They built it, and now the White Sox are coming.
Thursday marks a special day on the Major League calendar, with the White Sox “hosting” the Yankees for the Field of Dreams Game in Dyersville, Iowa.
In an 8,000-seat ballpark, with rows of corn backing up to the outfield fence, the game promises to showcase a unique setting for big league ball.
“It should be interesting,” White Sox closer Liam Hendriks said. “I’m already planning on trying to get through the [corn] maze. That’s one thing I want to do. I want to get lost in the corn fields a little bit. I think that will be something fun.”
Located about 200 miles due west of Guaranteed Rate Field, Thursday’s matchup will be the first of a seven-game homestand for the White Sox. They’ll travel back to Chicago on Friday and resume their series with the Yankees on Saturday.
But for a night, both teams will be transported to a fantasy backdrop much like the cherished 1989 movie, Field of Dreams. And a little history is being made, too: This will be the first regular-season MLB game played in Iowa.
“I was raised to embrace the history of the game, and I think too often we lose parts of it,” White Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “Field of Dreams, it’s a great movie, and it embraces family and what the game’s all about. It’s a very special opportunity. Our guys are really excited to be there.”
Unfortunately, the skipper himself won’t be able to attend, as he’s travelling to Tampa Bay for the funeral of his brother-in-law. Bench coach Miguel Cairo will manage in his place. La Russa said he plans to watch the game with his family following the service, and he’ll rejoin the team in Chicago in time for Saturday’s game.
Carlos Rodón, Chicago’s initially scheduled starter for Thursday night, will also not be available. He went on the 10-day injured list (left shoulder fatigue) and will be replaced by Lance Lynn.
As a Midwestern native hailing from Indiana, Lynn said Field of Dreams was a “cool movie” to watch in his youth. But he’s 34 now, and he realizes some of his teammates might be too young to appreciate Thursday’s atmosphere in the same way.
“For us older guys, it probably has a little bit more meaning to be part of something like this,” Lynn said. “That movie, growing up, is one of the ones you watched as a baseball movie.”