A Cubs Fan's rant over the hypocricy of Chicago right now

[USSoccer]

The "I've been here all along! I deserve MORE" that some fans have against band wagon jumpers is pathetic. It should be a hug fest, YEAH! Our team is winning! You can congratulate yourself for being a "truer" fan, but don't bash those that get some joy from an unexpected source. This Me. Vs. Them mentality is childish. We'r better...

 

Sports is about competition. The winner gets to crow, rant, brag, stick their tongues out and go "phlpppttttt" to their heart's content. IT'S THEIR RIGHT to react however they darn will please cuz they won and you didn't

 

The other side of this is that when the Cubbies finally win one (hopefully in my lifetime) I reserve the right to be as annoying as I want. To feel as proud as anyone else, and anyone who wants to jump on the bandwagon is welcome. It doesn't diminish in any way the joy I will feel.

 

GO SOX, spoken as a lifelong cubs fan.

 

That's called bad sportsmanship, and should be taught as something to avoid at the little league/pee wee/AYSO and Park District levels.

 

Win with class. There's no reason to be a obnoxious jerk if your team wins.

 

Maybe it's a uniquly american construct; "trash talking" after a win. Certainly the Boo-Ya Network doesn't help kids grow up to be good sports-it teaches them how to come up with a creative dance or soundbyte.

 

Was the smuggness of the Red Sox nation bad sportsmanship? Just because they seem classier? What is so attractive about having lovable losers as fans? Wow! Look at the IVY! It's PRETTY.

 

I am not saying I condone their behavior, but how they behave is not relevent. It is about WHO WINS. Whether you get grief in the office the next day, the next week or for the REST OF YOUR LIFE are simply details. it doesn't change the binary nature of sports. Winner/Loser.

 

I now live in Philly, reportedly the worst fans in sports. Wrong, they just CARE more. I wish Cubs fans cared more, in fact this last year is one of the first where I actually felt a level of irritation. THAT IMHO is a good thing....

 

Smugness and buffoonery are two different things. You can be smug without going out of your way to rub someone esle's nose in it.

 

And if fan behavior is not relevant, and it's only about who wins and loses, then technically fans have no right to feel either way. "They" didn't win a thing.

 

And I think the majority of Cub fans care. It's dangerous to think all Cub fans care about is ivy and beer. Don't confuse people who go to the park with fans. We have fans all over the world, many of whom have never been to Wrigley, and could care less if they replaced the ivy with cotton balls if it meant a champion.

Also, I would take Cub fans over obnoxious, rude for the sake of reputation Philly fans, who may be loyal but show little class. *no offense Truffle*

[LoneStarCubFan]

After watching the first three games of this WS, I'm still trying to figure out how Houston made it.

 

They sucked less than we did.

 

I don't live anywhere near Chicago and I am actually closer to Arlington than Houston but this postseason has been more infuriating than even 2003 when they suspended play with five outs to go in Game 6 of the NLCS.

 

It sickens me that a franchise that fixed a World Series, a franchise with a fan base made up of classless trailer trash wife-beating parole violators, a franchise that employs sniveling whiny punks like Ozzie Guillen and AJ Eyechart, a franchise owned by the most evil man in baseball, is going to be handed a World Series trophy by said owner's lackey commissioner.

 

The White Sox epitomize everything that is wrong with baseball. If the game gets out of hand tonight part of me wants to see the Astros go down in a hail of beanballs. I want somebody in grey to get seriously hurt.

 

And I'm not normally like this. I think part of my problem is the fact that our idiot manager has sucked all the joy out of rooting for the team I've followed since I was a child. I've been more bitter about the end of this season than the end of '03 and '04 despite the fact both of those clubs were better than this year's team.

[waffle]

The "I've been here all along! I deserve MORE" that some fans have against band wagon jumpers is pathetic. It should be a hug fest, YEAH! Our team is winning! You can congratulate yourself for being a "truer" fan, but don't bash those that get some joy from an unexpected source. This Me. Vs. Them mentality is childish. We'r better...

