Let's Go, Go-Go White Sox
Encyclopedia
"Let's Go, Go-Go White Sox" is the fight song
of the Chicago White Sox
of the American League
.
The song first appeared in 1959
during the White Sox' run for the AL pennant
--the team's first league championship since the infamous Black Sox Scandal
of 1919. It was written by former White Sox minor leaguer
Al Trace and his friend Walter "Li'l Wally" Jagiello
. The duo then bounced the song off Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers
, a popular country-comedy band in the Chicago area best known for performing the Roto-Rooter
and Green Giant
jingles. It was released on Jagiello's label, Drumboy Records, but failed to sell well.
The song was only heard sporadically until June , when team scoreboard operations and TV production director Jeff Szynal dusted off an old record of the tune. He put together a video montage and ran the words across the JumboTron in center field at U.S. Cellular Field
during a turn-back-the-clock game against the Los Angeles Dodgers
, the team that defeated the White Sox in the 1959 World Series
. The White Sox won the game on a walk-off home run
by AJ Pierzynski, and the song has blared over the stadium speakers ever since in rally situations. It became an instant hit, as fans of several generations caught on.
In 2005, the White Sox won 99 games en route to their first division title in 5 years, their first postseason series win of any kind since the 1917 World Series
(in the Division Series
), their first World Series
appearance since 1959, and their first World Series championship since 1917. In the 2005 postseason, Fox played clips of the song in their playoff coverage. WGN-TV
also played the song during the victory parade on October 28, over a series of clips that interwove action footage from 1959 and 2005.
Go-Go White Sox!
Let's go, Go-Go White Sox
We're with you all the way!
You're always in there fighting,
And you do your best.
We're glad to have you out there in the Middle West.
We're gonna root-root-root-root White Sox.
And cheer you on to victory.
When we're in the stands,
We'll make those rafters ring;
All through the season,
You will hear us sing.
Let's go, Go-Go White Sox,
Chicago's proud of you!
White Sox! White Sox!
Go-Go White Sox!
Root-Root-Root for the White Sox.
We'll cheer you on to victory.
When we're in the stands,
We'll make those rafters ring;
All through the season,
You will hear us sing.
Let's go, Go-Go White Sox,
Chicago's proud of you! (Play ball!)
White Sox! White Sox!
Go-Go White Sox!
Let's go, Go-Go White Sox!
Chicago is proud of you!
Fight song
A fight song is primarily an American and Canadian sports term, referring to a song associated with a team. In both professional and amateur sports, fight songs are a popular way for fans to cheer for their team...
of the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
.
The song first appeared in 1959
1959 in sports
1959 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* NFL Championship – Baltimore Colts won 31-16 over the New York Giants* August 14 - The American Football League is founded...
during the White Sox' run for the AL pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
--the team's first league championship since the infamous Black Sox Scandal
Black Sox Scandal
The Black Sox Scandal took place around and during the play of the American baseball 1919 World Series. Eight members of the Chicago White Sox were banned for life from baseball for intentionally losing games, which allowed the Cincinnati Reds to win the World Series...
of 1919. It was written by former White Sox minor leaguer
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
Al Trace and his friend Walter "Li'l Wally" Jagiello
Walter Jagiello
Walter "Li'l Wally" Jagiello, "Mały Władziu" , was an American polka musician and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. A self-taught Chemnitzer concertina and drum player, who sang perfect Polish as well as English in many of his songs...
. The duo then bounced the song off Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers
Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers
Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers was a country-comedy band that performed largely in the Midwest United States from the late 1930s into the 1960s.-Members:...
, a popular country-comedy band in the Chicago area best known for performing the Roto-Rooter
Roto-Rooter
Roto-Rooter is a United States company which originally specialized in clearing tree roots and other obstructions from sewer lines.- History :...
and Green Giant
Green Giant
Green Giant and Le Sueur are brands of frozen and canned vegetables owned by General Mills. The mascot of Green Giant is the Jolly Green Giant....
jingles. It was released on Jagiello's label, Drumboy Records, but failed to sell well.
The song was only heard sporadically until June , when team scoreboard operations and TV production director Jeff Szynal dusted off an old record of the tune. He put together a video montage and ran the words across the JumboTron in center field at U.S. Cellular Field
U.S. Cellular Field
U.S. Cellular Field is a baseball ballpark in Chicago, Illinois. Owned by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, it is the home of the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball's American League. The park opened for the 1991 season, after the White Sox had spent 81 years at old Comiskey Park...
during a turn-back-the-clock game against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, the team that defeated the White Sox in the 1959 World Series
1959 World Series
The 1959 World Series featured the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers beating the American League champion Chicago White Sox, four games to two. It was the first pennant for the White Sox in 40 years . They would have to wait until 2005 to win another championship...
. The White Sox won the game on a walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
by AJ Pierzynski, and the song has blared over the stadium speakers ever since in rally situations. It became an instant hit, as fans of several generations caught on.
In 2005, the White Sox won 99 games en route to their first division title in 5 years, their first postseason series win of any kind since the 1917 World Series
1917 World Series
In the 1917 World Series, the Chicago White Sox beat the New York Giants four games to two. The Series was played against the backdrop of World War I, which dominated the American newspapers that year and next....
(in the Division Series
2005 American League Division Series
-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. New York Yankees:†: Game was postponed due to rain on October 8-Game 1, October 4:U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois...
), their first World Series
2005 World Series
The 2005 World Series, the 101st Major League Baseball championship series, saw the American League champion Chicago White Sox sweep the National League champion Houston Astros four games to none in the best-of-seven-games series, winning their third championship and first since 1917.Home-field...
appearance since 1959, and their first World Series championship since 1917. In the 2005 postseason, Fox played clips of the song in their playoff coverage. WGN-TV
WGN-TV
WGN-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the CW-affiliated television station in Chicago, Illinois built, signed on, and owned by the Tribune Company. WGN-TV's studios and offices are located at 2501 W...
also played the song during the victory parade on October 28, over a series of clips that interwove action footage from 1959 and 2005.
Lyrics
White Sox! White Sox!Go-Go White Sox!
Let's go, Go-Go White Sox
We're with you all the way!
You're always in there fighting,
And you do your best.
We're glad to have you out there in the Middle West.
We're gonna root-root-root-root White Sox.
And cheer you on to victory.
When we're in the stands,
We'll make those rafters ring;
All through the season,
You will hear us sing.
Let's go, Go-Go White Sox,
Chicago's proud of you!
White Sox! White Sox!
Go-Go White Sox!
Root-Root-Root for the White Sox.
We'll cheer you on to victory.
When we're in the stands,
We'll make those rafters ring;
All through the season,
You will hear us sing.
Let's go, Go-Go White Sox,
Chicago's proud of you! (Play ball!)
White Sox! White Sox!
Go-Go White Sox!
Let's go, Go-Go White Sox!
Chicago is proud of you!
External links
- Fight song on the White Sox Interactive website in Real Media format