michelle / March 30, 2006 3:12 PM

the cubs are going to suck....mark prior will stay on the DL until at least late may. Regardless, I will waste my good, hard earned money on bleacher seats and expensive beer and hot dogs, because i am a devoted fan. i also bet derrek lee gets injured, since that seems to be the trend. god, i am depressing myself.

oh, and sorry, but i dont really care how the sox will do. i'm sure they will be fine.

e_five / March 30, 2006 3:19 PM

Sox 92-70, second place, AL Wild Card, lose in first round to Anaheim.

Cubs 83-79, third place.

NSH / March 30, 2006 3:21 PM

Too early to tell, ask me next week.

miss ellen / March 30, 2006 3:22 PM

have fun in the "Bud Light Bleachers", suckers.

so white sox ;)

not sure about a repeat, but at least we tried to put together another team to compete for a title. injuries could be the real factor this year, though....

Clubber Lang / March 30, 2006 3:43 PM

Prediction??

PAIN!!

slb / March 30, 2006 3:47 PM

prediction:

i will get my hopes up early in the season and tell myself that the cubs will rock.

they will proceed to lose, lose lose. i will feel bad but not too surprised. i will drink some old style. the season will end early for us cubs fans. my liver will be glad.

kt / March 30, 2006 4:01 PM

disappointment all around.

Rudiger / March 30, 2006 4:02 PM

Ronny Cedeno is going to be a train wreck.

JasonB / March 30, 2006 4:12 PM

Chicago has a baseball team?

printdude / March 30, 2006 4:14 PM

I predict that there will be a reversal of fortunes from last year, with the Cubs taking it to the World Series, only to lose to the Blue Jays.

The White Sox will lose in the DLCS to the Orioles.

Andy / March 30, 2006 4:16 PM

Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, and Jermaine Dye combine for 125 homers.  Mark Buehrle wins the Cy Young.  Scott Podsednik has a down year, owing to the increased sexual demands of his playboy centerfold wife.  Frank Thomas visits Comiskey dressed in an Oakland uniform and no one cares.  Ozzie says some really stupid things.  Over and over.  No one understands any of it.  The White Sox walk away with the World Series, this time not losing a single game in the post season.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Wrigley Field's upper deck collapses, but most fans are too drunk to notice.  :P

Mike / March 30, 2006 4:19 PM

I predict that *some* Cubs and Sox fans and non-fans will continue to generalize about each other as they have done since the beginning of time. I will attend minor league baseball games because minor league sports ar more fan-friendly and affordable. And I started with the minors. First games I went to were the now defunct Hawaii Islanders. In 4th and 5th grade my friend Karl Kojima and I used to ride our bikes to Aloha Stadium and watch the games. It was cheap and exciting. We got autographs. We caught fouls. We filled up on cheam saimin and cokes. That's baseball for me, only now I eat hot dogs.

Slackagogo / March 30, 2006 4:44 PM

I predict I'll start out the season with a polish with onions and a beer before the first pitch Sunday night and repeat around the third inning. After that, I'll set the expectations bar low and just be pleasantly surprised. But as long as I'm in a ball park watching baseball I'll be happy.

Leelah / March 30, 2006 5:47 PM

I predict that I still won't care. Never seen a baseball game, never will.

JP / March 30, 2006 5:53 PM

I predict that I will continue to not give a rats ass about baseball or sports in general. However, since I am a single girl living in Wrigleyville I can only say that if the Cubs moved I would not miss the drunk, obnoxious yuppie cub fans, screwing in my gang way, puking in front of my house and harrasing me when I walk my dog.

matty / March 30, 2006 6:55 PM

I predict Chicago becomes a Sox town.

Go Go White Sox!

I also predict Chicago to become a Journey town.

JP / March 30, 2006 6:58 PM

I mean really, it's hard enough for me to park my Jetta as it is! And what about my Pottery Barn deliveries? What happens if I miss the doorbell because of the noise! Someone get me a VentiCaramelMocchiatto CAUSE I AM GOING TO F**ING COMPLAIN!

Moon / March 30, 2006 7:15 PM

The Sox win the AL pennant, St. Louis wins the NL.

St. Louis drives their buses around and around Wrigley before going to Comiskey for the World Series, causing Cubs fans to self-immolate and run around with their hair on fire.

nutsackylacky / March 30, 2006 7:43 PM

Sox will win division if healthy in Left and DH, and if they have a Closer. Cubs will play poorly but people won't care and will instead continue to pack stadium. Will complain this time next year before packing stadium again. No amount of operant conditioning...blah blah blah....

mike-ts / March 30, 2006 7:45 PM

I'll be spending my time being a bleacher bum at the other south side baseball champion. My prediction? Another good season, maybe another title. Oh, and another prediction: I won't freeze myself at THEIR opening day - the 26th of May. The NL and AL lost me with their millionaire soap operas. And as long as the Cubs have Sgt. Schultz (I know nothing, nothing) as manager they'll not be worth following.

