Diehard Sox Fan Lives, Bleeds Black and White

Maddie Graham, 11, entering 6th grade at Three Rivers School

U.S. Cellular Field? No.

Maddie Graham still, and will always call where her favorite major league baseball team, the Chicago White Sox play, Comiskey Park.

Every chance her and her family get, they attend a White Sox game. And it doesn’t necessarily have to be a home game. Graham and her family have seen the White Sox play at Coors Field in Denver against the Colorado Rockies and during the team’s Spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona.

Graham has even attended the White Sox garage sales and has toured the dug out and field at the Cell. Oops, Comiskey. 

Her treasures include three broken bats, once used by White Sox players; a mystery bag that contained a bobble-head of Nancy Faust, the famous organ player who recently retired; and a baseball signed by Carlos Quentin.

“Carlos Quentin is my favorite player,” Graham said. “He bats good and I want to follow his ways. He plays right field. And I usually play outfield like him.”

Graham plays softball for the . She also plans to tryout for a traveling team. She would really like to play first base, like White Sox Player Paul Konerko.

However, the sport she truly loves to play is basketball. And her dream is to attend and play hoops for Norte Dame. Graham has the “Fighting Irish” in her blood to help succeed at her goal.

Graham has participated in basketball camps since Kindergarten. Last year, she played for the intramural team at school. She plans to try-out for the school team this year.

She follows her mother, Mary Bridget's footsteps, in playing basketball. Graham's mother played for both her high school and college teams and recently participated in the Gus Macker Tournament in Morris.

If the Norte Dame and basketball plan falls through, Graham has a back-up plan. She will attend the University of Montana in Missoula. She would love to be a veterinarian or a teacher.

Graham has a talent in music as well. She will begin her second year of band this school year. She enjoys playing the clarinet and is thinking about entering the solo and ensemble contest next March.

Drawing pictures of her dog Nemo, sunsets and patriotic things is another hobby of Graham’s. In her free time she also loves to swim and ride her bike. She loves watermelon.

Graham said her family has a tradition of bringing a gnome with them on family vacations. A couple years ago when they traveled to Ireland, a garden gnome accompanied them on their trip. This summer, a White Sox gnome joined the Graham’s.

Graham claims her favorite color is neon green. Perhaps it’s because she is Irish. Maybe because it’s the desire to go to Norte Dame. However, if her traveling White Sox gnome could talk, it would probably have to disagree.