WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF APRIL 7, 2016 “Rodon outdueled by Gray in Oakland” … Scott Merkin and Jane Lee, MLB.com “Rodon settles in after early runs in ’16 debut” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Danks focused on present as contract year begins” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Garcia isn’t content to solely serve as DH” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Graveman, Latos face off in A’s-White Sox finale” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Sonny Gray leads Athletics past Carlos Rodon, White Sox” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “White Sox veterans have provided instant boost for Abreu, Eaton” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “John Danks looks for colder start to 2016 than Trevor Story’s” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Todd Frazier already sees White Sox building character” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Chance the Rapper designs new limited edition White Sox caps” … Staff, CSN Chicago “Wednesday’s recap: Athletics 2, White Sox 1” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Sonny Gray returns from illness to shut down White Sox, spoil Carlos Rodon’s debut” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “White Sox’s Brett Lawrie takes off-field training seriously” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Robin Ventura likes reconfigured White Sox outfield” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Frugal investment in Jimmy Rollins already paying dividends for White Sox” … David Haugh, Chicago Tribune “Chance the Rapper, White Sox’s answer to Drake, unveils redesigned caps” … Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune “White Sox beat Cubs – when it comes to beer in 2016” … Josh Noel, Chicago Tribune “Cubs, White Sox vendors hope big leagues boost sales” … Greg Trotter, Chicago Tribune “Athletics, Gray defeat White Sox 2-1” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “White Sox notes: Lawrie, Garcia, Jackson” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “Rollins makes instant impact on, off field for White Sox” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times “Chicago White Sox fall short 2-1 at Oakland” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald “White Sox shut down by Sonny Gray in 2-1 loss to A’s” … Rick Eymer, Associated Press “Oakland 2, White Sox 1: In loss, Rodon shows why he was worth hype” … Jon Greenberg, The Athletic “Chance the Rapper and the baseball experiment” … Jon Greenberg, The Athletic “White Sox broadcaster Jason Benetti predicted his future in grade School” … Justin Breen, DNA Info “Chance the Rapper designs limited-edition White Sox hats” … Ed Komenda, DNA Info “Sources: Chance the Rapper near club ambassador deal with White Sox” … Darren Rovell, ESPN “What to eat at Chicago’s U.S. Cellular Field, 2016 edition” … Ashok Selvam, Chicago Eater “A guide to the new food at White Sox games” … Maggie Hendricks, USA Today “How a Major League Baseball stadium decides what crazy food fans will eat” … Maggie Hendricks, USA Today “Chance the Rapper, the new face of the White Sox” … Danny Ecker, Crain’s Chicago Business “Chance the Rapper has redesigned the White Sox cap” … Zach Long, Time Out Chicago “Chance the Rapper narrates Chicago White Sox video, redesigns hat” … Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork “Chance the Rapper narrated the Chicago White Sox’ new team video and redesigned their hats” … Chris Mench, Complex “Chicago White Sox - PlayerWatch” … Reuters “30 teams in 30 days: Chicago White Sox find excellence in efficiency” … Josh Benjamin, Forbes “Chance the Rapper is now a designer (for the Chicago White Sox)” … Madeline Roth, MTV.com “Chance the Rapper designs new White Sox hats” … NBC Chicago

“White Sox nearing deal with Chance the Rapper for ambassador role” … Bernie Augustine, New York Daily News “Chance the Rapper designed new White Sox hats” … Kenny Ducey, Sports Illustrated “White Sox hit homer by teaming with Chance the Rapper” … Steven J. Gaither, Omnisport “Report: Chance the Rapper nearing deal with White Sox” … Jack McNeil, Baseball Essential “Chance the Rapper invades White Sox dugout to promote redesigned ‘SoX’ caps” … Dan Carson, FOX Sports

Rodon outdueled by Gray in Oakland By Scott Merkin and Jane Lee / MLB.com | April 6th, 2016 OAKLAND -- Sonny Gray outdueled Carlos Rodon, firing seven innings of one-run ball with just three hits allowed in his season debut. Mark Canha homered in support of the ace as the A's pulled out a 2-1 victory over the White Sox at the Coliseum on Wednesday for their first win of the season. "Sonny was Sonny," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "We've seen him pitch that type of game often. Especially when we lost a couple of tough ones, I think he gets even more inspired to be the guy to go out there and get deep in the game and give us a chance to win. He did." Gray, who was scratched from his Opening Day start on Monday because of the flu, worked around four walks and struck out five, the lone run off the right-hander coming in the third inning when Austin Jackson doubled and later scored on Jimmy Rollins' sacrifice fly. Right-hander Ryan Madson notched the save with a scoreless ninth. Ryan Madson strikes out Alex Avila to earn his first save with the Athletics "It was a big game for us," Gray said. "You definitely don't want to start 0-3, and we kind of needed somewhat of a deeper start." "We were chasing some stuff away. He had good movement on that when he needed to," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said of Gray. "Caught us being aggressive and wasn't throwing strikes when we were looking for strikes. He probably wasn't feeling that great but he's still a very talented pitcher and he has great stuff.” The left-handed Rodon also made it through seven innings, yielding seven hits -- including a single to Billy Burns on the first pitch of the game. Khris Davis followed with his own base hit, and Jed Lowrie got the A's on the board with a sacrifice fly, giving him five RBIs in this four-game series, which concludes at 12:35 p.m. PT on Thursday and will be available free on MLB.TV. Carlos Rodon works seven solid innings, surrendering only two runs on seven hits and striking out six MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Platoon power: Melvin has promised to find at-bats for Canha against left-handers, and on Wednesday that meant a rare start in right field, just the second of Canha's career. Canha made good on the decision by coming up with Oakland's first home run of the season, a solo shot to right field off Rodon with one out in the second on the first pitch. Canha hit 16 home runs as a rookie last year. Be aggressive: The White Sox scored a run in the third on Rollins' sacrifice fly, but it was more a tribute to good fundamental baseball. Jackson opened with a double, moved to third on Adam Eaton's grounder to second and got the go-ahead from third-base coach Joe McEwing on Rollins' short fly to Davis in left. Davis' throw was well off the mark. Axford delivers: The A's found themselves on the wrong end of a challenge in the eighth inning when White Sox leadoff man Eaton was confirmed safe at first base on an infield single, but right-hander John

Axford managed to wipe him off the bags anyway, by getting Rollins to ground into a critical double play that capped an eight-pitch battle. "Those are veteran guys that aren't afraid to pitch with some guys on base," Melvin said. "Ax has been really good about being quicker to the plate. There was a time when he had trouble slide-stepping and being quick to the plate, and he had a couple base runners on that he needed to be quick to the plate to hold the running game down, and he did. Very effective." Missed opportunities: Singles from Eaton and Melky Cabrera put the leadoff hitter on base in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, for the White Sox in a one-run game. But Ventura decided against the bunt in both cases. Rollins hit into a double play in the eighth, after trying to go the other way to left against a pronounced shift, and the White Sox never got a runner to second in the ninth, with catcher Alex Avila striking out to end the game. "On the road, you want to try to get a little more than that," Ventura said. "You're looking to win it and we had guys coming up that we liked. We thought about it, but we wanted to get a couple there." QUOTABLE "He's a [darn] good pitcher. I asked him, 'How are you feeling?' and he said, 'Not too good.' It didn't seem that way." -- Avila, on Gray WHAT'S NEXT White Sox: Signed to a one-year, $3 million deal as a free agent, Mat Latos provides the right-handed relief among a quartet of southpaws in the White Sox rotation for the finale of this four-game set, which begins at 2:35 p.m. CT on Thursday and is available free on MLB.TV. A's: Right-hander Kendall Graveman makes his season debut Thursday, and he'll be looking for his first win since July 4. Graveman lost each of his final five decisions last year before succumbing to an oblique strain that prematurely ended his season. The series finale is available live for free on MLB.TV. at 12:35 p.m. PT.

Rodon settles in after early runs in ’16 debut By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | April 6th, 2016 OAKLAND -- Allowing two runs on seven hits over seven innings served as a solid season debut for Carlos Rodon on Wednesday night against the A's at the Coliseum, especially since the A's scored both of those runs in the first two innings. Not good enough in Rodon's mind, though, after the White Sox suffered their first loss of the 2016 season by a 2-1 margin. "I like winning," said Rodon, who threw 61 of his 99 pitches for strikes. "Sometimes things don't go your way, and that's baseball." "We made some adjustments to try and get him in a nice rhythm," White Sox catcher Alex Avila said. "From there on, he pitched really well." Rodon has the pedigree to be an elite starting pitcher. Coupled with Chris Sale and Jose Quintana, the 23-year-old gives the White Sox one of the top rotation trios in all of Major League Baseball. He's also young, both in age and experience, with 24 starts behind him, counting Wednesday's six-strikeout, one-walk performance. Oakland started the game with singles from Billy Burns and Khris Davis on five pitches.

That first-and-third, nobody-out situation resulted in Jed Lowrie's sacrifice fly and nothing more. Rodon then settled down, aside from an opposite-field, one-out homer from Mark Canha in the second, and allowed multiple baserunners one more time in the sixth. Canha lined out to end that frame and strand two runners, following a Josh Phegley swing and miss off Rodon's devastating slider that he used to finish off four strikeouts. "When he gets through it and finishes the pitch, it's pretty good. It's a swing-and-miss slider, it kind of disappears on you," Avila said. "I've faced guys with sliders like that and usually when they're able to command the fastball and finish -- and I mean finish the pitch. Sometimes you can get around it and it will stay up, but a slider like that, the way he throws it's a devastating pitch." "Control, composure all that stuff, he threw great," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "At the end, he did what he had to do and Sonny [Gray] did what he had to do." Adjustments towards the fastball after those first two innings left Rodon throwing 60 two-seamers and 13 four-seamers against 20 sliders and six changeups, per Brooks Baseball. "He looked great. He was effectively wild today," Avila said. "At times he didn't have the best command but was able to make enough pitches and get enough strikes to where they were still swinging. He had a real good two-seamer today and was able to get some swings and misses and ground balls, too. Overall, I thought he pitched well."

John Danks focused on present as contract year begins By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | April 6th, 2016 OAKLAND -- It would be understandable for John Danks to wax a bit nostalgic about what could be the beginning of his final White Sox season, with this Friday's home-opener start against the Cleveland Indians on the immediate horizon. But the consummate pro and clubhouse leader hasn't let future thoughts invade the present since he found out about the date for his initial 2016 trip to the mound. "Truthfully, no, I hadn't even thought about it," Danks said. "When I found out I was throwing, I was excited. It will be a good atmosphere and should be fun. The focus the last few weeks has been on Cleveland and getting the season off on the right foot. "I want to finish this contract strong, and it's a big year for me, obviously. We all know how I've been the last few years. In my mind, I need a good year or this is it. That's kind of my motivation. So, like I said, I'm focused on Cleveland, trying to give us a chance to win." Danks has this present season remaining on a five-year, $65 million extension. He has made 62 starts and pitched a total of 371 1/3 innings over the past two seasons, but as the veteran southpaw mentioned, he wants to be more than an innings eater with an ERA in the 4.75 range. Fixing a pitch-tipping problem that was recognized by catcher Dioner Navarro helped Danks during Spring Training. He also felt something click midway through his Arizona work, giving him a boost. "Go out there and feel good and throw strikes, get the swing you want," Danks said. "I've been pleased. I felt like I'm getting a lot of balls on the ground, whether that's for outs or hits. Get as many balls on the ground, and I'll take my chances."

Despite the forecast for morning showers, wind and a high of 42 degrees on Friday, Danks' family will make the journey for the sold-out home opener. The 30-year-old hasn't let the chilly forecast affect his outlook. "I don't enjoy the cold, by any means," a smiling Danks said. "But certainly, on my day I want it to be as cold as possible. I feel like it's more of an advantage for the pitcher the colder it is. I'm not real concerned about the cold, to be honest. I hope it's 20 degrees and sleeting."

Garcia isn’t content to solely serve as DH By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | April 6th, 2016 OAKLAND -- Avisail Garcia opened the 2016 season as the White Sox designated hitter in a pair of one-run victories over the A's at the Coliseum, a move that wouldn't be argued by fans who didn't think much of his defense in right field last year. Garcia topped Major League Baseball with 17 assists, but he also had a -11 rating in defensive runs saved, per Baseball Reference. In the mind of White Sox general manager Rick Hahn, though, those defensive shortcomings weren't totally on the 24-year-old. "A little bit of it, and we looked at this some over the course of the offseason, might have been with our positioning that we weren't necessarily putting him in the best position pitch to pitch to get to some balls," Hahn said. "We've each seen some balls on the way in towards the line or even a little back towards the gap that he's just come up a little bit short on, where with perhaps a little bit better positioning off the start, it might be an easier play for him. "Look, the athleticism is there, the tools are there and certainly the work ethic is there. So, we just need to put him in the best position to succeed and let that ability take over." For a player who has 268 career games played in the field and 17 as DH, especially a young player who has made significant changes within his offensive approach, focusing solely on hitting during games stands as a tough proposition. It was an admittedly difficult challenge for accomplished hitters such as Adam Dunn and Adam LaRoche when they moved from the National League to the American League. The good news for Garcia, who was 1-for-8 prior to Wednesday night's contest, is that manager Robin Ventura intends to rotate the DH spot between outfielders Garcia, Melky Cabrera and even Adam Eaton. "It's hard. I like to be in the field," Garcia said. "But you know, whatever is best for the team. If they want me to DH, I'll do my best to help the team win. Let's see what happens." Having Austin Jackson in center and Eaton in right presents the White Sox with a tighter outfield defense. So Garcia has to earn more defensive playing time. "He needs to work on it. That's no secret," said Ventura, who plans to start Garcia in right on Thursday. "But he has the ability to do it. He runs a little quicker than you would think, because he's so big, but he's got some work to do. "That's part of being young, what he went through last year. We have guys who can play it, so he's got time to work at it and be better at it."

