I would like to thank the Chicago Tribune for coming up with this Web gem (The link is embedded in the story). They posted a multimedia application that allowed users to place their own name on the Wrigley Field marquee.Here is my offering (right).In case those of you reading this blog don't follow the Cubs, here is the issue. New Tribune Co., Cubs and Wrigley Field owner Sam Zell is considering selling the naming rights to the ballpark. It would be a crime to change the name, which is as classic as the structure, even though the brand of baseball played on those hallowed grounds has been lousy for most of the last century.Our friend T.J. has written extensively on the issue. It turns out the State of Illinois also could purchase the stadium, just as they own the former Comiskey Park.Changing the name of Wrigley Field would be similar to changing Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium to something else -- it's just unthinkable. Maybe they should consider a naming rights deal similar to what Rose Bowl officials negotiated: The Rose Bowl Game presented by (insert sponsor here). How about this: Welcome to Wrigley Field, Home of Chicago Cubs, presented by (insert sponsor name here).No that would be just as bad.
Our friend T.J. is correct, as is Hire Jim Essian, in surmising that Sox fans still feel animosity toward Cub fans. Would I trade the 2005 World Series victory for a guarantee the Cubs would never win a title again? No.This is my problem with Cub fans and pretty much most of Major League Baseball when it comes to the White Sox. The Sox don't get any respect. They never get the benefit of the doubt, they never attained that lovable quality the Cubs have a monopoly on. The Sox win the World Series, and they don't get the cover of Sports Illustrated. SI instead puts Peyton Manning and Tom Brady on the cover to push its preview of a regular season NFL game. As many south siders pointed out, that was a true measure of where the White Sox rank in baseball lore. You can guarantee that when the Cubs win the World Series, they will get the cover of EVERY major sports magazine and even mainstream news magazines like Time.In the end, it seemed MLB and pretty much no one outside the south side of Chicago cared about the Sox breaking an 88-year drout. The team has about as much pull as the Anaheim Angels: 'Way Good for you. But we're more interested in the Red Sox, Yankees, Mets, Dodgers or Cubs winning the World Series.'