 

Sports is about competition. The winner gets to crow, rant, brag, stick their tongues out and go "phlpppttttt" to their heart's content. IT'S THEIR RIGHT to react however they darn will please cuz they won and you didn't

 

The other side of this is that when the Cubbies finally win one (hopefully in my lifetime) I reserve the right to be as annoying as I want. To feel as proud as anyone else, and anyone who wants to jump on the bandwagon is welcome. It doesn't diminish in any way the joy I will feel.

 

GO SOX, spoken as a lifelong cubs fan.

 

That's called bad sportsmanship, and should be taught as something to avoid at the little league/pee wee/AYSO and Park District levels.

 

Win with class. There's no reason to be a obnoxious jerk if your team wins.

 

Maybe it's a uniquly american construct; "trash talking" after a win. Certainly the Boo-Ya Network doesn't help kids grow up to be good sports-it teaches them how to come up with a creative dance or soundbyte.

 

Was the smuggness of the Red Sox nation bad sportsmanship? Just because they seem classier? What is so attractive about having lovable losers as fans? Wow! Look at the IVY! It's PRETTY.

 

I am not saying I condone their behavior, but how they behave is not relevent. It is about WHO WINS. Whether you get grief in the office the next day, the next week or for the REST OF YOUR LIFE are simply details. it doesn't change the binary nature of sports. Winner/Loser.

 

I now live in Philly, reportedly the worst fans in sports. Wrong, they just CARE more. I wish Cubs fans cared more, in fact this last year is one of the first where I actually felt a level of irritation. THAT IMHO is a good thing....

 

Smugness and buffoonery are two different things. You can be smug without going out of your way to rub someone esle's nose in it.

 

And if fan behavior is not relevant, and it's only about who wins and loses, then technically fans have no right to feel either way. "They" didn't win a thing.

 

And I think the majority of Cub fans care. It's dangerous to think all Cub fans care about is ivy and beer. Don't confuse people who go to the park with fans. We have fans all over the world, many of whom have never been to Wrigley, and could care less if they replaced the ivy with cotton balls if it meant a champion.

Also, I would take Cub fans over obnoxious, rude for the sake of reputation Philly fans, who may be loyal but show little class. *no offense Truffle*

 

Why does "class" matter?

 

How does that cheapen the Sox win?

 

Sounds elitist to me.

 

I will never act like a philly fan, but boy do they CARE. I respect them for that. Now Atl fans, or Houston fans who even when their team is winning don't show any passion, or LA Lakers fans who leave early to beat traffic, those fans I cannot deal with...

[USSoccer]

Hmm. At the youth, high school, college and semi-pro levels, I was taught by parents, parents of other players, coaches, fate and referees to win with class and dignity. I think think that professional ballplayers ought to behave with class, especially when they win. But that isn't the point of this argument.

 

The way a fan will act after the Sox win won't cheapen the win; it'll make the fan look like an complete idiot. There's no dumber way to prove your fandom or make yourself feel good than by rubbing the accomplishments of others in a stranger's face, on account of which team he or she happnes to root for. It's shows pretty poor character. The fan who acts like a clown and talks trash to some random person in a Cubs hat just because his team won isn't more of a fan, he's less of a person. Enjoy your team's win. Be happy. Don't use it as an excuse to bring others down.

 

If being "elitist" means expecting people to act with some sembelance of class, than count me in on some of that. The world could probably use more "elitist" people, then.

[CoolHandLuke]

Hmm. At the youth, high school, college and semi-pro levels, I was taught by parents, parents of other players, coaches, fate and referees to win with class and dignity. I think think that professional ballplayers ought to behave with class, especially when they win. But that isn't the point of this argument.

 

The way a fan will act after the Sox win won't cheapen the win; it'll make the fan look like an complete idiot. There's no dumber way to prove your fandom or make yourself feel good than by rubbing the accomplishments of others in a stranger's face, on account of which team he or she happnes to root for. It's shows pretty poor character. The fan who acts like a clown and talks trash to some random person in a Cubs hat just because his team won isn't more of a fan, he's less of a person. Enjoy your team's win. Be happy. Don't use it as an excuse to bring others down.

 

If being "elitist" means expecting people to act with some sembelance of class, than count me in on some of that. The world could probably use more "elitist" people, then.

