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RSSHolding out hope: Fans and businesses keeping eye on Cubs, White Sox
Herald & Review/Kelly J. Huff
MC Sports Associate Kariem Portee delivers more National League Central CHampionship Chicago Cubs clothing to the sales racks at the Hickory Point Mall store.
Herald & Review/Kelly J. Huff
Marlene Ringelstein of Decatur looks for some early CHristmas presents for her family of five Chicago White Sox fans during a visit to MC Sports.
FORSYTH - Matt Bloomquist wasn't quite ready Thursday afternoon to see his first playoff game at Wrigley Field.
The Taylorville resident needed a few things, including a Chicago Cubs stocking hat, to keep warm because of the cool temperatures expected during the game.
"I can't wait," Bloomquist said during a quick stop at Hickory Point Mall before continuing to Chicago. He bought two tickets for bleacher seats from a friend who works for the team.
"Wrigley, by itself, is awesome," he said. "I'm pumped."
He also needed to make sure Kristin Keel of St. Louis, who was going to the game with him, had a Cubs sweatshirt to cover up her Cardinals T-shirt she planned to wear.
"He's been a good sport," Keel said. "He's even worn Cardinals gear. I'll wear the Cubs sweatshirt, but I want to keep the Cardinals close to my heart underneath."
Luke Highley of Mount Zion bought two tickets in Section 504 off eBay for $260, the cheapest ones he could find.
"It's the Cubs," Highley said. "It could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
He had a jacket that would suit him, but he stopped at the mall to buy his girlfriend a Cubs hoodie and a few other items to keep warm.
"It's going to feel more like a Bears game," he said.
Other fans, whether they were lucky enough to get tickets for the games, have been busy buying Cubs gear, and in a few cases, White Sox items have been selling, too.
Having both Chicago teams in the playoffs has been a rare occurrence, one not seen in 102 years. The White Sox beat the Cubs in the 1906 World Series.
Even Cardinals fans admit seeing an all Chicago series would be fun.
"If we see a Cubs-White Sox World Series, we might see a little more buzz for the Sox," said Nathan Brunner, manager of Capz-Pro Image and a Cardinals fan. "This town is basically Cubs-Cardinals, with a few White Sox sprinkled in. You'd figure they might have a little more following."
The prospect of a Cubs-White Sox matchup has some fans dreaming, but as Highley pointed out, it might not be so good for the city that typically has divided baseball allegiances.
"I like Chicago," Highley said. "I don't think it would be standing if the Cubs and White Sox play."
But it's the Cubs creating the most buzz, at least around Decatur, with a chance to win their first World Series in more than 100 years. A Cubs win would mean sales would likely go through the roof.
"We have high hopes," said Gordon Speagle, as he prepared more Cubs merchandise for the racks at MC Sports. "We're hoping for a Cubs victory. It could mean a lot for business. We can tell there's been a boost today in sales, just because of the playoffs."
Making it past the Division Series could prove tough for either team, White Sox or Cubs, so businesses and fans alike are keeping a close eye on what happens.
"If the Cubs can get through the first round, we're going to see a lot," said MC Sports Manager Scott Nicol. "We're seeing a lot of apprehension right now. We could see huge things if they end up in the Series. We can only hope."
clusvardi@herald-review.com|421-7972
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