SoxFest 2012 in the Books

by KenWo4LiFe on Jan 31, 2012 6:01 AM CST in Events

My dad, brother and I made our annual journey to SoxFest this past weekend. It offers a chance to escape the winter blues and immerse yourself in all things White Sox. As we were checking in, Gavin Floyd was at the desk next to us. Baseball season was officially underway.

If you are an autograph hunter, a key is getting in line early. My plan was to get in line early enough to secure a wristband for Alexei Ramirez and Gordon Beckham and make it back on time to see the Kenny Williams and Robin Ventura seminar. Unfortunately that meant that I missed the Bud Selig seminar, but he is pretty painful to listen to anyway. I got the wristband that I wanted and made my way upstairs to see the opening ceremony. Jerry Reinsdorf and the White Sox organization got an award for their volunteer group, and members of that group got to go on stage during the ceremony. The players were introduced with Paul Konerko getting the biggest ovation for the current team, only rivaled by Robin Ventura. Kenny Williams received a smattering of boo's and alumni Joe Crede and Pablo Ozuna getting a nice ovation. Adam Dunn was conspicuous by his absence.

Price: Friday at SoxFest is only open to hotel guests with a weekend pass. The Sox started this practice a few years back in order to give the people willing to dish out the cash a chance to have a day where the crowd isn't as big. In recent years the price to attend SoxFest has risen dramatically. It cost $315 for the 2 night hotel stay, $75 per person for the weekend pass ($60 for season ticket holders), $74 to park in the lot for the two days (although the Sox open up the parking lot at the ballpark so you can take the Red Line to the hotel if you choose). They also offer Saturday and Sunday passes. I believe Saturday was $50 and Sunday was $35.

Highlights from Friday:

Getting autographs from Alexei Ramirez, Gordon Beckham, AJ Pierzynski and Dayan Viciedo. Autographs can be had at SoxFest, but the key is to line up early. I was able to get Ramirez and Beckham pretty quickly and was able to get a wristband at the back end of the Pierzynski line which was cool.
Hearing Robin Ventura speak. He might be a quiet guy, but he has a good sense of humor and expects a lot from his players. At one point in the Your 2012 White Sox seminar, Kenny said "these guys are in trouble" meaning that Ventura is going to run a tough camp.
After the night ended, we went to Miller's Pub for a meal and a couple of drinks. Upon returning to the hotel, Alexei and Dayan were drinking at the hotel bar which gave me the opportunity to have a drink and get a picture with Viciedo.

Friday Disappointments:

Adam Dunn not attending the Opening Ceremonies. I would have liked to hear the reaction he would have received.
Most of the 2012 White Sox seminar was indeed a love fest. It was the only time to be able to ask Kenny some tough questions, but he got off easy.
John Danks and Chris Widger both were sick and missed their autograph signings.

We made our way down to wait in line at 7:30 Saturday morning, an hour and a half before the event began. We were pretty far back in line by that time, as some were down in line at 4 AM. That was fine with me though, as most of the traffic was going to Konerko and I wanted my 2005 Yearbook signed by Ozuna and Neal Cotts. I was in the first 15 people in their line, which gave me enough time to run up two flights of stairs, catch my breath and get in line for a Frank Thomas wristband. It was about 9:15 and the line was huge. Thomas' signing started at 1 PM. Fortunately, I was able to secure a band and make it downstairs for an afternoon of seminars. (Once you have a wristband, you can't get another one until that signing is over. So by me getting a wristband for 1 PM, I gave up the option of getting other autographs that day).

Notes from Saturday Seminars:

Hearing Ventura say that he will sit guys down if they are struggling, all year if need be. Also Robin is really going to be stressing the team concept, which in my opinion is a nice change. I think there has been too much emphasis on individuals the last couple of years.
Steve Stone repeated Kenny's assessment from the previous night that if the Sox hit, they will compete.
Chris Sale has taken up swimming and distance running in his preparation to be a starter.
Will Ohman is a pretty funny dude. He made fun of himself for his age and the fact that he has a " 5 minute rule", meaning he takes the mound for a maximum of 5 minutes.
Rick Hahn is pretty big on the minor league starters they acquired this offseason.
Buddy Bell is in love with Jared Mitchell. I think he wants to start him at Birmingham this year. He says the organization is torn on him starting with the Barons or on Winston-Salem.
They also are very high on Tyler Saladino and Trayce Thompson. They think Saladino could contribute in Chicago some time this season.
Doug Laumann thinks Yoenis Cespedes is a special player.

