Beloved Abreu returns to South Side to raucous applause

CHICAGO -- José Abreu made his way around Rate Field on Friday evening, a few hours before a 4-3 White Sox victory over the Padres ended their six-game losing streak in front of 30,505, as if one of the greatest players in franchise history had never left.

Abreu stopped to talk to old friends, although the White Sox roster has changed pretty much across the board since his last season in Chicago in 2022. He hugged Luis Robert Jr. and Miguel Vargas, doing the same with Gavin Sheets, his old White Sox teammate who was the designated hitter for the Padres.

There were no special announcements delivered regarding Abreu or from Abreu, aside from his message of love to White Sox fans and people all over the city after throwing out a first pitch to Robert with his 7-year-old son standing next to him.

“My heart always will be with the White Sox,” said Abreu through interpreter Billy Russo. “This is my place, this is my home. When I was walking in, it was a lot of feelings and memories. This is my home, and that’s all I can say. It’s very special. It was a great place for me, and I appreciate being here.”

Before expressing gratitude to the assembled media for covering him over nine White Sox seasons, he shook hands with everyone from the press standing in the White Sox dugout. That’s the sort of class always exhibited by Abreu.

Positive on-field results were also a trademark of Abreu’s career. His 243 home runs with Chicago leave him behind Frank Thomas (448) and Paul Konerko (432) in White Sox lore. Abreu’s 863 RBIs with the South Siders rank him fifth, while the 303 doubles with Chicago place him sixth.

Mix in the American League Most Valuable Player Award during the 2020 season, and it’s understandable why Abreu received loud applause pregame and a standing ovation when he was recognized midway through the contest.

“Certainly from the other side watching him, you know what kind of player he is,” said White Sox manager Will Venable of Abreu. “And then being here and hearing stories about him, you get to realize how much of an impact he made in this clubhouse and in this city. That lines up with the kind of person he appears to be from the other side. I know everyone will be excited to have him around.”

Venable was all for broaching the subject of adding Abreu in some coaching capacity, tapping into the people who had a great impact on the organization. But Abreu wasn’t ready to discuss coaching. The 38-year-old, who last played for the Astros in ‘24, wasn’t ready to talk about retirement.

When asked about how he wants to be remembered by White Sox fans, Abreu smiled and said, “This is not done yet.”

“I want them to remember me like a very respectful person,” Abreu said. “I respect them. I gave everything I have for them and to the game. I would like them to remember me in that way.

“The most important thing for me right now and I’m doing right now is just taking my son to school every day, spending time with him, with my family. That’s what really matters.”

On Hispanic Heritage night, with Mariachi Monumental de Mexico turning in a rousing rendition of the national anthem among their performances, fellow Cuban Vargas launched a two-run home run in the first inning. It was the White Sox third baseman’s first long ball in September.

Robert also received a crystal plaque from the White Sox recognizing him as the fourth player in franchise history with at least 100 career stolen bases and at least 100 career home runs. And Abreu, who chose not to leave the dugout during his last White Sox home game on Oct. 5, 2022, experienced White Sox fans’ love and adulation at least one more time. The final game he played in with the White Sox was Oct. 4 of that season. Instead of playing in that last game, he sat with acting manager Miguel Cairo in the dugout.

Davis Martin started that Oct. 5, 2022, game for the White Sox, and Martin earned the victory Friday by allowing three runs in six innings and defeating Dylan Cease.

“I’m a grateful person. I don’t like saying goodbye because that’s the end,” Abreu said. “That is not how I am. That’s not the person I am. To me saying goodbye is the end, your life is done. That’s why I don’t like saying goodbye.”

“He’s one of the best players in my country, probably the best,” said Vargas of Abreu. “One of the best athletes, too. He’s such a great person. I’ve been talking with him for so long, since I’ve been in the big leagues. He’s helped me a lot in the offseason. He’s my idol and my role model. It was great to have him here today.”