Chapter 41: It Is So, Joe! Cubs in 2006?

After 88 years, the city of Chicago can finally claim itself a city of baseball champions. The White Sox have won – convincingly. Though they had their share of breaks throughout the post-season, their eight straight wins in the ALCS and the World Series were impressive (A.J. Pierzynski’s third-strike scamper to first base aside, and that’s the umpires’ fault more than the player’s).

The Astros were an excellent club, and despite their age, I think they’re still worthy of consideration next year (provided that Clemens returns to form – a big if at his age and given his potential to retire).

I thought Joe Crede was going to be the MVP, but Jermaine Dye had a good series too, but I won’t argue against Jermaine Dye.

For next year, I can’t help but wonder if the baseball gods are helping the chronically underachieving. First the Red Sox (only 86 years), then the White Sox (88). Next year the Cubs (which would be 98 years)? Other than those teams that have never won, I believe the Cubs are the longest-suffering. And other than the Montreal Expos, who no longer exist per se, the Astros, Padres, Brewers, Washington Nationals (the former Expos) and Devil Rays still have many years of frustration to go before challenging the Cubs for futility.

Congratulations to the White Sox!