Black Socks for White Sox

Have you ever wondered why the Chicago Black Sox wore white socks and the White Sox wear black socks?

Okay, that’s only partly true. The disgraced Black Sox of 1919 (That’s them to the right — they’re all dead now) were actually called the White Sox. But, according to one story, the Sox owner, Charles Comiskey, wouldn’t pay to have uniforms laundered, causing those white socks to become less and less white. Soon people were sarcastically calling the White Sox the Black Sox.  Then when the scandal of the 1919 World Series came about — with allegations that Sox players had thrown the series — the name sort of applied.

Ok, so that explains the Black Sox thing. By why do the White Sox now wear black socks? I looked it up, and, well, I couldn’t find a really good answer. I’m sure some would guess it’s a reminder of that 1919 scandal. But MLB doesn’t really work that way. In fact, I’m sure  the Sox ownership prefered to have us all forget about that scandal as far back as, oh, I’d guess about 1920.

My guess is that it’s more of a fashion thing. White socks would look dorky — like a 70s NBA team. And let’s not forget that the Sox of the 80s actually wore — gasp! — RED Sox!