Brian Madsen is your typical White Sox fan. His love of the team was passed down from his parents, who were lifelong fans themselves. He has embraced the team’s rebuild and is excited for the future.
You could describe Madsen as a die-hard fan. He has been to every White Sox Opening Day since 2013; except for last year when he got sick the night before. But Madsen doesn’t go to the game alone, he always has his good luck charm with him.
Meet Sam Madia.
Madia and Madsen became friends through their work. Working in the audio visual field connected them, however their mutual love of the Chicago White Sox truly grew their bond.
Madia was a rebel Sox fan. While his mom was a die-hard Cubs fan, Madia went against the code and begun rooting for the South Siders.
The two watched their first White Sox game together in 2013 on Opening Day. The pitching matchup was Chris Sale versus James Shields in a game the White Sox won 1-0. Between the game itself and the tailgating prior, Opening Day 2013 was an event that Madsen and especially Madia would never forget.
Sam Madia passed away in August of 2013. Opening Day was the last White Sox game he ever saw.
In June of that year, prior to the tragedy, Madsen and his family were in the process of moving. While cleaning out his garage, Madsen found a giant Chicago Bears pez dispenser. Knowing his friend was an avid collector of all things Chicago Bears, he decided to offer it to Madia.
Madia thought the gift was amazing and insisted on returning the favor. While Madsen refused, Madia did the only thing a kind-hearted person like him could think of. As Madsen walked into work the next day, he found an authentic Gordon Beckham jersey laying on his desk.
Beckham spent seven years with the White Sox, from 2009-2015 with a brief hiatus to the Angels in between. In 839 games he hit .242 with 67 home runs, 296 RBIs and 29 stolen bases.
The second baseman spent 26 games with Los Angeles during the 2014 season. Madsen began to realize that he could never wear his best friend’s jersey again. Both he and Madia knew that you couldn’t wear a former White Sox jersey unless it was Paul Konerko or Frank Thomas. Yet the jersey remained with him.
In 2015, Beckham was brought back to the White Sox during the twilight of the offseason. Madsen got to wear his best friend’s jersey again and begun to realize what this meant.
Sam was back on Opening Day 2015.
While Madsen wasn’t able to make it to Opening Day 2016, he would’ve likely wore the Beckham jersey. He knew Sam would be laughing at him, but the jersey now serves as a good luck charm and a way to remember his best friend.
Gordon Beckham won’t be going to the Hall of Fame. Baseball fans outside of Chicago may not even remember him. But to Brian Madsen and Sam Madia, his jersey will always keep the two connected.
As Brian Madsen looks to attend Opening Day 2017, he will be wearing his best friends jersey. His love of the White Sox will never die. And as long as he has his Gordon Beckham jersey, neither will his friendship with Sam.
We’re taught that baseball is all about wins and losses. In actuality it’s all about the connections you make. It may be awhile until Brian and Sam get to watch their beloved White Sox win the World Series again, but both know they made a life-long friend in the process.
You could read Brian Madsen’s original story (here) and follow him on Twitter: @brianm731
