Author Recalls Last Season Of Comiskey Park At Evergreen Park Library

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — Diehard Sox fan and first-time author Ken Smoller will visit the Evergreen Park Public Library to discuss his book, Last Comiskey, by Eckhartz Press, recounting the storied history of Comiskey Park, Saturday, Sept. 7. The presentation starts at 10:30 a.m.

From 1910 to 1990, Comiskey Park stood proudly in Bridgeport. “Last Comiskey” recalls the last season of play at Comiskey and the 1990 Sox run for the American League Championship. Although the team won 94 games that year but still finished nine games back from the mighty Oakland A’s.

The Last Comiskey project, initiated by first-time documentarian Matt Flesch during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in a 3-part documentary capturing the final season of Comiskey Park, including the White Sox’s unexpected pennant chase. The film, which can be viewed on YouTube, highlights the park's significance through home movies, stories, and photographs contributed by fans like Ken Smoller.

The film documentary won critical acclaim from the sports news media, prompting this praise from Tyler Kepner of The Athletic: “The film is so intoxicating, you can practically taste the Schlitz.”

Smoller’s accompanying book aims to serve as a lasting companion to the documentary, blending his photos with new content to capture the essence of Comiskey Park and remind fans of its magic amid discussions of a potential new ballpark. The book also includes a foreword by the legendary White Sox shortstop and manager Ozzie Guillén, who was on the field for the last season of the celebrated ballpark.

Smoller (aka “Stadium Vagabond”) is a photographer and writer based in Brookline Massachusetts, with childhood roots in the Chicago area. Over three decades of extensive traveling, he has photographed more than 2,350 stadiums in 48 states and 24 countries.

Sox fans wishing to forget the current season of a record 100 losses and counting can console themselves with memories of better seasons, although few and far between, of post-season play.

A book sale and signing will immediately follow the presentation. Book sales are by Bookies Bookstore, or preorder using the QR code below.

Register online or by phone at 708-422-8522. The Evergreen Park Public Library is located at 9400 S. Troy Ave.