Another Crosstown Series Maybe Three Years Away
Frank Schulte hit a weak dribbler back to the mound. Pitcher Doc White fielded, and tossed the ball to first, ending the first and only crosstown World Series in Chicago’s history. It was a matchup of David verse Goliath, the White Sox being David and the Cubs Goliath. The Cubs had incredible pitching, insane hitting, and a legendary double-play combination.
The baseball world was stunned as “the hitless wonders” found a way to slay the Cubs in six games. The Sox, which had a team batting average of .228, found a way to end what was the best season in baseball history. The Cubs won 116 games in 1906 and before the series were a heavy favorite.
“Last night Chicago was baseball mad,” the Tribune reported after the Sox clinched the American League pennant. “Men stood and cheered in elevated trains when the news was passed along that the Sox were safe and that Chicago had two pennants–and the world’s championship.”
Chicagoans would start bar fights over who was better. Businesses and City Hall closed down. And 50 cents would get you in the game.
Chicago was the center of the baseball universe, and the story created by the series didn’t disappoint. Just like the story, Goliath was slain by David, 4 games to 2. There were bonfires set up across Chicago. White Sox fans partied into the morning. Cubs fans and players couldn’t believe what had just happened.
“There is one thing I will never believe, and that is the Sox are better than the Cubs.” Cubs first baseman, Frank Chance.
The Cubs would win the next two World Series, and appear in four consecutive. They wouldn’t win their next until 2016. The White Sox would win their second in 1917, then take home the 2005 title.
Each Chicago team has three titles to their name. Wouldn’t it be great if the tie breaker was another crosstown series?
I’ll tell you, it could happen.
This would assume that the Cubs, who are certainly capable, don’t win another championship in the next couple seasons. That would mean the Chicago White Sox need to hurry up on their current rebuild, and it appears they are. With the White Sox primed to be the most dynamic in about three years, Rick Hahn might have supercharged those expectations with his most recent signing – Luis Robert.
To sign Robert, Rick pulled a page out of Theo Epstein’s book. In each of Theo’s big free agent signings in Chicago, he has identified them early, told their agent so, and every move from then on was to bring him onboard. This is exactly how Hahn pursued Robert. He identified him early, made sure his people knew the White Sox would do anything to bring him in, and closed the decision.
So what does the Robert signing do for the Chicago White Sox? The team already has the best prospect in the game in Yoan Moncada. Then add the eighth best in Lucas Giolito, and the 13th best in Michael Kopech. Well, Robert just might be better than all of them. At least that’s what one American League International Scout says.
“(Robert is)the best player on the planet, and that’s no exaggeration.”
Robert will start in Double-A ball to start and it is expected that he sees an MLB roster by 2020. He could be the last, and most dynamic piece to a championship-ready roster. The Cubs should still be competitive. The White Sox will be the up-and-coming team. 2020 could legitimately be the first of a couple opportunities for another crosstown World Series.
Like the 1906 World Series, a crosstown series could represent a new dynasty in the game. With the Cubs major stars beginning to hit free agency for the first time, the next several Cubs teams could look very different.
It is all fictitious, and a lot would have to go right. But if you let your mind go there, it certainly would be a fun couple weeks in Chicago.
