US Cellular Field expecting large crowd for Jackie Robinson West All-Stars parade
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago White Sox are part of Wednesday's big celebration for the Jackie Robinson West All-Stars. The team is expected to stop at U.S. Cellular Field on their way to Millennium Park.
The White Sox are preparing for a crowd of thousands, and at least one Sox great will be here to greet the team. At the Cell, White Sox fans had their minds on that other team from the South Side - Jackie Robinson West.
"I'm real supportive of them. I'm really happy for the city right now. They're really coming up, and hopefully they keep it up for years to come," said Roberto Garcia, White Sox and Jackie Robinson West fan.
Wednesday's parade for JRW may not be as big as the White Sox celebration in 2005, but just like that event, the parade route will include several South Side neighborhoods.
One of the biggest stops along the way will be here at the Cell, where thousands are expected to gather outside the park to celebrate the champs in style.
"I think the fact that we're even having a parade for a bunch of 12-year-olds, what the 12 years have accomplished, is outstanding," said Kevin Coe, White Sox director of youth baseball.
The boys are expected to hop off their bus here around 10:30 a.m. and be lauded with speeches from members of the Sox front office.
Sox great Harold Baines, who is now the team's assistant hitting coach, will be among the familiar faces there.
That the Sox are part of the party is fitting. The team has invested heavily in youth baseball, especially in the inner city through its Amateur City Elite, or ACE, program.
Six of the JRW All-Stars play for ACE teams. For the Sox, it's a point of pride.
"We knew they were pretty good baseball players because we helped train them, but we didn't know they were going to be national champions. And so for them to achieve that goal means they put in a lot of hard work and had a lot of good luck on their side," said Coe.
Sox General Manager Kenny Williams will not be here at the Cell Wednesday morning, but we're told he will be at Millennium Park to greet the team for what promises to be a huge rally.
