White Sox do Mexican Heritage Night right

CHICAGO – The ballpark on the corner of 35th and Shields sits prominently on the south side of the Windy City. And if you attend a White Sox game at ‘The Rate’ you’ll quickly notice its fan base prominently reflects the neighborhoods on that part of the third largest city in America.

A large segment of the area has the most prominent and emblematic Mexican American neighborhoods in the city. That is why it’s important and fitting that the White Sox celebrate Mexican Heritage Night and do it the right way, which they already have.

It should come as no surprise that the White Sox have sold out Mexican Heritage Night for a second season in a row.   

According to the most recent census data, about one in five Chicagoans is of Mexican descent. We make up make up 21.5% of Chicago.

Large Mexican community

Mexican and Mexican Americans make up nearly 74% of the Chicago’s Latinos. Friday night the White Sox will celebrate their second Mexican Heritage Night in franchise history with big plans to celebrate it in the genuine and authentic way it should be.

They can make a strong claim at having one of the best Mexican Heritage Nights in all American sports because, frankly, they get it.  

Last summer I had the pleasure of being a guest of the team. I walked out genuinely happy for my friends and colleagues who put together a night when it was clear they understood the assignment.

The parking lots resembled a Mexican American block party. Who am I kidding? It was a fiesta celebrating us and allowing us to feel proud of who we are in a trying time when it may be the toughest it has ever been for Latinos in the United States.

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The great Chicago architect Daniel Burnham is well known for saying, “Make no little plans.” In Chicago tradition, the White Sox have big plans for the Friday Fiesta at the ballpark.

The first 15,000 fans will receive a special Mexican Heritage Night jersey. The White Sox’s design team created the look of the jersey. It’s very much a design that marries the famous White Sox design with an homage to Mexican culture.

The back of the jersey around the neckline has an additional element. It includes Chicago’s historic Little Village Community with the famous arch that welcomes you into the most Mexican neighborhood in the city and appropriately “La Familia” on it because family is first.  

Mexican American recording artist and local Chicagoan Angelina Victoria will sing the National Anthem. She’ll also throw out the ceremonial first pitch. 

There  will be a pregame performance from the famous Ballet Folklorico de Chicago and Mariachi Monumental de Mexico. A charro roper will show off his skills in what is one of Mexico’s native sports and popular in the local Mexican American community of Chicago that has roots in the states of Jalisco and Zacatecas.

White Sox touch all bases

Beyond Mexican music being played throughout the evening there will be an in-game performance by student groups from Northern Illinois University’s Mariachi NIU and Ballet Folklórico Aztlán.  

The night will end with the famous White Sox post-game firework. They pyrotechnics display will feature a playlist with only Mexican artists such as Mana, Juan Gabriel, Carin Leon.

In my over 15 years in sports I have consulted, planned and organized Heritage Nights and have had several conversations with front office management.

I always say it comes down to authenticity more than anything.  You must be authentic because we notice. We will call you out on it when it is not.

The White Sox are authentic. You can see it from the charro roper to the mariachis. That authenticity includes the ballet folklorico. It will be rewarded with a sellout.