Graveman, Latos face off in A’s-White Sox finale By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | April 6th, 2016 White Sox general manager Rick Hahn believes the best is yet to come for Chicago right-hander Mat Latos. A's manager Bob Melvin believes Oakland right-hander Kendall Graveman is healthy enough to pitch.

The answer to both of those assertions will come Thursday, when the two hurlers take the mound for the afternoon finale of a four-game set at the Coliseum. Latos made three starts during Spring Training, and while the results weren't what the veteran desired, he made positive strides with each outing. He agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the White Sox as a free agent during this past offseason. Graveman, like A's ace Sonny Gray, battled the flu this week, enduring an especially difficult eight hours on Tuesday, but he was back in the A's clubhouse on Wednesday and deemed healthy enough to make his scheduled start in the series finale. Melvin gathered his squad for a team meeting with head trainer Nick Paparesta on Tuesday afternoon to discuss ways to combat the virus. "I've had this Purell dispenser in here for years," Melvin said, smiling, "and now everybody doesn't think I'm so crazy." Things to know • Avisail Garcia will be in right field and Tyler Saladino gets the start at shortstop for the White Sox in the series finale. • A's infielder Eric Sogard is still being bothered by a neck strain when he hits, so he's expected to continue his rehab in Oakland when the A's go to Seattle. • The last time the White Sox opened a season with back-to-back one-run victories was in 2005, when they beat the Indians by 1-0 and 4-3 margins. • Left-hander Eric Surkamp is set to join the A's on Thursday and will be activated the following day for a start against the Mariners in Seattle, pitching in place of Felix Doubront (elbow sprain).

Sonny Gray leads Athletics past Carlos Rodon, White Sox By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | April 6th, 2016 OAKLAND, Calif. — The White Sox offense still hasn’t worked out all the kinks. Even though he wasn’t at full strength, Sonny Gray didn’t help matters, either. The All-Star pitcher and two relievers did enough Wednesday night to send the White Sox to a 2-1 loss in front of 16,468 at the Oakland Coliseum. Rescheduled after a bout with food poisoning, Gray combined with John Axford and Ryan Madson on a six-hitter to outduel Carlos Rodon. Rodon took the loss even though he only allowed two earned runs and six hits in seven innings and struck out six. “He’s a damn good pitcher,” White Sox catcher Alex Avila said of Gray. “I asked him, ‘How are you feeling?’ and he said, ‘Not too good.’ It didn’t seem that way.” The White Sox only had one inning with multiple baserunners and three legitimate chances overall against Gray, who originally was scheduled to pitch Monday’s opener against Chris Sale. Austin Jackson doubled to start the third inning, advanced on an Adam Eaton grounder and scored on a Jimmy Rollins sac fly that got the White Sox within 2-1.

Jackson also put together a nice at-bat in the fifth inning against Gray with Avila on second. But Jackson lined out to second base on the 10th pitch and Avila was caught leaning for an inning-ending double play. An inning later, Gray walked Todd Frazier with two outs to put two on for Melky Cabrera. But Gray won again as Cabrera hit a short chopper in front of the mound for the final out. Gray allowed a run and three hits with four walks in seven innings. He struck out five only two days after he required three bags of fluids during a trip to the emergency room. The White Sox, who snapped a 10-inning scoreless stretch on Tuesday night, also stranded the tying run in the eighth and ninth innings against Axford and Madson. Through three games, the team has a .297 on-base percentage. “We were chasing some stuff away,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “He had good movement on that when he needed to. Caught us being aggressive and wasn’t throwing strikes when we were looking for strikes. He probably wasn’t feeling that great, but he’s still a very talented pitcher and he has great stuff.” Rodon settled down after a shaky start. He allowed runs in the first and second inning before he retired 17 of the last 22 he faced. “He looked great,” Avila said. “He was effectively wild today. At times he didn’t have the best command, but was able to make enough pitches and get enough strikes to where they were still swinging.” Oakland swung early against Rodon with first-inning singles by Billy Burns and Khris Davis to put runners on the corners. Jed Lowrie’s sac fly only three batters in made it a 1-0 game. Then in the second, Mark Canha drove a 91-mph fastball from Rodon on the outer half out to right field for an opposite-field home run and a 2-0 lead. But Rodon — who allowed 13 earned runs in his final 7 2/3 innings this spring — found a rhythm. He ended the second inning with strikeouts of Yonder Alonso and Marcus Semien and gained steam. Only two more runners reached scoring position in Rodon’s final five innings. Whereas Rodon walked six batters in his last start in Oakland (last May 15), free passes weren’t an issue on Tuesday. The left-hander continued a trend he began last August of limiting his walks, issuing only one in seven innings. He threw strikes on 61 of 99 pitches. Still, Rodon desire more from his first start. “(Canha) hit that ball good,” Rodon said. “I didn’t think it was going to get out. It surprised me. There was some power in it. Then I settled in there and threw well.” “I like winning. That’s part of it when sometimes things don’t go your way, and that’s baseball. They put the bat on the ball and made things happen early. They made it happen early. I just wish they wouldn’t have.”

White Sox veterans have provided instant boost for Abreu, Eaton By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | April 6th, 2016 OAKLAND, Calif. — Count Adam Eaton and Jose Abreu as two of the biggest benefactors of the White Sox veteran cast.

The additions of Todd Frazier, Jimmy Rollins, Alex Avila, Dioner Navarro and Austin Jackson have put the two stars in a position where they don’t have to do as much heavy lifting. Look to Tuesday’s victory over the Oakland A’s as Exhibit A. Despite several disappointing moments, the White Sox emerged victorious as Frazier and Rollins both put them ahead with two big home runs. Afterward, Frazier said he appreciates how the team’s players pick each other up. Abreu said Tuesday that attitude and belief has been present in the dugout all spring and makes a big difference. “Completely,” Abreu said through an interpreter. “When you have guys like Frazier, Rollins, Navarro with that kind of experience, you feel more confidence. It doesn’t matter how the game goes because you know you’re always going to have a chance to produce some runs and to win the game and that makes you feel very confident.” Eaton has felt a different kind of confidence this season since before he set foot in the clubhouse after he rebounded from an abysmal start last season. Even though failure was everywhere, the leadoff man took his and the team’s struggles very personally and said the team’s performance relied heavily upon him getting on base and setting the table. But he learned how to survive after not driving in a run until his 109th plate appearance and put up very respectable numbers. As if that performance wasn’t enough, Eaton said his new teammates have constantly reminded him not to do too much early in the season. Through two games, Eaton has five hits in nine plate appearances. He didn’t get his fifth hit in 2015 until his 36th plate appearance. He also notched his first RBI in his second plate appearance. “Those guys are in my ear all the time letting me know, like ‘Hey, just do the thing you do and go out and play the game and let it take care of itself,’ ” Eaton said. “Just go out and play. “It’s been the same approach, nothing has changed. It’s just the first two games balls are bouncing my way and hopefully can continue to play consistent baseball.” Something has changed though. Manager Robin Ventura said his roster not only offers more experience, but he has players who want to teach the younger guys how to handle the ups and downs. Ventura said the veterans have provided examples of how to stay in the game, at-bats, etc. But they offer more than examples. “The big part is they are good guys to learn from,” Ventura said. “They are willing to take the time and talk baseball. These guys get along fairly well, so I think that’s part of it, the trust factor being able to share that.” Moments like the fifth inning also give Abreu a sense of confidence he isn’t the only run producer. He doesn’t have to expand his strike zone to break the team out of its slump. Abreu struck out against Chris Bassitt on a curveball with two on base. Frazier fell behind 0-2 in the count before he smacked a curveball for a three-run homer. “I couldn’t do the job and they did it and that’s good,” Abreu said. “It’s huge support for us, especially for me. Having (Frazier) behind is good. He’s a very good hitter. Everybody knows about him. “We can be a very good force in the lineup.”

John Danks looks for colder start to 2016 than Trevor Story’s By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | April 6th, 2016 OAKLAND, Calif. — John Danks doesn’t feel as bad now that Trevor Story has homered four times in his first three games for the Colorado Rockies. He wasn’t in as good of a place on March 28 when Story blasted “a ball 500 feet” against him in a Cactus League contest in Scottsdale, Ariz. After that one, Danks joked he was worried the ball, one that actually traveled 449 feet, would have hit his rental car. But Danks — who is scheduled to start in Friday’s home opener against the Cleveland Indians — has come around now that Story has continued his torrid run and is the first player in baseball history to homer in his first three games. “It makes me feel a lot better,” Danks said. “He’s got some long ones, too. I wasn’t the only one.” Danks would love for his 2016 campaign to get started on similar terms, though he prefers cold weather. The left-hander said he’s flying back on Thursday ahead of his teammates, who close out a four-game series against the Oakland A’s that afternoon. “I don’t enjoy the cold by any means,” Danks said. “Certainly on my day I want it to be as cold as possible. I feel like it’s more advantage pitcher the colder it is. I’m not real concerned about the cold to be honest. I hope it’s 20 degrees and sleeting.” Danks won’t wear anything heavier in the cold weather despite a forecast of 43 degrees with a 50 percent chance of snow, according to weather.com. He intends to wear a tank top under his jersey and short sleeves as always. “There’s times I’ll go in the clubhouse and stand in front of the heater,” Danks said. “But for me in my experience, once I’m out on the field, your focus is so much on everything but the cold. “You really don’t even notice it.” Danks did notice that Story has hit four homers already in his first three contests after blasting six this spring. Two of Story’s first three traveled 436 and 428 feet. “He looks like a player,” Danks said. “Physically, he looks like a strong guy, athletic guy. He has pop. Outside of that I don’t know a whole lot about him. But he’s off to a good start.”

Todd Frazier already sees White Sox building character By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | April 6th, 2016 OAKLAND, Calif. - Todd Frazier’s first White Sox homer appeared to be a big one and he appropriately observed the moment. Just as he neared first base after crushing a three-run homer on Tuesday night, Frazier stared into the White Sox dugout and wildly pumped his right arm. The blast on an 0-2 curveball from Oakland pitcher Chris Bassitt put the White Sox ahead in a game they eventually won 5-4 on a Jimmy Rollins’ ninth-inning solo shot. Frazier said he enjoyed the moment, which snapped a 10-inning scoreless streak for the White Sox offense. “You’re down, and you hit a three-run home run,” Frazier said. “There’s nothing better than that, to get us back in there, get our pitcher going and away we went. There are a lot of good wins right now. Even though it’s only two, it’s character-building wins, and nobody is really talking about that one run Austin Jackson got for us. That was a big run. And then Jimmy coming through. That’s what we do. We pick

each other up. Bottom line is when something goes wrong, somebody’s there to pick you up. And so far, even though it’s a small sample size, it’s nice to see.” Frazier’s moment had to be a boost for Jose Abreu. Abreu faced Bassitt with two on and one out and struck out on a curveball in the dirt. Bassitt quickly got ahead of Frazier with two strikes before the third baseman went down and got in front of the pitch, resulting in the 399-foot blast to left center. The homer is exactly the reason the White Sox parted with three players - including ballyhooed pitching prospect Frankie Montas - to get Frazier in a three-team deal in December. The hope is Frazier will add punch to a team that hit only 136 homers last season while offering protection for Abreu. Frazier earlier picked up his first White Sox hit with a fourth-inning single.

Chance the Rapper designs new limited edition White Sox caps By Staff / CSN Chicago | April 6th, 2016 There are some new White Sox hats coming to Chicago. Chance the Rapper took to social media on Wednesday to announce that he has partnered with New Era to redesign limited edition White Sox caps. Chance, who grew up on the South Side of Chicago, released this video on Twitter: Only a limited amount of hats will be sold and White Sox fans can purchase them on Friday beginning at 11 a.m. Caps can be bought on Chance's website, chanceraps.com. Chance the Rapper is also scheduled to throw out the first pitch at the White Sox home opener on Friday against the Cleveland Indians at 3:10 p.m., which will be aired on Comcast SportsNet.

Wednesday’s recap: White Sox 5, Athletics 4 By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | April 6th, 2016 Sonny Gray shut down the White Sox over seven innings to help the A's to a 2-1 victory Wednesday night at the Oakland Coliseum. Gray gave up one run on three hits and four walks as the A's prevented the Sox from moving to 3-0 for the first time since 1992. At the plate: Austin Jackson doubled and scored on Jimmy Rollins' sacrifice fly for the Sox's only run against Gray. Rollins hit into a double play in the eighth inning after Adam Eaton led off with a single against John Axford. On the mound: Carlos Rodon gave up two earned runs on seven hits with one walk and six strikeouts over his seven innings. On the bases: Alex Avila was doubled off second base when Jackson lined out to Jed Lowrie in the fifth. Key number: 1 — Hit for Melky Cabrera over his first three games, to open the ninth inning Wednesday. But Avisail Garcia grounded into a force out, Brett Lawrie flied out and Avila struck out. Up next: At Athletics, 2:35 p.m. Thursday. RH Mat Latos vs. RH Kendall Graveman.

