There is a latest landmark at the house of the Chicago White Sox — Section 140, Row 19, Seat 2.
That’s where Father Bob — the longer term Pope Leo XIV — sat for Game 1 of the 2005 World Series.
The White Sox unveiled a graphic installation Monday that pays tribute to the brand new pontiff and that moment during their last championship run. The pillar artwork incorporates a waving Pope Leo XIV, together with an image from the TV broadcast of the longer term pope sitting with good friend Ed Schmit and his grandson, Eddie.
The team is also planning on doing something to commemorate the Rate Field seat the pope occupied through the 2005 World Series opener.
“When people come into the ballpark, it’s an interesting piece of our history and they’ll need to see it,” said Brooks Boyer, the chief executive and marketing officer for the White Sox. “So we’ll give you the option to place something on that seat.”
Robert Prevost became the primary pope from the U.S. within the history of the Catholic Church when he was elected on May 8. The Chicago-born missionary, who took the name Leo XIV, is a White Sox fan, based on his family and friends.
Prevost attended the World Series opener with Schmit, a longtime season-ticket holder who died in 2020. The White Sox beat the Houston Astros 5-3 on their technique to a four-game sweep for the title.
Eddie Schmit, 25, who works within the family’s day-care business, described the longer term pope as a terrific guy and kindhearted.
“Loads of that is in regards to the White Sox. It needs to be more about what sort of guy the pope is,” Schmit said. “You have a look at among the things he’s done along with his missions, I mean it’s incredible. He’s been in places which are so poor, just attempting to help other people.”
Prevost and Schmit knew one another through their work at a Catholic highschool on Chicago’s South Side, and Schmit’s son, Nick, stays the account holder for the pope’s World Series seat.
Ed Schmit used to inform Father Bob he was going to be the subsequent pope, Schmit’s daughter, Heidi Skokal, said.
“Right around when my dad was passing, Father Bob made sure, he couldn’t be there, but made sure he spoke with him and every part,” an emotional Skokal said. “And he said, ‘Father Bob, Father Bob, I do know you’re going to be the subsequent pope. I might not be here to see it.’ And he goes, ‘But I’ll be definitely looking down.’ And I’m sure he’s today.”
The White Sox, who’ve struggled on the sector in recent times, and their fans have embraced their connection to the brand new pope since he was elected. The team said it sent a jersey and a hat to the Vatican after the announcement.
Some fans have been dressing because the pope for White Sox games, and there are several different T-shirts that commemorate the team’s most famous fan.
“The pope absolutely has an open invite to return back,” Boyer said. “To come sit in Section 140, to throw out a primary pitch. Heck, possibly we’ll let him get an at-bat.”
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