A Night at the Ballpark with Soxman

By Paul M. Banks

During the weekend that America became engulfed by the force of nature that is the Batman sequel “The Dark Knight,” I spent two nights in the shadow of our local caped-crusader. Given that the city of Chicago plays the role of Gotham in the current record-setting summer event film, it’s fitting our hero represents a Chicago team. His name is Soxman. He made his first appearance at game one of the 2005 World Series, and his legion quickly grew. He is a fan of fans and simply appears from nowhere to boost the spirit of others who love the White Sox, to show Chicagoans everywhere which team’s fans are truly the most dedicated. While Soxman’s winning record is no longer perfect in games attended, he continues to cheer on his favorite team, while having an incredible 39-7 record since last year’s World Series!

I shadowed him from his traditional pre-game meal (which is always done out of costume) to the end of the night, noticing all the heads that turn as he slowly walks by. He articulated to me how scared he and his trusty sidekick Batboy were the first time they took this walk three years ago. The dynamic duo had no clue whether they would be ridiculed, insulted, jeered, cheered or applauded. The anxiety was worth it as today scores of people approach and request to have their photo taken with him. Basically, a night at the park with him is what happens if you breed Halloween with Soxfest. You experience all that is Sox Nation in the most gregarious of atmospheres. The hotties or “Soxybacks” as he calls them come forward, seeking to get their pictures in further circulation. I even saw one ask if they would sign her breast. The dynamic duo refused, instead signing her shoulder.

 

Game One: 80s Night

Making the rounds with the caped-crusader at the ballpark is the only way to truly acknowledge his celebrity. It’s like traveling to a historical site in another state. Sure, you can read about and see pictures, but until you walk in the exact same spaces where those people of legend have walked, you don’t quite get the full effect. I talked to so many people about this story that I was doing that I gave away all the NBC5 Street Team and SportsBank business cards in my pocket. When we collaborated on a Dark Knight themed White Sox article, it broke my site’s record for blog comments the first day!
This was the night that I began to truly appreciate the star power of his sidekick Batboy; who has his own little sub-legion within the legions of fans. Because this is 80s night, the scoreboard takes on graphics and fonts that look like they belong in a Max Headroom add or Atari video game cover. The fans get it on the spirit too (see picture below) and Soxman broke out the retro 1980s logo costume. Batboy is premiering his retro 80s get-up, and the end result looks something like a cross between Nacho Libre and James Brown’s cape from the “Blues Brothers.” 

Batboy wholeheartedly agrees with Soxman when he says, “The way people embrace the characters with a sense of celebrity is humbling. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to people asking me for my autograph.” I’m amazed by the overwhelming effect they have on the U.S. Cellular Field crowd. Their friend (and on this day personal photographer) “Bobby Biceps” informs me that what I’ve witnessed is only a mild-average crowd response day. “Not even in the top quadrant of insanity,” Soxman says. He articulated more on his local celebrity status: “I’ll NEVER get used to U.S. Cellular staff asking us to leave so they can go home, or just seeing the word celebrity associated with the name Soxman.  The fans gave us that power.  With great power comes great responsibility: to never let them down.”

 

Sox Fan Notable Quotables:

Dozens of people in section 111 chanting “S-O-X-M-A-N…B-A-T-B-O-Y”

“IT’S SUPER HERO DAY!!!” –some drunk guy at gate 3

“You guys are just rarrrrhhhhh” –from a cougar who showed her claws during the growl portion of that statement in section 112

“You look like you guys don’t need a ticket” –a scalper on 35th street

“Are you the paparazzi or the bodyguards” –Fran Erikson who inquired as to what Soxman friend “Bobby Biceps” and I were doing as we walked with the dynamic duo in the outfield concourse.