Sonny Gray returns from illness to shut down White Sox, spoil Carlos Rodon’s debut By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | April 6th, 2016 When White Sox catcher Alex Avila asked Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray how he was feeling Wednesday after a bout of the flu earlier in the week, Gray told him “not too good.” “It didn’t seem that way,” Avila said. Two days after missing the season opener because he was ill enough to warrant a trip to the hospital, Gray held the Sox to one earned run over seven innings in a 2-1 A’s victory at Oakland Coliseum. Gray gave up three hits with four walks and five strikeouts as the Sox dropped to 2-1. The Sox left seven runners on base, including five over the last four innings. Austin Jackson doubled and scored on Jimmy Rollins’ sacrifice fly in the third inning for the Sox’s only run against Gray. Rollins hit into a double play against a shift in the eighth inning after Adam Eaton led off with a single against John Axford. Melky Cabrera led off the ninth with his first hit of the season, but Avisail Garcia hit into a force out, Brett Lawrie popped out and Avila struck out. “We were chasing some stuff away,” Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “(Gray) had good movement on that when he needed to. He caught us being aggressive and wasn’t throwing strikes when we were looking for strikes. He probably wasn’t feeling that great, but he’s still a very talented pitcher and he has great stuff.” The Sox’s failure to capitalize on those opportunities spoiled a nice season debut from left-hander Carlos Rodon. Rodon gave up two runs in the first two innings but held the A’s scoreless for his next five. “He looked great,” Avila said. “He was effectively wild today. At times he didn’t have the best command but was able to make enough pitches and get enough strikes to where they were still swinging. … We made some adjustments to try and get him in a nice rhythm and from there on he pitched really well.” Billy Burns and Khris Davis singled to start the game before Burns scored on Jed Lowrie’s sacrifice fly to right field. Mark Canha hit a home run to right field to push the A’s ahead 2-0 in the second. “Lowrie, I told him at the end of the game, ‘You just hit everything, don’t you?’” Rodon said. “He hit every pitch. (He said), ‘I don’t know what to tell you,’ and he smiled at me. … He was on fire.” Rodon allowed seven hits with one walk and six strikeouts over his seven innings. But he said he couldn’t fully be happy with his outing in a loss. “I like winning,” he said. “That’s part of it, when sometimes things don’t go your way, and that’s baseball. They put the bat on the ball and made things happen early.”

White Sox’s Brett Lawrie takes off-field training seriously By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | April 6th, 2016 Before most White Sox games, Brett Lawrie can be found on the field or in the workout room twisting his body into strange shapes. The new Sox second baseman takes his training regimen seriously, and he spent the offseason studying YouTube and Instagram videos of body movement experts to help expand his knowledge and his pregame routines in search of better flexibility.

His favorite videos involve mixed martial artist Conor McGregor. "I'm a big fan of his," Lawrie said. "It's not the fighting. … It's body movement, being able to control your body, being able to put it in positions that are uncomfortable, sustain those positions, be comfortable and get out of those. "It's being able to create flexibility in my hips and through my spine, create length, and if I do that, I feel like my body will be in a better spot." Better movement — and overall body health — could be helpful as Lawrie, 26, transitions into a full-time role at second base after playing much of his major-league career at third. He started his third game at second base Wednesday and went 0-for-4 in a 2-1 loss to the A's. Two days after missing the season opener because of the flu, A's right-hander Sonny Gray held the Sox to one run on three hits over seven innings as the Sox dropped to 2-1 on the season. Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon gave up single runs in each of the first two innings but held the A's scoreless for his next five. He allowed seven hits with one walk and six strikeouts over his seven innings. Sox manager Robin Ventura said Lawrie has looked athletic and has had plenty of range while playing second so far. "He has looked fine," Ventura said. "He doesn't necessarily look like a third baseman trying to switch over." Lawrie, who stands 6 feet and weighs 210 pounds, battled injuries during his time with the Blue Jays, so staying in good condition is a major goal. He said he already has noticed a difference in his flexibility since experimenting with the new routines and often posts his work on his Twitter and Instagram accounts. "I can do things now with my hips and my flexibility that I never would have been able to do," Lawrie said. "It's definitely positive for me. … There are always goals I'm chasing to get more flexible and to keep testing myself athletically." Sox conditioning director Allen Thomas said his main concern is that Lawrie can sustain his workouts over a full season and said, "You have to slow him down rather than speed him up." "I just wonder how it's going to hold up in game 100, game 142," Thomas said. "My goal is to get through 162 games, and I know his goal is that, but he's still trying to figure himself out. Hopefully he can get through the season maintaining and doing what he should be doing." Thomas said it's part of a learning experience for Lawrie, who is beginning his sixth major-league season. "He's into his body, which I really respect," Thomas said. "That's what he enjoys doing. I'd rather have a clubhouse full of that than the opposite." Lawrie said he is set in his pregame routine, and beyond his training, that sometimes includes playing DJ for his Sox teammates. Before Monday's season opener, Lawrie sat at a table in the middle of the clubhouse and mixed music on a DJ app that he has on his phone and computer. He said he started mixing his own walk-up music when he played in Class A. "That's part of what I do," Lawrie said. "It's part of getting ready for the game, getting everybody energetic."

Robin Ventura likes reconfigured White Sox outfield By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | April 6th, 2016 In the White Sox's first two games, manager Robin Ventura liked the look of his reconfigured outfield with Austin Jackson in center field and Adam Eaton in right. Eaton played 145 games in center last season, but when the Sox signed Jackson this spring, it gave them the flexibility to move Eaton around. Melky Cabrera is steady in left field. "He's a good center fielder," Ventura said of Jackson. "Adding Adam in right makes it better. They seem to be able to cover a lot more ground, especially here in Oakland, where there's so much foul territory." Ventura said Jackson plays a little shallower in center field by design because he moves back well. "He can cover some ground," Ventura said. "If it gets hit hard or over his head, it's probably somebody else's fault." Eaton was on a throwing program most of the spring to rebuild strength in his shoulder after minor offseason surgery, and he already has had his arm tested on key A's hits, including on Jed Lowrie's two-run single in the season opener. "He did all the work, and we wouldn't have him out there unless he was healthy enough," Ventura said. "His arm is strong enough to be out there. He has let it loose a couple of times and he feels fine." Ventura said Avisail Garcia, who has been at designated hitter the first three games, would see time in the outfield in Thursday's series finale. He said Garcia knows he needs to continue work on his defense. "That's no secret," Ventura said. "But he has the ability to do it. He runs a little quicker than you would think because he's so big, but he has some work to do. That's part of being young. … We have guys who can play (right field), so he has time to work at it and be better at it." Extra innings: Reliever Matt Albers, who pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for a hold Tuesday night, had made 21 consecutive scoreless appearances through Tuesday dating to last year. … In the first two games, Eaton reached base six times and went 5-for-8. On Wednesday he extended his on-base streak to 25 games dating to Sept. 9.

Frugal investment in Jimmy Rollins already paying dividends for White Sox By David Haugh / Chicago Tribune | April 6th, 2016 For the record, White Sox shortstop Jimmy Rollins wanted everyone to know late Tuesday night after his team's 5-4 comeback victory that this wasn't the first time he had won a game with a home run at Oakland Coliseum. That came 20 years ago when Rollins was a senior at Encinal High School in nearby Alameda, Calif., and ripped a two-run homer on a 3-0 pitch against Cal High. "And I batted left-handed too,'' the switch-hitting Rollins said at his locker, smiling. "I remember." This one left an impression, too, for a Sox team that Rollins supplies with a verve it lacked last season. He's a live wire in what was a dead clubhouse and offers an immediate upgrade in savvy over former Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez. The confidence Rollins exudes affects teammates positively and kicked in naturally when he took the plate in the ninth inning as perhaps the only guy in the ballpark thinking home run.

Rollins timed up his swing by fouling off the first pitch off A's lefty reliever Sean Doolittle, worked the count to 2-2 and turned on Doolittle's 94-mph fastball. A day after getting his first big hit in a Sox uniform, Rollins delivered again. "You can try to hit a home run but it's not that easy,'' said Rollins, 37. "I felt pretty good earlier during batting practice and I was able to execute the move I was working for and got a good pitch to hit.'' When Rollins hit it, Sox players erupted with joy like a bunch of Little Leaguers. Reliever Nate Jones had just surrendered a two-run lead in the eighth in a shaky outing that sucked the life out of the visiting dugout. But one swing from Rollins changed everything, and a small but vocal cheering section full of family and friends along the first-base line showed their appreciation for the hometown hero. And Rollins thought seeing boyhood idol Rickey Henderson on opening day was a thrill. "I wanted to look up but that would have been too predictable, so I came in and gave Melky (Cabrera) a high-five and just enjoyed it with my team," Rollins said. "We still had work to do." It was only one victory in the second game of the season but Rollins already has demonstrated why the Sox believe he was worth signing for $2 million and benching prospect Tyler Saladino. Before the game, Sox manager Robin Ventura was describing how the new veterans on the team provided a predictability in approach he liked. And then Rollins and Todd Frazier went out and showed everybody what Ventura meant. Before Rollins' ninth-inning heroics, Frazier came through with a three-run homer on an 0-2 curveball from A's starter Chris Bassitt that gave the Sox a 3-2 lead. Frazier couldn't have picked a better time for his first long ball for the Sox. But even more than the production of guys like Frazier and Rollins, their personalities have helped develop a camaraderie that those closest to the team say represents the biggest difference in the 2016 Sox. Adding experience professionalized a team not known for its baseball IQ. Winning two close games to open the season could carry significance that lasts. "It's a salty group, in a good way,'' Ventura said. "They've been around. They just seemed to hit it off from the beginning.'' The Sox believe it's the start of something special.

Chance the Rapper, White Sox’s answer to Drake, unveils redesigned caps By Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune | April 6th, 2016 Chance the Rapper designed three new White Sox hats, narrated a team video and will throw out the first pitch at U.S. Cellular Field, all of which debut Friday as the Sox host the Cleveland Indians in their home opener. The Sox acknowledge that the South Side native is as much a celebrity representative of their team as rapper Drake is for the Toronto Raptors, only Chance doesn't have an official title like "global brand ambassador." "I think that's a great parallel," White Sox marketing chief Brooks Boyer said of the comparison. "What's interesting is we noticed Chance wearing Sox apparel when he was performing. ... We reached out and invited him to come in and attend the games. We gave him some more gear because we noticed his Sox outfit was a little worn out because he sweats through his concerts."

Chance collaborated with Major League Baseball licensed apparel maker New Era on the look of the three 9FIFTY snapbacks. "When (New Era) came to us and they were looking for a celebrity who could represent the White Sox brand, he was at the top of the list," Boyer said. The rap star's appeal across demographics and geography attracted the Sox. Hours after the Sox announced Chance's redesigned caps, Boyer received a text from his 19-year-old niece, a freshman at the University of Alabama. "She said, 'Uncle Brooks, can you please get me a Chance hat?' Word travels pretty quick if it got down there to Alabama, to Tuscaloosa." Only 2,000 of the caps will be sold, priced between $40 and $50 at the ballpark and Chicago Sports Depot, as well as online through shop.mlb.com and shopneweracap.com.

White Sox beat Cubs—when it comes to beer in 2016 By Josh Noel / Chicago Tribune | April 6th, 2016 The Cubs will likely have the better team in 2016, but the White Sox continue to have Chicago’s all-star craft beer lineup. According to menus provided by both teams, U.S. Cellular Field will serve beer from eight local craft brewers in 2016: Half Acre, Lagunitas, Metropolitan, Pollyanna, Revolution, Hop Butcher For the World (formerly South Loop Brewing), Three Floyds and Two Brothers. Wrigley Field’s most interesting beers will come from Goose Island — most of them made at Anheuser-Busch breweries. The major brands for both ballparks remain unchanged: The Cell will be awash in Miller products while Budweiser and Bud Light will rule Wrigley. For those looking for variety, The Cell will be the place to be. In addition to the abundance of local brands, craft stalwarts will be served such beers as Bell’s (Oberon), Great Lakes (Elliot Ness) and Surly (Furious IPA in cans and Hell lager on draft), plus national brands such as Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Samuel Adams Boston Lager and Goose Island Green Line pale ale in bottles (which is made at an out-of-state Anheuser-Busch plant). The Cubs will have a much stronger beer lineup than years past — remember when Old Style counted as variety? — but variation will largely be limited to six Goose Island beers: 312 Urban Wheat, IPA, Four Star Pils (which will be an outstanding game day beer), Green Line, Matilda and Sofie. Wrigley will be dominated by Anheuser-Busch products, such as Michelob Ultra, Shock Top Belgian White, Shock Top Lemon Shandy, Lime-A-Rita, Straw-Ber-Rita, Stella Artois and Corona and Dos Equis (two brands that AB owns outside of the United States). The Cubs and Anheuser-Busch agreed to a 10-year exclusive marketing agreement in 2013. Wrigley Field vendors will carry Bud and Bud Light through the aisles, along with Goose’s 312 Urban Wheat and IPA. Vendors at The Cell will carry Miller Lite, Miller Genuine Draft, Coors Light and Leinenkugel Summer Shandy. Locally-made beers at The Cell will include: Three Floyds (Yum Yum pale ale), Half Acre (Daisy Cutter and Pony Pils*), Hop Butcher For the World (Good Ryes Wear Black), Lagunitas (IPA and Lil Sumpin’*), Metropolitan (Flywheel* and Krankshaft*), Pollyanna Brewing (Full Lemonty blonde ale and Mazzie pale ale), Revolution (Anti-Hero IPA) and Two Brothers (Domaine DuPage, Ebel’s Weiss and Prairie Path*). (Those available only in premium seating areas are indicated with an asterisk.)

