The White Sox have found a way to keep the mood light in October, and it starts before the first pitch.
Chicago’s pregame dugout dance routine has become part of the club’s playoff identity over the past week, with right-hander Mike Vasil at the center of it even though he’s been sidelined for the season after Tommy John surgery in Spring Training. Vasil and third-base coach Justin Jirschele kick things off with a dance that has teammates clapping, laughing and feeding off the energy before games.
“It kind of just happened naturally between me and Justin Jirschele,” Vasil said with a smile. “In Spring Training, he would always look at me before a workday, just something he kind of did, and just start dancing. And then randomly we just started doing it in the dugout and then everyone started doing it, and then everyone loved it and then it just kind of organically happened.”
What began in camp carried into the regular season, including before games against the Guardians in mid-September and against the Rockies in late September. Even after Chicago let the AL Central race slip to Cleveland, the routine stayed in place, and Vasil said the team never considered dropping it once the postseason arrived.
“We did it even as we had given up the division lead, and I think that’s the thing, it's win or lose, we're going to stay consistent with who we are,” Vasil said. “So it's kind of been a thing for a couple weeks, but obviously now in the playoffs, getting more coverage and everything, it's kind of blown up a little bit.”
The timing has only made it more noticeable. The White Sox have won four straight postseason games and are one victory away from knocking out the Guardians in the American League Division Series. They also have a chance to clinch a postseason series at home for the first time since 1906, but the group is trying to keep the atmosphere loose instead of letting the moment swallow them.
“This could be a once-in-a-lifetime thing for us, but at the same time, I think we use that excitement in a really good way,” said center fielder Tristan Peters. “You see it in the dugout before the game with the clapping thing and stuff like that. We just take that energy and put it into the game.”
Peters said Vasil’s impact goes well beyond the dance floor, even though he hasn’t been able to help on the mound. In Peters’ view, the injured pitcher has become a major reason the clubhouse has stayed connected during this unexpected run.
“He brings the energy every day,” Peters said. “I think he's a huge part of why we're here. He really bands everybody together, and I think it's just a massive part of this team.”
Vasil, for his part, is enjoying the attention and the ride. He even showed the media his moves in the dugout during Tuesday’s workout day at Rate Field. Between Game 3 and the next game, he said the routine will happen the same way it always has: naturally, with whoever decides to join in - including, at times, manager Will Venable.
"It's been a lot of fun,” Vasil said. “I wish I could definitely be pitching, but to be able to at least bring energy, just bring loose vibes, have fun playing baseball, I think it's crucial. This can be a very, very stressful time of year, so I just think of all times, especially now, it's crucial to stay relaxed."
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