Best Moments from the Crosstown Classic

The Chicago Cubs and White Sox have been rivals since their 1906 World Series match-up in which the White Sox beat the Cubs. Cubs fans will point out that they ended up winning the next two series’ and Sox fans will point out the only one that matters is ’06 and their most recent title in 2005.

The Crosstown Classic has produced many moments which fans of both sides of town can enjoy. Whether it is walk-off grand slams or a punch to the face, and even great commercials, fans from both sides have their favorite memories.

Here are some stats about the Crosstown Classic and their results.

Biggest lopsided win – White Sox 12-2 6/24/2005

Biggest Shutout(s) – White Sox 7-0 5/20/2006 / Cubs 7-0 5/27/2013

Highest scoring game – 15-11 Cubs 7/2/2006

Complete Game – Jeff Samardzija 7-0 5/27/2013

Records – White Sox 54-47

There has certainly been some great baseball, and some not so great, but however these games turn out, they are always fun to watch. Here are the top moments from the Crosstown Classic

Carlos Zambrano Incident

Chicago Cubs ace, Zambrano, had been acting more like a 3-year old and less like an ace that was worthy of being a leader on the team. After giving up four runs which included a Carlos Quinton three run homer in the first inning, Cubs manager Lou Piniella pulled Carlos.

In between the inning, Zambrano got into a heated discussion with Cubs first baseman, Derrek Lee in which the two would need to be separated. Apparently Carlos thought Lee should have been able to make a play on the White Sox Juan Pierre’s double and called him out for it.

Zambrano was immediately sent home, and he lost his starters job being demoted to the bullpen.

In 2009, Lou Piniella had another run in with a Cubs player, Milton Bradley. Bradley’s stay on the Northside was disasterous, and the news that this story was leaked to the press irritated Piniella and other Chicago Cubs.

2008 Series, Featuring Winning Team’s

The first three game set was held at majestic Wrigley Field, and was the first time in the Classic’s history that both teams were in first place. After a barage of homers, the Cubs swept the White Sox.

The later set saw the White Sox return the favor at US Cellular. The Cubs, still in first place, seemed to be really hitting their stride and the White Sox poked a whole in the Cubs plans.

Both teams would make the playoffs that season, and while the Cubs were favorites to win the World Series, the White Sox were the only team in Chicago to win a playoff game that year.

Three Home Run Day

In Dioner Navarro’s 2,000 plus at bats before this day, he had only connected for 44 home runs. So, not many expected the light hitting backup catcher to have a career day, which would ultimately decide the game. That’s just what he did though. Navarro went out and hit his three homers, while driving in six runs as the Cubs went on to win the game 9-3.

Fans immediately called for Navarro to be tested for performance enhancing drugs, but to no avail.

Somebody needs to test Dioner Navarro! #CrosstownClassic #BoysinBlue

— Jamie Stangel (@StangelJamie) May 29, 2013

The Shark

Jeff Samardzija is one of a group of guys that have played on both sides of the classic. He was a foe of the White Sox for two reasons, the bean ball to the head of Southside hero, Paul Koneroo, and his magical 2-hit shutout in May of 2013.

Samardzija cut through the White Sox order that featured Alex Rios, Adam Dunn, and Paul Konerko. Striking out eight, and only walking two, this stands as the most dominate pitching performance of the classic’s run.

Extra Baseball

17 Crosstown Classic’s have been decided in the final at bat, the game on June 9th, 2000 just might have had the most excitement.

With two outs in the ninth inning Sammy Sosa connected on a game tying home run off of White Sox closer, Keith Foulke. This game would continue on until the 14th inning, where Ray Durham sent Cubs fans home sad with a game winning two out double.

Speaking of Walk Offs

On June 18th, 2001 White Sox masher, Carlos Lee, was the hero. When bases were loaded with two out in the 10th inning, there was nowhere to put the White Sox slugger.

“El Caballo” blasted his first grand slam, and would continue to torment the Cubs in both interleave play, as well as a member of the Houston Astros.

Speaking of Grand Slams

This series has certainly seen it’s fair share of home runs, and the most exciting homer to witness is the grand slam. Carlos Lee might have the most memorable grand slam, but this one is the most embarrassing.

Giving up a home run to Travis Wood is something that nine pitchers have done. So any pitcher could live with that on their record. What is embarrassing is, Jake Peavy an elite starter in MLB, seemed to pitch around Wood and then gave up that grand slam. I mean, although Travis can handle the bat, he still owns a .184 career batting average and you’d imagine the 2007 Cy Young Award winner could have found a way to get him out.

His Airness

Before 1997 the Cubs and White Sox would play an exhibition game, where maybe a couple of starters would see an at bat, but it was mostly a game that featured bench players or minor leaguers.

On April 7th, 1994 the game saw it’s biggest star, and he didn’t disappoint.

After retiring from basketball following the 1993 NBA season and the murder of his father, Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan decided to give baseball a try. Jerry Reinsdorf saw the potential marketing chance, and jumped on offering Jordan a minor league contract.

Jordan would spend the entire 1994 season in the minor leagues, but the Sox brought him to Chicago for this memorable game.

Jordan would end up going 2-5 on the day, with 2 RBIs while getting the start in right field.

Champions

Michael Jordan wasn’t the only champion to have an extremely warm welcome in Wrigley. In 2010 the Chicago Blackhawks had just won their first championship in 49 years. The morning of the first Crosstown Classic game of the 2010 baseball season was also the day the city of Chicago planned the Blackhawks championship rally.

As over a million people gathered along the parade route, and filled Grant Park, 40 some odd thousand got a special treat as the Blackhawks brought the Stanley Cup to Wrigley for a surprise visit.

This was the only time fans from both sides of town came together in celebration during a Crosstown matchup, and just might be the last.

Punch Heard Round Chicago

You didn’t think you’d get through a Cubs Sox moments list without seeing the Michael Barrett and AJ Pierzynski fight did you?

With the White Sox already pouring it on the Cubs, catcher Barrett took exception to the way AJ collided with him (catchers have an unwritten code to not collide with eachother) and then slapped the plate as he scored on a sacrifice fly. That’s when madness occurred.

Some think the punch was warranted, some think Barrett sucker punched the least liked by his peers Pierzynski. Either way, that’s the top moment in Cubs vs White Sox history.

Did we leave anything out? Let us know!
Sources: Big League Stew, Crosstown Classic, Chicago Sports Lists, White Sox Interactive, MLB Media, CBS Sports

Featured Picture Credited to: Andrew Weller