User:Trevcon5

User:trevcon5/potential_article Southpaw (Chicago White Sox mascot)

Southpaw is the mascot for the major league baseball team, the Chicago White Sox. Southpaw is notable for his green fur and White Sox uniform. The names Southpaw is taken in combination from the nickname for left-handed players and the south side of Chicago, where the White Sox play.

History
Southpaw is the most current of a long line of mascots for the Chicago White Sox. His major league debut was during a home game at U.S. Cellular Field on June 13, 2004. His introduction was generally well received by the public, with Southpaw eventually becoming popular and well-known among White Sox fans. Southpaw is the fourth official mascot for the White Sox since 1981.

Traits and Characteristics
Southpaw is covered in green fur and wears a standard White Sox baseball home uniform (white with black pinstripes). Rather than standard buttons on his jersey however, Southpaw’s buttons resemble the iconic pinwheels on the U.S. Cellular Field scoreboard. The pinwheels are also on the sides of Southpaw’s baseball cleats. Southpaw's name is written on the back of his jersey, and instead of having a number there is a star with a baseball in the center.

Game and Public Appearances
Southpaw typically remains inside U.S. Cellular Field and generally only makes appearances during home games in Chicago. At each home White Sox games he will move throughout the stadium to perform. At different points in the game, he will show up to different promotions offered by the White Sox management. Southpaw cheers on the children who participate in training programs during the game at the Pontiac Fundamentals game, located within the park. Southpaw also gives out free t-shirts to fans with the Chevy Pride Crew in between innings, and also holds a dance contest on top of the dugouts during downtime in the game.

Southpaw also makes appearances outside of U.S. Cellular Field for local ceremonies, parades, and private parties. Southpaw attends the Major League Baseball All-Star Game whenever a White Sox player is on the roster. In January 2009, President Barack Obama requested the presence of Southpaw at the Presidential Inaugural Parade held in Washington D.C.

Statistics and Trivia
According to the official Chicago White Sox website, Southpaw is a switch hitter and throws with his left hand. He lives within the confines of U.S. Cellular Field and has a vacation spot in Arizona which he visits every March. Southpaw’s favorite song is Sweet Home Chicago and his favorite colors are silver, black, green, and yellow. His favorite food is Vienna Beef hot dogs.

Southpaw and the Community
Along with the Chicago White Sox and Major League Baseball, Southpaw is a strong figurehead in local communities and charities. He is regularly seen at White Sox charity events and is often times hired to attend private weddings and parties.

Predecessors
Before Southpaw, the mascots for the Chicago White Sox have been numerous and varied. The most recent mascots prior to South Paw were Waldo the White Sox Wolf and Ribbie and Roobarb respectively. Waldo the White Sox Wolf was meant to reflect upon the silver and black colors of the White Sox uniform. Waldo the White Sox Wolf was also the spokesperson for the White Sox kids’ club “The Silver and Black Pack” during the 1990s. Ribbie and Roobarb were a pair of orange and pink “Muppet” like creatures, whose appearance had no significance to the team other than the White Sox jerseys, which they both adorned.