“It’s the CAPED CRUSADER” –random Sox fan who later posted on the Dark Knight White Sox Exchange article

“Did you see the Dark Knight yet man? It was such an awesome movie!” –numerous people at U.S. Cellular Field that night

“You are the best dressed man in the park. You and your friend” –guy at outfield beer stand

 

Game Two: Mullet Night

For the following night’s game, Soxman donned a “mullet” atop his costume, and we partook in the pre-game “mullet march,” a fun chance to walk the perimeter of the field and get great views of the stadium from the playing surface. Did I mention that little kids are the demographic that seem to love Soxman the most? Makes sense given whom comic book superheroes appeal to the most.  Nine year old Alyssa Choksin, a season ticket holder just a couple rows from Soxman and Batboy, gives his sidekick a Twizzler every single game. And she knows quite a bit about baseball heroes. She’s received autographed memorabilia from Miquel Olivo and Mark Grudzielanek. Her father has pictures of both taking her onto the field before the game. When talking with her and her parents, she tells me, “You’re Batboy!” She is not the first one to think that on this evening because I’m using Batboy’s ticket for this game. (You can see the picture of me next to Batboy on a different page of this site if you still think I might be Soxman’s sidekick) I don’t think I’ve seen anyone sing the seventh inning stretch with as much fervor as nine year old Alyssa.

Earlier in the game, a pop fly ricocheted off the glove of the man who Soxman believes to be my celebrity look-alike, Kansas City Royals third baseman Alex Gordon. It then bounces off a fan in the first couple rows and ends up in the hands of Soxman. I’ve never had the person sitting next to me catch a foul ball, and I’ve been to hundreds of baseball games. He promptly gave it to four year old Matthew McLean, who was attending his first Sox game in the aisle across from us. 

 

 I asked the Soxman how his character came to life:
 
“During the start of the 2005 play-offs I bet a Cubs fan friend of mine that if the White sox made it to the World Series, I would do something to prove to the City of Chicago, and the world, that White Sox fans are the craziest around.”
 
Where he got the idea:
 
The Sox played Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero” from Footloose a lot in 2005 when behind at games.  “One morning while in the shower, the song was in my head and I thought to myself: that’s it!”  After several sketches and a lot of shopping, the sock laden super-hero was born.
 
Soxman used the extra material from the costume to help create Batboy’s first outfit. I also asked him about the detractors, about how to answer people who think he just craves attention and to use that attention for personal gain.
 
“Take the time to really get to know the character.  Observe what we do and how we interact with fans.  Rain or shine, in extreme temperatures, Batboy and I dress. Personal gain goes right out the window because I donate anything I earn from the character to various charities.  I’d love to make a living doing Soxman, but as of right now, my other career pays the bills…LOL.”
 
I’ve done charity work with him for Heartland Blood Centers, and I asked him what doing philanthropy brings to his life…
 
“When you are blessed with a sense of celebrity simply for who you are, the least you can do is use that power for good.  The whole point of Soxman and Batboy is to bring something positive to people.  Doing charity work amplifies the good you can do.”

The excessive media access to Soxman only comes about because he’s been such a critical part of my webzine and its growth. He truly is my #3 and TheSportsBank.net executive Vice President. He shares my professional feelings for him. “I consider you the Super Hero’s insider at the press, you know the one that heroes befriend and give them the exclusives?  If you were a super hero, you’d be called: Sports Ace.”
 
Here you go…
 
Sports Ace is champion, a friend, and hero support to Soxman,
Spins the world wide web to catch your attention, and is a true Sox fan.
He practices grinder rules to the end, can recite them one to ten.
And brandishes only quick wit, and wields one mighty golden pen.
He polices the net for sports news and pontificates Sox woes,
And writes awesome articles that are enjoyed by 1000’s of average Joes.
Don’t forget pop culture, from Paris to that Lindsey Chic.
He’ll even comment on the Cubs, although it might make him sick.
He can write forever with stamina like a champion marathon jogger.
Look on the net, it’s not a bird or a plane, it’s your friendly neighborhood blogger!
 
Welcome to the American League of Justice!
 –Soxman

Join the Sox Super Friends! Soxman and the American League of Justice have posed for 100s of photos. If you have a photo with us or would like to post another sox photo to become a member of the Sox Super Friends please submit your photo to thesoxman72@yahoo.com.

 

Alyssa, Batboy’s Twizzler girl. The Royals gear is because of her friendship with Olivo

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