JP / March 30, 2006 8:23 PM

Did I mention how much people who pretend to be me in Fuel posts suck and the fact that they completly get me wrong really supports my case. I guess liking baseball makes you dense.

The Ghost of Don Kessenger / March 30, 2006 8:45 PM

"Dense," JP? "Dense" as in responding to a question about baseball-team predictions when you have nothing to add to the discussion? Or "dense" as in moving to a neighborhood that's centered around a sport you hate and fans you despise? You should really think about moving to Rosemont or Park Ridge so you could complain about the airport noise.

The Ghost of Don Kessenger / March 30, 2006 8:51 PM

Oh yeah -- Sox 95-67 (first); Cubs 75-87 (fourth). The strength of the Sox bullpen will dictate how far into the post-season they go.

JP / March 30, 2006 10:02 PM

Damn! People are always getting on my case whenever I post something. What gives? Okay, okay. I predict the Cubs will not win any major baseball prizes and maybe the Sox will win some prizes. Not that I care but there, I have now "added to the discussion" Whatever! Go Cubs. Go Sox. Baseball is great, much better than having a life.

Leelah / March 30, 2006 11:09 PM

I didn't realize that Wrigleyville was only for sports fans. I thought there were music venues and restaurants and shops over there. God, JP, how dare you not focus all of your time on getting wasted in public and purporting to worship a crappy baseball team as an excuse for inane and obnoxious behavior.

printdude / March 30, 2006 11:43 PM

Mike and mike-ts,
I am happy to see someone else who likes the Railcats. I, too, like to sit on the dugout for 9 bucks. I am trying to get a crew together to enjoy the hot tub in the outfield. Andrew, this could be a GB get-together!
This and you can take the South Shore Line all the way there.

notafan / March 31, 2006 8:21 AM

i predict that in a matter of a few weeks i will already be very tired of hearing about anything that has to do with baseball.

i hope that neither team does well enough to prolong the season,

american dude / March 31, 2006 8:48 AM

T-W-I-N-S Return to dominance. Drunk teens from Mount Greenwood return home, confused.

Mike / March 31, 2006 9:21 AM

They screw in the gangway? Jesus. Go Railcats! You should come too, JP. We'll getcha to like baseball.

sarah / March 31, 2006 9:36 AM

the sox will definitely blart flazzle and the cubs, mark my words, will most decidedly moggle splifffff.

Kraig / March 31, 2006 9:41 AM

Craigslist will overflow with obscene posts by Cubs and Sox fans that will overshadow even the eternal race and gender flamewars with their viciousness and stupidity.

Leah / March 31, 2006 10:14 AM

I can't come to terms with the fact that opening day is here already. I'm excited for the warm weather we got today--but didn't baseball JUST end?

Thank god I found the 147 bus and don't ride the Red line anymore.

Andrew / March 31, 2006 10:25 AM

Printdude, I'd be down with a RailCats meet-up! Email me and we'll figure out a date.

robin.. / March 31, 2006 10:46 AM

i will nap in my sunny front room with the TV on low, "watching" many games on lazy sunday afternoons.

monkey gone to heaven / March 31, 2006 10:55 AM

They will win some and lose some. The sun will shine and the rain will fall. Bad hot dogs will taste good, warm beer will taste. And for a few moments this summer my head will be cleared of everything but baseball...oh, and the sox will be good and the cubs will be bad.

leah / March 31, 2006 11:07 AM

I predict the Cubs will finally reveal that they bought their budget robot pitchers on clearance at Value City. The Sox will prolly win a lot and puff out their chests a lot about it. Cubs fans will get defensive & belligerent.

I predict my going to Wrigley dressed like a funky bag lady to amuse the dronks.

I also predict I have to find a new player to have a crush on since my 2-seasons-long crush just got sent down to the weiner state. Boo.

Go Cubs!

miss ellen / March 31, 2006 11:10 AM

yep, leah, for the first time in 88 years, the sox played all the way through into october, making that special season last just that much longer.

i hope the sox have a similiar year...

i caught many a game last year on the tube, but it wasn't until that throw-back game against the dodgers, in a thrilling come from behind victory in the 9th (go AJ!) that i really started to think, wow, this could really be something. and then, my dreams came true!

being at the "dropped 3rd strike heard round the world" game will certainly rank up there in the stories to tell the grandkids.

Load Zone / March 31, 2006 11:14 AM

The Brewers will finish in Second Place in the NL Central and challenge for, but not win, the Wild Card.

I predict the Cubs and Sox will both play 162 baseball contests that I will sort of not really care about.

