Topps was the first to capitalize on Robert Prevost’s ascent to being named Pope when they released Topps Now cards, including variants, to commemorate the moment. Others in the Chicago market have slowly started producing Pope Leo memorabilia.
The White Sox have not offered any items directly, but fan sites have hit the Papal bandwagon, releasing shirts of varying themes. Grandstand in Chicago is selling a Pope Leo Sox jersey with the number 14, the appropriate number to celebrate the XIV Roman numerals associated with his name. At a whopping $210, it’s one of the highest-priced items on their website. The shop’s owners told The Athletic it’s also one of the best-selling items and sells quicker than most players.
TheGoodShirts.com sells a Pope Leo retro White Sox logo shirt for $29.99.
Nothing screams baseball memorabilia like bobbleheads, and naturally, the guys at the Bobblehead Hall of Fame announced they are taking pre-orders on two versions of a Pope Leo bobblehead, each priced at $30. One version shows him waving during his introduction from the Vatican, while the other is a generic pose in his white robe.
A search on eBay for “Pope Leo baseball” nets hundreds of items being hawked across the country. Most are Topps Now cards, including some for $150 or more. Fans who purchased the cards directly from Topps will begin receiving their shipments this week. Once fans know if they received variants, prices on the secondary market are expected to skyrocket.
It’s fun to watch the early adopters, but the true mark of the entrepreneurial holy spirit will be how the White Sox tastefully infuse the Pope into their marketing plans, if at all. Will they offer a gameday giveaway of a Pope bobblehead? Will they learn his favorite ballpark food item and rename something at the concession stand in his honor? The possibilities are endless if they can balance capitalism and respect.
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