The White Sox were swept away in round one of the Cross-town Classic to the Cubbies last week.
But, now they have the opportunity to redeem themselves.
This weekend thousands of people will board the CTA Red and Green Line trains (silently praying they don’t derail…again) and head out to U.S. Cellular Field. These fanatical fans will be wearing the paraphernalia of their respective Chicago baseball team - all the while –hurling alcohol induced verbal insults at anyone daring to wear the opposing teams t-shirt.
As a native Chicagoan (ok, I am really from the suburbs, but you get my point) I’ve learned there is one thing that the people of this city are crazy serious about …and that’s the Cubs/Sox rivalry.
The atmosphere in Wrigley is out of this world and I am not just talking about inside the stadium, the neighborhood as a whole exudes “team spirit” now when you travel on over to Bridgeport… it’s a whole nother story. The stadium is perched right off the interstate and is basically surrounded by homes. Not at all like the Wrigley. Which has bars and restaurants on each corner of the field… and those homes around Wrigley, well you already know – they have bleacher seats on the roof. This is a neighborhood that never sleeps.
What I’ve noticed about Sox fans is that they are a lot more subdued in their display of team spirit, while, Cubs fans are loud and obnoxious (now hold on, don’t get offended – you know you are). And for a team that hasn’t won the World Series in 100 years – their fans are pretty darn over confident about the team’s abilities. Yes, this year they are winning – which is awesome … but weren’t the Sox the 2005 World Series Champions?
We seem to forget that little tid-bit some times.
I think Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen said it best, “ No matter how many World Series we win were BLEEP … no one in Chicago BLEEPing cares … The Cubs never win BLEEP and everyone BLEEP’n loves them. I don’t know what we can do to make people love us.”
I am not a huge fan of baseball; I think its long and boring. I really only pay attention to the last couple innings. I enjoy going to the games for one reason and one reason only (and no its not the alcohol) – I love to watch these crazy fans argue about whose team is better.
Nothing cracks me up more.
So come on Chicagoans don’t disappointment – go out and show your team spirit.
Me… I am routing for the White Sox, I’ve always had a thing for the underdog… plus, I have a third grade crush on Nick Swisher (feel free to call me Nick ;)
Go White Sox!
These are just the thoughts of a 20-somethinger ... please feel free to leave a comment
Afua
News Producer
(Uh-fee-yah)
