Chicago White Sox to Unveil "Champions Plaza" and Monument to 2005 Season

By admin - Posted on March 14th, 2008

Monument celebrating 2005 World Series champions serves as centerpiece of fan-focused, historic brick plaza

03/13/2008, CHICAGO -- On Friday, April 11, the Chicago White Sox will unveil the "Champions Plaza" and "Championship Moments" monument, a diamond-shaped plaza featuring a prominent bronze and granite monument celebrating the 2005 World Series championship. The new brick plaza, located at U.S. Cellular Field's main entrance at Gate 4, is comprised of "legacy bricks" inscribed with personal messages from fans and features an historic timeline highlighting franchise milestones.

Prior to the game that Friday vs. Detroit, the plaza and monument will be unveiled before fans, local dignitaries and former White Sox players representing the franchise's division, league and World Series champion teams. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m.

"Champions Plaza and our Championship Moments monument are very special additions to U.S. Cellular Field and the fan experience at White Sox games," said Scott Reifert, White Sox vice president of communications and president of Chicago White Sox Charities. "The baseball diamond-shaped brick plaza, with the monument standing at the center, symbolizes the relationship between the team and our fans - those legacy bricks serve as the foundation of the plaza, just like our fans do for the White Sox organization. We expect this monument and plaza to become one of the most popular meeting spots for fans at the ballpark."

The large monument, completed during the past two years by sculptor Julie Rotblatt-Amrany of The Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt-Amrany (Highwood, Ill.), is made of a combination of white bronze and black granite. The same studio also developed the popular sculptures of Charles A. Comiskey, Minnie Minoso, Carlton Fisk, Luis Aparicio, Nellie Fox and Bill Pierce, which are located on the center field concourse at U.S. Cellular Field.

Proceeds from the sale of legacy bricks for Champions Plaza went to Chicago White Sox Charities. After the unveiling on April 11, the White Sox will announce a timeline for a second opportunity for fans to purchase their own legacy bricks.

"We've been very pleased with the initial fan response to our legacy brick offer," Reifert said. "And we expect that once fans see the plaza and monument, we quickly will sell out of remaining brick inventory. One of the best parts of the plaza is reading all of the inscriptions from our fans. The stories and memories are amazing and moving."

Tickets for the game vs. Detroit on Friday, April 11 are available by visiting whitesox.com.

Source: MLB

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