BRIDGEPORT — White Sox mascot Southpaw has his tuxedo ready for Valentine's Day.
For the fourth straight year, the self-described "fuzzy green dude that loves the White Sox" will surprise Sox fans from Feb. 13-14 all over Chicago.
For $245, people can purchase a visit from Southpaw for that special someone — whether that's wives, husbands, kids, grandparents or even friends.
"These are two of my favorite days of the year," Southpaw said via email. "I LOVE surprising people. Seeing the look on their face when I jump out at them is awesome.
"If anyone needs a Valentine, I'm your dude."
The fee includes a meeting with Southpaw, a White Sox Valentine's Day card, box of chocolates and two lower box tickets to a 2014 White Sox home game (not including series against the Cubs, Yankees and Red Sox or Opening Day and Elvis Night), among other goodies. The mascot, who has a 98-wide shoe size and is known for his "famous arm wave" dance, also tweets his thoughts with photos through Feb. 13 and 14.
"Women have cried from surprise and delight when they received the delivery," White Sox mascot coordinator Carrie Norwood said. "From the photos I've seen and from what I've been told, the men get just as excited as the women and kids."
Southpaw's record for Valentine's visits is 31 over two days. His schedule is determined "on the availability of the person who's going to be surprised, distance from other deliveries and possible traffic," Norwood said. Fans have until noon on Feb. 10 to request a Southpaw visit, Norwood said.
Southpaw was "born" on June 13, 2004. He noted in his email that "these 10 years of fun have flown by FAST." He usually sports White Sox jerseys during games at U.S. Cellular Field, but puts on the tux for Valentine's Day plus the 30-or-so weddings he attends yearly.
"I'm not a bear, so there's no hibernating for me," Southpaw said. "This will be my 10th season with the team, and I couldn't be happier and prouder to be surrounded by such amazing fans. Thanks for the continued love, White Sox fans."
Southpaw said his Valentine's act will be solo, even with the recent addition of Clark the Cub on the North Side.
Said Southpaw: "The both of us won't fit in my tuxedo."
For more information on scheduling a Southpaw Valentine's Day visit, click here.