Pedro / March 31, 2006 11:19 AM

Baseball is just another way to distract America from the war.

...but seriously.

Matt Murton will be the lone bright spot on a really bad season for the Cubs. Baker will be fired. Tans will still be golden.

Sox will win the division and beat out Oakland in the DLCS and NY in the ALCS. World Series opponent will be NY Mets.

AJ / March 31, 2006 11:23 AM

Um Miss Ellen. The Sox played the Angels, not the Dodgers.

Liberal Artist / March 31, 2006 11:26 AM

Who needs baseball when you have Sylvia Plath?

Cinnamon / March 31, 2006 11:40 AM

I will attend a game or two at each park. I will be happy with/sad with my boyfriend who digs the Sox and one of my best friends whose heart gets broken by the Cubs every year. I will eat ballpark nachos and drink a few overpriced beers and enjoy my experiences at the field. Same as always.

Steve / March 31, 2006 12:00 PM

Sox up, and Cubs down.

Heh to the line above speculating about the cause of Scottie Pods' recurring groin injuries. Rob Mackowiak is going to get a lot of at-bats this year -- perhaps more than both Joe Crede and Brian Anderson. But I'll bring that knowledge come Tuesday morn.

As for the Cubs, meh. Glad to see the Shrine is staying pure with the sponsorship of them brand-new (*not* expanded) bleachers. Long year ahead.

miss ellen / March 31, 2006 12:00 PM

uh, "AJ" those were two completely different events.

but AJ played a huge role in both games.

throwback game=june 18th, when i realized this season was going to be special....

steven / March 31, 2006 12:04 PM

Such pessimism towards the Cubs. They're improved in the outfield, on defense, in the bullpen, and speed. Plus they have solid bats in Lee, Ramirez, Barrett, Pierre, Murton and Jones. These are all quality hitters people. They might not all be Triple Crown winners, but they get the hits and are smart ballplayers.

That said, the whole Central division is tougher this year. I want the Cubs to win, but it's going to be a 3-4 team race. When all is said and done, it'll be a Subway Series in Chicago! I hope...

sadsack / March 31, 2006 12:37 PM

the bud light bleachers.

you know, i know it's silly. but i grew up across the street from wrigley field, and i grew up thinking it was kind of... inviolate. untainted. untainted by winning, certainly, but also by greed and filthy lucre. (yes, I *know* it's silly.) cubs fanship was pure perhaps *because* they didn't win... "if they don't win it's the same" and all that. this was back when you could just buy a ticket for cheap right before the game... now, all of that underdog-ness is gone. it's just another massive, corporate, money hungry yucky franchise. i know it always *was,* but now i can't even have my silly illusions about it.

i kind of miss the 70s.

Mike / March 31, 2006 12:57 PM

Sadsack, you are another candidate for the Railcats.

jp / March 31, 2006 1:23 PM

I predict I will be one of the first 20,000 in line on Wednesday to get my replica series trophy and 2006 magnetic calendar.

xo, a jp that doesn't live in wrigleyville

Peter / March 31, 2006 1:45 PM

The white sox had a great year last year -- but they also played over their heads. I would expect them to regress somewhat this year; not enough that they would not be in a divisional race, but enough to make the AL Central pretty tight between they, the Twins, and the Indians.

The cubs, on the other hand, underachieved last year. I do expect them to do better this year, and if Baker sticks with Murton and Cedeno, he probably will do better. The bullpen is much improved, I believe, but I think we're all watching the starting pitching with baited breath. Now is the time for the younger pitchers to step in; hopefully Sean Marshall can be something for us.

No offense to the white sox, but I see the records of both ballclubs being about equal, somewhat above .500, and I expect both ballclubs to be in tight divisional races. I think the wildcard picture in the NL especially will be pretty muddy when the playoff races begin in August, and throughout September. There's a chance that two teams from the NL Central will make it to the postseason.

time waster / March 31, 2006 4:18 PM

Wrigleyville loses cute and cuddly neighborhood award as flocks of sheep abandon clark st. Gangbangers take hold and send chad, trixie, Cher and Liza running back to mommy in carol stream.

flobear / March 31, 2006 4:36 PM

I predict that the game on Sunday will be very energetic and amazing! I also predict I will get there early enough on Tuesday for my ring!

I'm hopeful that Pods will get his groin situation all fixed.

I'm hopeful that Thome will be worth trading Rowan (I will miss you Aaron!)

As for the Cubs, the rivalry will continue, we'll beat you in the Classic, though if your pitching staff can just fix their shoulders and stop whining, you might put up a good fight!

The Sox will make it to the playoffs, though I don't know if we'll repeat.

