The Chicago White Sox are suddenly the talk of the Second City.
After years, decades even, of futility, the South Siders finally have the type of young, exciting team that fans love. And even better, they’re a good, young, exciting team.
Chicago took a quick 2-0 series lead over their division rivals, the Cleveland Guardians, winning both games on the road and setting up a huge game three back at Rate Field. A huge game three not just because the White Sox had an opportunity to clinch an ALCS appearance, but for the opportunity to do it at home.
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As hard as it is to believe, a win in game three would be the first clincher in front of home White Sox fans since … 1906. Three years after the first flight. A year before the first color photograph. And two years before Ford rolled out the first ever Model T.
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And the fans were ready. Rate Field was packed for first pitch, with a jubilant, electric atmosphere, something that seemed virtually impossible just two years ago.
Fans arrive prior to Game 3 of the American League Division Series between the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois, on Oct. 7, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
They were even more excited when online speculation started that there’d be a big Chicago name heading to the mound for the ceremonial first pitch. Some thought former President Barack Obama, maybe Michael Jordan, who of course played with the White Sox, Derrick Rose, or even the team’s most famous fan: Pope Leo XIV.
MLB.com’s Scott Merkin sent the anticipation to a fever pitch when he posted on X that there would be a “big name” heading to the mound. “No hints given, so have at it,” he said.
Just imagine, taking your young kid to the biggest home White Sox playoff game of his life, literally, and telling him to expect to see a huge local figure there too. The Pope? Michael Jordan? A former president? Some other Chicago legend? A popular White Sox player?
That anticipation, after spending a fortune on playoff tickets and fighting through traffic and stadium security to get to the building and it’s … Belmont Cameli.
Actor Belmont Cameli looks on after throwing the first pitch before Game 3 of the American League Division Series between the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field on Oct. 7, 2026, in Chicago, Ill. (Getty Images)
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Quick, try to figure out who Belmont Cameli is without looking it up.
Well, we looked it up, and yeah, we’re still not sure what they were thinking. Cameli is apparently an actor most known for portraying a hockey player in an Amazon series, “Off Campus.”
Maybe Merkin said that he wouldn’t give any hints because he had no idea who Belmont Cameli was.
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To be fair to the White Sox, he is from nearby Naperville, Ill., so there’s some local connection there. It’s also a massive letdown to go into a game expecting a big name and getting a mostly unknown actor. One user on X posted a common criticism.
“Are you telling me Sox fans thought the Pope of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church was throwing out the first pitch today and it was just a guy from one of the horny hockey shows?” the post said.
Actor Belmont Cameli looks on before throwing out the first pitch prior to Game 3 of the American League Division Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Chicago, Ill. (MLB Photos via Getty Images)
To his credit, at least Cameli gave it his all.
The frenzied White Sox home crowd got over the disappointment quickly, as they jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. But the Guardians roared back, scoring nine runs and keeping Chicago’s powerful offense at bay. The day started with a big letdown and ended with a 9-3 loss to set up game four.
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But hey, the good news for White Sox fans is that the team has another opportunity to bring out a complete nobody to throw the first pitch for game four on Thursday night.