 

=D>

[Derwood]

It sickens me that a franchise that fixed a World Series, a franchise with a fan base made up of classless trailer trash wife-beating parole violators, a franchise that employs sniveling whiny punks like Ozzie Guillen and AJ Eyechart, a franchise owned by the most evil man in baseball, is going to be handed a World Series trophy by said owner's lackey commissioner.

 

The White Sox epitomize everything that is wrong with baseball. If the game gets out of hand tonight part of me wants to see the Astros go down in a hail of beanballs. I want somebody in grey to get seriously hurt.

 

A few things. Let's not call every Sox fan a "Classless trailer trash wife-beating parole violator." I know many, many classy Sox fans. They just aren't the ones you ever hear from or about.

 

Secondly, the franchise didn't throw the World Series. A group of players did to get back at a cheapskate owner. Know your history.

 

I won't argue the merits of Guillen or Pierzynski. Both have shown enough to be questionable in many situations.

 

And let's not pretend that there is some grand conspiracy where Selig has told the umpires to make all the calls for the Sox so they can win. That's just dumb.

[LoneStarCubFan]

It sickens me that a franchise that fixed a World Series, a franchise with a fan base made up of classless trailer trash wife-beating parole violators, a franchise that employs sniveling whiny punks like Ozzie Guillen and AJ Eyechart, a franchise owned by the most evil man in baseball, is going to be handed a World Series trophy by said owner's lackey commissioner.

 

The White Sox epitomize everything that is wrong with baseball. If the game gets out of hand tonight part of me wants to see the Astros go down in a hail of beanballs. I want somebody in grey to get seriously hurt.

 

A few things. Let's not call every Sox fan a "Classless trailer trash wife-beating parole violator." I know many, many classy Sox fans. They just aren't the ones you ever hear from or about.

 

Secondly, the franchise didn't throw the World Series. A group of players did to get back at a cheapskate owner. Know your history.

 

I won't argue the merits of Guillen or Pierzynski. Both have shown enough to be questionable in many situations.

 

And let's not pretend that there is some grand conspiracy where Selig has told the umpires to make all the calls for the Sox so they can win. That's just dumb.

 

Ummm... I meant "handed" in the literal sense. Selig is going to physically hand the trophy to Reinsdorf on the award stand when/if the Sox win. Didn't mean to imply there was a conspiracy.

 

The blown calls are the result of continued umpire incompetence, not a conspiracy.

 

And the Sox are the only franchise in the history of baseball to employ players who threw a World Series. That is a fact.

[J.R.]

I don't live anywhere near Chicago and I am actually closer to Arlington than Houston but this postseason has been more infuriating than even 2003 when they suspended play with five outs to go in Game 6 of the NLCS.

 

It sickens me that a franchise that fixed a World Series, a franchise with a fan base made up of classless trailer trash wife-beating parole violators, a franchise that employs sniveling whiny punks like Ozzie Guillen and AJ Eyechart, a franchise owned by the most evil man in baseball, is going to be handed a World Series trophy by said owner's lackey commissioner.

 

The White Sox epitomize everything that is wrong with baseball. If the game gets out of hand tonight part of me wants to see the Astros go down in a hail of beanballs. I want somebody in grey to get seriously hurt.

 

And I'm not normally like this. I think part of my problem is the fact that our idiot manager has sucked all the joy out of rooting for the team I've followed since I was a child. I've been more bitter about the end of this season than the end of '03 and '04 despite the fact both of those clubs were better than this year's team.

 

I agree with everything said here.

[waffle]

Isn't there something to hate about EVERY team that isn't YOUR team? Isn't it just a matter of degrees? Why is this so much worse? Cuz that is your perspective TODAY. If it were the Yanks and the 'stros, you'd find something to complain about there as well.

 

I mean, come on! The STROS! They are AT LEAST 99% as bad as anything having to do with the Sox, and they are from TEXAS!!!!!

 

The Sox play good baseball. They won 99 games this year, many in very exciting fashion. They have pitchers that attack the batter, unlike a certain northside team. They play solid D, unlike that same said team. They are here because they WON.