The Cubs fans will continue to be cry babies

Clarke / March 31, 2006 4:55 PM

The Bears will uphold last year's solid season, and make improvements in the running game and 15+ yard passing attempts. Defense will still be among the best in the NFL. Solid playoff hopes.

Oh, sorry, what was that about a baseball season...?

NSH / March 31, 2006 5:01 PM

Cub fans will continue to get it wrong. The sox played the dodgers June 17-18-19 2005.

eep / March 31, 2006 5:19 PM

Both Sox and Cubs fans with continue to annoy me with their "We're better than you because..." shtick.

pronk / March 31, 2006 9:23 PM

Cleveland Indians all the way!!!

maardvark / April 1, 2006 11:37 AM

In Bridgeport, the Sox miss Aaron Rowand's defense much more than they thought they would. Thome gives them two-thirds of a good season. Without Hernandez to give him that special Cuban mojo, Contreras looks more like he did with the Yankees and less like he did last year. Meanwhile, in Cleveland, the Grady Sizemore Fan Club just keeps growing. But Jenks finds his arm again, Konerko keeps his stroke, and it's good enough for a second-place wildcard.

In Wrigleyville, more people pay more money to watch more, crappier baseball, just like last year and the year before. I mean, I don't mind the Cubs--I just don't see any future for them, particularly when the place sells out no matter what's on the field. Where's the incentive to compete?

Oh, and once again, the Sox never win when I'm actually in the park (even though this year that'll be nine games).

MikeH / April 1, 2006 12:02 PM

I predict that whether I attend a Cubs or a
a Sox game, I'll have a really good time with my friends; get really drunk; eat hot dogs, Italian beef and nachos, and root for either one of my home teams but ultimately not really care, because I'm just there biding my time till the start of Bears season anyway...

Steve / April 1, 2006 12:24 PM

maaaaard, I feel your pain -- the Sox we something like 2-7 last year when I was in attendance during the regular season. but they made it up to me during games 2 of the DS and WS!

The Kaiser Chiefs / April 1, 2006 1:20 PM

I predict a riot.

kate / April 1, 2006 6:25 PM

I predict that GB has gone Naper-crazy and all talk of baseball will now be under the heading of "Naperball".

Also, this is no longer a web publication. Please refer to it as a "Naper Publication... called Napers Block".

Seriously though, enough with the Naperville news.

MikeH / April 2, 2006 10:52 AM

That was a pretty good April Fool's gag. You f*ckers really had me worried for a moment there, till I saw the "Napers Block" banner across the top...

nutsackylacky / April 2, 2006 12:33 PM

Gapers Block should poll readers to find out why so many of them feel compelled to demonstrate their hipster bona fides every chance they get. Witness how a simple question about baseball elicits so many salty, non-baseball responses.
It's beyond tired, listening to some college-educated white kid from Toledo tell you how he "discovered" Ukranian Village, or how she was riding a fixed-gear bike "long before anyone else was." Why not just be happy about where you live or the particular mode of transport you've chosen? Why the static over someone's fondness for Major League Baseball?
The pressure to obey the ever-changing rules set forth by "bourgee" hipsters says a lot about the "scene." To wit, you are likely to find less pressure to conform in your average college sorority.
In closing, let me state that I was atteding White Sox games while you were still practicing multiplication in some Kalamazoo grade school. Now kneel before my grand display of originality.

Uerout / April 2, 2006 3:09 PM

In the end, we are still celebrating the bears world championship 20 years later. Realistically, the Cubs don't even seem to be trying. Name the 5 starters on the Northside of town. . . . . . . The White Sox Kenny Willaims has made some great off-season aquisitions, think back to the Bulls, Reinsdorf's other team 6 Championships. This guy is a proven winner. The Sox are a better team than last year. The indians will be a close second, the sox will Win their division. The Cubs, hate to say it cellar dwellers. Dusty will be fired and the Sox over the Cards in the WS.

Sean Marshall / April 2, 2006 7:04 PM

Nutsackylacky,
Tell me about it. These are people, too, who are interested in feigning a more blue colar, urban upbringing than the one that they were blessed with, but when it comes to something that the proles actually care about--Chicago sports--they turn up their noses.

Andrew / April 3, 2006 12:08 AM

You know, guys, there are plenty of non-hipsters who also don't enjoy sports. There are also plenty of hipsters who are huge sports fans. It's not an either-or thing.

VinceJose / April 3, 2006 11:32 AM

I predict (or more accurately pray) that HiTops relocates to 35th & Halstead, Bridgeport turns into Wrigleyville, Cubs ticket sales become commensurate on performance and the northside enjoys quality baseball more befitting the only original National League team that still plays in its inaugural city.

Or just some good baseball this year for F's sake. Oh and thanks to Sean Marshall for taking time out of his warm up schedule to post on GB!