In the long awaited fourth installment of our series, we’re highlighting Sox fans who live all over the country and asking them how they found their roots in White Sox Fandom.
Today we’re speaking Bennett Karroll aka @thebennettk
1. Where were you born/when did you move out of Chicago, if born here?
I was born in Chicago and moved to NY when I was a year old.
When did you become a White Sox fan and who can you credit for this?
Growing up in NY in the late 90’s, with no way to watch the Sox regularly, and the Yankees on a dynastic run, my dad let me consider being a Yankees fan briefly, but by 2000 he was ensuring I would be a Sox fan. He’s been a Sox fan since Dick Allen came into town.
What is your favorite Sox game you’ve attended in your “home” park or region?
My first ever Sox game at Yankee Stadium! They beat the Yankees 17-4, with a 9-run first inning! A close second is…. my second ever Sox game at Yankee Stadium, where they won 13-2 with a Frank Thomas Grand Slam off the foul pole.
Have you been to Sox Park? If so, what were your honest feelings about it?
I have, I like it, it is a mid-tier ballpark but that doesn’t make it bad.
What do you think about gatekeeping baseball fandom based on location?
In the modern day of streaming there is no reason that you need to live near your team to be a fan. MLB.tv made it so I can watch 100 Sox games a year if I want. How does me watching from DC make me any less of a fan? Gatekeeping in general is douchey, but on location in 2023 is just moronic. I watched 120 games a year during the rebuild (this may explain a lot about me) and it doesn’t matter if you watched every game or only tune in when they’re good, as long as you are enjoying and not being a dick, be a fan!
Does WST help you feel more connected to the fanbase?
Sox twitter is the reason I’m still as nutty about this team as I am. When I flew out to see some games the G Spot for the first time in over a decade, it was a trip to see and meet people first and see the Sox second.
Are there any Sox bars/meetups in your area? How do you connect yourself with the team outside of WST?
There is a DC WST group chat (hmu if you aren’t in it) and there are rare meetups but mainly outside of it I just talk with regular baseball fans. There *is* a Chicago bar but it’s a Bears bar that technically doubles as a Cubs bar.
What changes would you like to see the Sox make in the next few years?
lol.
Editor addition: Bennett reported he has big feelings about this (don’t we all?) but wanted to be mindful of our character limit. I’m sure he would be happy to tell you all about it via WST.
If the Sox relocated out of Chicago would you still support them?
I think if they changed the team name I might feel different, but as long as they are EST or CST, yea 100%. I can’t do 10pm start times. I would also assume Jerry isn’t owning the team at that point, which would also change my opinion
Who is your favorite current player and all time player?
Current Luis Robert Jr, all-time is………. Probably Mark Buehrle? I was slightly too young to truly say Frank Thomas.
What is your favorite thing about the White Sox and its fans?
My favorite thing about the White Sox is that through this stupid terrible baseball team I’ve met some of my closest friends in the world thanks to WST and the great
Big thanks to Bennett for taking the time and for you, our wonderful reader, for stopping by! We still have plenty of folks to feature, so stay tuned!
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