By Chicago White Sox

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Today’s News

Tonight’s Game

White Sox vs. Royals (7:10 p.m., CT, WGN) at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City in the second game of the three-game set. Probable Starters: LHP Jose Quintana for the Sox, LHP Danny Duffy for K.C.

Quintana is making his 2015 debut. A year ago, he went 9–11 with a stellar 3.32 ERA, struck out 178 and allowed just 10 home runs in 32 starts. He ranked among the American League lefty leaders in starts (T2nd), quality starts (T3rd, 31), innings pitched/200.1, 4th), strikeouts (4th) and ERA (5th). Jose leads the majors with 39 no decisions since 2012.

Opening Weekend at U.S. Cellular Field

WHAT: The Chicago White Sox announce promotional highlights, giveaways and ceremonial first pitches for the opening home series vs. Minnesota at 3:10 p.m. CT. Friday’s home opener is sold out except for a limited number of tickets in Standing Room Only sections and those remaining as part of season ticket plans. Tickets for the remaining games in the series against Minnesota are available at whitesox.com, the U.S. Cellular Field ticket office and all Ticketmaster locations.

Friday and Sunday’s games will be televised on Comcast SportsNet Chicago and WGN-TV will broadcast Saturday’s game. All three games will air on WSCR-AM 670 The Score, the White Sox flagship radio station, and WRTO-AM 1200/Univision Radio, the White Sox Spanish-language radio affiliate.

WHEN: Friday, April 10, 3:10 p.m. vs. Minnesota

White Sox 2015 Magnetic Schedule presented by Miller Lite (all fans ages 21 and over)

Opening Day Ford Drive Around National Anthem by Sox fan Tim McIlrath, lead singer of Rise Against

Presentation of the flag by the Navy Recruiting District Chicago and the Naval Service Training Command Great Lakes

Flyover by U.S. Navy F-18 Hornets — “Strike Fighter Squadron Fifteen Valions” from Virginia Beach, Virginia

Ceremonial first pitch by 2005 World Series starting pitcher Jose Contreras caught by 2005 World Series teammate Joe Crede (both players shown above with their championship rings).

Minnie Minoso video tribute (top of the second inning)

Hero of the Game to honor Vietnam War Hero, Bronze Star and three-time Purple Heart recipient, Private First Class James Balcer of the U.S. Marine Corps

The Opening Day Ford Drive Around will kick off the season by introducing 2015 White Sox players and coaches as they arrive on field in Ford trucks and mustangs. Fans are advised to be in their seats by 2:25 p.m. CT for the opening ceremony.

Sox fan McIlrath, the lead singer for Rise Against, will perform the National Anthem. After 16 years and six albums, Rise Against has become one of the most successful and revered punk rock bands, selling six million albums globally. The Chicago-based band will kick off its summer 2015 headline tour at the FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island on July 17.

2005 World Series Champion starting pitcher Contreras will throw out a ceremonial first pitch to 2005 World Series third baseman Crede in celebration of this year’s 10-year anniversary of their accomplishments. Contreras set career highs with 15 wins, 32 starts and 204 2/3 innings pitched during the 2005 season. Crede made his mark in the 2005 postseason run with a walk-off double against the Los Angeles Angels in the American League Championship series. He batted .294 with two home runs and three RBIs in the 2005 World Series.

Saturday, April 11, 1:10 p.m. vs. Minnesota

White Sox Welcome Mat (first 20,000 fans) Shark Cage (pitching rotation subject to change)

National Anthem by guest anthemist Grace Kinstler

Ceremonial first pitch by one of our valued season ticket holders

The Shark Cage is a new ballpark promotion in Sections 154 and 155 — a total of more than 930 seats. When Sox pitcher Jeff Samardzija is scheduled to pitch, fans with tickets in these sections receive a Shark Cage cap and fin-shaped strikeout card, which can be picked up at the #SoxSocial Lounge before the end of the first inning. Shark Cage tickets are $20 for most games, with the exception of Family Sundays when the tickets are $15 and the Crosstown Cup games (all subject to availability). Please note that the pitching rotation is subject to change.

Sunday, April 12, 1:10 p.m. vs. Minnesota

Family Sunday, presented by The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital K Zone For Sale (pitching rotation subject to change)

National Anthem and “God Bless America” by White Sox anthemist Gina Glocksen, former American Idol finalist

Ceremonial first pitch by one of our valued season ticket holders

Family Sunday, presented by The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital, offers tickets as low as $5 in the Upper Level and $15 in the Lower Level with $10 parking. Entertainment includes children’s running the bases postgame (weather permitting), face painters, balloonists, a caricature artist and magnet art.

The K Zone For Sale is a ballpark promotion launched last season in Sections 154 and 155 — a total of more than 930 seats. When Sox ace Chris Sale starts, fans with tickets in these sections receive a “K Zone For Sale” T-shirt and strikeout card, which can be picked up at the #SoxSocial Lounge before the end of the first inning. “K Zone For Sale” tickets are $20 for most games, with the exception of Family Sundays when the tickets are $15 and the Crosstown Cup games (all subject to availability). Please note that the pitching rotation is subject to change.

Quote of the Day

Adam LaRoche on the Opening Day loss:

“We were joking…before the game. This game probably will be analyzed more than any other game of the year. But that’s just baseball. It happens every year. Obviously not the way we wanted to start it up. The key is to shake that one off and come right back out Wednesday ready to go.”

A Different Kind of Opening Day

Meet David Robertson

Tomorrow’s Schedule

White Sox vs. Royals (1:10 p.m., CT, CSN) at Kauffman Stadium in the finale of the three-game series. Probable Starters: LHP John Danks for the Sox, RHP Edinson Volquez for Kansas City.

2005 Flashback

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the White Sox’ championship season…

In Game 2 of the ’05 campaign (April 6) the Sox notched their second straight victory over the Tribe, 4–3, in thrilling come-from-behind fashion. Down 3–0 heading into the ninth, Carl Everett singled, Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye hit back-to-back homers and Juan Uribe drove home Aaron Rowand, who doubled, for the game-winner.

Photo of the Day

To honor Major League Baseball on Opening Day, the historic Empire State Building in New York City rotated its lighting to reflect the colors of every big-league team. Most important to us, of course, was the tribute to our Sox.