Frank Roberts and Debora Lester watched with anxious anticipation as the Chicago White Sox finished their final inning Wednesday’s American League Division Series Game 4 against the Cleveland Guardians.
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The two bounced around a couple venues to watch the afternoon game but landed at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park with dozens of die hard fans dressed in black and white.
Roberts said he was really looking forward to a final playoff game, and seeing them loose 9-3 was not ideal. He said they could have switched out pitchers a lot earlier.
This was the team’s first lost during post-season and winning would have brought them one step closer to winning the World Series for the first time since 2005.
However, the team has another chance for a home win Thursday to advance to the American League Champion Series, marking the first time they have clinched a playoff-series win at home since 1906.
Roberts and Lester said seeing their favorite team since childhood advance to the series championships would mean everything, not just to them but for White Sox fans across the world.
“It would be everything and it would be wonderful for Chicago,” Roberts said.
Many fans said this has been an unexpected season in the best way possible.
Lifelong White Sox fan Byron Powell said he said he knew this team was different from the moment the Sox beat the Cubs.
“I knew they were serious about this season, but no one could have predicted it,” Powell said.
He said the newer and younger team members are helping the team rebuild, driving them to new heights. The team is one of the youngest in the Major Leagues, with an average player age of 27.
“I think core fans knew we were in a rebuild,” Powell said. “I really think they could make it to the World Series.”
Adewale Apata, of Chicago, who lives about 10 minutes from Merrionette Park, said seeing many highlights this season has him feeling optimistic.
“We’ve just been riding the wave,” Apata said.
Lyn Fortier and Larry Marciniak said they watched every game this season and have been pleasantly surprised. They attended many games in person, including the team’s recent game against the Cubs, when the Cubs lost 3-0.
Both said they are feeling optimistic given the team’s previous successes, and have been blown away.
Ray Rovello, of Palos Heights, said he was unsure how the team will perform Thursday. He had hoped they would have wrapped it up Wednesday with a series sweep.
Rovello said he agrees the team would have performed better by switching out their pitchers earlier.
“It could have been better, and hopefully we’ll wrap it up,” Rovello said.
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