In a pre-COVID world we were really living the high life on the southside. Our vendor game in the 108 was on fucking point. Those dudes would fight over who got to serve us, mostly cause it was a lock that the winner would be walking with some great tip $$. We had the Goose. We had Rick Renteria. Our hopes for the team were at an all-time high. While 2019 wasn’t the best year ON the field, we had the dudes coming up. Life was good!
But then COVID-19 struck and ruined a bunch of shit. The Goose flew away, we missed seeing one of the best pitching performances from Lucas Giolitio (in person) and vendors stopped coming by your seat. Online ordering was a complete shit show. In-Seat delivery was spotty and unreliable. It got better by the end of 2021, but lack of a handheld scanners really cost the Sox some scratch.
Things continued to improve in ’22 & ’23 (not the baseball, that got worse actually) and normal things returned. We once again had vendors coming thru looking to serve us. Most of the vendors were back, even the asshole who sells the light-up toys on fireworks night. But two items have been missing since 2021…super rope and cotton candy. Where did they go?
As far back as I can remember there were great vendors for the kids too. We had the “cotton candy” guy who just yelled “cotton candy!” loud as hell in a gravelly voice that really made you take notice. Chorizy called him “Nighcrawler”, unclear if that’s even his name. You also had the bigger guy that sold cotton candy, he refused to call it “pink” or “blue”, but rather “dusty rose” and “terrific teal”. I miss those guys. We have cotton candy now in plastic buckets, but it’s only available in certain places. It’s kinda lame cause fresh is so much better. You can buy fresh cotton candy at most major intersections in Chicago but not at the ballpark. What gives?
Another thing the vendors always had was Super Rope. Now, some of yous are asking, “What’s Super Rope?” Glad you asked. Super Rope is just red licorice. Think Twizzlers or Red Vines, but solid and really long. “34 inches of Candy Fun” long, just look at these bastards.
I’m not here to debate if red rope was good, it’s pretty hit or miss IMO. But it served a purpose, it was FUCKING CHEAP. Not every parent/kid walking into the park has the extra $9 for Dippin Dots. Maybe they don’t like plastic tub cotton candy, no longer is there a cheap, impressive looking option available. It’s fucking sad to be honest.
If you wanna watch a 10 minute review of super ropes, featuring a dude in a top hat, here you go!
In a year with an endless amount of disappointments, let’s change one thing up and get the fresh cotton candy and super ropes back in the stands! Lazy dads will rejoice and parts of our childhood will continue on to the next generation. Let’s make it happen White Sox!