 

How the fans act, how I feel about the owner, what any of you say about the team is irrelevent to the guys out there playing the game. I am a chicagoan, so I root for a Chicago team against ANYONE else.

 

Again, its about sports. It's about who wins. Looks like it will be the sox and NOT the 'Stros, and for that I am happy.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Hmm. At the youth, high school, college and semi-pro levels, I was taught by parents, parents of other players, coaches, fate and referees to win with class and dignity. I think think that professional ballplayers ought to behave with class, especially when they win. But that isn't the point of this argument.

 

The way a fan will act after the Sox win won't cheapen the win; it'll make the fan look like an complete idiot. There's no dumber way to prove your fandom or make yourself feel good than by rubbing the accomplishments of others in a stranger's face, on account of which team he or she happnes to root for. It's shows pretty poor character. The fan who acts like a clown and talks trash to some random person in a Cubs hat just because his team won isn't more of a fan, he's less of a person. Enjoy your team's win. Be happy. Don't use it as an excuse to bring others down.

 

If being "elitist" means expecting people to act with some sembelance of class, than count me in on some of that. The world could probably use more "elitist" people, then.

 

Excellent post. Well-stated. There is never a reason to act devoid of common decency and decorum. Every team has fans that lack it, but somehow it seems the White Sox have more than their share.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

 

A few things. Let's not call every Sox fan a "Classless trailer trash wife-beating parole violator." I know many, many classy Sox fans. They just aren't the ones you ever hear from or about.

 

Secondly, the franchise didn't throw the World Series. A group of players did to get back at a cheapskate owner. Know your history.

 

I won't argue the merits of Guillen or Pierzynski. Both have shown enough to be questionable in many situations.

 

And let's not pretend that there is some grand conspiracy where Selig has told the umpires to make all the calls for the Sox so they can win. That's just dumb.

 

Now that's splitting hairs isn't it. In the same pattern, when they win should we say the franchise didn't win anything but a group of players who happened to play well for a season won.

[WindyCity]

Folks that think a Sox WS win won't affect them should plan on attending a Cubs/Sox interleague game in 2006. I can already hear the 1908 chants and much worse..... there will much violence and arrests.

 

Sox fans did not support the Cubs in 2003 and they openly taunted and mocked Cubs fans after the NLCS was lost. I see no reason to be happy for them now.

[Scott G. F.]

It ain't over yet.

 

The White Sox win the WS. I'm happy for them I go to bed.

 

The Cubs win. I'd find it impossible to sleep. I call my father and family, equal sufferes like me. I'd walk around with a smile on my face knowing the team I've rooted for all of my life has finally earned the title champion.

 

In 2003 after the Cubs lost a co-worker, (Bob D.) walked up to me, padded on the shoulder and then went to his desk, not uttering a word. people that day respected my cubbieness and knew that any swip would cut me right to the bone. They understood and showed respect. I give the same respect to the winner as well as the losers.

 

I wouldn't call any other baseball fan and rub there nose in it. I don't follow that logic at all. I would call, like I did last year, the fans of the winning team and congradulate them, hoping one day I would recieve that phone call.

 

I'll be waiting for my chance to celebrate. 2005 wasn't the year, it was someone else just like other the years of my life. But I have faith one day it will be our time.

 

So whomever wins this year desereved it, either by blind luck or gods hand they deserved it. I'm fine with that.

 

It is what it is. Who cares who it is!!

[Cubzfan64]

I cannot wait to see the first week of home games next year for the White Sox, and to see that only 15,000 fill the seats while the Cubs continue to sell out each game

 

This quote is one that bugs me as a Cubs fan. I firmly believe in my heart that a part of the Cubs ineptitude at winning any WS lies at the feet of all of us fans who continue to financially support the franchise despite the ultimate success we desire.

 

There's a fine line imho between rooting for and supporting "your" team as a fan, and blind loyalty. Because baseball and in this case specifically the Chicago Cubs are very obviously run as a business, we (fans) are essentially the customers. As customers of other businesses, we often feel at a loss to control any aspect of our supplier's lives - however the truth is that as customers we have the ULTIMATE power in that we can choose tell our suppliers that as much as we may like them and value them, we simply can't justify continuing to do business with them if they don't drastically improve their product.

