August 21, 2020: Ready to Rumble

Finally, some Cubs Sox games that will matter. Well, actually, we’ve had plenty of these before. What we’ve never had was that World Series matchup between our Cubs and Sox. Well, actually, we did have that too. Back in 1906, the Sox defeated the Cubs in the games that had the ultimate meaning, 4 games to 2, to win the World Series. Yes, this first World Series for the Sox propelled the Cubs to repeat in 1907 & 1908. Then there was 1917, when the Sox tied the Cubs with their 2nd World Series win. Who can forgot those days… better yet, who can remember those? Fast forward to 2005 and the Sox lifted their 3rd title, a truly heartbreaking event for us Cubs fans, especially after what just happened in 2003. But the heartbreak was finally over, 11 years later, when in 2016 the Cubs added their 3rd, and completed a huge bucket list item for all of us. Who’s next?

That’s the real question, isn’t it? For having 2 teams in 1 city, and all those years of playing, to have only 6 World Series titles between us is pretty sad. I don’t know about Sox fans, but I certainly want more World Series titles. After 2016, the Cubs window was wide open; I’m sure it was the same back in 2005. The Sox have made it back to the playoffs exactly 1 time since then; that was 12 years ago. The Cubs… sure, we’ve had some fun; with our history, it’s hard not to enjoy this golden era of Cubs baseball. We had made the playoffs 4 straight years before just missing out last year. And now, that window that was so wide open, seems to be closing… And what about that Sox window? Well, for years it had been boarded up, but now, you can actually see through it. This 500 team has now ripped off 4 straight, and sit 1.5 games out of this year’s modified playoffs. The time has arrived on the South Side; it’s time to capitalize. And oh yeah, that Cubs closing window… looks like somebody put a stick to hold it open. The Cubs are the 3rd best team in baseball thus far, 4 games clear in first place in the NL Central. So you’re saying there’s a chance… a chance for a Cubs Sox World Series. You know what, it would make sense; it is 2020 after all…

Both teams’ fans have plenty of reason to be excited, and this makes this weekend’s series between the two even more fun. Usually, one team is better than the other; usually, that worse team ends up winning these games. But this year… well, I’m ready to rumble… The Sox are just another team in the way on our path back to the playoffs. All that hype… live up to it, then we’ll talk. You haven’t proven a damn thing yet. While we’re still wearing our 2016 championship gear, you can’t even fit into yours from 2005. A winning record? Bravo… welcome back to the majors. It would be about this time that the park would actually start filling up for you guys; mandatory attendance jab. But hey, Wrigley is empty nowadays too; we really are living in a bizarro universe.

This bizarro universe will have some normalcy this weekend. Let the Cubs Sox rivalry 2020 style begin. It’s always fun; I’ll get or send texts this weekend to folks I may not have spoken to in months. Yeah, these games will bring it out. Good luck Sox… I really don’t mean that though. You guys have sucked forever, now you wet your beak and think you’re hot shit… prove it; we ain’t the Tigers. Go Cubs!!!