English: Game action at Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Nail biting my way through another bottom of the ninth inning the other night, as the Sox managed to hold off Kansas City (Kansas City again!) for a much-needed victory, I flashed back many years ago to a game where the fans witnessed a blown save, (I believe Skip Pitlock was the culprit on the mound for the Sox). And in one massive effort that looked as though it had been pre-planned, the large Comiskey Park crowd on Seat Cushion Night showered the entire field with those White Sox seat cushions. Of course, not wanting to part with my own, I remain firmly seated, refusing to send mine sailing off into the night skies.
For many years, that seat cushion hung in my garage and always was a reminder of those many give-aways that owner Bill Veeck made so famous. As a kid, I always loved Bat Day, Helmet Day, and Ball Day. As an older fan, though, you couldn’t beat Seat Cushion Night or, even better, Beer Mug Night. I still have a few of these, and I especially enjoy the one from the early ’70s, when Falstaff was the sponsor. Often, in times of complete nostalgic abandonment, I’ll take the mug down from its spot in the cupboard, fill it with some cold brew (not Falstaff, ’cause they don’t brew it anymore!), and think back to those wonderful promotional give-away days/nights at dear, old Comiskey! And if I still had my seat cushion from that long-ago night, I’d give it a ceremonial toss-frisbee like–just for old time’s sake…
See you at the ballpark!
All Things White Sox... 
I was there at the seat cushion game! They actually had to delay the game twice. After the crew picked up the first round of cushions the crowd then threw in more. Boy those things flew like flying saucers. Great post!
Thanks, Marty! I don’t even recall which season it was, other than Skip Pitlock was pitching, but it was definitely a night to remember (or forget!). I will be recalling many other Comiskey Park “moments” in future posts, so I hope you’ll check back in and add to the fun. Now that this current season is all but finished, there’s nothing better than living in the past, I guess.
I attended seat cushion night in 72 or 73 as I recall. They had to stop the game several times for the crew to pick up the seat cushings. A group of guys in left field had amassed ten or twenty. Just as the last cushion was collected and the game was to start, they would casually drop just one or two onto the warning track. The poor overweight staff guy had to run all the way from the right field side of the field, pick them up and run back. Just as he crossed the right field foul line, the guys would drop one or two more. This went on for some time with the crowd encouraging them until the police grabbed them and gave them the boot. Thanks for the memory.
Hi, Stan: Thanks for your comment regarding the memory of Seat Cushion Night of long ago! Sorry I haven’t replied sooner, but I’ve been away from this White Sox blog all summer and haven’t been too active. I am back now and am planning on some fun posts regarding our “beloved” Sox in the weeks and months ahead. We’ll not dwell too much on this dismal season that is mercifully winding down now, but look beyond all that and feature some more of the fun and excitement of Sox teams that did battle previously! Until then, thanks for stopping by, and I hope you’ll do so again…Go, Go Sox! 🙂
Reblogged this on All Things White Sox… and commented:
One of my favorite memories. Post a couple of years ago.