 

Filling the stands ever year at Wrigley Field despite the record or successes of the Cub team is simply telling your supplier that no matter what the quality of the product, we're gonna keep buying it blindly year after year - in this day and age of baseball as a business, if I'm the ownership and I have stockholders to answer to, I take advantage of the unique position that puts me in and I make just enough effort to keep those seats filled and I don't care one whit whether my product quality is really improved or not.

 

The only other option I have available to me as an owner/supplier is to invest in a "business manager" who is very skilled at consistently producing a quality product with a limited budget and I fear that those folks are very few and far between, and much of it ends up being a luck factors as much as anything else.

 

I consider myself a fan of the Chicago Cubs, but unltil they provide me with a product that I feel they are capable of providing, I won't "invest" in that company - I can be a fan by reading about them in the news or following their games online - I won't spend money at their ballpark and just take whatever they give me as a consumer.

[gus_dog]

I consider myself a fan of the Chicago Cubs, but unltil they provide me with a product that I feel they are capable of providing, I won't "invest" in that company - I can be a fan by reading about them in the news or following their games online - I won't spend money at their ballpark and just take whatever they give me as a consumer.

 

I have held season tickets since 1999. Believe me, I have thought of dropping them, but...this is where your approach doesn't pass muster...if I do, then they actually win, I will be kicking myself.

 

If you wait until they are 100% successful to 'invest' in them, then your 'investment' will cost alot more, and/or you may not be able to do it at all due to unavailability.

 

Your message works well in theory, but practically speaking, it is not necessarily effective.

 

Win or lose, they are popular, and continue to be so. As a dyed-in-the-wool fan, that can be frustrating, but it is what it is.

[1908]

I consider myself a fan of the Chicago Cubs, but unltil they provide me with a product that I feel they are capable of providing, I won't "invest" in that company - I can be a fan by reading about them in the news or following their games online - I won't spend money at their ballpark and just take whatever they give me as a consumer.

"Cubs crushed by New Hampshire fan boycott."

[J.R.]

I consider myself a fan of the Chicago Cubs, but unltil they provide me with a product that I feel they are capable of providing, I won't "invest" in that company - I can be a fan by reading about them in the news or following their games online - I won't spend money at their ballpark and just take whatever they give me as a consumer.

"Cubs crushed by New Hampshire fan boycott."

 

Seriously.

[Backtobanks]

As long as we are ranting, the media overkill is mindblowing. The Tribune is running 8-page sections (separate from the sports section) daily. Today's Tribune had an article "grading" the facial hair of some of the Sox. The newscasts spend the first 10-15 minutes on the Sox. Now before anyone accuses me of sour grapes, let me say that I wouldn't read 95% of the articles even if they were about the Cubs in the WS. I'm a Bear fan, but the overkill about the 1985 Bears was (and still is) incredible. The 2-week period before any Super Bowl is the worst time in the world to read a sports section. I'm just tired of reading about the left-fielder's second cousin.

[BigbadB]

I cannot wait to see the first week of home games next year for the White Sox, and to see that only 15,000 fill the seats while the Cubs continue to sell out each game

 

This quote is one that bugs me as a Cubs fan. I firmly believe in my heart that a part of the Cubs ineptitude at winning any WS lies at the feet of all of us fans who continue to financially support the franchise despite the ultimate success we desire.

 

There's a fine line imho between rooting for and supporting "your" team as a fan, and blind loyalty. Because baseball and in this case specifically the Chicago Cubs are very obviously run as a business, we (fans) are essentially the customers. As customers of other businesses, we often feel at a loss to control any aspect of our supplier's lives - however the truth is that as customers we have the ULTIMATE power in that we can choose tell our suppliers that as much as we may like them and value them, we simply can't justify continuing to do business with them if they don't drastically improve their product.

 

Filling the stands ever year at Wrigley Field despite the record or successes of the Cub team is simply telling your supplier that no matter what the quality of the product, we're gonna keep buying it blindly year after year - in this day and age of baseball as a business, if I'm the ownership and I have stockholders to answer to, I take advantage of the unique position that puts me in and I make just enough effort to keep those seats filled and I don't care one whit whether my product quality is really improved or not.

