During a notably chaotic baseball game, even by the unusual standards of the 2024 Chicago White Sox, I ventured into the stands to meet a fan known as Beefloaf.
Beefloaf, who is a prominent figure in Section 108, caught my attention earlier in the game when a rare home run from the White Sox soared past the right field foul pole and landed near his seat. In the midst of the surrounding excitement and high fives, Beefloaf was easy to spot: a large man with rounded shoulders, sporting a tank-top jersey emblazoned with the number “108” and the name “BEEFLOAF” in bold capital letters. Although Beefloaf isn’t his actual name, it was given to him by his five-year-old daughter and has since become a fitting nickname.
I’ve heard plenty about Section 108. Despite the dismal performance of the White Sox this season, as the team struggles towards breaking the dubious record of 120 losses set by the 1962 Mets — a record they tied recently, with only six games remaining — Beefloaf and his fellow fans continue to show up regularly. They gather in Section 108 to passionately cheer, debate, and voice their frustrations, forming a small but dedicated group of those known as superfan supporters of the Chicago White Sox.