SoxFest through the years

Billy Pierce, a member of the American League Championship team of 1959, at SoxFest 2009.

New White Sox General Manager Ken Williams listens to questions from fans at the SoxFest 2001. Behind him is a poster made up of Sox team autographs, thanking fans for their support.

White Sox fan Tom Skiendzielewski shows off his painted head while standing next to curtains that line the side of a room at the SoxFest 2001

Covered in a White Sox blanket in his wheelchair, 18-year-old Rob Komosa waits to get his hat autographed from players at SoxFest 2001. Komosa says he is a season ticket holder, and has been a fan his whole life. He said his family recently obtained a van big enough for his chair, enabling him to attend more games.

A determined Tom Wright of Carol Stream takes a nap as he waits in line for about two hours to get autographs from Dick Allen, Paul Konerko and Moose Skowron at SoxFest 2001.

Ray Durham (from left), manager Jerry Manuel, Jose Valentin and Frank Thomas kid around backstage before appearing at SoxFest 2002.

Frank Thomas poses for a picture with Tony Guillen and his son Tony Jr. during the second day of SoxFest 2003.

Rhett Rowe, left, and his friend Allen Stewart admire their newly autographed bats by Frank Thomas at SoxFest 2003.

White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf (left) and former GM Roland Hemond enjoy day one of SoxFest 2003 at the Hyatt.

White Sox reliever Kelly Wunsch interviews teammate Joe Crede at SoxFest 2003.

Magglio Ordonez looks out over the gathered crowd for SoxFest 2003 at the Hyatt.

New White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen pats Stephanie Moreno on the head during an autograph session at SoxFest 2004.

5-year-old Thomas DeWitt watches White Sox outfielder Aaron Rowand give fielding tips at a fielding clinic booth in 2004.

12-year-old John Gardiner looks through some authentic jerseys at SoxFest 2004.

Jose Valentin at SoxFest 2004.

Esteban Loaiza signs autographs at SoxFest 2004 at the Hyatt Regency.

Third baseman Joe Crede takes a break from signing autographs to snuggle with his 17-month-old daughter Anna at SoxFest 2005.

2-year-old Dominick Ciamprone holds up a baseball as his father, Joe, holds him as wait to get an autograph from Paul Konerko at SoxFest 2006 at the Hyatt Regency.

Pitcher Brandon McCarthy signs autographs at SoxFest 2006 at the Hyatt Regency.

White Sox fans, from left, Joe Adams, Nick Shields and Nicole Mailhiot hang out in a replica of the locker room at SoxFest 2006.

White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams, left, and manager Ozzie Guillen answer fans questions during a seminar called “Your 2006 Chicago White Sox.”

Jim Thome jokes with the White Sox public address announcer Gene Honda at SoxFest 2006.

Ozzie Guillen carries the World Series trophy to the first day of SoxFest 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

Pitcher Mark Buehrle poses for a photo with Megan Johnson as he signs autographs at SoxFest 2007.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen arrives sporting a Bears jersey at SoxFest 2007.

White Sox coach Jeff Cox hands back the autographed ball to a fan at SoxFest 2008.

Jermaine Dye (left) and Gavin Floyd at the opening ceremonies of SoxFest 2009.

White Sox greats Minnie Minoso and Harold Baines (background) at SoxFest 2009 at the Palmer House.

White Sox pitcher Freddy Garcia arrives wearing 3D glasses for a 3D presentation that followed introductions at SoxFest 2010.

Jake Peavy and manager Ozzie Guillen toss whiffle baseballs to fans at SoxFest 2010 at the Palmer House.

Fans don their 3-D glasses in preparation for a video feature at SoxFest 2010.

New outfielder Juan Pierre has an opinion about a question asked of him at SoxFest 2010 at the Palmer House.

Pitcher Chris Sale answers questions at SoxFest 2011.

Emily Sobut leans in close to A.J. Pierzynski as a friend snaps a photo of her and her favorite White Sox player at SoxFest 2011.

Alexei Ramirez walks to the stage at the Palmer House at SoxFest 2011.

MLB commissioner Bud Selig with White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf at SoxFest 2012.

A White Sox logo shines down onto the floor of the Palmer House Hilton during SoxFest 2012.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn answers questions from fans at SoxFest 2103 inside the Palmer House Hilton.

Mia Gerace poses for a photograph with White Sox pitcher Addison Reed during SoxFest 2013 at the Palmer House Hilton.

A White Sox fan looks at signed baseballs in a merchandise area of SoxFest 2013 at the Palmer House Hilton.

Rick Heinz of Hinsdale waits in line to have Paul Konerko sign a painting that features the White Sox fan favorite during SoxFest 2013 at the Palmer House Hilton.

Paul Konerko speaks with White Sox fan Carol Ann Everett after giving the Bolingbrook resident an autograph on her street sign at SoxFest 2013 inside the Palmer House Hilton.