Prices for Wrigley beer will range between $8.75 and $9.50. Prices for beers at The Cell were not available.

Cubs, White Sox vendors hope big leagues boost sales By Greg Trotter / Chicago Tribune | April 6th, 2016 For Chris Salm, CEO of Gilbert's Craft Sausages, selling sausages in the main concourse of Wrigley Field for the first time this season will be both serious business and deeply personal. Salm and his business partner, Eric Romberg, hope many thousands of Chicago Cubs fans enjoy their wares — like the Caprese Chicken Sausage or the Aloha Chicken Sausage — enough to seek them out in the grocery stores. It's a short-term play with long-range hopes of introducing more people to the 6-year-old Gilbert's brand, boosting sales and eventually expanding into more metropolitan markets. It's also just really cool, say the two longtime Cubs fans. "It's been a dream of ours since day one," said Salm, 35, of Glen Ellyn. "We never pursued it because it seemed so unrealistic." As baseball returns to Chicago's North and South side ballparks, hope is in full bloom — and not just for the Cubs and White Sox. Food companies selling their products for the first time within Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular Field are doing so with hopes of growing their business. It's not so much about the sales within the ballpark as it is reaching tens of thousands of new customers every home game. Vendors like Gilbert's partner with the companies running the concessions operations within the respective parks. Chicago-based Levy Restaurant Group handles food concessions at Wrigley. Both Levy and Delaware Sportservice Management work with many of the local food businesses at U.S. Cellular Field. Now in its 35th year of operation, Berwyn-based Buona Beef's Italian beef and meatball sandwiches will be sold at both ballparks for the first time this season. Various promotions will accompany Buona Beef in both ballparks. At Wrigley, there will be a special Anthony Rizzo-themed Italian beef sandwich served at select games, said principal Joe Buonavolanto Jr. And when the Cubs score in the bottom of the sixth inning of home games, fans at the game can take their ticket stubs in to any of the 17 locations in the Chicago area for a free sandwich. At the Cell, there will actually be Italian beef races — a three-way competition between Juicy, Sweet & Hot, and Cheesy — that will be enacted by costumed competitors during Saturday home games. The race will be held electronically on the score board during other home games. Fans will be given coupons upon admission; if their Italian beef wins, they get a free sandwich. Buona Beef, which makes about $80 million in annual sales, has plans to add about four or five restaurants per year in the coming years, Buonavolanto said. The ballpark presence will help it get there. "It's to expand our brand in the Chicago area and to visitors to Chicago who are at the games," said Buonavolanto, 53. So far, the ballpark presence has worked out well for Beggars Pizza, which is entering its third season at the Cell and recently concluded its first season at Soldier Field. The pizza chain's sales were about $45 million last year, an increase of about 15 percent from two years ago when it inked the deal with the Sox, said Larry Garetto, CEO of the Blue Island-based company.

New this year, Beggars will have a full-on pizza pub near Section 163 in left center field, Garetto said. Beggars pizza — the only pizza served in U.S. Cellular — is served at about eight or nine concession stands, and the pub will provide more of a sit-down atmosphere where people can meet, he said. As with Gilbert's and Buona Beef, the goal is to raise the brand's visibility, said Garetto, 61. When the team on the field plays better, there are more people in attendance to eat pizza, he said. "I'm sure when the White Sox have a better team, sales go up. We're 2-0 so far," he said, laughing, referring to the team's early win-loss record. "That's what we're all hoping for, right?" Wheaton-based Gilbert's Craft Sausages is already growing at a rapid clip. Salm declined to disclose exact figures for the privately held business, launched in 2010, but said sales have doubled each of the past four years. Gilbert's products can now be found in about 1,900 stores in the Midwest and Eastern U.S. — including most Jewel-Osco and Mariano's stores in the Chicago area, Salm said. But Wrigley might be able to give Gilbert's some street cred it's currently lacking, he said. "We've been operating six years and we have good distribution, but I still don't think most people know who Gilbert's is," Salm said. In July, Salm and Romberg pulled off what might have been one of the year's great marketing coups. The two Wheaton Warrenville South High School grads noticed the iconic former Torco Oil Co. billboard outside Wrigley, which had been used to advertise Miller Lite, was vacant. They decided to recreate the old Torco billboard, but with Gilbert's name inside the glittery gold oval and with arrows pointing to nearby rooftop businesses where Gilbert's sausages were sold. As Salm tells it, Cubs personnel that knew Gilbert's products reached out the very next month. By November, Salm and Romberg had signed a one-year deal for a Gilbert's stand with hopes of an eventual longer-term deal and more concessions locations within Wrigley Field. "If the worst possible thing happens, if God forbid, Gilbert's goes belly up someday, we can always look back and say, at least we sold our food in Wrigley Field," Salm said.

Athletics, Gray defeat White Sox 2-1 By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | April 6th, 2016 OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland A’s nicked left-hander Carlos Rodon for a run in each of the first two innings, and with ace right-hander Sonny Gray making his delayed debut, it was just enough for 2-1 victory over the White Sox Wednesday night. The Sox, looking to start the season at 3-0, had a tough order even though Gray was still feeling the effects of the flu that caused him to be scratched from starting Opening Day. He held the Sox to a run on three hits over seven innings. “He’s a [darn] good pitcher,” said Sox catcher Alex Avila, who had one of the hits against Gray, a single. “I asked him, ‘How are you feeling?’ And he said, ‘Not too good.’ It didn’t seem that way.” Rodon allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out six over seven innings. “He looked great,” Avila said. “He was effectively wild. At times he didn’t have the best command but was able to make enough pitches and get enough strikes to where they were still swinging. He had a real good two-seamer today and was able to get some swings and misses with and ground balls, too.” Jed Lowrie collected his fifth RBI of the series for A’s, driving in a run in the first inning with a sacrifice fly.

“I told him at the end of the game, ‘You just hit everything, don’t you?’ ” Rodon said. “He hit every pitch. (He said), ‘I don’t know what to tell you,’ and he smiled at me. I was like ‘gosh.’ He was on fire” In the second inning, Mark Canha homered off Rodon to right to make it 2-0. The Sox cut the lead in half in the third when Austin Jackson doubled into the right field corner, advanced to third on Adam Eaton’s ground out to second base and scored on Jimmy Rollins’ sacrifice fly to left. Adam Eaton, whose two hits raise his series total to seven, beat out in infield single leading off the eighth against John Axford. But Rollins, on a grounder hit at shifting shortstop Marcus Semien near the bag at second, hit into a double play. With Ryan Madson pitching the ninth for the A’s, Melky Cabrera led off with a single, his first hit of the series. But Avisail Garcia hit into a fielder’s choice, Brett Lawrie popped out and Avila struck out to give the A’s their first win. Ventura said he didn’t consider bunting the runners over in both situations because “on the road you want to try to get a little more than that. You’re looking to win it and we had guys coming up that we liked.” The Sox take a 2-1 record into the series finale Thursday afternoon with right-hander Mat Latos pitching. Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Rodon were all good in their first starts.

White Sox notes: Lawrie, Garcia, Jackson By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | April 6th, 2016 OAKLAND, Calif. – Brett Lawrie has been bouncing around the White Sox dugout like it’s the postseason, but you’ll have to excuse him if you think it’s a little much. “These games have been tight games. Duty calls,’’ Lawrie said Wednesday. Jimmy Rollins’ homer in the ninth inning Tuesday ignited the dugout, as you might expect after the bullpen gave up a two-run lead in the eighth. Lawrie would be wound tight washing his car, so his display of exuberance in that moment shouldn’t come as a surprise. He says it’s not an act. “I’m just excited right now, and that’s how I am,’’ Lawrie said. “I just try to be me and only be me. That’s going to be perceived the way it is, and hopefully it’s in a good way.’’ However it’s perceived, it’s not going to end if the Sox keep winning close games. Their first two wins were by one run. “The baseball will allow that to happen,’’ Lawrie said. “You get in tight games and games that mean a lot, we’re in the beginning of the year here and everybody wants to get out of the gate. There’s going to be a lot of energy.’’ Whenever Lawrie is around, that is for sure. Day game of rest for Rollins Ventura went with the same lineup Wednesday that won the first two games, but he said Tyler Saladino will play shortstop in the series finale, an afternoon game, to give Jimmy Rollins a day off. “It’s not a set program for him but we’ll be able to tell how he’s doing and having discussion with him on how he’s doing physically,’’ Ventura said of Rollins, 37. “There will be some days where I [give him the day off] and there will be some days he probably does it.’’

Avi in the outfield Ventura said Avisail Garcia, who played most of 2015 in right field but was the designated hitter in the first three games of 2016, will play right field Thursday. The Sox have fielded a stronger defense with Austin Jackson in center and Adam Eaton moving to right. “[Garcia] needs to work on it,’’ Ventura said. “That’s no secret. But he has the ability to do it.’’ Ventura said Garcia covers more ground than meets the eye because of his long strides but “he’s got some work to do’’ and should be motivated to do so because “we have guys who can play it.’’ Man in the middle Jackson plays a bit shallower in center than Eaton does, which is where Ventura wants to see it played. “He can cover some ground,’’ Ventura said. “He’s been able to come in and get to some shallow line drives. Really, if somebody is going to hit it over his head, then it was probably a bad pitch.’’ Coming home The home opener Friday (3:05 p.m.) against the Cleveland Indians is a sellout. *Probables for the weekend series: Friday, Cody Anderson vs. John Danks; Saturday, Josh Tomlin vs. Sale; Sunday, Corey Kluber vs. Jose Quintana. Probables for home-opening series vs. Tribe: Friday, Cody Anderson vs. John Danks; Saturday, Josh Tomlin vs. Chris Sale; Sunday, Corey Kluber vs. Jose Quintana.

Rollins makes instant impact on, off field for White Sox By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times | April 6th, 2016 OAKLAND, Ariz. – It took Jimmy Rollins all of two games to make a huge impact on the White Sox, but the 37-year-old’s presence has been felt ever since he was signed to a minor-league contract a couple of days into spring training. A former National League MVP who starred for the Philadelphia Phillies for 15 seasons before playing with the Dodgers last season, Rollins did good things for the Sox just by being within earshot of shortstop Tim Anderson, the Sox’ top prospect not named Carson Fulmer. He gave tips to Tyler Saladino, who will play enough at shortstop to keep Rollins fresh at his advanced age – that’s the plan, anyway — and Saladino listened. And while he may no longer have his 20s-something range, Rollins’ heady presence gives the Sox a needed leader type in the middle of the infield. “He’s a true pro,’’ said third base coach Joe McEwing, who as a New York Met played against Rollins in the early 2000s. “He brings true professionalism to this clubhouse as a mentor. He has so much knowledge, it would be foolish not to tap into that. I love being around him, talking to him, he has so much to give. What he brings is special.’’ If you’re getting the idea that McEwing is a big fan, you’re on the right track.

“I appreciated competing against him so much,’’ said McEwing, an old NL East rival of Rollins, “and as someone who grew up in Philly, I thanked him for the championships he brought.’’ There was no doubt Rollins would bring intangibles to the Sox but there was – and the jury still may be out less than a week into the season – what he can give on the field after he hit .224/.285/.358 with 13 homers over 563 plate appearances with the Dodgers in 2015. But so far, so good. After having an excellent spring, complete with with four runs, the 5-6 Oakland area native hit a game-winning homer Tuesday night against Oakland A’s closer Sean Doolittle, a solo shot with two outs in the ninth inning. Batting right-handed, Rollins, who had hit into a double play in a run-scoring position in the previous at-bat, got a pitch over the plate he could drive. “There are times you can look for a home run but they aren’t easy, said Rollins, who has 230 homers among his 2,424 career hits, including 40 game-winning homers and six in the ninth inning or later. “I knew if I got a ball to hit, I was going to be able to hit it hard. You could hit a line drive over the shortstop’s head and gets in the gap for a double. Or just a single. But that one was a pitch out over the plate and down and I got just enough of it.’’ Rollins was greeted in an exuberant Sox dugout, flattened by the bullpen giving up a two-run lead in the eighth. The Sox were flying high after winning their first two games, but had a tall order in getting three in a row with A’s ace Sonny Gray starting against Sox’ second-year lefty Carlos Rodon. Newcomers Rollins, Todd Frazier, Austin Jackson, Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro have made the roster a bit older and wiser. “There’s a lot to be said for guys who are weathered,’’ manager Robin Ventura said. “I said it earlier they’re a little salty in a good way. They’ve been around, have some experience, can come back and they just seemed to hit it off very early in spring training. Hopefully that continues.”