After that seminar I went upstairs and waited in a massive line to get Frank's autograph. I have met him a bunch of times, but each time I do meet him it is always thrill. I am convinced that Frank will be the best player I ever see on the White Sox, whether I live until tomorrow or until I'm 95 years old. I asked him if he would be willing to DH this season and he said he thinks Adam Dunn will bounce back. Frank is more optimistic than I am.

Due to getting Frank's autograph, I missed the opportunity to hear Adam Dunn's seminar, but from what I heard he was pretty well received.

I then got the chance to talk to Ron Kittle. He was great as usual, cracking jokes about my dad and telling me about fantasy camp. I have to do this one day. I only hope WU is there so I can give him some chin music.

On Saturday night, we went to the Exchequer which is a pub just down the street from the hotel. It is less crowded and more laid back than Miller's is. Upon return, my dad and brother both knocked out early so I went down to the lobby and had a few drinks with some fans. Alexei showed up at the bar to a big cheer around closing time. I would have cheered him louder if he brought me some Bud Light Lime so I didn't have to force down a few Fat Tire's.

On Sunday, we again went downstairs at 7:30. This time there were a lot less people waiting ahead of us. I jumped in the Harold Baines and Steve Stone line. I'm not sure if people don't know how good Harold Baines was or if they already got his autograph or what... but a guy that good should have a full line every time. It didn't happen. I moved through it very quickly and was able to get a Gavin Floyd autograph as well. I told Floyd that we need a big year from him and he responded "I try for a big year every year". He said it in a way that irked me. I should have said "well you've failed miserably", but I held it in.

I then went to the seminar room again. I really enjoyed the Sunday seminars. Mark Parent got an opportunity to speak and he was firing me up. He stressed the team atmosphere, protecting your players, working on fundamentals and doing whatever it takes to win. He was really impressive, and it is obvious he is going to be the bad cop/enforcer on the staff.

Then Bill Melton, Ron Kittle, Frank Thomas and Joe Crede took the stage and had unbelievable chemistry. They were cracking jokes on each other left and right. It was neat to see four generations of White Sox All-Stars having such fun. Kittle and Thomas are two of my favorite 3 players (Harold), so this was easily the highlight of the weekend for me.

Brent Morel, Brent Lillibridge and Tyler Flowers were next up. They had a rough act to follow, but Lillibridge says Jeff Manto is a great fit for the ball club. Lillibridge worked with him in Pittsburgh. It seemed that Flowers and Pierzynski have had a rocky relationship, but Flowers said that is in the past. Morel is hoping to be more aggressive and consistent this season.

Buddy Bell, Rick Hahn and Doug Laumann were up next. Hahn said there will be a dramatic increase in international signings now that the skimming scandal is behind them and Marco Paddy has been brought in. Laumann hinted that the Sox might take some high schoolers early. Bell again discussed how Mitchell is the real deal.

SoxFest closed with Crede, Ozuna, Cotts and Cliff Politte discussing the 2005 season. Cliff Politte is a quick witted guy. He was cracking everyone up every time he spoke. I thought it was perfect placement for that seminar. I remember back at SoxFest 2005 I was more disgusted than I am this year. We had just lost Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Lee and Jose Valentin. That season ended with me standing on LaSalle Street in a pile of ticker tape.

SoxFest is my favorite part of the winter. I've been going since I was 12 years old. It's an opportunity to talk baseball in January with family and other fans while hearing from and meeting the current team and all time greats. If you're a fan and have the money to spend I highly recommend going for at least one day.

