hsnterprize
02-03-2005, 07:33 AM
...however, I think you'll like what I told him. I tried to be as respectful as I could because I know a lot of nutcases have sent him stuff. Anyway...here goes...
Mr. Boyer,
I'm sure you've been deluged with idea after idea...some good, some bad, some silly, and some down right outrageous, about what the White Sox can do when Sammy Sosa and his Baltimore Orioles come to town in mid-May. I, along with other Sox fans, are a little concerned about how the media/Cub fan deluge will affect the atmosphere at U.S. Cellular Field...especially considering all the work you and others have done to restore the "Sox Pride" on the south side. I'm sure you know the LAST thing the Sox players, organization, and especially fans want is a throng of Cub fans coming to our park to voice their admiration and/or disgust towards their former hero. So if I may, let me give a suggestion not necessarity for a "Sammy promotion" for his first return to Chicago since his well-known trade to the O's, but a way the Sox and their fans can further solidify their bond...even with all the outside attention focused on an high-profile visitor in orange and black.
My thought is instead of just a single day of possibly countering the "Sosa love" or "Sosa hate" that's inevitibly coming to the Cell this spring, why not have a week-long fan fair-style celebration at the ballpark. This "fan fair" could stretch for not only the 4-game weekend series against Baltimore May 12th through the 15th, but also the 3-game series against the Texas Rangers thereafter. Since Sox Fest was such a success this year, then why not try to recreate that sense during the season? I've heard of teams doing things for fans such as having players take tickets at gates, special autograph sessions, contests and giveaways, and other such fun-fill activities that further solidify "Sox Pride". Maybe during that week, there could be a special ceremony honoring past Sox greats. For example, seeing recent greats like Carlton Fisk honored before a game would be something special and educational for younger fans who don't remember #72's impact with the Pale Hose.
Like I said before, I know you've been hit with a ton of e-mails suggesting everything from the simple to the sublime as far as countering the Sammy Sosa-based hype that will come to our ballpark when the Orioles come to town. For all I know, you and your staff are already coming up with ways to deal with that upcoming series, from single-day promotions, to nothing at all. But whatever you do, please understand that all of us fans have one common thread...to do our part not to let our team be continually overshadowed by a player we weren't too crazy about, and not let his former fans steal the spotlight in our ballpark. Even if Cubs fans, despite all the negativity surrounding their perceptions about the Cell, decide to flood U.S. Cellular Field with the intentions of voicing their opinions towards Sosa, we Sox fans will rise up and show them that if they want to gripe at Baltimore's newest #21...they'll have to do it someplace else. This is OUR ballpark, OUR side of town, and "Sox Pride" will not be stepped on by hype over someone who wore out his welcome on the north side. You know our passion for our team is strong...let's keep it going in the face of this salsa-filled storm coming on the horizon.
Brooks, let me be the 1 billionth Sox fan to tell you you've been doing a great job in your position. Keep up the great work...we'll be watching you. "Sox Pride" won't let us be stagnant.
Thanks,
I hope I made some good points. Any comments?
Mr. Boyer,
I'm sure you've been deluged with idea after idea...some good, some bad, some silly, and some down right outrageous, about what the White Sox can do when Sammy Sosa and his Baltimore Orioles come to town in mid-May. I, along with other Sox fans, are a little concerned about how the media/Cub fan deluge will affect the atmosphere at U.S. Cellular Field...especially considering all the work you and others have done to restore the "Sox Pride" on the south side. I'm sure you know the LAST thing the Sox players, organization, and especially fans want is a throng of Cub fans coming to our park to voice their admiration and/or disgust towards their former hero. So if I may, let me give a suggestion not necessarity for a "Sammy promotion" for his first return to Chicago since his well-known trade to the O's, but a way the Sox and their fans can further solidify their bond...even with all the outside attention focused on an high-profile visitor in orange and black.
My thought is instead of just a single day of possibly countering the "Sosa love" or "Sosa hate" that's inevitibly coming to the Cell this spring, why not have a week-long fan fair-style celebration at the ballpark. This "fan fair" could stretch for not only the 4-game weekend series against Baltimore May 12th through the 15th, but also the 3-game series against the Texas Rangers thereafter. Since Sox Fest was such a success this year, then why not try to recreate that sense during the season? I've heard of teams doing things for fans such as having players take tickets at gates, special autograph sessions, contests and giveaways, and other such fun-fill activities that further solidify "Sox Pride". Maybe during that week, there could be a special ceremony honoring past Sox greats. For example, seeing recent greats like Carlton Fisk honored before a game would be something special and educational for younger fans who don't remember #72's impact with the Pale Hose.
Like I said before, I know you've been hit with a ton of e-mails suggesting everything from the simple to the sublime as far as countering the Sammy Sosa-based hype that will come to our ballpark when the Orioles come to town. For all I know, you and your staff are already coming up with ways to deal with that upcoming series, from single-day promotions, to nothing at all. But whatever you do, please understand that all of us fans have one common thread...to do our part not to let our team be continually overshadowed by a player we weren't too crazy about, and not let his former fans steal the spotlight in our ballpark. Even if Cubs fans, despite all the negativity surrounding their perceptions about the Cell, decide to flood U.S. Cellular Field with the intentions of voicing their opinions towards Sosa, we Sox fans will rise up and show them that if they want to gripe at Baltimore's newest #21...they'll have to do it someplace else. This is OUR ballpark, OUR side of town, and "Sox Pride" will not be stepped on by hype over someone who wore out his welcome on the north side. You know our passion for our team is strong...let's keep it going in the face of this salsa-filled storm coming on the horizon.
Brooks, let me be the 1 billionth Sox fan to tell you you've been doing a great job in your position. Keep up the great work...we'll be watching you. "Sox Pride" won't let us be stagnant.
Thanks,
I hope I made some good points. Any comments?