A White Sox fan holds an autographed ball as he listens to a panel called “View From The Dugout” which included assistant general manager Buddy Bell, manager Robin Ventura, first base coach Daryl Boston and bullpen coach Bobby Thigpen at SoxFest 2013.

Adam Dunn is introduced at the opening ceremony during SoxFest 2014 at the Palmer House Hilton.

New White Sox first base coach Daryl Boston speaks during a panel called “View From The Dugout” as manager Robin Ventura and assistant general manager Buddy Bell laugh at SoxFest 2013 held at the Palmer House Hilton.

Gordon Beckham attends SoxFest 2014 at the Palmer House Hilton.

Avisail Garcia, left, and Alexei Ramirez gesture to a teammate during SoxFest 2014.

Guest Services employee Karalee McElligott stands behind a pair of racing announcer costumes during SoxFest 2014.

Paul Konerko is introduced at the opening ceremony during SoxFest 2014 at the Palmer House Hilton.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura attends a panel discussion at SoxFest 2014.

White Sox mascot Southpaw gives a high-five to 4-year-old Tim Russo as his dad Mark, center, takes pictures in 2014.

White Sox fan Elise Klein, of Glencoe, holds a framed photograph with autographs of both old and current White Sox players as she waits in the autograph line for Dayan Viciedo and Jose Abreu at Soxfest 2014 held at the Palmer House Hilton.

Dayan Viciedo, left, and Jose Abreu, right, sign autographs at Soxfest 2014 held at the Palmer House Hilton.

Adam Eaton holds 3-month-old Eli DeWitt as parents Wesley and Kellie photograph them during an autograph session at Soxfest 2014.

Newly acquired White Sox pitcher Jeff Samardzija answers reporters’ questions before the start of SoxFest 2015.

From the 2005 World Series-winning White Sox team: Tadahito Iguchi, Scott Podsednik, Jon Garland, Joe Crede, Geoff Blum, Bobby Jenks, Jose Contreras and Aaron Rowand gather for a group photograph before the start of SoxFest 2015.

White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana is recorded during an interview before the start of SoxFest 2015.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura talks with a colleague before the start of SoxFest 2015.

A young White Sox fan sneaks a cup of water behind a a security guard.

Former White Sox player Bo Jackson laughs with a fan while signing autographs in 2015.

White Sox fans take a break from getting autographs during at SoxFest 2015.

White Sox prospects Micah Johnson, from left, Courtney Hawkins, Tim Anderson and Carlos Rodon participate in a panel discussion titled “On Their Way: Future Sox” in 2015.

White Sox Executive Vice President Kenny Williams, left, and Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf laugh while recalling their favorite 2005 World series memory at SoxFest 2015.

White Sox outfielder Courtney Hawkins, accompanied by Luka Stojakovic from Park Ridge Little League, is introduced during the opening ceremony at SoxFest 2015.

White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf speaks to the media about the passing of Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks during at SoxFest in 2015.

Newly acquired pitcher Jeff Samardzija signs autographs during the annual SoxFest convention in 2015.

Minnie Minoso is introduced during the opening ceremony at SoxFest 2015 at the Chicago Hilton and Towers.

Jacob May, White Sox prospect and great nephew of former White Sox player Carlos May, poses for a photo with Juliana Pena, 8 months, of Chicago on Jan. 31, 2016.

White Sox themed cookies on sale at the Max and Benny’s booth at SoxFest on Jan. 31, 2016.

Chris Sale of the White Sox signs autographs on the first day of SoxFest.

Lily Shure, age 5, is all smiles as she meets Jose Abreu of the White Sox who signed autographs on Friday, Jan. 29, 2016, the first day of SoxFest.

Jose Abreu greets fans at SoxFest at the Hilton in Chicago on Jan. 27, 2017.

Michael Kopech talks to the media at SoxFest at the Hilton in Chicago on Jan. 27, 2017.

White Sox players including Lucas Giolito (27) toss gifts to fans at SoxFest at the Hilton in Chicago on Jan. 27, 2017.

White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech speaks with members of the media during SoxFest 2018 at the Hilton Chicago on Friday, Jan. 26, 2018.

White Sox prospect Eloy Jimenez, left, signs autographs for fans with prospect Dylan Cease during SoxFest 2018 at the Hilton Chicago on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018.

White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson speaks with members of the media during SoxFest 2018 at the Hilton Chicago on Friday, Jan. 26, 2018.

Johnny Cullen, 8, takes a swing at virtual reality batting practice during SoxFest 2018 at the Hilton Chicago on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018.

White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada, right, signs autographs for fans with third baseman Yolmer Sanchez during SoxFest 2018 at the Hilton Chicago on Friday, Jan. 26, 2018.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu signs the shirt of Logan Long, 9, during SoxFest 2018 at the Hilton Chicago on Friday, Jan. 26, 2018.