“I believe him because he’s a real religious guy. Someone else tells me they have a migraine, I know they are hung over.”
That’s quote is from former White Sox player and manager Ozzie Guillen – sometimes referred to as the Hispanic Yogi Berra – discussing one of his relievers who said he wasn’t feeling well enough to pitch in a Spring Training Game.
That’s just good judgement – something the White Sox haven’t always been known for, especially when picking uniforms.
Sports With Balls reviewers have braved the White Sox’s eye-searing uniform history to present you – our loyal readers – with the definitive list of Top 5 White Sox Uniforms of All Time.
#5 – Baseball Grit With Softball Fashion
You know what baseball needs more of?
Hairy man knees!
In 1976, someone in the White Sox’s upper office apparently thought that, rolling these beauties, which the White Sox actually wore in three games.
To date, the 1976 White Sox are the ONLY Major League Baseball team to rock shorts.
Our guess is that when this decision was made, alcohol was involved and someone lost a bet.
But it’s the clear use of beer in decision-making process that puts these softball-style uniforms on the list.
#4 – Hot Around the Collar
For several years throughout the 1970s, the White Sox rocked uniforms with collars.
Our guess is that this move was made to solve players’ nagging problem of not being able to wear a tie with their game jerseys.
Imagine rushing into a post-game wedding in your baseball uniform and not being able to put on a tie. You’d feel out of place – underdressed even.
If there’s one thing men like is versatile pieces of clothing.
That’s why these uniforms make Sports With Balls definitive list of Top 5 White Sox Uniforms of All Time.
#3 – We Got Them Lowdown Dirty Chicago Blues
In pro sports, it’s fairly rare that a team will just completely ditch their color schemes and adopt another. It happens (consider the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ old creamsicle uniforms). But not terribly often.
While Major League Baseball may be resistant to change, the White Sox have never been content to stand pat.
In 1971, the White Sox decided to ditch their previous team colors and go with red and baby blue road uniforms.
Why?
The road versions especially look like old St. Louis Cardinals uniforms.
The Cards, after all, did win the World Series in 1964 and 1967.
Emulating other teams’ path to success is certainly something many MLB front offices try to do.
But that’s not the real reason Sports with Balls believes the White Sox chose these uniforms . . .
You see, the St. Louis Cardinals’ remain to this day the other Second City ballclub – the Chicago Cubs’ – arch rival.
What better way to stick it to the crosstown Cubbies than to copy the uniforms of their nemesis?
Well done, White Sox. Well done indeed.
#2 – Say It Ain’t So Sox
You can’t talk about White Sox team history without talking about Black Sox scandal of 1919 where eight players from the White Sox were banished for life for throwing the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds.
It’s a sad chapter in Major League Baseball history – but thankfully it was the last time baseball has had a cheating problem of any kind.
Ok, maybe not the last time.
The 1919 Sox uniforms were great though.
They’re crisp and bold with a simplistic design . . .
The way the “S” slithers deceptively through “Sox” on from left chest hints at something devious . . . sneaky even.
It’s almost like they were trying to tell us something.
#1 – Woke Before it Was Cool
We know how devastating sports teams name are to certain communities.
While some people roll their eyes and say team names are “No big deal,” ESPN commentators have repeatedly shown us how team names can be the greatest impediment to success in many people’s lives.
In fact, ESPN’s Max Kellerman even argued that Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish mascot should be changed, stating:
“Many Irish Americans are not offended, but many are. Should that also change? The answer is unequivocally yes. Pernicious, negative stereotypes of marginalized people that offend even some among them should be changed. It’s not that hard.”
Sports With Balls agrees with Kellerman that we should never offend Irish people.
They will fight you!
Likewise – while historical protests have been minimal throughout the United States – Sports With Balls suspects that many white people are horrifically offended by the southsiders’ name “White Sox.”
While the Sox have never owned up to it, Sports With Balls suspect this was the logic behind the Sox’s decision to be more inclusive and diverse look in 1982 – going simply with “Sox.”
Wouldn’t sports teams would do well to follow the Sox’s example of shortening their names, leaving out potentially offensive words?
Isn’t it time for the Dallas Cows?
That’s why these stripe-y beauties are Sports With Balls number-one White Sox –sorry, we meant “Sox” – uniform of all time!
Agree? Disagree?
Let us know in the comments!
