Read other letters about this article

• Thursday, October 27, 2005 02:38 PM

  The View from Wrigleyville

  I live in Wrigleyville, in Chicago. Wrigley field is one of those very rare major league sports venues that really is right in the middle of a residential neighborhood; you can throw a stone from my back door and hit the stadium.

  As you might imagine it was pretty dead up here last night, so I went south to the Loop, the downtown center of Chicago. It was a lot more alive than my neighborhood had been, but compared to Boston last year (where I was lucky enough to be the night the Red Sox won the series) it was pretty subdued. I myself wasn't much for celebrating. I don't begrudge the White Sox fans' their happiness, but I myself am not a fan of the White Sox (or American League baseball in general).

  Today on ESPN.com, Scoop Jackson, a Chicago area sports columnist, blasted Cubs fans for not supporting the White Sox win. He said that not celebrating the victory was not being "real". Well, I certainly think that any Cubs fans who are downplaying the victory are being silly; schadenfreud is a poor reason to be divided from other people in your own city. But am I really being a poor person for not going crazy? Believe me, there are enough fair-weather fans in the city right now as it is. As my friend said yesterday, "There's a lot of brand-new White Sox jerseys out there." I'm happy for the city, but I don't feel obligated to act happier than I am.

  And I have to ask, where were these people in June? In July? The White Sox were a first place team all year. Why were they always playing to a half-empty stadium?

  -Freddie

  —Freddie Read Freddie's other letters
  Permalink
  Flag
  Click "Submit Flag" if you feel this post is inappropriate. Explain why below if you wish.

  Cancel