The White Sox kicked off the work week with some exciting news this afternoon. While they didn’t make another signing or trade just yet, they probably did the next best thing and unveiled their initial promotional schedule for the 2020 season. After taking a look at everything, let’s just say the team knows what they’re doing. Fans can always rely on some awesome giveaways throughout the season and this year will be no different. Brandon Anderson and I decided to rank these items on a scale of 1-10 in the order they appeared on the promotional calendar. Here’s how each item fared:
March 26th – Opening Day Long Sleeve Shirt
Free t-shirt Thursday gets started on Opening Day for the first 20,000 fans who attend the March 26th game. The picture provided on the graphic shows a basic White Sox logo on a black, long sleeve t-shirt. “Coming Soon” is flashed over the shirt so it seems likely we’ll see a fresh design over the next few months. Until then, we’ll hold off on the grading.
March 28th – White Sox Puffy Vest, Presented by Guaranteed Rate
Knowing how the weather usually is during the early portion of the season, this puffy vest could come in handy early and often. While we’re not the biggest vest fans here (unless we’re talking about the jerseys), these are still pretty decent. If you’ll be at the first Saturday game of the year, get there early because only the first 15,000 fans who enter will get it.
Grade: 6.2/10
April 11th – White Sox Hoodie, Presented by Coca-Cola
You can never go wrong with a hoodie giveaway, especially when it features the ’83 jersey concept. The black and white colors make it is one hell of a sweatshirt. The first 15,000 fans on Saturday, April 11th will get it.
Grade: 9.3/10
April 18th – Yoan Moncada Bobblehead, Presented by Constellation
Yoan Moncada’s bobblehead marks the first of three that will be given away this year. Spoiler alert: all of them are must-haves. The first 20,000 fans who enter the ballpark for this Saturday night game vs. Texas will get one.
Grade: 8.6/10
May 2nd – Star Wars Day and Lucas Giolito X-Wing Fighter Bobblehead, Presented by TransUnion
While we’re on the topic of bobbleheads, Lucas Giolito’s is up next on the calendar. The first 15,000 fans will receive this item on Star Wars Day, which will surely be a busy Saturday night.
Grade: 8.1/10
May 3rd – Los White Sox Soccer Jersey, Presented by Coca-Cola
The Los White Sox soccer jersey is making a return for the 2020 season with a new design. It doesn’t really move the needle for us but if you’re one of the first 15,000 fans who enter on May 3rd, it’s all yours.
Grade: 5.5/10
May 16th – 1960 Replica Scoreboard
Who doesn’t love the old exploding scoreboard from Comiskey Park? In honor of its 60-year anniversary, the team will be handing out this replica to the first 15,000 fans on Saturday, May 16th vs. the Blue Jays.
Grade: 9.8/10
May 30 – Tim Anderson Bat Flip Bobblehead, Presented by Guaranteed Rate
This is the unanimous winner for top White Sox giveaway of 2020. Heck, Tim Anderson’s bat flip in bobblehead form might be one of the best giveaways in all of Major League Baseball. Get ready for big crowds and long lines on the last Saturday in May as the team takes on Minnesota.
Grade: 10/10
June 6th – White Sox Hawaiian Shirt, Presented by Beggars Pizza
While this doesn’t quite top the Hawaiian shirt from the past, this is still a solid design so we’ll give the team props. The first 20,000 fans on Saturday, June 6th will receive this.
Grade: 6.9/10
June 27th – White Sox Basketball Jersey, Presented by NBC Sports Chicago
The cursive Chicago script, pinstripes, stars, and skyline are all featured on this fresh basketball jersey. The first 20,000 fans at the June 27th game vs. Oakland will get this unique giveaway.
Giveaway Grade: 8.5/10
That ends the grading portion of the article for the premium items highlighted in the team’s graphic. Overall, the giveaways averaged a score of 8.1/10 so we’re giving the White Sox marketing department a thumbs up.
That doesn’t mark the end, though! Here’s a look at the rest of the promotional giveaways you can expect to receive as well as some of the special theme nights:
- April 17th – White Sox Tote Bag, presented by MLB Network, (first 20,000 fans who enter the ballpark)
- June 6th – Margaritaville at the Park
- June 7th – Southpaw’s Birthday
- June 24th – Polish Heritage Night
- June 25th – Pride Night
- July 24th – Country Music Night
- July 26th – TOPPS Baseball Card Giveaway, (all fans in attendance of the game)
- July 28th – Christmas in July
- August 27th – Police & Fire Night
- August 28th – Elvis Night
- August 29th – Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day
On top of that, the following weekday homestand promotions will be back:
- $1 Hot Dog Wednesdays
- Free T-Shirt Thursdays
- Firework Fridays
- Coca-Cola Family Sundays
The team announced they will be adding additional events, theme nights, and giveaways. For the full promotional schedule, you can find it at whitesox.com/promos.
If you would like to give your own grades for the White Sox giveaways, leave them in the comments below!
Be sure to follow us on social media @SoxOn35th for more updates!
Featured Graphic and Photos: Chicago White Sox
Like some of these, but always wonder when the team will recognize the ‘fuller figured’ fans. It is not worth fighting the crowds to get clothing that is large or x-large when I need something more like a 3XL.
Never liked the cocky bat flip look, glad it hasn’t caught on with other Sox players. Let’s start seriously contending and not worry about showing off. Dumb idea for Tim’s bobble head, imho, but other promos are fine.