Living in Chicago, one of the things to look forward to is the Crosstown Classic. I wrote last year about the history of this “rivalry,” which exists more in the minds of fans across this great city than the players. Here is the post:
After seeing last night’s game, which the Sox won 3-1 in dramatic fashion with a 9th inning homer by one of their young guys, Eloy Jimenez. It got me to thinking about these 2 franchises and where they are in the life cycle of a franchise.
The Cubs
Anyone growing up in Chicago from 1910 to 2016, knows that the Cubs were a cursed franchise. I personally lived through the 1984 disappointment, and it was the first blow to being a fan of that team. Then again in 1989, when they got beat down by the SF Giants, I was done with this team. Now, I always had more of an affinity to the Sox because of all the games I went to in the early 1980s. However, even a Sox fan eventually wanted the “Loveable Losers” to win one. The 2003 team was so close to getting to the World Series, and even I got caught up in that hype. Then, the Bartman thing blowing leads in Game 6 and 7, and the curse continued.
When General Manager, Theo Epstein, came to town, there was definitely a difference. Epstein used his own version of Moneyball to create a great young team via the draft and then veteran pitching. The Cubs bottomed out in the 2012 with just 61 wins and again in 2013 with 66 wins. With those tough years, Epstein was able to draft the likes of Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber. Plus, with the addition of Manager Joe Maddon, the Cubs went from terrible to the playoffs in 2015 making it to the National League Championship Series (NLCS) – losing to the Mets. Yet, they were incredible in 2016, including a very exciting Game 7 win against Cleveland to win their first title in over a century.
Since the title, the Cubs have been at the top of the league. In 2017, the Cubs got to the NLCS for the 3rd straight year, but this time lost to the LA Dodgers. In 2018, the Cubs led the division most of the year, but the team cratered down the stretch with key injuries actually losing the division one day to the Brewers and then being eliminated in a one game playoff to the Rockies at home the very next day. Crazy. Still the Cubs have won 92 games or more for 4 straight years. A huge leap from the bottom of the league in 2012.
With success comes criticism, once a fan base starved for a championship now expects a title each and every year. In the off season, there were rumblings of replacing Joe Maddon, which I find crazy. Drama with core players like Addison Russell and Ben Zobrist have distracted this still extremely talented team. Plus, the division has gotten better. Milwaukee who had a colossal run to catch the Cubs last year and now stand toe to toe with the Cubs at the top of the division. The NL Central is the tightest division in the Major Leagues. So, the Epstein model of tearing down and building a Champion worked, but the issue is how sustainable can it be.
I do not think the Cubs are done in any regard. I think they will likely at least make the playoffs again this year. They have a very solid lineup, but I question if their bullpen is as good as their title group. Lastly, that fire to win may still burn, but playing deep into October does have a toll. The elevator may still be near the top, but it may not be able to get to the penthouse again.
The Sox
The Sox have been that other franchise in town most of its existence. Even in the rich years of the early 1990s, the Cubs drew equal or more fans than the Sox. Of course, a key difference between the teams is the location of the stadiums. Wrigley Field is nestled in a vibrant bar district, which even in the bad years, fans would gladly dump their wallets into the bars’ coiffures. For the Sox, the Stadium is incredible. Great sightlines, good food, and conveniently located to the highway and transit. Although you can tailgate in the parking lots, the game is the game, and the Sox always struggle to draw. For myself, I am a fan, but I don’t got to as many Sox games as I do Cubs because most business guys take me to Cubs’ games and not Sox. Beyond the location and even fan demographic, the Sox have always been a hardnosed team. I started going to games in the early 80s and got caught up in the “Winning Ugly” 1983 team that lost in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) to Baltimore. I think they were robbed of a title chance in 1994, as baseball had a strike that year. The Sox had a great team with Frank Thomas, the AL MVP, and a deep pitching staff. The Sox were always competitive in their division in the 1990s.
Finally with former White Sox shortstop, Ozzie Guillen at the helm, the 2005 Sox caught lightning in a bottle. After years of missing the playoffs (besides 2000), the 2005 White Sox assembled both a stellar pitching staff and a veteran group of hitters who came through time and time again to roll through and win the World Series over Houston. It was a magical run, and as a Sox fan something to hold over my Cubs fan buddies until 2016. Yet, that team never could get back there. They made the playoffs in 2008 with an early exit, and Ozzie was sent packing after 2011. The Robin Ventura hire was just ok with very middling success. Now, the Sox have attempted to do what the Cubs have done to completely rebuild the team.
After years of allowing GM Kenny Williams lead the effort, the torch passed to Rick Hahn who has done what he needed to strip down this roster. In 2017, the Sox won just 67 games and 62 in 2018, but with major trades like sending Chris Sale to Boston for top prospects and recruiting major international players, the Sox are looking a lot like the Cubs in their rise. Players like Yoan Moncada, Eloy Jimenez and even pitching prospects like Lucas Giolito and a guy who hasn’t really even pitched for them Michael Kopech due to elbow surgery, these Sox are starting to show something. The Sox were projected for just over 60 wins again this year, but they have already won 35 of their first 71 games. The Manager, Rick Renteria, who actually was the Cubs coach before the Maddon move, has these young kids believing they can win.
The Sox likely will not get to the playoffs this year like the Cubs did in 2015. The American league is loaded, so unless there are some key injuries on other teams, it probably won’t happen. Plus, the Minnesota Twins are playing incredible baseball and leading the American League. Yet, it is clear that the process is working. The Sox are competitive in every game, and they are getting great experience against tough teams. I would not be surprised to see the Sox being at the top of the AL soon enough.
So, with Game 2 of this year’s Crosstown Classic tonight at Wrigley with 2 more games on the Southside on July 6th and 7th. I’m actually excited to see the match up.
Wegs