4 White Sox Fans Nominated for MLB Fan of the Year

CHICAGO, IL - It may be the year for that other Chicago baseball team, but regardless of what shows up in the standings, South Siders know they are number one when it comes to fan loyalty.

And four of the Chicago White Sox’ most loyal fans have been nominated for MLB’s Fan of the Year, a national contest sponsored by Esurance in its inaugural year.

Nominated from the White Sox are Jake Banas, a 13-year-old boy who “has developed a deep passion for the game of baseball — and, more specifically, the White Sox;” Lydia Moore, who the team says is one of their “most fervent supporters on social media;” Laura Williams, who was given season tickets by the team after her near 600-game attendance streak was in jeopardy due to medical bills; and Darnell Cantave, a nine-year-old boy with pediatric cancer who had his wish granted when he met his favorite player Chris Sale.

Voting will be open on Twitter until Monday, Sept. 19. A #WhiteSoxFOTY1 tweet is a vote for Banas, #WhiteSoxFOTY2 is for Moore, #WhiteSoxFOTY3 for Williams and #WhiteSoxFOTY4 for Cantave.

All 30 MLB teams have four fans nominated for the contest, and fans of each team will select their best. But South Siders know the winner of the White Sox vote is clearly the best fan in all of Major League Baseball.

So far, that’s Williams. By a wide margin.

A Mother McAuley alum who has attended more than 600 consecutive White Sox home games, a streak dating back to 2008, Williams has received 68 percent of the White Sox’ vote as of Thursday night. Moore is a distant second with 26 percent. Cantave has 5 percent and Banas 1 percent.

Also on Patch: White Sox Surprise Fan Laura Williams After She Attends Her 600th Consecutive Home Game

The "Fan of the Year" award is the first of many of Esurance's digital-only awards that will be voted on this year. Other awards include Best Moment, Best Social Media Post. Best Trending Topic and Best Call on TV/Radio.