by Dan Perkins

In Chicago, fans of the city's professional sports teams are intimately familiar with the old refrain, "Wait until next year."  But never mind next year, 2003 is turning out to be a phenomenal year for the Chicago White Sox.  

In February, the White Sox received approval to rename its ballpark U.S. Cellular Field in a deal that netted $68 million over 20 years for stadium improvements.  The initial round of renovation work was completed on time for the start of the season, and most Sox fans concur that the stadium has never looked better.  The refurbishments have not only made the environs more intimate and fan-friendly, they also accentuated the splendor of this year's All Star Game, which was hosted by the White Sox.

The Sox's good fortune has even extended to the club's activities on the field.  After a bumpy start during the first half of the season, the team has gelled; and ever since the All Star Game, the Sox have been in contention for the top spot in the American League's Central Division.  In addition to the success on the field, the White Sox have earned a stellar reputation as one of Major League Baseball's most aggressive teams when it comes to providing procurement opportunities for minority and women owned businesses.

On Friday, July 25th, the White Sox joined with Major League Baseball in celebrating the 17 minority and women owned businesses that supplied goods and services for and during the All Star Game.  

The Sox invited the vendors to enjoy a game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in one of the club's suites.  It was a evening for a ballgame.  The skies were clear and the temperature was in the low 80s, with no humidity.  Plenty of fans were on hand to see the Southsiders play power ball and also to enjoy the musical tribute to their beloved city, which was the theme for the post-game fireworks show.

On a night that seemed choreographed from up above, the White Sox did not disappoint fans, nor their honored guests.  The White Sox beat the Devil Rays 7 to 2, but not before Frank Thomas got the fireworks going early with his 400th home run.

The fact that an African American player made history on a night when the White Sox were celebrating their diverse vendors was both magical and appropriate.  It was also a fitting tribute to an organization that has worked hard to establish as much diversity off the field as is apparent on the field.

The White Sox's commitment to diversity begins with the club's owner and chairman, Jerry Reinsdorf, who is also chair of the Diversity Committee among MLB club owners.  Reinsdorf came to the gathering, at the outset of the game, and personally greeted and thanked the minority and women vendors for their contribution to Baseball's mid-summer classic.

Many of the vendors were visibly touched by Reinsdorf's presence.  "That was really impressive," said Ed Gordon, President of Edge Graphics and one of the suppliers who provided print materials for the All Star Game.  Also in attendance from the Commissioner's Office was Wendy Lewis, Vice President of Strategic Planning for Diversity and Recruitment.  Lewis oversees Baseball's Diverse Business Partners Program, which grew out of Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig's desire to see the sport provide greater opportunities for minority and women to participate as business partners.

While the presence of Reinsdorf and Lewis underscored the importance of Baseball's supplier diversity initiative to senior management, the gathering also reflected the high regard which the White Sox have for their diverse vendors - and actually all of their vendors.  

The Sox's guests were clearly delighted - and perhaps just a tad bit overwhelmed - by all of the attention.  Throughout the evening, vendors steadily praised the one individual who was most directly responsible for their participation in the All Star Game.  That individual was Mike Spidale, Purchasing Manager for the Chicago White Sox.

Spidale is not one to seek the limelight, but since assuming responsibility for the White Sox's Diverse Business Partners Program five years ago, he has established a solid reputation for being open and fair while paying close attention to the details.  

If a vendor believes he or she has what it takes to support the White Sox, Spidale is willing to consider their offering, regardless of their size or years of experience.  That kind of openness is not typical among procurement managers who are charged with getting the best quality and service while conserving as much of the organization's resources as possible.  But such openness has enabled Spidale to build a roster of firms to meet the needs of the White Sox organization well into the foreseeable future.  

When Major League Baesball asked the White Sox to assist them in finding minority and women vendors to provide goods and services for the All Star Game, Spidale was ready.

"Given our efforts with the Diverse Business Partners Program, it was important to us to have minority and women owned firms participate in the All Star Game," said Spidale.

As fireworks exploded overhead - synchronized with an array of tunes that either praised or referenced Chicago - it was not clear which party had benefited more from the experience, the Chicago White Sox who proved as an organization that they could host a world class event, or the minority and women vendors who proved that they were capable of helping the White Sox with one of Baseball's premiere events.

One thing was clear, the vendors felt their participation in the All Star Game was important for their future growth and development. 

The gathering on July 25^th showed the many levels at which diversity thrives within Major League Baseball.  The night provided a historic moment for the Sox’s most prominent African American player, Frank Thomas.  It also yielded another important victory, which moved the White Sox closer to first place and further solidified the contributions of Sox manager Jerry Manual - who is also African American.  Finally, the night was both an acknowledgment and a celebration of the growing ties between Baseball and businesses that happen to be owned and operated by African Americans, Latinos, Asians and women. 

With the continued commitment of senior management, diverse vendors can anticipate futures opportunities to provide outstanding products and services to the 30 clubs that comprise Major League Baseball and to the Commissioner's Office during such high-profile events as the All Star Game and the World Series.

The End