Chicago ? Since he lives a few blocks from U.S. Cellular Field and has been a White Sox fan as long as he can remember, it’s not surprising that John Pantoja was sporting a Sox hat Friday. But the fabled Picasso statue downtown?

Believe it: Chicago is decked out in Sox black, silver and white in anticipation of the city’s first World Series since 1959.

Workers in the city’s Loop sported brand-new White Sox hats. Sox flags waved from cars and trucks. Restaurants, insurance offices and liquor stores flew the team’s banners.

Even the late Harry Caray, best known as the beloved Chicago Cubs announcer, got in on the act. The downtown restaurant bearing his name put up a huge poster showing Caray – who also announced for the White Sox – decked out in a Sox tie with the old Comiskey Park in the background.

“I’ve never experienced anything like it,” said Dan Houlihan, who came downtown for a civil trial wearing a White Sox hat, jersey and jacket. “I’m in court as a defendant and I’m happy. Nobody’s going to knock me off my happiness.”

White Sox fans display masks showing the likeness of manager Ozzie Guillen. The masks were given away Friday in Chicago's Daley Plaza.

In and around the Richard J. Daley Plaza – named after the mayor who was such a fan that he caused a panic when he ordered air raid sirens sounded after the 1959 team won the American League pennant – Sox mania was everywhere.

City staffers handed out masks bearing the likeness of White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen as work crews pulled AL Central Division Champions banners off light posts, replacing them with some that declared the Sox the American League Champions.

Inside the building that houses both city and county government, the city side greeted visitors with White Sox banners and a sign that read “Magic is 4.”

Like his father, current Mayor Richard M. Daley is a huge fan.

And today, hours before Sox begin Game 1 of the World Series against the Houston Astros, the lion statues that stand sentry in front of the Art Institute of Chicago were scheduled to get their Sox hats. Two bronze horse statues a short distance away were poised be fitted with white sox, er, socks.