Guaranteed Rate Field
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Address: 333 West 35th Street Chicago, Illinois 60616
Capacity: 40, 615
Parking: Parking is available in surrounding lots, but parking fees may be assessed.
Year Opened: 1991
Occupants: Chicago White Sox
Rules: Guests are permitted to bring food items into the park in see-through plastic bags that can be stored underneath the seats.
The history of the Chicago White Sox dates back to 1901 when they were known as the Chicago White Stockings (changing their name to the White Sox in 1904). The White Sox began play at South Side Park, which served as the playing field for the Chicago Wanderers cricket team at the 1893 World's Fair and was converted to a ballpark in 1900. In 1910, the White Sox left the venue to move into their first modern ballpark, Comiskey Park. This grand old park was meant to be the "Baseball Palace of the World," according to the White Sox original owner Charles Comiskey. The 52,000-seat stadium was a marvel during its time, and it quickly became a favorite of White Sox fans. After 81 years at Comiskey, the team moved into Guaranteed Rate Field to begin a new era of Chicago baseball.
Guaranteed Rate Field was built right across the street from Comiskey Park and opened in 1991 to huge fanfare from the White Sox faithful. Over the course of the new ballpark's first year, nearly three million people came to a ballgame, a club record at the time. To pay homage to Comiskey, the infield dirt from the old stadium was brought in to fill the new grounds at U.S. Cellular Field. The venue is also home to the White Sox Legends Sculpture Plaza with statues of team stars and the White Sox Hall of Fame.
In addition to giving proper reverence to their roots, the White Sox used Guaranteed Rate Field as a means of looking toward the future. The ballpark is jam-packed with concessions and food courts, as well as various fan-friendly attractions. Attendees can drop by the Miller Lite Bullpen Sports Bar to enjoy a cold beer in the facility's two-tier, open-air seating area. Fans with large private parties can also consider renting out The Private Bank Fan Deck, a dual-tier deck above center field with a gorgeous view.
In its brief history, Guaranteed Rate Field was the spot of one of the greatest moments in White Sox history, the team's World Series championship in 2005. The team was finally able to end its 88-year title drought and regain its place as a contender in the American League. Fresh off a recent division championship, the White Sox are sure to be a factor in future AL pennant races.