CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- Representatives from Team Army, Team Marine Corps, Team Navy and Team Special Operations Command in town to promote the 2017 Department of Defense Warrior Games finally got a little down time after a day of interviews and shooting videos around Chicago. Loading up a van, the athletes took a trip over to the South Side for a baseball game.
Die-hard White Sox fan, Chicago native and U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro of Team SOCOM has seen many White Sox games over the years and wanted to share the experience with the other athletes. "Being here in Chicago…this is home for me and one of the things I love to do when I'm here is to see a White Sox game," Del Toro said. "We've been working together for a few days promoting Warrior Games and going to a Sox game is a great way to enjoy some downtime and have fun together."
The White Sox personnel made the experience memorable. A team representative led the athletes into the stadium passing the display featuring the Commissioner's Trophy and American League Championship Trophy won during their 2005 World Series championship season. Images of other memorable franchise moments were proudly displayed throughout the halls to include pitcher Mark Buehrle's perfect game on July 23, 2009 and murals by local youth.
The athletes were led through the tunnel behind home plate onto the field to watch the teams take batting practice. White Sox Senior Vice President of Communications, Scott Reifert met with the athletes and discussed his role with the team. Manager Rick Renteria, pitchers Nate Jones and Dave Robertson also took time away from pre-game activities to take pictures and chat. Renteria passed out White Sox coins, similar to those given out by military commanders, while Jones and Robertson signed baseballs and took individual pictures.
Fellow Chicago native Navy veteran Petty Officer 1st Class and Team Navy member Ryan Shannon was even tempted to sway his allegiance from his beloved Cubs because of the experience, but not really. "This has been incredible," Shannon said of the experience. "They treated us really well letting us be on the field and the players taking time to talk to us. They didn't have to do that and we really appreciated it. But I'll always be a Cubs fan," he added with a smile.
After the on-field experience, the athletes were led to their seats to watch the game. During the middle of the 5th inning a cameraman appeared and the athletes were then featured on the jumbotron in centerfield and thanked for their service by the public address announcer adding to an already memorable experience. The White Sox topped off their incredible hospitality by exploding for 10 runs as they went on to beat the Kansas City Royals 10-5.
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