Presented to Paul Konerko, a Key Player in the 2005 Championship Victory
Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope and a well-known Major League Baseball (MLB) enthusiast, has gifted a uniform to a player who gave him an unforgettable memory twenty years ago.
According to Yonhap News, Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago, attended the Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians game at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois, on July 13 (Korean time).
Cardinal Blase Cupich presenting a gift from Pope Leo XIV to Paul Konerko (left) at the Chicago White Sox 20th Anniversary Championship Celebration. AP, Yonhap News
The event marked the 20th anniversary of the Chicago White Sox's 2005 World Series championship. At the ceremony, Cardinal Cupich presented a uniform signed by Pope Leo XIV to Paul Konerko, one of the key players from the 2005 championship team.
During his playing career, Konerko wore number 14 and was a central hitter for the White Sox. Pope Leo XIV, who was born in Chicago, attended the first game of the 2005 World Series in person when it was held in Chicago and cheered for the team.
In the first game of the 2005 World Series, which Pope Leo XIV watched in person, Konerko recorded two hits. In the second game, he hit a grand slam, making a significant contribution to the White Sox's four-game sweep and championship victory.
Last month, Pope Leo XIV sent a 7-minute and 30-second video message to a Mass held at Guaranteed Rate Field, the home stadium of the Chicago White Sox. Through the home field of his favorite baseball team, his first message to the United States was broadcast.
On that day, the White Sox home stadium was packed with 30,000 faithful who gathered to hear the pope's words. Tickets, which went on sale for $5 each starting May 30, saw the first batch of 10,000 sell out in just 15 minutes. People took commemorative photos holding pictures of Pope Leo XIV throughout Guaranteed Rate Field.
To commemorate the pope's birth, the White Sox organization installed a memorial next to the seat where Pope Leo XIV sat twenty years ago. The memorial features a photo of Pope Leo XIV waving, as well as an image of the pope and his friend captured on the TV broadcast.
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