Chicago White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
A stop at Rate Field (aka New Comiskey) is the first of a four-day four-ballpark stretch with Ian from Canada and the first of two games watching the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.
This game is my 3rd different ballpark watching the Rays in 2025.
As I had shared in previous journey posts, Ian from Canada is another ballpark chaser I had met during my East Coast Trip in 2024. Turned out we were going to much of the same games: Boston, New York, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington on the same dates so we met up. I had also met up with Ian later in 2024 when I made the trip to Toronto.
Ian’s 2025 journey was going to take him through the Upper Midwest. Considering that he was eventually going to hit Target Field and Chicago is an easy Amtrak train ride for me, I decided to join him for the Chicago-Chicago-Milwaukee-Minnesota segment of his trip.
Seat Selection
Section 159 Row 5 (Left field)
One of the main areas than Ian and I have in common when it comes to our baseball journeys are our tendencies to find cheap tickets. Considering this was a Thursday afternoon game in September and the White Sox were well out of playoff contention, decent seats would be easy to find.
These seats feel close to the game but in the hot sun, even for September, you may want to take the occasional break and find shade.
Ballpark Features
Rate Field has a number of features that honor the game, the club’s history, and enhance the ballpark experience.
Chicago Skyline
Go to the top level of the ballpark at the right field corner and you will see the ‘Chicago’ script and the skyline in the background for a picturesque view of the Windy City.
Da’ Pope
Rate Field added a tribute to their most famous fans, Pope Leo XIV. After Pope Leo had been elected as the first U.S.-born pontiff in May, the White Sox added a mural in his honor on one of the pillar on the lower level just behind home plate.
Comiskey Park Home Plate
Across 35th Street, the northern side of the current ballpark, you can find home plate for the old ballpark. It is one of the ways the White Sox honor the history of Chicago baseball.
Ballpark Food of Choice
Out of all of the Major League ballparks I have visited, the selection of food at Rate Field is, by far, the most underrated. In my previous visit, I had the Italian beef sandwich and nachos. In this visit, I had the barbecue pulled pork sandwich. I also could not leave Rate Field without trying their most recent sensation.
Campfire Milkshake
Rate Field debuted the Campfire Milkshake in 2024. They followed up this year with the Birthday Cake Milkshake. For me, one shake at a time and I had to go with the chocolate shake topped with marshmallows, graham cracker crust, whipped creams, and a chocolate bar with fudge on the rim of the cup. Definitely get the shake if you have the chance.
Game Highlights
As noted, the White Sox are well out of playoff contention. However, the Tampa Bay Rays still had a chance. However, those hopes faded in a 5-1 loss to the White Sox.
