White Sox To Play Tucson Charity Game

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Mar 7, 2011 4:30PM

In the town now infamous for the shooting that killed six and left 14 others, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, injured two months ago, the White Sox will play a charity game today in honor of the shooting's youngest victim. The White Sox and Diamondbacks will take the field in Tucson, AZ, with the proceeds benefiting a fund set up in remembrance of 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green. Christina was the granddaughter of former Cubs GM Dallas Green, who also held numerous other jobs with Major League teams. Her father is Dodgers scout John Green.

The White Sox and Diamondbacks shared spring training facilities at Tucson for years until moving to Glendale two years ago. The D-Backs and Colorado Rockies left Tuscon for Scottsdale last spring, leaving the southern Arizona city devoid of spring training camps for the first time since the 1940's.

The White Sox are playing split squad games today, so Ozzie Guillen chose to accompany the half of his team making the trip to Tucson. "A very sad moment we went through a few months ago, but it's very important for me and our players to go there and be a part of that," Guillen said on Sunday. "I love Tucson and everyone knows that. Great town, and I had a great time there. I have a lot of respect for people there."

With the help of money raised during Monday's game, the Christina Taylor Memorial Fund will buy much-needed equipment for schools, as well as be distributed to children less fortunate than she was.