Burger goes for 'Chicago mobster' look in new HR celebration

CHICAGO -- There wasn’t much celebrating to be done for the White Sox during their 14-5 loss to the Rays on Thursday night at Guaranteed Rate Field, which dropped them to 7-19 and gave the South Siders their third eight-game losing streak since the start of the 2022 season.

But when the White Sox had that rare chance to let loose in this homestand opener, they did it in style. Jake Burger launched his team-leading sixth home run off Tampa Bay starter Shane McClanahan leading off the fourth, and when he returned to the dugout, he put on the new jacket and hat presented for Chicago long balls.

Shortstop Elvis Andrus came up with the fashion concept.

“I love the idea,” Burger said. “It’s a little Chicago mobster-type outfit, and my wife says I look good. That’s the positive.”

Thursday’s game marked the first time the White Sox put their celebratory garb into play.

“Yeah, Elvis had been talking about it for a while, and we got back from the road trip and it was hanging up,” Burger said. “We are excited to wear it a lot this year.”

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When asked how the jacket fit, Burger smiled and said, “Perfect.” Nothing else has been close to perfect in 2023 for the White Sox, who sit eight games behind the Twins in the American League Central and are off to their worst start since a 6-20 run in 1950. They also are 3-7 at home.

“Obviously, it’s early. Obviously, we are very frustrated,” Burger said. “And you know we want to be on the other side of this. Just come in here every single day and take care of business, work as hard as we can and eventually the results will turn around.”

“We have a lot of professional guys in here. We’re not sulking or anything,” said White Sox starter Dylan Cease, who took the loss after allowing seven runs (six earned) over four-plus innings. “We want to fix it. We’re going to keep working, and eventually we’re going to figure something out.”