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Comments

Thank you

Your vivid descriptions help us feel as if we were there. I’ve been twice and certainly wish I could go more. Thanks for making the effort to bring us there with you.

by ParisSox on Jan 31, 2012 7:11 AM CST reply actions

Agreed

Thanks for the recap and constant tweeting. Much appreciated.

by ChiSox1023 on Jan 31, 2012 7:55 AM CST reply actions

"Unfortunately that meant that I missed the Bud Selig seminar"

Possibly the first time in history that phrase has been uttered.

Nice recap. Almost makes me feel like I was eating pizza and throwing back pitchers at the Exchequer with you.

by asinwreck on Jan 31, 2012 8:41 AM CST reply actions

Yeah, forgot to mention about the nice shout out for Miller's and Exchequer

Over Christmas I introduced my girlfriend to the Bill Veeck corner at Miller’s Pub. It makes for a nice introduction to White Sox history.

by ParisSox on Jan 31, 2012 9:04 AM CST up reply actions

nice work over the weekend and with this summary, thank you

much appreciated

White Sox 2012: Helplessly rebuilding?

by greenlight on Jan 31, 2012 9:25 AM CST reply actions

I'll second that.

This was a fun read. We all know that you can be a critic (and appropriately so), but this shows that above all else you’re a fan. Good stuff.

by palehose67 on Jan 31, 2012 9:31 AM CST up reply actions

KenWo's (almost) response to Gavin made me laugh

“well you’ve failed miserably”

White Sox 2012: Helplessly rebuilding?

by greenlight on Jan 31, 2012 11:00 AM CST up reply actions

Very nice kenwo

"Rooting for the Twins is just a roundabout way of rooting for a first-round playoff bye for the Yankees." by big_fun

by Tdogg on Jan 31, 2012 9:33 AM CST via Android app reply actions

Thank You

I’ve enjoyed reading your comments which you have presented quite well. Entertaining and informative, with your own sometimes strong opinions to boot. Well done, sir!

"Great things have been effected by a few men well conducted" - George Rogers Clark

by Carthago Delenda Est on Jan 31, 2012 9:41 AM CST reply actions

"not your best article"

"Rhubarb, if you wouldn’t mind, ram your taint into your monitor as hard as you can." - joewho112

by BoeJouma on Jan 31, 2012 9:41 AM CST reply actions

thanks for sharing KenWo

great stuff!

Easy chief
We’re a community - Tdogg

by Jack M on Jan 31, 2012 9:49 AM CST reply actions

Good work.

Can you now afford to send me my winnings, DB?

We're all here because we're not all there.

by winningugly on Jan 31, 2012 9:55 AM CST reply actions

if my vegas trip goes well i'll send two bottles. lol

Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.

by KenWo4LiFe on Jan 31, 2012 10:05 AM CST up reply actions

thanks for the tweets and write ups

by Shoeless In SC on Jan 31, 2012 10:11 AM CST reply actions

thanks for listing the prices mr kenwo.

i really hope i can get out there next year. i certainly know ill be able to make a few games this yearthough, so thats got me super duper pumped

"Rhubarb, if you wouldn’t mind, ram your taint into your monitor as hard as you can." - joewho112

by BoeJouma on Jan 31, 2012 10:58 AM CST reply actions

thanks for the recaps and updates.

It was just as good as being there, and cheaper!

Dave Martinez woulda had that.

by Nordhagen on Jan 31, 2012 11:02 AM CST reply actions

How many beds for the $315?

"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"

by U-God on Jan 31, 2012 11:10 AM CST reply actions

we had 2 doubles.

the thing that sucks is they charge you 25 bucks for every person over 2. usually you just don’t disclose that information… but at soxfest you have to in order to get the weekend tickets. so i guess it was technically $340.

They also offer you an MVP pass… which means you get a private signing (this year it was ventura), a private seminar (last year it was reinsdorf and this year it was with the 2005 team on friday). You get a photo opportunity and some “speed pass” autograph lines… but it costs 250 bucks on top of everything else. i didn’t think it was anywhere near worth it.

Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.

by KenWo4LiFe on Jan 31, 2012 11:17 AM CST up reply actions

tell me you didn't share a bed with your father, Ken

"Good teams win games. Bad teams have meetings."

by BobbySouthSide on Jan 31, 2012 5:35 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

no my brother had that honor. lol

Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.

by KenWo4LiFe on Jan 31, 2012 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

"I would have cheered him louder if he brought me some Bud Light Lime so I didn't have to force down a few Fat Tire's."

Am I about to be Wooshed? Because the only reason you would have to force down a Fat Tire, is because your stomach is literally full to the point of bursting. Or you were swallowing the bottle as well. If that’s the case, then you are doing it all wrong….

Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you got to hit the ball square. ~Joe Schultz, 1969

by zevsenesca on Jan 31, 2012 11:43 AM CST reply actions

lol. fat tire was not good.

Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.

by KenWo4LiFe on Jan 31, 2012 11:53 AM CST up reply actions

meh, not for me either

"Rhubarb, if you wouldn’t mind, ram your taint into your monitor as hard as you can." - joewho112

by BoeJouma on Jan 31, 2012 11:53 AM CST up reply actions

Fat Tire over Bud Light Lime any day of the week.

I’m a little disappointed KenWo.

by polodude017 on Jan 31, 2012 7:36 PM CST up reply actions

BL Limes are smooth going down. i had some serious bitter beer face issues with the fat tire.

shit was gross.

Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.

by KenWo4LiFe on Jan 31, 2012 7:53 PM CST up reply actions

Seriously.

What is wrong with you KWo? Bud light lime???

by ScottyPods Ver2.0 on Feb 1, 2012 8:57 AM CST up reply actions

absolutely. they are the best.

Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.

by KenWo4LiFe on Feb 1, 2012 11:30 AM CST up reply actions

i agree

Fat tire is tasty, bud light lime? My mother in law drinks bud light lime when she’s watering her petunia’s.

"Good teams win games. Bad teams have meetings."

by BobbySouthSide on Jan 31, 2012 5:37 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

So does KenWo.

by South Side Expat on Jan 31, 2012 6:03 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

this should be required viewing for the white sox front office.

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2012/1/31/2760926/trends-in-negative-war-players-since-2002

by larry on Jan 31, 2012 1:14 PM CST reply actions

We're third best!

Oh, wait… I’m a little surprised by where the Cubs fall. Thanks for posting this.

by palehose67 on Jan 31, 2012 1:34 PM CST up reply actions

Oh My Lord.

That is disgusting.

We're all here because we're not all there.

by winningugly on Jan 31, 2012 2:01 PM CST up reply actions

Ha, was just going to post this!

What laugher.

Also, they mentioned that “some times this happens because a player succumbs to injury, but often times the player just had a plain bad year.” I didn’t think injuries or lack of playing time were factored into WAR.

by polodude017 on Jan 31, 2012 2:28 PM CST up reply actions

presumably referring to diminished performance due to injury.

by larry on Jan 31, 2012 2:31 PM CST up reply actions

I follow.

by polodude017 on Jan 31, 2012 7:34 PM CST up reply actions

I think Adam Dunn and Andy Gonzalez alone count as about 11 guys.

"That baseball is the smartest thing out on that field." —Hawk Harrelson
The median team has gone 21.5 years without a World Series title. Depressed yet?

by mikecws91 on Feb 1, 2012 12:02 AM CST up reply actions

A Gem from a comment on Rongey's FB

Dear Season Ticket Salesman that email me: I’ve been an avid White Sox fan since I was 10 years old. Been to dozens of games including Mark Buehrle’s first no-hitter and even the Mike Cameron 4 homer game which essentially ended Jim Parque and Jon Rausch’s careers here. However, I’ve never been a season ticket holder.

I’m 27 now and less than a year ago, I was lucky enough to gain a nice promotion at work. In fact, I make 37.5% more than I ever did in my life. Since then, I’ve invested in Lasik eye surgery and am about to put in a bid on a nice 1200 sq ft condo near my awesome workplace.

As you can imagine, I would be a great candidate to buy season tickets. But, you are wrong. First of all, keeping KW as GM and letting Ozzie go was definitely head-scratching to say the least.Them, rrading Santos was a huge surprise to me. Especially after the myriad of closers the White Sox went through in April of last year to discover his knack for getting the last three outs of a winning ball game.

