Chicago White Sox Collecting and Fan Guide
Overview
Long considered to be the Second City's second team, the Chicago White Sox have a loyal and dedicated fan following in their own right. The team's World Series championship in 2005 was the town's first in 88 years. With a long history of star players and a current roster that includes one of baseball's most promising young prospects in Jose Abreu, the White Sox are an appealing hobby option for fans and collectors.
The organization dates back to 1894 but officially became the White Sox in 1900. The team had good success during their first 20 years in the league, winning four A.L. Pennants and two World Series titles.
In 1919, the White Sox became embroiled in a damning controversy. Despite being heavily favored to win their second title in three years, a dispute over wages between owner Charles Comisky and several star players created tension in the team's clubhouse. It was eventually reveled that certain players on the team had colluded with gamblers and agreed to throw the 1919 World Series. The result was what became know as the Black Sox Scandal.
The consequences of the players transgressions included a lifetime ban from baseball for several of the team's star players, including the legendary, Shoeless Joe Jackson. Jackson maintained his innocence for the rest of his life. His series' statistics seem to provide evidence of his testimony. Jackson batted .375, with 12 hits and 6 RBI in the Series.
It took decades for the organization to recover from the scandal, but in 1959 the White Sox returned to the World Series led by homegrown stars Luis Aparicio and Nellie Fox. While they eventually lost the series to the Dodgers, the team remained competitive over the next several years.
During the early 1980s, the team acquired future Hall of Famer, Carlton Fisk, and developed a top-ranked farm system. Under manager Tony LaRussa, the team returned to winning form. Other teams in the league derisively accused the team of "winning ugly" with their "small ball" style of play. The moniker was embraced by the team on their way to a division title and the A.L. Championship in 1983. However, once again, the club couldn't seal the deal and lost to the Baltimore Orioles who would go on to win that year's World Series.
The emergence of another homegrown prospect in 1990 was the impetus for the team's success in the early 1990s. Frank Thomas proved to be one of the most dominant players in the game. The club returned to the ALCS in 1993, but lost to the Toronto Blue Jays. Many analysts predicted the White Sox to reach the World Series at the start of the 1994 season. Unfortunately, the team never even had a chance as the ensuing labor dispute resulted in the canceling of the World Series.
Finally in 2005, led by former All-Star shortstop, Ozzie Guillen, as manager, and a roster of talented pitching, the Chicago White Sox ended one of the longest championship droughts in professional sports. They beat the Houston Astros and captured the team's first World Series title since 1917.
Over the last few years, the White Sox have begun a changing of the guard as the say goodbye to longtime veterans and call-up a wealth of talented young prospects.
Collectors have plenty of options when it comes to merchandise and collectibles for the Chicago White Sox. Using the tabs above, check out the top White Sox players to collect, top merchandise and jersey options, autograph guide, game tickets and the most watched Chicago White Sox cards and memorabilia on eBay.
TTM Autographs
Another option for collectors looking to get autographs is TTM or "Through the Mail." A complete guide to the process can be seen here: How to Get (Almost) Free Autographs Through the Mail.
Although the results are never guaranteed, White Sox fans looking to take advantage of this can try their luck with current players and coaches using the following address:
"Insert Specific Player/Coach/Executive"
c/o Chicago White Sox
333 W 35th St
Chicago, IL 60616
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Fan Gear
Chicago White Sox Jerseys & Gear Guide
Looking for something to support your team? There are tons of options for Chicago White Sox fans across all budgets. Normal retail price ranges are noted when available. View a complete breakdown of the jersey options using our detailed MLB jersey guide.
Chicago White Sox Jersey Guide
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Chicago White Sox T-Shirts & Hats
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Cards
Chicago White Sox Baseball Card Guide
The Chicago White Sox present a strong number of card options for collectors. View cards for the top former and current members of the Orioles below.
Top Former Players & Coaches
Click on the player name for a detailed guide or to shop for cards on eBay.
Other All-Time Great Chicago White Sox
Click on the player name for a detailed guide or to shop for cards on eBay.
Eddie Collins, Ed Walsh, Ray Schalk, Buck Weaver, Early Wynn, Luke Appling, Ted Lyons, Minnie Minoso, Ted Kluszewski, Ozzie Guillen, Ron Kittle, Greg Luzinski, Jack McDowell, Bobby Thigpen, Robin Ventura, Bo Jackson, Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Lee, Jose Valentin, Jon Garland, Jose Contreras, Jermaine Dye, Scott Podsednik, Jim Thome, Joe Crede, Jake Peavy
Top Current Players & Prospects
Click on the player for a detailed guide or to shop for cards on eBay.
Autographs
Chicago White Sox Autograph Guide
When shopping for autographed items, it is highly recommended to only purchased signed pieces that have been authenticated by a reputable company. Top options include PSA, JSA, Mounted Memories, UDA, Panini Authentic and Tristar.
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Signed Chicago White Sox Photographs
Signed Chicago White Sox Jerseys
Signed Chicago White Sox Balls
Signed Chicago White Sox Bats
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Tickets
Chicago White Sox Game Tickets
If you are looking for tickets to see the Chicago White Sox play, it might be an overwhelming experience. Luckily for fans, MLB teams play a ton of games, all over the country. After selecting a specific game, the first thing to decide is how much you want to spend and where you want to sit in the stadium.
From there, it can get messy given all the choices for purchasing tickets. With that in mind, we have complied the best options for buying tickets. Simply follow the links below to each ticket source for available Chicago White Sox tickets. Be aware that the MLB regular season basically runs from April to the end of September. The playoffs continue until late October.
Hot List
Chicago White Sox Hot List
Check out the most watched Chicago White Sox cards, gear and memorabilia on eBay. The guide is constantly updated with real-time information, so bookmark this page for future reference.
More Info
View basic information and detailed stats on the Chicago White Sox here:
