- The White Sox changed the name of a stadium lounge from a concession worker to the team's manager.
- The conecession worker, Loretta Micele, worked for the White Sox for 60 years.
- Manager Tony La Russa, who was hired this year, has a DUI.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
The Chicago White Sox changed the name of a seating area at their stadium, Guaranteed Rate Field, from that of a late concession worker to the team's current manager Tony La Russa.
The lounge was previously named "Loretta's Lounge" after Loretta Micele, who worked for the White Sox from 1945 until the team's World Series season in 2005, selling beer and peanuts until she was 85 years old. The team named the lounge after her just prior to Game 1 of the World Series that year as a gesture for her loyalty and service, according to a 2005 article in The Times of Northwest Indiana.
But this year the team opted to change the seating area's name to "La Russa's Lounge."
La Russa was hired as White Sox manager this year, and has a controversial reputation. He was arrested in February of 2020 for driving under the influence after he was accused of running his car into a curb in Phoenix, Arizona, according to ESPN.
Just this month, La Russa garnered backlash for saying he was "okay" with White Sox rookie Yermin Mercedes getting hit by a pitch on purpose against the Minnesota Twins for hitting a home run on a 3-0 count in a blowout. La Russa began his managing career with the White Sox in 1979-86, but spent most of his career with the Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals.
The name change angered fans on social media, and hurt Micele's family members who developed a sentimental attachment to the lounge.
-Tyrone Palmer (@TheTyronePalmer) May 26, 2021
Micele's great-grandson Lou Soto told Bob Chiarito of Block Club Chicago that the family was never even informed of the change, and that the old sign that read "Loretta's Lounge" had been thrown out.
"It was really disheartening. It meant a lot to our family. Every time we'd go to a game we'd take a picture in front of it," Soto said. "I'm a die-hard fan. They've treated my family so well throughout the years, this is one little hiccup that I hope they'll rectify. I'm sure they'll do the right thing."
-Sox Meat Writer (@312Loso) May 26, 2021
Fans have even launched a Change.org petition to get the area's name change back to "Loretta's Lounge."
The White Sox released a statement regarding the change through a team spokesperson.
"Loretta Micele has always been a treasured member of the White Sox family and a plaque in her honor remains in the space to honor her memory despite the name change," a spokesperson said, according to Daryl Van Schouwen of The Chicago Sun Times. "As we say in the plaque, Loretta was a dedicated concession stand staff member known for her service with a smile attitude."
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