Why Are There 2 Chicago Baseball Teams?

According to Major League Baseball, the establishment of the National League and the American League brought two teams to Chicago: the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox. The Cubs were founded in 1876 and the White Sox came to Chicago a quarter-century later.

  1. History

    • The Chicago Cubs became charter members of the National League in 1876. Once the American League became established in 1901, the league moved teams to large cities such as Chicago and New York, where the National League already existed and an audience for baseball had been created. With the division between the two leagues, an equal partnership was created, leading to the annual World Series between the champions of each league.

    Location

    • The Chicago Cubs play their home games at Wrigley Field on the north side of Chicago in the Lakeview neighborhood. U.S. Cellular Field, where the White Sox play and which used to be called Comiskey Park, is located on the south side of Chicago by the Bridgeport neighborhood.

    Significance

    • The close proximity of the teams has developed a rivalry between the fans and the teams. In 2006 a fight broke out between the two teams after Cubs catcher Michael Barrett punched White Sox runner A.J. Pierzynski. Packed stadiums are common when the Cubs and White Sox play one another.

    The Rivalry

    • The White Sox lead the Cubs 42-35 since their first meeting in 1906.

    Famous Ties

    • Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, Sammy Sosa and Joe Tinker are some of the famous players who played for the Chicago Cubs. Luke Appling, George Davis, Ted Lyons and Billy Pierce all played for the Chicago White Sox.