Chicago White Sox fall short 2-1 at Oakland By Scot Gregor / Daily Herald | April 6th, 2016 The White Sox are a team that was in desperate need for some new blood after posting a third straight losing season last year. After winning two straight at Oakland to open the season, the White Sox lost to the Athletics 2-1 Wednesday night. In the first inning, Sox starting pitcher Carlos Rodon gave up a Jed Lowrie sacrifice fly. In the second, Mark Canha homered off Rodon. The White Sox's run came in the third inning, when Austin Jackson led off with a double against Oakland ace Sonny Gray and wound up scoring on Jimmy Rollins' sacrifice fly. The newcomers were out in force again during Wednesday's game against the A's. Alex Avila was back behind the plate, where he is platooning with another new catcher, Dioner Navarro. Todd Frazier, who hit a big 3-run homer in Tuesday night's 5-4 win, is the White Sox' new third baseman. Rollins, the new shortstop, hit a home run in the ninth Tuesday to snap a 4-4 tie. Brett Lawrie, the new second baseman, brings the daily energy the Sox have been lacking, and Jackson is the new center fielder.

It is still very early in the season, but so far all of the new faces have blended in nicely with each other and the holdovers. "We have more veteran guys," manager Robin Ventura said. "There are a lot of guys who are more comfortable in their own skin and understand what it takes to go through it and how to be a teammate and pick somebody else up. "I've been around teams that are kind of like this. You might have Jose (Abreu) and then a bunch of good players and it could play well together. And that was noticed early in spring that it could play well together. "I like the feeling that they have right now. And I think they do, too." Lawrie is expected to provide some pop lower in the lineup, but his presence already is being felt in the clubhouse. "This is a great team," said Rodon, who took the loss Wednesday after pitching 7 innings and allowing 2 runs on 7 hits. "Lot of energy. Brett Lawrie brings a lot of energy to the field, and I like it. Great teammate. Todd Frazier, great addition. And the guys we had last year, they can hit and we can pitch. "Losing like we did last year is never fun. We had some runs where we won a lot of games and it looked like we were coming around and then it turns back on us. Baseball can be a cruel game. Sometimes it's nice to you, sometimes it's not."

White Sox shut down by Sonny Gray in 2-1 loss to A’s By Rick Eymer / Associated Press | April 6th, 2016 OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Chicago White Sox just couldn't get much going against Sonny Gray and the Oakland Athletics. Gray pitched seven strong innings while dealing with the lingering effects of a stomach flu that forced him to miss an opening-day start, and the A's beat the White Sox 2-1 on Wednesday night. White Sox catcher Alex Avila didn't think Gray looked tired. "I asked him today, 'How you feeling?' and he goes 'Not too good,'" Avila said. "It didn't seem that way. He's got a lot of confidence in everything he throws. It's a hang-with-him type of day. You try to survive against guys like that." Chicago starter Carlos Rodon gave up two runs and seven hits over seven innings. He walked one and struck out six. Jimmy Rollins had a sacrifice fly for the White Sox. Mark Canha homered and Jed Lowrie had a sacrifice fly to help Oakland gets its first win of the season. Gray gave up a run and three hits, walking four and striking out five. "I felt OK," Gray said. "I still feel a little beat but I wanted to go out and try to make pitches. This was a pretty important game. You don't want to start 0-3." Gray began to drag a bit after recording the first out of the seventh, but maintained just enough to get three groundouts in the inning.

John Axford pitched a scoreless eighth and Ryan Madsen got the final three outs for his first save. Madsen's last four saves have come against the White Sox. Adam Eaton singled twice and walked, reaching base safely in 25 consecutive games dating to last Sept. 9. TRAINER'S ROOM White Sox: INF Rollins will get the day off Thursday. "We don't want Jimmy playing every day," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. "It has nothing to do with ability and he came in great shape. It's just age." ... OF Melky Cabrera will switch positions with DH Avisail Garcia on Thursday. Athletics: LHP Eric Surkamp will be recalled after Thursday's game and start for the A's on Friday in Seattle's home opener. Surkamp appeared in 35 games, out of the bullpen, with the White Sox in 2014. "He's got a nice, easy delivery," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. "He came in and did good work for us." ... INF Eric Sogard (neck) will stay in Oakland to continue rehabbing. UP NEXT White Sox: RHP Mat Latos makes his Chicago White Sox and Oakland Coliseum debut in Thursday's series finale against the A's. The seven-year veteran is 4-11, with a 4.74 ERA in 24 April starts. Lowrie is 5 for 8 against him, including two home runs. Athletics: RHP Kendall Graveman, who was sent home with the flu Tuesday night, makes the start on Thursday. Graveman, who said he lost about 12 pounds because of the illness, has never faced the White Sox.

Oakland 2, White Sox 1: In loss, Rodon shows why he was worth hype By Jon Greenberg / The Athletic | April 6th, 2016 The White Sox’s two-game winning streak ended Wednesday night in Oakland with a 2-1 loss. So that’s two one-run victories and one one-run loss in their first three games. Nothing like keeping viewers hooked until the end, right? Maybe the White Sox pored over last year’s decrepit TV ratings. The reason to stay up late to watch this one — aside from the chance to see play-by-play icon Hawk Harrelson completely lose track of Oakland first baseman’s Mark Canha’s home run — was because it was young lefthander Carlos Rodon’s first outing of the season. Rodon, the No. 3 pick of the 2014 draft, had a 7.98 ERA in the spring, giving up 13 runs in 14 2/3 innings over four starts. He gave up 20 hits and walked four. But spring training statistics only mean something when they mean something. Last season, Rodon showed he was for real, striking out 139 in 139 1/3 innings and finishing with a 2.28 ERA over his last nine starts in August and September. So his performance in Arizona didn’t mean anything. In Oakland, Rodon might have pitched the best of his “Big Three” rotation mates, throwing seven innings of two-run ball. He struck out six and walked one, giving up seven hits while throwing 99 pitches. Rodon went up against Oakland phenom Sonny Gray, who will be linked to just about every contending team this season, most importantly in these parts, to the Cubs. Of Rodon’s six strikeouts, four ended on his nasty slider, which is fast becoming one of baseball’s signature pitches. It’s a pitch that hitters miss by a foot as it disappears off the table.

He struck out at least one batter in five of his seven innings. That’s the kind of consistency you want to see from any pitcher, let alone starting his second season. In some ways, it’s still hard to believe the Sox landed Rodon, given his draft frontrunner reputation. But he was passed up by two high school pitchers. Tyler Kolek was taken right before Rodon by the Miami Marlins, and it was announced Tuesday he had Tommy John surgery. Brady Aiken, the first pick of that draft, never signed with the Houston Astros because of his concern over his elbow. He didn’t sign, went to the IMG Academy in Florida, had Tommy John surgery and went back in the draft the next year and was taken 17th by Cleveland. After the Sox happily took Rodon, who wears a Chicago linebacker’s number (55) and looks like Carlos Quentin’s nephew, the Cubs took Kyle Schwarber. Not a bad draft for the local teams. Heck, those guys were probably better football players than some of the Bears picks that year. Anyway, back to the present. Rodon give the Sox a very potent 1-2-3 punch. Also a very cost-effective one. Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Rodon will combine to earn about $15 million this season. Or about a million less than what John Lackey will make with the Cubs this year (counting his signing bonus). The Cubs’ big three will earn close to $52 million this season. Sale pitched seven innings in the 4-3 win in the opener, giving up three runs on seven hits, while striking out eight and walking one. He needed 104 pitches. In the Sox’s 5-4 win Tuesday, Quintana gave up two runs on seven hits, but he was pulled with two outs in the sixth, despite throwing only 96 pitches. Quintana struck out seven and issued no walks, but got the no-decision, a familiar situation for him. It was his 53rd no-decision since 2012, the most in the majors. So in 19 2/3 innings, the three Sox pitchers gave up seven runs on 21 hits, while striking out 21 and walking two. Not too shabby. Mat Latos should break that run of competence when he starts the series finale Thursday afternoon. Then left-handed mainstay John Danks starts the home opener against the Cleveland Indians at 3:10 p.m. Friday. Get to that game if you want to drop $45 on a hat designed by Chance the Rapper. Otherwise, the weather conditions look rough Friday and through the weekend. The funny thing about baseball, particularly on the South Side, is that Cy Young winner Sale pitches at 1:10 p.m. Saturday, but that game will draw about 16,000 fewer fans because it’s not Opening Day. It’s not supposed to crack 40 degrees that game, which means even fewer people will be in attendance. We complain a lot about baseball in Chicago — less so on the North Side now — but three out of every five nights for the White Sox, you can see an excellent starting pitcher. As long as his elbow stays healthy and that slider breaks sharp, Rodon will be a must-watch, stay-up-late appointment viewing as long as he’s on the South Side.

Chance the Rapper and the baseball experiment By Jon Greenberg / The Athletic | April 6th, 2016 On Tuesday’s tour of U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox showed the media a promotional video featuring the narration of popular South Side musician Chance the Rapper. The 2-minute long video — it has also been shortened into a commercial — is meant to strengthen ties to the team’s South Side heritage, something the team has either ignored or failed to do over the recent past.

But Chance, aka Lil Chano from 79th, and the White Sox had an even bigger announcement on Wednesday. In conjunction with New Era, he designed three new limited edition White Sox hats based off the hybrid Sox logo he wears with the band, Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment. The hats (which have side stitching recognizing the band) will go on sale at 11 a.m. Friday in conjunction with the team’s opener, where he’s throwing out the first pitch. The hats, priced at $40 and $45, will be sold at two locations in and outside U.S. Cellular Field and online at both New Era’s and Chance’s respective websites. Only 2,000 are being sold. (The only mistake of the entire deal is doing this on the home opener, which is always sold out. The Sox should have pushed the promotion to Saturday and create a buzz for Chris Sale’s first home start.) This is a smart partnership for the Sox. Chance, born Chancelor Bennett, is an authentic spokesman for the team and unlike many famous Chicago baseball fans, he’s young (he turns 23 in April) and cool. Playing in a sport always thirsty for the attention of the younger demographic, the Sox are doing something about it. (After we published this story, ESPN’s Darren Rovell reported the team is in talks with Chance about an official “ambassador” role.) “It’s great to have someone who represent the South Side so well and represents our team,” White Sox vice president of sales and marketing Brooks Boyer said Tuesday. Chance is from West Chatham — His father Ken Bennett is the deputy chief of staff for Mayer Rahm Emanuel — and always wears a classic black Sox hat on stage. He often performs with the Social Experiment (I saw them at Pitchfork and it was the most uplifting concert I’ve ever seen.) and they use a modified Sox logo in their stage design and clothing. Chance isn’t just a musician, he’s very active in social issues, as well, focusing on anti-violence initiatives. “Chance has carved his own path as a rapper, and we feel like the White Sox carve our own path as well,” Boyer said. Chance is just the latest rapper to rock a White Sox hat, though given that’s a South Sider it actually means something to him, unlike the Los Angeles rappers who just like the clean look. Dr. Dre is believed to be the first in videos for “Deep Cover” and “Fuck Wit’ Dre Day,” from The Chronic album. You might remember the lyric, “Got my chrome to the side of his White Sox hat.” (Dre was talking about ex-NWA partner Ice Cube, who also liked to wear the hat.) Thanks to rappers like Dre, Snoop and Ice Cube — not to mention the Sox signing the second-most famous athlete in the world, Bo Jackson, in 1991 which was the first year they used the hats full-time — the black Sox hat became a worldwide phenomenon. In recent years, while rappers like Kendrick Lamar kept the Sox hat spirit alive in rap music. President Barack Obama might have helped boost hat sales back in 2008. What’s next for this partnership? Well, Chance is hinting that he has an album coming out soon, maybe he can do a release party during a Tuesday home game in April to draw some attention to it. Anything for the South Side, right?

White Sox broadcaster Jason Benetti predicted his future in grade school By Justin Breen / DNA Info | April 7th, 2016 CHICAGO — How many people actually predict their futures while in elementary school?

