A Silver Lining

Yes the White Sox won the World Series and of course this kind of sucked being a Cub fan like I am. Still, I am trying to find some positives in this horrendous event. So, I came up with five good things about the White Sox winning the World Series that even as a long time diehard Cub fan, I can embrace.

1. At least they weren’t a Wild Card team – Say what you want about the Sox but they went out there last year and led from wire to wire and then carried it over until the post-season. For the last three years the World Series champion was a team that couldn’t even win it’s own division and the only reason they were in the postseason was because of the owners greed. So, if for nothing else be happy that the Sox restored some pride and value to the 162 game regular seasons.

2. There are good Sox fans - Despite all you hear and read there are some good, long suffering Sox fans out there that have lived and died with their team for as long as us Cub fans. Now, I admit that I have run across a lot of Bozo’s out there who have stuck it in my face but you know you always seem to remember the jerks as opposed to the good fans. So, I say congratulations to the good, Sox fans that are out there. Enjoy it, because it does not come around often.

3. This should wake up the Cub’s – Despite Jim Hendry’s denial, the Sox title should be a wake up call. The Cubs have been the dominant team in this city for a while, but if the Sox keep winning and the Cubs keep on losing, who do you think the next generation of sports fans are going to support? Diehards like me are a dying breed. In this instant gratification society, you need to win and do it so you can attract the young and casual fan. The Sox will more then likely threaten the three million mark in attendance this season. That should alarm the Tribune tower. The cash cow may be getting old and stop producing milk at some point in the near future if you don’t get off your ass and produce a winner.

4. They won as a team – Hey, the Sox didn’t go out and buy a title like the Marlins did in 97 or as the Yankee’s are always trying to do. The Sox payroll was right in the middle of the league. They spent the money wisely and their roster was not littered with free agents. They made a lot of good trades and developed the rest of thier talent. On their post-season roster you had three free agent signings. Jermaine Dye, A.J. Pierzknski and Dustin Hermanson. None of those broke the bank. So, if for nothing else at least the Sox have proven to all the middle market organizations out there that if you spend money wisely and devlop your farm system you can compete with the Yankee’s and Red Sox of the world.

5. This exposed fair weather Cub fans – With the Sox winning I saw a bunch of people who used to refer to themselves as Cub fans jumping ship. Trust me I remember who they were and I was taking names. Things have a way of evening out and when the roles are reversed, I’m sorry the bandwagon is going to be full. I will not allow you turn coats back on. You’ve made your decision and now you have to live with it. Enjoy, your ball mall, and boring 8-7, four and a half hour, designated hitter, American league baseball. I don’t ever want to see any of you back at Wrigley or wearing a Cub hat when it is our turn to win.