So Much Going on in Chicago Baseball

Vendors Russ Adams, John Hagan and Donald Morris chat with Executive Assistant Patrick Edwards.

Russ: Let’s talk baseball; specifically, the White Sox and Cubs. A lot has happened this year that is worth discussing.

Donald: Shoot, the Cubs firesale, the White Sox beating the mess out of everybody… What’s really going on!

John: I mean, the sale wasn’t shocking in the sense that keeping all those players wouldn’t mean playoffs by any means. The Cubs were in the hunt early, but crashed hard.

Patrick: All that friggin’ talent. Man, we had a dynasty brewing. We should have— or, at the very least, could have—won multiple championships since winning in 2016. I get you, though, with the whole they-weren’t-going-to-win-this-year sentiment whether we kept those players or not, but it is still shocking when you name the names.

Donald: Javier Baez, Anthony Rizzo, and…

Patrick: …my dude Kris Bryant, who never quite reached the summit I thought he would, but I always thought he would get a hit. Always.

John: Rizzo was mine. I think I liked that he always smiled while out there. Russ: He was loose out there. He kinda reminded me—and still does —of Babe Ruth.

Patrick: I, easily, can see him barhopping around Wrigleyville, celebrating with the fans, win or lose.

Donald: I’ll miss those cats. But, in the meantime, I’m rolling with the White Sox. These boys are blasting through the league! I mean, they’re a legitimate championship contender and, in my opinion, the team to beat. I’m so looking forward to the playoffs.

John: Agreed. We could be parading somewhere in Chicago in October.

Patrick: Hopefully, we’ll be better with COVID-19 and could have a real parade and not a virtual one…even though we’d still have to make some personal decisions with our attendance. Russ: True that. I believe we got this one as well. Right now, we’re 20-plus games over .500 and looking as if we’ll double that by the end of the season. Shoot, I might start getting my Sox gear ready to go!

Donald: Mine is already laid out across the bed.

Patrick: So, who do y’all think could get us over in the American League?

John: The Tampa Bay Rays are looking real good. The Red Sox and, of course, the Yankees are never not a factor.

Donald: True. If the Yankees make it, we all know what they can do once in there.

Russ: You’re right. They just win. Shoot, it’s what they do. Sox until the AL finals, because—and this is just between us, all right?—I am, admittedly, a Yankees fan as well. I can’t help it.

Russ: Man, you ain’t right.

Donald: The sad thing is, I hope we don’t get them too early, because the Yankees are winners. Now, don’t get me wrong, my money is still on our Sox, but I’d be a bit worried.

John: Another team I’m worried about is the Houston Astros. They’ve been consistent in recent years and aren’t accustomed to losing.

Patrick: I think we got this, fellas. Chicago is where it’s at this year.

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