More than 20 years ago, Jason Benetti, for a class assignment at Churchill Elementary in suburban Homewood, penned a letter saying he "would like to be the White Sox sportcaster." "Well, it happened," said Benetti, 32, who was named the Sox new broadcaster this year as Ken "Hawk" Harrelson heads toward retirement. The River North resident's first game will be Saturday at U.S. Cellular Field — Harrelson is working Chicago's road games in addition to Friday's home opener. "Right now, it just doesn't compute," Benetti said Wednesday during a phone interview as he stared at U.S. Cellular Field's outfield from one of its broadcasting booths. "The first time it will compute is when I'm on the field at batting practice [Saturday] looking out at the seats I once sat in." Benetti has loved the Sox his whole life, never having season tickets but going to tons of games a year, usually sitting in the bleachers in right or left center. His letter at Churchill — for an assignment "What will be my life 20 years from now? — also included a small knock on the legendary late Cubs — and Sox — broadcaster Harry Caray. "Maybe I will be a sportscaster," Benetti wrote in the letter ... "As long as I don't look like Harry Caray. I idolize Ken Harrelson and [former Sox analyst] Tom Paciorek. ... I love the whole world of sportscasting. I wonder how they do it. Maybe I will find out one day." Benetti, like many Sox supporters, admits he does not like the Cubs, but he also stressed he doesn't "hate" them. "It's not really possible for me to hate the Cubs, especially because I know [Cubs broadcaster] Len Kasper so well," he said. "It's not a hate thing, but I certainly never liked the Cubs. "Going out of the way to love the Cubs has never been my thing," Benetti added. "I do think for some people, they just hate the Cubs, and that's their choice. I don't do that, but I don't begrudge anyone else for doing it because I can see why they do it. People grow up with it, and they never lose it." Benetti isn't surprised the Sox started 2016 with two wins (before a loss Wednesday night). He felt during spring training that the South Siders would be "very competitive" this season. He noted he felt "really strongly about the way this team comes together as a unit in terms of energy." Benetti will spend some of Friday hanging out in the broadcasting video truck near the ballpark, plus watching Harrelson call the home opener for a few innings. "I respect him so much and how much he has affected baseball lingo," Benetti said of Harrelson. "What he says is everywhere. You talk about a legacy ... and that's a really powerful legacy." He'll share the Sox television broadcasts with Steve Stone, whom Benetti calls "sharp" and an ideal partner. He might be new to the Sox but he's no novice in the business. A Syracuse University alum who also holds a law degree from Wake Forest University, he's announced minor league baseball and college basketball and football. He started at ESPN in 2011, a position that has allowed him to educate people about cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder he was born with. Still, he admits to having some butterflies about Saturday and his debut for regular-season action with his favorite team. "It's as close to perfect as you can get," Benetti said.

Chance the Rapper designs limited-edition White Sox hats By Ed Komenda / DNA Info | April 7th, 2016 ARMOUR SQUARE — Chance the Rapper has unveiled three limited-edition Chicago White Sox caps that will be released Friday. The Chicago-native rap star partnered with the hat company New Era to design the caps, set to go on sale during the White Sox home opener. Take a look at the new designs: There are only 2,000 caps available. They cost $40-$45.00 at the Chicago Sports Depot and New Era Cap Corner at U.S. Cellular Field. You can also order a cap online at NewEraCap.com, ChanceRaps.com and Shop.MLB.com. Check out this advertisement for the hat filmed at U.S. Cellular Field: Chance, who will throw out the first pitch at Friday's home opener against the Cleveland Indians, grew up Chicago's South Side, just off the Red Line’s 79th Street stop. You'll often see him wearing a Sox cap while performing with his creative group, The Social Experiment.

Sources: Chance the Rapper near club ambassador deal with White Sox By Darren Rovell / ESPN | April 6th, 2016 Welcome to 2016, where a baseball team is on the cusp of signing a rapper who has eluded all the big music labels. Sources tell ESPN that the Chicago White Sox are close to signing Chance The Rapper to a club ambassador deal that will pay him to be part of club activities aimed at helping to market the team to a younger audience. Brooks Boyer, the team's senior vice president of sales and marketing, would not confirm any details of the pitch that was made to Chance, a 22-year-old Chicago native who was born Chancelor Bennett, but Boyer did spend much of the day talking about him. On Wednesday afternoon, the team revealed that Chance The Rapper designed three new White Sox hats that are limited to 2,000 and will be available at the team's home opener Friday. Chance, who is often seen on and off stage wearing his White Sox hat, will be on hand to throw out the first pitch. He also has recorded the team's ballpark introduction video for this season. "For anyone over 28 years old, they're thrilled that Frank Thomas is back with us [as a special consultant]," Boyer said. "But we want to talk to those who are even younger, to develop interest from the Hispanic and the African-American markets. Chance resonates with them." Over the past couple of years, Chance has risen up the hip-hop ranks with his group, The Social Experiment, while bringing his Chicago roots along for the ride. He performed on "Saturday Night Live" in December and got more publicity after being featured on Kanye West's new album, "Life of Pablo." Despite overtures from every major record label, Chance has stayed independent, which makes it easier for him to make decisions and collaborate without any contractual ties.

Despite his meteoric rise, Chance is still very much in love with Chicago. He grew up on the South Side, and his father, Ken Bennett, is the deputy chief of staff to Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "Sports and pop culture are mixing together all the time," Boyer said. "It doesn't have to be by accident." The White Sox's involvement with Chance comes after five straight seasons of being in the bottom third of Major League Baseball attendance, whereas the crosstown rival Cubs are among the hottest teams in baseball. Teams have rarely paid to give celebrities club ambassador status. The only other team that financially compensates a celebrity to be a team cheerleader of sorts is the Toronto Raptors, who have had a formal relationship with Drake for two and a half years.

What to eat at Chicago’s U.S. Cellular Field, 2016 Edition Ashok Selvam / Chicago Eater | April 5th, 2016 Boozed-up floats and the Beggar's Pizza Pub highlight the upgrades this season Besides the roster, and the absence of a certain teenager, there's two huge changes at U.S. Cellular Field this season, as the White Sox hope to rebound from a disappointing 2015 campaign. They've replaced the center field scoreboard with a massive upgraded video board to keep up with technology around MLB stadiums. But for food and drink fans, the big change is that after 15 years, the Sox have ditched Pepsi products and have returned to Coca-Cola. Many will opt for a cold beer on a summer day at The Cell, but for those who don't need the booze, this is a real game changer. For more on the new food items this season, read on. The Pale Hose play their home opener on Friday afternoon versus Cleveland. ROOKIES There's tons of new food to try. Check out what's debuting. Beggar's Pizza Pub BeggarsPizzaPub Section 163. Beggar's identity ties to the South Side, much like the Sox, which made an expansion ideal; they're already the official team pizza. They'll have a dine-in area and specialty pies in the center field concourse. Here's what they'll serve:

Fried Caprese Ravioli: Mezzaluna pasta stuffed with an Italian cheese blend, along with tomatoes and basil, then breaded and deep fried.

Chicken Parmesan Sandwich: Deep-fried, breaded chicken breasts served on a toasted garlic ciabatta roll with mozzarella, marinara and parmesan.

Barbecue chicken pizza: Beggar's thin-crust pizza with a sweet barbeque sauce, diced chicken and mozzarella.

Italian Beef and Giardiniera Pizza: Beggar's thin-crust pizza topped with Italian beef and giardiniera.

Cheese-Filled Bread Sticks: Two 7-inch breadsticks stuffed with cheese and topped with a garlic glaze.

Deep-Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie: A 9-inch freshly-baked chocolate chip cookie. Here's more new items folks can check out around the ballpark:

Tater Tacho

Tater Tachos

Tater Tachos: Sections 110, 544. A twist on the twist that's "Irish nachos" using tater tots served in a mini green Sox helmet.

Hooters Buffalo Chicken Sandwich: Section 156, Hooters cart. A breaded chicken breast with your choice of Hooters hot, medium or honey Thai sauce on a toasted brioche bun served with lettuce and tomato, with a side of ranch or bleu cheese.

Bacon Cheddar Pretzel Dog: All-Star Stands. A Vienna Beef hot dog served on a warm pretzel roll topped with nacho cheese and bacon.

White Sox cheesie beef

Merkt's Cheesy Beef

Merkt's Cheesy Beef Sandwich: Burger Barns in Sections 112 and 528. Kind of like a cheesesteak? Thin-sliced ribeye steak grilled and tossed with Merkt's cheese on a hoagie roll topped with "Chi-Town" pico.

Adult Hot Cocoa: Sno Cone carts in Sections 105 and 533. Hot beverages aren't abundant at arenas, but The Cell's serving up hot chocolate finished off with Bailey's Irish Cream.

Adult Snow Cones: Snow Cone Carts in Sections 105 and 533. Don't serve this one to Drake LaRoche or any kid. It's a Snow Cone with choice of syrup and vodka.

Iced Coffee: Sections 105, 144 and 538. This this boring game needs a little jolt? Try the gourmet-roasted coffee that's sweetened and served over ice.

Bill's Fresh Squeezed Lemonade: Seat vendors. Freshly-squeezed and shaken lemonade. New Club Level Benefits Fans in suites, on the club level and the Diamond and Stadium clubs have exclusive access to these new

Club Level

Asian Chicken Wraps: Teriyaki marinated chicken with an Asian slaw wrapped in a wheat tortilla.

Corn Street Nachos: House-made corn tortillas, Chihuahua cheese sauce, roasted corn, cotija cheese, Valentina sauce and limes.

Stadium Club

Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls: Egg rolls stuffed with spicy chicken, carrots and celery with a side of ranch.

ColossalSundaeCookie

Colossal Chocolate Chunk Cookie Sundae

Colossal Chocolate Chunk Cookie Sundae: Two giant cookies stuffed with vanilla ice cream and topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce and chocolate syrup.

Rueben Sub: Corned beef, Swiss, sauerkraut and Thousand Island on a rye

Shrimp Po Boy: House-made tempura fried shrimp piled high on a toasted split top bun with siracha mayo, lettuce and tomato.

Both Club Level and Stadium Club

Boozy Floats White Sox

"Loaded" Floats

"Loaded" Floats: Making adults feel like a kid with floats made with Cooney Island Hard Root Beer or Henry's Hard orange soda.

Taco Carne Asada: Marinated steak on corn tortillas with cilantro, onions, spicy salsa and lime.

Taco Pollo Asado: Smoked-chicken mixed with pickled red onion, salsa verde, queso fresco and cilantro.

Diamond Suites

Arugula Caprese Salad: Arugula, mozzarella, tomato and red onion tossed in a pesto dressing.

Carnitas: Pulled pork simmered in tomatillo salsa with rice, spicy avocado salsa, cowboy caviar, limes and corn tortillas.

VETERAN PRESENCES These are holdovers from past seasons and include ballpark classics and other items that became hits.

35th Street Tacos: Section 127. This was the big add for The Cell, as staff's excited about the street fare. Fans can try carnitas or barbacoa tacos with onions, cilantro and lime. Lettuce and cheese is also available.

Comiskey's Confections: Section 105. Comiskey Confections serves up gluten-free deserts like creme brûlée cheesecake, plus brown butter and sea salt marshmallow squares, along with gluten-ed sweets like red velvet and peanut butter cupcakes. Soft-serve ice cream's also available.

Maple-glazed Bacon on a Stick: Sections 112 and 528. Bacon on a stick was such a hit when it was introduced last season that the Sox wanted to improve it by adding a maple glaze.

Avocado/Bacon Grilled Cheese and Tomato Basil Bisque: Sections 110 and 544. The classic soup and sandwich combo is ready for the ballpark.

Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap: Sections 122 and 529. The spinach tortilla's gluten free.

Fried Pickle Chips: Section 110. Panko breaded and served with a chipotle-ranch sauce.

Garlic Fries: Sections 110 and 544. Kuma's Corner may not have waffle fries, but Sox Park does. Served in a green souvenir helmet.

Bacon Flight: Club level only. Nosh on a sampling of four styles of bacon: barbecue spice, brown-sugar glazed, black pepper and jalapeño.

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich: Club level only. The standard version of everything great about wings in sandwich form: fried chicken breast, celery and carrot slaw with creamy blue cheese dressing.

Cuban sandwich: Available in suites and 100 level. The Sox have a long tradition of Cuban players, including the late Minnie Minoso. They're not new on the 100 level, but there the sandwiches even share Minoso's Cuban Comet nickname. These pressed hot sandwiches have different bread depending on which level you buy them. The suite level version features roasted pork and ham with Swiss, adorned with sliced dill pickles and whole-grain mustard between toasted French bread.

Pizza burger: Club Level only. Seasoned beef patty with mozzarella cheese and pizza spices, topped with marinara sauce.

Pot Roast sandwich: Stadium Club and club level only. Pot roast with a potato croquet on a brioche roll with mushroom jus.

Rib Bucket: Club level only. It debuted last year, when you thought stadiums couldn't find another use for souvenir plastic baseball helmets? Think again. Served with fries, slaw and cornbread. Yes, you can keep the helmet.

ribs helmet

Elotes/Corn off the Cobb: Sections 104, 127, 142 and 529. Fresh corn topped with an assortment of ingredients including butter, salt and pepper. It's not typical, but quite possibly the best item at The Cell.

Polish/Hot Dogs/Bratwursts: 100 and 500 levels. Everyone loves the hot dog man or woman who brings fans food while they're enjoying the game, but the truth is the sausages prepared on the grill and topped with fresh onions or sauerkraut are vastly superior. It's worth the effort.

Wow Bao: Section 158. A sampling of hot Asian buns are available.

Beggar's Pizza: Sections 122, 155, 163 (PIZZA PUB!) and 522. Beggar's is the official pizza of the White Sox. Not some store-bought brand like some other Chicago sports teams use.

Burger Barn: Sections 113 and 529. Trying their best at the upscale burger concept, this cart also slings turkey burgers.

Funnel Cake/Churros: Sections 110, 155 and 531. Funnel cake isn't just for carnivals, despite what the White Sox record's been the last couple years.

