White Sox expand plans for giveaway of pope-themed hats

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox are expanding their tribute to Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native and longtime fan of the baseball team.

The White Sox announced on Friday that they will hand out pope-themed hats to all fans who attend their Aug. 11 game against Cincinnati. The promotional item was originally limited to fans who had purchased specialty theme night tickets.

“The fans have spoken, and unlike some of our more limited quantity promotions, the White Sox Pope Hat is one we believe all fans should have the opportunity to take home,” Brooks Boyer, the chief revenue and marketing officer for the team, said in a release. “We viewed the promotion as a creative way to celebrate one of the franchise’s most popular fans, and by the overwhelming response we received, White Sox fans certainly agreed.”

The hats are shaped like the Pope’s miter, with the team’s sock logo in the middle. The White Sox said fans who had already purchased the specialty tickets would receive the hat and an additional item.

The pope, the former Robert Prevost, attended Chicago's 2005 World Series opener against Houston and watched as his beloved team beat the Astros 5-3 on the way to a four-game sweep and its first title since 1917.

In May, the White Sox unveiled a graphic installation near the seat paying tribute to Pope Leo and that moment. The pillar artwork features a waving Pope Leo XIV, along with a picture from the TV broadcast of the future pope sitting with good friend Ed Schmit and his grandson, Eddie.

In June, Rate Field hosted an event honoring his election as the first American pope. A month later, at a pregame ceremony honoring the 2005 team, White Sox great Paul Konerko was presented a jersey signed by the pope, a gift from one No. 14 to another.

Pope Leo broke Vatican protocol by donning a White Sox cap last year. In October, he shouted “they lost” to someone who screamed “go Cubs.” And a few weeks ago, he gave a thumbs up to someone who yelled “God bless the White Sox!”

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Pope Leo XIV arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

MIAMI (AP) — The Atlanta Braves designated outfielder José Azócar for assignment and activated outfielder Eli White from the seven-day concussion injured list on Wednesday.

Azócar logged 16 plate appearances in nine games since being called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on May 12. He hit .333 with two doubles and a stolen base.

White wasn't in Atlanta's lineup for Wednesday's game against the Miami Marlins, but manager Walt Weiss said he was available if needed.

“It's good to have him back," Weiss said. "The last time we saw him on the field, he was making a game-saving catch running into the wall in LA. So it's nice having two guys on the bench at the same time with what I call game-changing speed, him and (Jorge) Mateo.”

White banged hard into the right-field wall while catching Max Muncy’s long drive in the sixth inning of a 7-2 win over the Dodgers on May 10. He was replaced by Mike Yastrzemski and put in concussion protocol.

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Atlanta Braves' José Azócar slides into home in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)