Published 11 days ago • loading... • Updated 5 days ago
Sellout Crowd to Celebrate Most Famous White Sox Fan with Pope Hat Giveaway on Tuesday
Pope-themed giveaways and social posts helped lift merchandise sales 33% and push White Sox attendance higher, team officials said.
On Tuesday, the Chicago White Sox distributed commemorative 'Pope hats' to nearly 41,000 fans at Guaranteed Rate Field during 'Pope Night' honoring Pope Leo XIV.
Marketing chief Brooks Boyer initially planned to distribute 1,500 hats to select ticket holders, but overwhelming demand prompted the team to expand the giveaway to all stadium attendees.
Festivities included a live mural painting and a fifth-inning 'Peace Be With You' greeting, while Sister Mary Jo Sobieck of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield threw the ceremonial first pitch.
Manager Will Venable praised the celebration, noting high attendance expected, while Boyer stated the team had never organized a promotional giveaway of this magnitude before.
Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native and devoted childhood fan, has driven the team's rise to first place in the American League Central this season.