Bobak's Portables: 100 and 500 levels. A Chicago tradition, Bobak's offers adobo mango chicken sausage, Italian sausage and hot dogs.

TexMex: Sections 111, 125, 153, 524, 533 and 546. Build your own burrito or nacho helmet. Keep the helmet.

Dippin' Dots: Sections 136, 516 and 542. It's OK to play with your food. You're at the ballgame.

Frozen Zone Cantina: Section 164. When it gets too hot, cool off with a frozen margarita. Fans can also find walking tacos and chicken tenders.

Vegetarian options: All levels. Quesadillas and veggie burgers and dogs are options. BEER AND MORE White Sox Beer MillerCoors products are back, but The Cell also is jumping on the hard-soda train with Cooney Island Hard Root Beer and Henry's Hard orange soda and ginger ale. Sorry, folks, fans won't find Founder's Brewery at the stadium this year. GET OUT OF YOUR SEAT The Cell has a few special spots fans can dine or drink, opposed to staying in your ticketed-seat the entire game.

Miller Lite Bullpen Sports Bar: Gate 2. Get there early enough, and fans can watch the game at player level, through the right field fence.

ChiSox Bar & Grill: Gate 5. It's the second year of this venue's existence. Special cocktails, like the ChiSox Mule, and food served by the Gibsons Restaurant Group, make this an ideal place to meet before the game. Jalapeño-cheddar hush puppies and smoked brisket nachos are some of the highlights.

Xfinity Zone Bar and Carvery: Section 112. What do you mean you don't know what a carving station is? Find out by ordering a sandwich here.

A guide to the new food at White Sox games By Maggie Hendricks / USA Today | April 5th, 2016 The Chicago White Sox are serious about the food they serve, and they shared the newest offerings at U.S. Cellular Field on Tuesday. The food was, in short, delicious. 5. Colossal cookie sundae Ice cream? Good. Giant cookie? Good. Assorted candies on top? SO GOOD. 4. Bacon cheddar pretzel dog The Vienna beef hot dog stands up well to the toppings, meaning one aspect of the dog is not more dominant than the other. Put it another way: YUM. 3. Merkt’s cheesy beef sandwich If you’ve spent any time at a cookout in the Midwest, you’ve likely had Merkt’s delicious cheese on a cracker. This sandwich mixes thinly-sliced ribeye with Merkt’s cheese, throws it all on a hoagie roll and tops it with a pico de gallo sauce made from the toppings of a Chicago-style hot dog. 2. Italian beef pizza

Italian beef sandwiches with giardiniera (Italian picked vegetables) are a Chicago staple. This thin-crust pizza — which, by the way, is mostly what we eat in Chicago — takes the beef and giardiniera and puts it on a pizza. The flavors mix in a unique and flavorful way. 1. Elotes nachos Elotes, a Mexican food of corn with salt, chili powder, butter, cheese, lemon juice or lime juice, mayonnaise and crema, is often served with the corn still on the cob, which can be messy, or in a cup off the cob, which requires a spoon. This solution makes elotes easier to eat and brings out a whole new taste of it. The White Sox also added some healthier fare, like an Asian chicken wrap, and caprese salad.

How a Major League Baseball stadium decides what crazy food fans will eat Maggie Hendricks / USA Today | April 6th, 2016 CHICAGO — When you’re at a ballpark this summer, and you eat a cheesy bacon pretzel dog, a burgerizza, or hot dog topped with Cracker Jacks, you’re enjoying the results of months of planning. The process for deciding what goes on a menu starts with brainstorming and collaboration. “I always ask, what can we put on a stick? What can we put in a helmet? We take pride in the food that is served here, both the quality and the selection,” said Brooks Boyer, the White Sox chief marketing officer. The people who run both the restaurants and the stands in the park starting thinking of ideas as early as December. “We come up with 40 different ideas, start experimenting, and start knocking some things off our plate, and keep the ones we really love,” said Sonia Respeto, the executive chef for Levy Restaurants at U.S. Cellular Field. “We had a few things that we’ll try it, and we’ll look at each other and say, ‘I don’t know what we were thinking!’ We try it out. We experiment with it,” she said. Ideas for menu items come from anywhere. Respeto said she will often come up with ideas when she’s cooking for her family. Rebecca Spalding, who is in charge of Sportservice stands at U.S. Cellular Field, came up with a new idea when out for a relaxing night last summer. “One of the menu items we’re serving this year is a boozy snowcone. So when you’re there getting one for the kiddos, you can also get one for mom and dad, and I saw that at a local bar here,” she said. “You can draw inspiration from anywhere.” From those original moments of inspiration and brainstorming, the people behind the scenes engage in a competition to decide what ends up on the menu. They have to take into account more than just tastes. How does the new item work in with other food at the ballpark? Where will it go? Does it fit both in the 100 level and the 500 level, so fans can enjoy it at different ticket price points? Fan feedback is also a crucial part of the process. The staff looks at sales and surveys when deciding what to keep and what to kick out. It’s all part of what Boyer hopes is a good fan experience. “Our goal with our 81 games, and hopefully more, is to wow somebody every single time they come into the ballpark. You try to make winning and losing as moot of an issue as possible,” he said.

Though U.S. Cellular Field has just a slightly smaller capacity than Wrigley Field, the Cubs routinely outdraw the White Sox. Wrigley is a landmark, the Cubs went to the playoffs in 2015, and the park is in the middle of a bar and restaurant filled neighborhood. The White Sox don’t have the same advantages. The team finished with just 78 wins in 2015, and though U.S. Cellular Field is in Bridgeport, a neighborhood with plenty of good food and drink options, the park is bordered by a highway on one side and railroad tracks on the other. “We can’t control what happens in between those lines, when a round ball and a round bat are thrown out there. We don’t pitch, we don’t catch, we don’t hit. But we can control the experience fans have,” Boyer said.

Chance the Rapper, the new face of the White Sox Danny Ecker / Crain’s Chicago Business | April 6th, 2016 The Chicago White Sox logo has deep connections in the history of rap music, sported over the years by greats from Eazy-E, Chuck D and Dr. Dre to more recent acts like Lil' Wayne and Wiz Khalifa. Now, the Sox are putting that part of their brand to work. Chance the Rapper, the 22-year-old Chatham native who has risen to national stardom as an independent artist with a massive social media following, is the White Sox's newest marketing tool. Known for donning a Sox hat for nearly every performance (including on Saturday Night Live late last year), Chance recently expanded his ties to the South Siders as the voice of the team's TV commercials that will debut later this week. Fans in attendance at the Sox's home opener on April 8 will watch Chance throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Then they'll watch a new intro video on the team's massive new centerfield scoreboard, with voiceover work done by the rising hip-hop star. "We wanted a sound that was younger, hipper, cooler to really connect. The whole goal of the video is to connect with the people in the city, with the White Sox, with our history—so having him do it seemed to make a lot of sense because he is very Chicago," said White Sox marketing chief Brooks Boyer. "Chance is that next wave, and he seemed to be the right guy." The Sox are leveraging Chance's affinity in merchandise now, too. The rapper today debuted three limited-edition White Sox caps that the team will sell starting for $40-$45 each on April 8 at the Chicago Sports Depot next to U.S. Cellular Field. He even shot a promo video for the new hats that he introduced to his 1.45 million Twitter followers. (The White Sox's official Twitter account, by the way, has about 383,000.) Chance the Rapper is quickly becoming one of the Sox's key social influencers, and it couldn't come at a better time. The Sox need to infuse some excitement into their brand as they battle sparse attendance issues that have plagued the team for the past half-decade.

Chance the Rapper has redesigned the White Sox cap Zach Long / Time Out Chicago | April 6th, 2016 Chance the Rapper is getting involved with his favorite baseball team in a big way this season. Not only is he throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the White Sox home opener on Friday, he's also narrating a pump up video that will be shown on U.S. Cellular Field's new video screen and designing new merchandise for the team. This afternoon, Chance revealed three redesigned White Sox hats via his Twitter feed, each of combines iconography that was used to represent his backing band, the Social Experiment with historical team logos. A gray pin-striped hat depicts the team's ’30s logo, a blue hat reimagines the Sox batter graphic that was used throughout the ’80s and a black cap puts a spin on the modern, old English-inspired wordmark. There's no word yet on whether or not the team will wear any of Chance's hats on the field, but fans will be able to purchase the new caps beginning on April 8 via Chance the Rapper's website. For now, you can enjoy an endearingly goofy advertisement for the baseball caps, which (sadly) does not feature any new music from Chance's upcoming mixtape.

Chance the Rapper narrates Chicago White Sox video, redesigns hat Matthew Strauss / Pitchfork | April 6th, 2016 The Chicago White Sox just got a brand new 8,000-square-foot video board at their home park U.S. Cellular Field. To inaugurate it, they've recruited Chance the Rapper to narrate an intro video, as RedEye points out. He talks about the city and the team as a highlight reel plays. Watch a clip below, via Fake Shore Drive, and see another snippet here. Update (5:03 p.m.): Chance has partnered with New Era to redesign the White Sox's hat. They're available April 8. See the designs and watch the announcement video below. Update (4/7, 10:11 a.m.): Chance is close to a deal to become the White Sox's club ambassador, ESPN reports. Brooks Boyer, the team's senior vice president of sales and marketing, told ESPN, "we want to talk to those who are even younger, to develop interest from the Hispanic and the African-American markets. Chance resonates with them." He added, "Sports and pop culture are mixing together all the time....It doesn't have to be by accident." On Friday, Chance will throw out the first pitch at the White Sox's home opener. He threw out a White Sox first pitch back in 2014, too.

Chance the Rapper narrated the Chicago White Sox’ new team video and redesigned their hats By Chris Mench / Complex | April 6th, 2016 In honor of the Chicago White Sox' giant new video board at U.S. Cellular Field, the team recruited the Windy City's own Chance the Rapper to narrate their new team video. "There's only black and white," he says. "From Hyde Park to Park Ridge, we wear our hearts on our pinstripe jerseys." He doesn't physically appear in the clip, but you can definitely tell it's him from his distinctive voice. As if that wasn't cool enough, the team also put Chance in charge of designing the team's new hats. The new designs, made in partnership with New Era, are very reminiscent of the hats he sold on his recent Family Matters Tour. They'll be available April 8. You can check out the design below, and also watch the humorous commercial he made to promote them. Chance has been making big moves recently. In addition to the White Sox hat partnership, he's going to be throwing out the first pitch at their home opener April 8, the same day his hats are available. The

Chicago rapper is also rumored to be dropping his third solo mixtape sometime this month. Keep an eye out for more news from Chance coming soon.

Chicago White Sox - PlayerWatch Reuters | April 6th, 2016 C Alex Avila started and made his White Sox debut Tuesday night against Oakland. Avila, who played his first seven major-league seasons for Detroit, signed with the White Sox as a free agent on Dec. 4, 2015. He went 1-for-4 in a 5-4 victory against the A's. 3B Todd Frazier went 2-for-5 with a three-run homer in a 5-4 victory against the Oakland A's on Tuesday night at the Coliseum. The home run was his first since coming to the White Sox from Cincinnati as part of a three-team trade in December. He hit RHP Chris Bassitt's 0-2 curve over the left field fence. "It was just one of those things," Frazier said. "You get your foot down early and you see the pitch. He got us on that curve a lot during the game, and one just got away from him there. I got my hands extended and away it went. It was nice." LHP Jose Quintana gave up two runs over 5 2/3 innings and had his 53rd career no-decision, the most in the majors since 2012, in a 5-4 victory against the Oakland A's on Tuesday night. He struck out seven, walked none and allowed seven hits, five singles and two doubles. "He looked great," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said of Quintana. "The guy always pitches good and something unlucky happens." RF Adam Eaton had had three hits in five at-bats Tuesday night against the Oakland A's. He has reached base safely in 24 consecutive games dating to Sept. 9, 2015. Eaton is batting .625 (5-for-8) with a triple this season. INF Tyler Saladino will start one of the final two games against Oakland at shortstop. "At some point I want to get everybody in there before we get home," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. SS Jimmy Rollins hit a tie-breaking solo home run with two outs in the top of the ninth inning off A's left-hander Sean Doolittle, lifting the White Sox to a 5-4 victory Tuesday night at the Oakland Coliseum. The home run was Rollins first for the White Sox. He drove Doolittle's 2-2 fastball over the left-center field wall. Rollins was born in Oakland and starred at nearby Encinal High School in Alameda. "I felt pretty good earlier during batting practice, and I was able to execute the move I was working for, and I got a good pitch to hit," said the 37-year-old Rollins, who signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Feb. 22 and was their Opening Day shortstop. "I hit it pretty good. I've had a couple big games here in high school. Found a way to win those also."

