Who is the biggest celebrity White Sox fan? originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago White Sox have been on a tear to start off the 2021 MLB season. They currently sit in first place of the American League Central and possess one of the best records in baseball heading into June. It looks like the Sox have a real chance to make a postseason push this fall.
While the South Siders may be considered Chicago’s less popular MLB team, there are plenty of celebrities who root for them. As the White Sox welcome fans back to Guaranteed Rate Field, will we see any of these famous faces in the crowd?
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Barack Obama
Former United States president Barack Obama is one of the most famous Chicago sports fans. Also an avid Bulls supporter, Obama has made his allegiance to the South Side clear. Originally a fan of the Oakland A’s while growing up in Hawaii, Obama adopted the White Sox as his team when he moved to Chicago in the 1980s.
During his presidency, Obama hosted the 2016 World Series winner Cubs at the White House. Understanding how hard it must have been for the 44th president to be celebrating the North Siders, former Cubs president Theo Epstein actually offered Obama a pardon for supporting the White Sox.
When Obama was given the title “Former Chicago resident” in “The Last Dance” documentary about the 1998 Chicago Bulls, the White Sox chimed in on Twitter with an adjusted description for the politician:
It’s true. Obama did throw out the first pitch in Chicago at Game 2 of the 2005 ALCS, and even wore his infamous White Sox hat while throwing out a first pitch for the Nationals in 2014 … much to the D.C. crowd’s dismay.
George Wendt
While he may have played a Boston fan on the hit television sitcom “Cheers,” Chicago native George Wendt is a White Sox fan through and through.
Wendt, best known for his role as Norm Peterson, was born in the Windy City and started his career as a member of the Chicago-based comedy troupe The Second City. After growing up on the South Side, Wendt is still a fan of the White Sox and can even recall the night they won the pennant in 1959.
Wendt’s Chicago fandom has also infiltrated his career, as the comedian has made notable appearances on “Saturday Night Live” as Bob Swerski, one of the Chicago Superfans.
Mr. T
Another Chicago-born celebrity, Lawrence Tureaud -- more commonly known as Mr. T -- is a fan of the South Siders.
Mr. T grew up on the South Side right near the old Comiskey Park, so it’s no wonder the television personality and former professional wrestler fell in love with the Sox. You can just hear his enthusiasm for the team when he hyped up Bo Jackson’s arm after Milwaukee Brewers’ Dave Nilsson was thrown out at the plate in 1993.
We pity the fools who don’t join Mr. T in cheering on the White Sox.
George Lopez
Famed comedian and actor George Lopez actually grew up in Dodgers territory: San Fernando Valley's Mission Hills near L.A. And while he still roots for the Dodgers on occasion, the White Sox became his team when his favorite player, Luis Aparicio, joined Chicago for his second stint from 1968 to 1970.
In the past, Lopez attended White Sox games as a guest of former general manager Kenny Williams, and even flexed his fandom by sporting a Mark Buehrle jersey in his self-produced ABC sitcom.
Perhaps we’ll even hear “Órale!” coming from the stands of Guaranteed Rate Field soon.
Jenny McCarthy
Jenny McCarthy grew up on the South Side of Chicago before establishing her career as a model and actress, so it’s no surprise she is proud to call herself a White Sox fan.
While she may have been sporting a Cubs jersey to share it, McCarthy recalled the time in her youth when she strived for perfect school attendance just to be rewarded with tickets to see the South Siders play. Now that’s dedication.