The real kicker was not resigning Mark Buehrle. Are you kidding me??? This guy is the face of the damn franchise. A fan favorite, works hard, never gets hurt, innings eater…super steady and fast out there. Perfect pitcher if I ever saw one.

The White Sox got rid of the WRONG 3 guys…amazingly enough, they kept the worst 3 possible bums in the history of the team; Dunn, Rios and Beckham.

The only 3 games I’m going to this season are when the Marlins come to that God-Forsaken Wrigley Field.

Signed,
A pissed off Sox Fan.

This used to be my playground

by The Cheat on Jan 31, 2012 2:44 PM CST reply actions 3 recs

Beckham one of the 3 biggest bums in Sox history...ehh i'm not sure about that.

Packers Season

by OznCoop on Jan 31, 2012 3:40 PM CST up reply actions

FTGBP

by bevingtonsTallBoy on Jan 31, 2012 3:44 PM CST up reply actions

FTCB

Packers Season

by OznCoop on Jan 31, 2012 3:57 PM CST up reply actions

He (GB) is just working on it

For 2012 season: ALEX RIOS is my new TONY PENA.

by JofpGallagher on Feb 1, 2012 6:06 AM CST up reply actions

he'd need to work a lot harder and stop defending.

by craigws on Feb 1, 2012 11:28 AM CST up reply actions

Why do whiny fans feel the need to announce when they aren't going to games?

Don’t go. Nobody cares about what stupid personnel decision broke your heart and made you sound like a jilted ex girlfriend. Secondly, stop with the damn of after myriad. Thirdly, what kind of half wit equates getting lasik surgery with being successful? I would love to know what else this asshat is investing in besides White Sox baseball.

by MelidoPerez on Jan 31, 2012 4:00 PM CST up reply actions

Not to mention it was and is impossible to trade Dunn/Rios...

and I think everyone is pretty much in agreement that letting Ozzie go and letting Buehrle walk were the right decisions (Buehrle’s obviously because of the financial situation). The guy bitches like there were better options.

by polodude017 on Jan 31, 2012 7:31 PM CST up reply actions

I am not in complete agreement....

For 2012 season: ALEX RIOS is my new TONY PENA.

by JofpGallagher on Feb 1, 2012 6:09 AM CST up reply actions

I looked high and low for that comment. Where is it?

Lemme take a stab at this person’s identity/facebook profile pic.

LOCATION:

Lives in Beverly/Southwest/Outer-ring Western Suburb

OCCUPATION:

Boiler room sales person.

FACEBOOK PROFILE PIC:

White, face is pale with stubble. Face is skinny, but starting to show signs of puffiness. Maybe wearing a backwards hat. Holding a beer. Facial expression that says “I will get drunk and call you a homo.”

TIME HE HAS TO BE AT GYM:

26 minutes from now

I like Chris Rongey. He’s helped me several times when I’ve attended White Sox news events over the years. But the people who call into the postgame show (and the people who comment on his FB page for the most part) are pants-on-head stupid. Their stupidity extends to topics beyond the White Sox.

What?! I ain't no Professor Pickles!

by 67WMAQ on Jan 31, 2012 4:15 PM CST up reply actions

Dozens of games

He has been to dozens of games at the age of twenty-seven.I am guessing his daddy took him most or all of the time.Never sent a dime of his own money.Now he wants to run the team.Shut up you whiny little bitch.

by Lil Jimmy on Jan 31, 2012 5:09 PM CST up reply actions

i found the 'dozens' part amusing as well

ive been to a dozen games this past year although i kinda wish i had saved that money now, especially with the computer and adam dunn both on the fritz

NAOPOS

by blackoutsox on Feb 1, 2012 12:17 AM CST up reply actions

hey hey hey...

i grew up in a southwest suburb and have a pale stubble face with a backwards hat. i don’t go to the gym though so you must not be talking about me. lol

but i’m watching you MAQ. lol. Nice seeing you the other day by the way.

Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.

by KenWo4LiFe on Jan 31, 2012 6:09 PM CST up reply actions