30 teams in 30 days: Chicago White Sox find excellence in efficiency By Josh Benjamin / Forbes | April 6th, 2016 The Chicago White Sox deserve just as much love as their North Side neighbors, the Chicago Cubs. Though a far inferior team, the South Side squad has slowly taken steps forward in the past few years despite not having made the playoffs since 2008, and could arguably be seen as the better team from the Windy City from a business standpoint. Sure, the White Sox have won a World Series this century, but were unable to largely build on it and establish a dynasty. GM Rick Hahn and President of Baseball Operations Kenny Williams thus opted to play the long game after the departure of longtime manager Ozzie Guillen after the 2011 season and hired former player Robin Ventura to succeed him despite his lack of any managerial experience. As a result, through careful spending that borders on penny-pinching and an approach that redefines rebuilding through patience, Chicago is a team whose financial efficiency could be described by some as freakishly good. The payroll is low, money is spent on absolute need and the roster is one that has

steadily improved from a results standpoint over the last few seasons in spite of looking like it was put together with spit and ceiling wax. Sure, the White Sox are highly unlikely to even sniff the playoffs this year, but enough moves have been made that the team could surely turn enough heads that their spending model could wind up being adopted by teams in need of a turnaround. 2015 Overview The White Sox went 76-86 last year to finish fourth in the American League Central Division for the second year in a row and considering the depth that exists in that division, that isn’t a terrible result. Considering how the team’s winning percentage jumped from .451 in 2014 to .469 in 2015, that can definitely be considered a step forward. But it should also be noted that in 2015, Chicago’s payroll was a meager $118.8 million, putting its cost per win at $1.5 million. Sure, that’s a bit inflated for a non-playoff squad, but consider the fact that the highest-paid player on the roster last year was veteran lefty starter John Danks and his $14.25 million salary. Following him was newly-signed outfielder Melky Cabrera at $13 million and recently retired DH/first baseman Adam LaRoche, who made $12 million. Though each player’s true worth is a conversation for another time entirely, it just goes to show that a big market team can improve without necessarily having to spend crazy amounts of money on players. And Chicago’s payroll this year, primarily due to a combination of trades and letting people walk via free agency, is shockingly lower at just under $116 million. That’s not a very big difference but considering how the roster only experienced a small amount of turnover during the offseason, not to mention the AL Central rival Kansas City Royals won 95 games last year and spent just $126.5 million, it’s hard to believe that the White Sox won’t continue taking small steps forward towards getting back into the thick of the pennant race, all because of refusing to resort to spending their way out of the cellar. Greatest Addition: Todd Frazier Hahn and Williams knew that adding another top-of-the-line batter during the offseason would be most beneficial to the team, especially considering how Chicago has ranked 29th, 13th and then back down to 28th over the past three seasons, so the fact that the White Sox were willing and able to acquire All-Star third baseman Todd Frazier from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for prospects (with a little help from the Los Angeles Dodgers as well) shows just how committed this team’s front office is to building a winner. Only 30 years old, Frazier has established himself as one of MLB’s top players at his position in being selected to play in the last two All-Star Games, and he also won the 2015 Home Run Derby. For the 2015 season, Frazier hit .255 with a career best 35 home runs while driving in 89 runs, easily the best player on a mediocre Reds team. Fast forward to today, and Frazier is another piece of the puzzle for a White Sox team trying to get back into contention. Even better is that for the kind of production of which Frazier is capable, Chicago is paying him just the $7.5 million that remains on a two-year, $12 million deal he signed with Cincinnati prior to 2015 to avoid arbitration. For a team to be paying a top hitter that kind of money, with his contract expiring at season’s end as the cherry on top, that is the definition of shrewd dealing on Chicago’s end and the team should more than reap the benefits so long as everything else falls into place as planned in 2016. Greatest Loss: Micah Johnson With every major addition comes an equally major loss, and that came in the form of second baseman Micah Johnson for the White Sox this offseason as he was one of the prospects sent to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Frazier deal. The 25-year-old appeared in 36 games for Chicago last season, hitting .230, but hit .315 with eight home runs and 36 RBI with 28 steals at Triple-A Charlotte last season.

Just how much Johnson would have produced as a full-time major leaguer remains to be seen, as the Dodgers will likely keep him in the minors this year, but the fact is that trading a top prospect who could be under team control for several years after debuting is never easy, especially when they’d be making at or around the league minimum and are considered to be the top second base prospect in MLB this year. The White Sox return package was nice, yes, but there’s no doubt that Johnson could wind up being greatly missed this season. Greatest Asset: Young Pitching Strong pitching is key for any baseball team that wants to win, and the White Sox have that in the form of several fantastic young arms. Though the White Sox’s starting rotation features two veterans in southpaw John Danks and right-hander Mat Latos, who make a combined $17.25 million, the rotation itself is headlined by a trio of arms whose average age is just over twenty-five-and-a-half years old. This trio is made up of three lefties: Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Carlos Rodon, the last of whom debuted last season. Sale has established himself as the ace of the staff and earns the most at $9.15 million thanks to a five-year, $32.5 million deal he signed prior to the 2013 season, and two contract years up the contract’s value to $60 million. For someone just 27 years old, that’s a ridiculously team-friendly deal and the fact that only $21.15 million in guaranteed money remains on it sweetens it. The same can almost be said for the 27-year-old Quintana who, despite having just 33 wins in four years due to poor run support, is efficient enough to be earning $5.4 million in 2016 and has just $21.25 million remaining in guaranteed money on a five-year, $26.5 million deal he signed in 2014. Throw in that Rodon is still on his rookie contract, and this trio has a combined salary of just over $15 million. The only team with a young pitching core more efficient is the New York Mets and though the White Sox’s young arms aren’t quite on that level, they’re definitely moving in the right direction considering how Sale owns a career ERA of 2.92 and is showing no signs of slowing down. Long story short, so long as the White Sox keep building their rotation via youth, the future at U.S. Cellular Field is looking bright. Greatest Liability: Zach Duke This proved to be tricky because as was said before, Chicago’s payroll is so shrewdly managed that finding one bad contract is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Sure, Danks is overpaid, but his deal expires at the end of this season. Moreover, most of the team’s top-paid players do a good job of earning their respective salaries. But then there’s Zach Duke, a left-handed reliever who is reaping the benefit of what has become a dangerous trend in baseball: giving big money to setup guys out of the bullpen. Duke inked a three-year, $15 million deal with the White Sox prior to 2014 and though he’s only 32 years old and did a decent enough job last year in posting a 3.41 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 71 appearances, the fact that he is paid what he is and isn’t even a closer just doesn’t make any sense. Final Thoughts As was mentioned before, the Chicago White Sox are probably not going to contend for a playoff spot this season. The AL Central is just too stacked with talent between the Royals, Detroit Tigers and up-and-coming Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians teams for them to have a chance, and they are still missing some pieces.

However, even the unlikeliest of scenarios happens once in a blue moon, so there’s every chance that Chicago could just gel perfectly this year and culminate with another championship, especially if history repeats itself. How? Well, the White Sox 2016 payroll, mentioned previously as just under $116 million, currently ranks 16th overall in MLB. Back in 2005, when Chicago swept the Houston Astros in the World Series, the payroll at the start of the season ranked 13th in MLB at $75.2 million and nobody on the team made more than $8.75 million in salary. That said, given how Chicago’s winning percentage has gradually increased over the last three seasons, certainly anything is possible despite there being low odds of a championship on paper.

Chance the Rapper is now a designer (for the Chicago White Sox) By Madeline Roth / MTV.com | April 6th, 2016 Chance the Rapper brazenly reps Chicago on the regular, but he’s now taken his hometown pride to awesomely creative new heights. The 22-year-old Southsider apparently decided he wanted some variety in his rotating arsenal of Chicago White Sox gear, so he designed three new caps for the team. The limited-edition hats come in gray, black, and blue, and all borrow elements from the team’s iconic logos. To amp up the excitement for his new design venture, Chance also stars in a hilariously cheesy team video debuting the new caps. You could say it’s a ~home run~. Check out the vid below and make sure you strike early if you want to snag a Chance-designed cap. Only 2,000 hats were made, and they’ll be available for sale at the New Era website, MLB.com, and ChanceRaps.com. Chicago fans can also buy them at U.S. Cellular Field during the Sox’s home opener on Friday, where, conveniently enough, Chance will be throwing out the first pitch. Don’t ever say this dude doesn’t love CHI.

Chance the Rapper designs new White Sox hats NBC Chicago | April 6th, 2016 Chicago White Sox fans will be able to buy newly redesigned caps beginning Friday, thanks to Chicago native and ardent Sox fan Chance the Rapper. The hip-hop artist, who grew up on Chicago’s South Side, unveiled three new baseball hats that he designed for the team in partnership with sports retailer New Era. He announced the redesign in a video posted to his website and social media: The redesign features three versions: a black, blue, and gray design, each with its own take on the team’s logo. The snapback style caps will range in price from $40-45, according to a release from the White Sox. The hats will be available for purchase at the U.S. Cellular Field and New Era Cap stores beginning Friday at 11 a.m. during the White Sox home opener, where Chance the Rapper will also be throwing out the first pitch. The hats will also be sold online at ShopNewEraCap.com as well as ChanceRaps.com and Shop.MLB.com.

White Sox nearing deal with Chance the Rapper for ambassador role By Bernie Augustine / New York Daily News | April 6th, 2016 The White Sox are close to signing the biggest free agent in the game — the rap game, that is. Chicago is closing in on an ambassador deal with independent artist Chance The Rapper, ESPN reports. The team will pay him to participate in activities aimed at bringing younger fans into the fold, not unlike the position Drake holds with the Toronto Raptors. Chance the Rapper rocks a White Sox jersey while performing at the Governor's Ball on Randall's Island. "For anyone over 28 years old, they're thrilled that Frank Thomas is back with us (as a special consultant)," Brooks Boyer, the White Sox’s VP of marketing and sales, reportedly said. "But we want to talk to those who are even younger, to develop interest from the Hispanic and the African-American markets. Chance resonates with them." Chance — Chancelor Bennett — grew up on the city’s South Side and has already made an imprint on the team. The 22-year-old redesigned three White Sox caps in a partnership with New Era, MLB’s official cap producer. According to ESPN, he recorded the intro video that will be played at U.S. Cellular Field this season.

Chance the Rapper designed new White Sox hats Kenny Ducey / Sports Illustrated | April 6th, 2016 Chicago native Chance The Rapper has designed new White Sox hats, he revealed in a video for New Era. Chance, who is known for wearing a White Sox cap, came up with three new designs — one in gray, one in black and one in blue. He had some fun at U.S. Cellular Field as he revealed the designs. The caps are limited-edition snap backs and will be available for purchase on the web and at the White Sox ballpark store for $40-$45 starting April 8. Only 2,000 are available! It would be really cool if these made their way into the lockers of players.

White Sox hit homer by teaming with Chance the Rapper Steven J. Gaither / Omnisport | April 6th, 2016 A lot of talk has circulated lately about baseball’s need to adapt to the times and bring new fans into its fold. The Chicago White Sox are doing more than just talking about it, though. The franchise has teamed up with rising hip-hop artist Chance The Rapper in a big way, featuring the Chicago native in its intro video and allowing him to redesign the team’s hat. The 22-year-old is a South Side native who has been bubbling underground for years. He showed off his mainstream appeal by performing his hit "Sunday Candy" on Saturday Night Live in October. The new hat will be available Friday. Chance will toss out the first pitch at U.S. Cellular Field on Friday.

Report: Chance the Rapper nearing deal with White Sox Jack McNeil / Baseball Essential | April 6th, 2016 Chance The Rapper has had quite the year. After being named Chicagoan of the Year, appearing on Kanye West’s new album The Life Of Pablo, selling out shows across the country, and appearing on SNL twice, making history as the first independent artist to do so. About a year ago, I wrote on how Chance was Chicago’s biggest fan, and even noted that in the future the rap star may one of the first things someone thinks of when they hear the “White Sox”. While people may be thinking more of Adam Laroche’s son when they hear “White House”, it won’t be long before Chance is a symbol of hope for the team. Lil Chano from 79th street has inspired thousands of kids on the South Side of Chicago, and across the world, with his music. According to a report published on ESPN, Chance is nearing a Club Ambassador deal with the Sox. After teaming up with the Sox and New Era to redesign a series of hats for fans, the team sees Chance’s reach to youth in a way the team likely couldn’t do on their own. While Chance continues to amaze the city by becoming possibly the most successful independent artist of all time, you may see him at the ballpark a little more this season. Keep doing you Chano. Also, props to Chance’s longtime director Austin Vesely for making this goofy little short with Chance promoting the New Era Caps.

Chance the Rapper invades White Sox dugout to promote redesigned ‘SoX’ caps Dan Carson / FOX Sports | April 6th, 2016 Chance the Rapper is in the process of colonizing 2016. As in the year. All of it. He's already laid claim to January through March. That much we know. The 22-year-old Chicago-born rapper dropped independent tracks, hijacked the first song off Kanye's The Life of Pablo and is in the process of teasing his long-awaited third mixtape. And he's also making classic hats, apparently. Chance announced Thursday on his website and via Instagram that he's partnered with New Era to redesign ball caps for his cherished White Sox. A native Southsider, the White Sox have influenced him in a lot of easily recognizable ways, most emphatically in the namesake of his de facto in-house band, The Social Experient—€ ” a.k.a. "SoX." The announcement came with its own asburdly cheesy video of Chance plugging the caps at U.S. Cellular Field. This is A) awesome and B) smart for all parties involved. Chance is the White Sox's biggest bridge to young prospective fans. And the hats are fire. What do you think about this partnership, Chance? Thought so.