiches but everything is good there. One block away from Ricobene's is Chinatown. Good for eats before the game.
i have parked at Ricobene's and ate before a night game and walked to the ball park to save the twenty to park. it is only a mile.

 

[Rockfish]

Ouch, your right on about the differences between the two ball parks crowd.

 

[FairWarning]

If you want trouble at a Sox game, wear a cub hat or from the team the Sox are playing.it’s a very blue-collar shot and a beer crowd. I like the park, great site lines in the lower bowl. I would keep my head on a swivel leaving the park also.

 

[John Kelly]

Blue-collar, shot-and-a-beer crowd.

Well put, FW.

 

[FairWarning]

And no, I wouldn’t take the train around the park. Better off using Uber.

 

[FairWarning]

Somewhat related to gambling JK, the new hard rock opened Friday (80/94- Burr St exit Gary). Trying to make it there this week.

 

[Rockfish]

Fair, does the new Hard Rock have a sports book?

 

[FairWarning]

Fair, does the new Hard Rock have a sports book?

Yes they do, I don’t know who is running it though.

 

[WildBill]

Somewhat related to gambling JK, the new hard rock opened Friday (80/94- Burr St exit Gary). Trying to make it there this week.

That got done fast. I actually worked on getting that project approved by the state. Any site had to be better than the Majestic Star, they should do double the revenues eventually.

 

[FairWarning]

That got done fast. I actually worked on getting that project approved by the state. Any site had to be better than the Majestic Star, they should do double the revenues eventually.

It’ll be interesting if it has some effect on the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City. Four Winds South Bend getting table games and a sportsbook won’t help the BC either.

 

[WildBill]

It’ll be interesting if it has some effect on the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City. Four Winds South Bend getting table games and a sportsbook won’t help the BC either.

I'm surprised Blue Chip does as well as it does now with competition in every direction. I don't think the Hard Rock will have much impact on it, but certainly South Bend hurts as does the Four Winds continuing to pump money into their flagship location. That Four Winds property is quite impressive for being kind of isolated out there. I get the summer crowds they get but can't imagine Chicagoland people driving that far out passing a bunch of casinos outside of summer.

 

[FairWarning]

I'm surprised Blue Chip does as well as it does now with competition in every direction. I don't think the Hard Rock will have much impact on it, but certainly South Bend hurts as does the Four Winds continuing to pump money into their flagship location. That Four Winds property is quite impressive for being kind of isolated out there. I get the summer crowds they get but can't imagine Chicagoland people driving that far out passing a bunch of casinos outside of summer.

The FWSB will now keep a lot of the locals and probably pull in customers from the east side of the state. They are also building a 23-story hotel.

 

[IWishIWasAPro]

Not as bad as years past for White Sox games. Wrigley is an adventure.

As always just have to be vigilant at night anywhere you're at.

 

[John Kelly]

You need three or four times the bankroll to visit Wrigley Field as opposed to Guaranteed Rate Field.

Pre-pandemic, the White Sox promoted Family Days on Sundays where tickets were priced as low as $5.

I sat in the bleachers a few years ago at Wrigley Field and the ticket price read $40.

 

[John Kelly]

Somewhat related to gambling JK, the new hard rock opened Friday (80/94- Burr St exit Gary). Trying to make it there this week.

I went there Friday about 8:00 p.m. to see the new casino.

The exit ramp was packed and the parking lot was full.

I gave up after about 30-minute traffic jam.

There were enough people to fill two Hard Rock casinos that night.

The government is putting money in the hands of people who are willing to gamble it.

 

[FairWarning]

I went there Friday about 8:00 p.m. to see the new casino.

The exit ramp was packed and the parking lot was full.

I gave up after about 30-minute traffic jam.

There were enough people to fill two Hard Rock casinos that night.

The government is putting money in the hands of people who are willing to gamble it.

The extra $300/child kicks in soon also.

 

[MrTop]

they are just trying to help the gamblers out so they don't run out of money to gamble... you never know when a streak hits

 

[WildBill]

Man these look awful. This looks like something those guys selling merchandise on the bridge after you get off at the L station would sell you, knock-off worthy stuff.



https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/look-white-sox-unveil-southside-inspired-city-connect-jerseys/