 

The only other option I have available to me as an owner/supplier is to invest in a "business manager" who is very skilled at consistently producing a quality product with a limited budget and I fear that those folks are very few and far between, and much of it ends up being a luck factors as much as anything else.

 

I consider myself a fan of the Chicago Cubs, but unltil they provide me with a product that I feel they are capable of providing, I won't "invest" in that company - I can be a fan by reading about them in the news or following their games online - I won't spend money at their ballpark and just take whatever they give me as a consumer.

 

I could see this argument if the Cubs were only spending 50m on the team. They spent 100m on the team last year, which was top 5 in baseball.

 

Be upset with the people who make the decisions on plays on the team, but don't be upset with the ownership that gives the decision makers plenty of cash to put what should be a top 5 team on the field.

[Cubzfan64]

I consider myself a fan of the Chicago Cubs, but unltil they provide me with a product that I feel they are capable of providing, I won't "invest" in that company - I can be a fan by reading about them in the news or following their games online - I won't spend money at their ballpark and just take whatever they give me as a consumer.

"Cubs crushed by New Hampshire fan boycott."

 

Give me a break - did I say I expected to change the team by my sole actions? You assume an awful lot by your sarcastic response to what I felt was a legitimate interpretation of a possible part of the Chicago Cub lack of success over the years.

 

For what it's worth I've only lived in New Hampshire for 2 years - before that I've lived in Chicago, Central Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan since I was born and have been to so many Cub games I can't count them all. I visit the area a half dozen or more times per year but I haven't been to any games the last couple seasons that I can recall simply because I've been very disappointed in the entire organization.

 

I also send 1-3 letters per year to Cubs ownership in which I commend them for good moves and decisions and express disappointment as a fan in other moves.

 

In my opinion being a fan is similar to voting - if I don't participate in the experience, I don't feel I have much of a right (bad choice of words, but can't think of the one I want to use) for complaining about the result. I found this forum a little over a year ago after sifting through 100's of crappy posts on other "Cub" forums just to find 1 non confrontational, non sarcastic, non-abusive response that made sense (whether I agreed or disagreed with it).

 

I'm disappointed in the rude response - if you disagree, disagree (as the first responder did) and state your points - anything beyond that is just sarcasm and unnecessary imho.

 

Here's to hoping the organization works to take positive steps forward this offseason!

[Cubzfan64]

I cannot wait to see the first week of home games next year for the White Sox, and to see that only 15,000 fill the seats while the Cubs continue to sell out each game

 

This quote is one that bugs me as a Cubs fan. I firmly believe in my heart that a part of the Cubs ineptitude at winning any WS lies at the feet of all of us fans who continue to financially support the franchise despite the ultimate success we desire.

 

There's a fine line imho between rooting for and supporting "your" team as a fan, and blind loyalty. Because baseball and in this case specifically the Chicago Cubs are very obviously run as a business, we (fans) are essentially the customers. As customers of other businesses, we often feel at a loss to control any aspect of our supplier's lives - however the truth is that as customers we have the ULTIMATE power in that we can choose tell our suppliers that as much as we may like them and value them, we simply can't justify continuing to do business with them if they don't drastically improve their product.

 

Filling the stands ever year at Wrigley Field despite the record or successes of the Cub team is simply telling your supplier that no matter what the quality of the product, we're gonna keep buying it blindly year after year - in this day and age of baseball as a business, if I'm the ownership and I have stockholders to answer to, I take advantage of the unique position that puts me in and I make just enough effort to keep those seats filled and I don't care one whit whether my product quality is really improved or not.

 

The only other option I have available to me as an owner/supplier is to invest in a "business manager" who is very skilled at consistently producing a quality product with a limited budget and I fear that those folks are very few and far between, and much of it ends up being a luck factors as much as anything else.

 

I consider myself a fan of the Chicago Cubs, but unltil they provide me with a product that I feel they are capable of providing, I won't "invest" in that company - I can be a fan by reading about them in the news or following their games online - I won't spend money at their ballpark and just take whatever they give me as a consumer.

