so what made you become a white sox fan and not cubs fan?

[metmagic]

just trying to understand the differences between both fan bases :)

[Chisox73]

just trying to understand the differences between both fan bases :)


Good question there.

I became a White Sox fan around 1973,when I found out that there were 2 teams in Chicago.

My parents were Sox fans.My late father hated the Cubs.My mother grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport section,just a few blocks from Old Comiskey Park,and was there for the 1959 World Series.

The first game I ever went to was on July 6,1973.It was a twin bill against the Boston Red Sox.I remember vividly walking into the place for the very 1st time.It was an exhilarating feeling.The smell of grass in the outfield(the infield was astroturf),the huge exploding scoreboard in center field(see my avatar),Nancy Faust on the organ,and a chance to see the players that I was watching on TV.Guys like Dick Allen,Bill Melton,Wilbur Wood,and those really cool red pinstripe jerseys.

The Sox split the doubleheader.I don't remember what the score was in Game 1,but I remember we lost Game 2 by an 11-1 score. :eek:

I was so hooked after that.I still have the program that my Dad bought for me.I have it in my White Sox program collection.

I've followed the team through good times and bad.Even though it's supposedly "not cool" to be a Sox fan here in the Chicago area,I've stuck by this team and will continue to,no matter how much management pisses off its fan base.

[metmagic]

why isn't it "cool" to be a sox fan in the chicago area? or is it the particular area you live? so which part is cubs territory and which is sox? i thought i heard the announcer mention something about north vs. south.... white collar vs. blue collar....

[Chisox73]

The Sox have always been the 2nd team in Chicago for as long as I can remember.

The Cubs fan base for at least the past 20 years has been more of a white collar,younger twentysomething fan that's always looking for a party.and with the neighborhood surrounding Wrigley Field,there are numerous drinking establishments,restaurants,and nightclubs around the park.That wasn't always the case up there.prior to that,the park attracted tons of kids,thanks to 81 home games of day baseball.

The emergence of night baseball,and a competitive team has changed the core fan base on the North Side.

US Cellular Field on the other hand is just surrounded by parking lots in a less than desireable neighborhood.The nearest establishments are several blocks away and are not worth walking to.

The White Sox' blue collar fan base has taken a hit over the past few years,thanks to on field incidents involving fans running out onto the field and assulting the opposing teams 3rd base coach,and more recently,the rise in fist fights in the stands during night games,especially on 1/2 price nights.The media in Chicago has taken that and ran with it,perpetuating the belief that Sox fans are lowlife Jerry Springer watching,beer swilling thugs that are out looking for trouble,which I can personally atest,is far from the truth.Sure,it takes the actions of just a few drunken morons to ruin it for everyone.

Geogprahically,Madison Street in Chicago,is the boundary that separates North and South.So,if you are from the south,you are a Sox fan.Nowadays,most Sox fans live in the suburbs,while the city itself is innundated with Cub fans.

Look at the souvenir shops downtown and you see tons of Cub stuff while you have to look very hard to find White Sox stuff.

But the last few years,especially now with the Cubs now becoming legitimate contenders,it seems that everyone is a Cubs fan.The Sox could end up winning thier division this year,but may be hard pressed to draw 2 million fans this year,but the Cubs had pretty much sold out the rest of the season,which pencils in to about 3.1 million.

I hope this gives you an insight on the differences between Chicagio's baseball teams.

[WestsideHimself]

I never lived in Chicago I was just a fan of some of the players of the late 80's. I hail from 15 mins from the tigers hq, and well never was one to go with the local band wagon and cheer for them.

[metmagic]

thanks chisox... very informative :thumbsup: i knew nothing about the chicago white sox cuz you're right--the cubs get all the attention........ very interesting rivalry....

[Toy Cannon]

When I was a kid, I could pick up Sox games on my dad's multi-frequency radio. I remember what a great hitting pitching staff they had with Gary Peters, Joel Horlen and Juan Pizarro. I liked the Cubs as well with Ernie Banks and Billy WIlliams, but the White Sox were easier to keep up with and I felt more in touch with them.

[Chisox73]

thanks chisox... very informative :thumbsup: i knew nothing about the chicago white sox cuz you're right--the cubs get all the attention........ very interesting rivalry....

I'm glad I could be of help to you. :)