By 
This post is inspired by our Crosstown Classic Baseball themed comedy show. We’re trying to understand the mindset of the rivalry. You can also read a post about Cubs fans, or listen to a new Cubs theme song, “Bear Down, Chicago Cubs“.
Par for the course.
The Chicago White Sox and their fans have been depicted as villains more often than not in the media and film despite having 30 Hall of Famers associated with the team and having won the World Series 3 times, most recently in 2005. The team and their fans are known for their aggression, tenacity, and always have a chip on their shoulder. This mostly comes from being Chicago’s 2nd baseball team.
Bashing the Chicago Cubs and feeling like the White Sox are the second team in Chicago is a tradition that spans over 100 years. The Chicago White Sox are Chicago’s second baseball team. They didn’t arrive in Chicago until 1900, whereas the Cubs organization had been established in Chicago since 1870. The White Sox and their fans have felt a need to justify their existence since day one.
In the case of Joe, it probably wasn't so.
The villainous portrayal of the White Sox started with the “Black Sox” scandal of the 1919 World Series. 8 White Sox were accused of throwing the World Series on purpose for money from gamblers. Their most popular player, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson was included in the conspiracy and he, with the other players, was banned from baseball forever. No one has been able to completely verify each individual’s involvement in the scandal, but the damage to the Sox’s reputation had been done adding more fuel to the fire in the bellies of White Sox fans everywhere.
“But one thing about Wrigley Field, I puke every time I go there. That’s just to be honest. And if Cub fans don’t like the way I talk about Wrigley Field, it’s just Wrigley Field. I don’t say anything about the fans or anything now."
The White Sox are easily depicted as villains because of their black and white uniforms and recent celebration of brash anti-heroes such as Frank Thomas, Ozzie Guillen (player and manager), and A.J. Pierzynski.
In order to remain relevant in the fans minds, the White Sox have had to make more noise, make more trouble, and be tougher than every other baseball team. White Sox owner Bill Veeck added many promotional features to the White Sox games to bring more attention to the team. Fireworks after every home run was introduced in 1960. Veeck also allowed the infamous Disco Demolition Night. Although these features were intended to brighten the image of the White Sox, they also have fueled the rowdy persona of the White Sox fans.
Perhaps the most infuriating part of being a White Sox fan is the fact that the
Can you get any more Happy-Go-Lucky than these guys?
White Sox have always been overshadowed by the Cubs. The Cubs have not won a World Series in over 100 years, but due to the fact they have been around longer and are one of 2 teams (The Atlanta Braves are the other team) to have games consistently broadcast on national television, the Cubs are national darlings. Their colors are red, white, and blue; the colors of the American flag. The Cubs most popular personalities are known for their happy-go-lucky attitudes such as Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, and Harry Caray. Many forget that Harry Caray was originally a White Sox broadcaster and took many of the traditions he started with the White Sox over to the Cubs. Yet another thing to piss off White Sox fans.
The White Sox are one of baseball’s oldest teams and, if not for the simple fact they share a city with the Cubs, would easily be the number one team in the hearts of Chicago. But they aren’t number one and they may never be. This has fueled the team and their fans for the team’s entire existence. It is a part of the White Sox DNA. The White Sox and their fans must always be tougher, louder, and nastier than the Cubs so that no one forgets that Chicago has 2 teams. The White Sox and their fans are a-holes. And that’s how it should be.
Please come and celebrate Chicago’s baseball teams and their rivalry with Octavarius at our Crosstown Classic show.
Until then, here’s some fireworks.