 

I could see this argument if the Cubs were only spending 50m on the team. They spent 100m on the team last year, which was top 5 in baseball.

 

Be upset with the people who make the decisions on plays on the team, but don't be upset with the ownership that gives the decision makers plenty of cash to put what should be a top 5 team on the field.

 

I probably didnt' make my case as clearly as I would have liked, because I agree with your comment as well. I am clearly disappointed in the folks who make the decisions regarding player personnel moves as well as onfield player decisions, however I also lay some blame on the ownership for not getting the most for their money. They have to share in the responsibility the organization has to their fans even though they've ponied up a reasonable and respectable amount of money - they in turn have to hold those people one step below them responsible for the success and failure of the team as well who in turn hold those below them responsible etc... When those things happen, a baseball organization contends - maybe not every year (due to injuries, bad years by key players etc...), but more often than not.

 

This organization is clearly doing something (or more likely some thingS) wrong or at least more poorly than their competition and has been doing so for a very very long time. I want to see that changed as much as the next Cub fan and hope springs eternal for me every offseason that "this" might be the year things turn around. Hopefully that starts this time.

[Derwood]

 

A few things. Let's not call every Sox fan a "Classless trailer trash wife-beating parole violator." I know many, many classy Sox fans. They just aren't the ones you ever hear from or about.

 

Secondly, the franchise didn't throw the World Series. A group of players did to get back at a cheapskate owner. Know your history.

 

I won't argue the merits of Guillen or Pierzynski. Both have shown enough to be questionable in many situations.

 

And let's not pretend that there is some grand conspiracy where Selig has told the umpires to make all the calls for the Sox so they can win. That's just dumb.

 

Now that's splitting hairs isn't it. In the same pattern, when they win should we say the franchise didn't win anything but a group of players who happened to play well for a season won.

 

No, I don't think so. There is a big difference between a set of players throwing a world series autonmously vs. a franchise throwing it (ie the order coming from the top down). That is like condemning the Reds organization for gambling rather than condemning Pete Rose alone.

[YearofDaCubs]

I could give a crap what others think..I would rather have the White Sox win over the Astros. I was born and raised in Chicago and getting anywhere in the playoffs for any of the Chicago sports teams is an amazing accomplishment. I'm not a white sox fan and you will never see me wear wsox gear. To be honest there are a lot of players on the Astros that annoy me and rather not even have seen them here. It could be worse..it could be the Cardinals in there for the playoffs which IMO is even worse. My father is a WSox fan, everybody else is a Cubs fan. I wish the Cubs were in this situation but guess what..Our organization is pathetic and can't do anything right. If the Sox win it good for them, I wont be internally happy until I see the Cubs win it but the way things are going right now I don't see the pathetic losers winning one for a loooong time, maybe hit the 2 century mark who knows. It's not the curses, it's not Bartman..it's the organization as a whole who has no clue or direction to do what's necessary to get us to the top.

[OnTheBeach]

As long as we are ranting, the media overkill is mindblowing. The Tribune is running 8-page sections (separate from the sports section) daily. Today's Tribune had an article "grading" the facial hair of some of the Sox. The newscasts spend the first 10-15 minutes on the Sox. Now before anyone accuses me of sour grapes, let me say that I wouldn't read 95% of the articles even if they were about the Cubs in the WS. I'm a Bear fan, but the overkill about the 1985 Bears was (and still is) incredible. The 2-week period before any Super Bowl is the worst time in the world to read a sports section. I'm just tired of reading about the left-fielder's second cousin.

As an outsider who's been to whitesoxinteractive.com (trash, if you ask me) and seen that they call the Tribune the "Cubbune," I find this all truly ironic. This kind of media saturation happens everywhere where there is a home team in a big game or series especially since it helps sell more ad pages.

[SouthSideRyan]

It wouldn't shock me to see Reinsdorf sell now that he's lived his boyhood dream. With a fresh world title (puke), solid TV contract and revamped park, the franchise likely won't be this attractive to buyers again for some time.

 

Reinsdorf's could live his boyhood dream that way, but it'd have nothing to do with the World Series. He'd live his boyhood dream of making more money.