Baseball in Chicago, IL

Whether you're a Cubs fan or White Sox fan, there's plenty of baseball action to get excited about in Chicago. After all, the White Sox were the defending league champions of 2005. We all know they were definitely due, since the last championship for the team came back in 1917. The irony of the two teams is that The White Sox finally broke their ever-so-long dry spell and won the championship last year, and currently, the Cubs have the longest dry spell between championships. They have not won a championship since 1908, and have not been to a World Series since 1945.

During the 20th Century, the White Sox won 5 out of 19 of the first 19 league penants. Their luck turned bad in 1919 because of a betting conspiracy, which led to the lifetime banning of eight White Sox players from organized baseball, the installation of the game's first commisioner, as well as strict rules prohibiting gambling. It was a scandal that became known as "The Black Sox Sxandal." Between 1920 to 2004, the White Sox only won one league championship, that is until breaking this losing streak in 2005.

During the 2005-2006 season, the White Sox added left-handed slugger, Jim Thome, from the Philadelphia Phillies. Thome was acquired in a trade for outfielder Aaron Rowand, which did not set well with many White Sox fans. Also acquired in 2005 was a sturdy starting pitcher, Javier Vasquez. It is the hopes of the White Sox that with the additions of Vazquez, Thome, and utilityman Rob "Mack-Wack-Tallywack" Mackowiak, that they may repeat the success of the 2005 season.

The Chicago Cubs, known affectionately by many as "the Cubbies," are the only team to play continuously in the same city since the formation of the National League in 1876. After their successful early years, the Cubs fell into a slump that would not be broken until the war-shortened season of 1918, when they won the National League Penant. It was around this time that William Wrigley(of Wrigley Gum fame) took over majority ownership of the Cubs. During this time, and about the time of acquiring William Veeck, Sr. was when the tide was starting to turn. The team grew strong and would stay strong in the National League dueing the next decade. Unfortunately, their success fell short of the championship, and they lost to the American League each time in humiliating fashion.

Currently, the Cubs signed Wade Miller in a one-year contract for $1 million. First baseman Derrick Lee recuperated from a broken wrist, and an all-out dug-out war broke out against the Cubs and the White Sox on May 20, 2006, just into the 2nd inning. A fight ensued between both team's catchers during a scoring attempt. it is reported that Cubs Catcher Michael Barret threw a sucker-punch at White Sox Ever-controversial catcher, A.J. Pierzynski. It resulted in both catchers being ejected from the game, as well as yet another fight between white Sox Center fielder, Brian Anderson, and Cubs first-baseman John Mabry. All the players who participated in a fight were fined, except for Mabry, who went to the hospital and was treated for bruised ribs. In addition to being fined, Barrett was supended for ten games. It would seem the two teams are taking the spirit of competition a bit too far.

Nevertheless, baseball contiunes to be America's pastime, and if you happen to be in the Chicago area, you and your family would thoroughly enjoy catching either a Cubs or White Sox game. Both teams have an intensely interesting history,and who knows, you might even catch a game between these two rivalling leagues sometime in the future? No doubt, the conduct will be of a more sportsmanlike nature than on that fateful game May 20, 2006. No matter what, you're sure to be caught up in the thrill of the game.