Best Sports Cities In America Part 4: Chicago

                In documenting the best sports cities in America, I have already written about New York and Philadelphia. This week, it's Chicago.

                Chicago. Chi-Town. The Second City. A town of Brats, Beer, and Barack. And yes, some of the best sports fans in the United States.

Best Attraction

I have only been to Chicago once, so I am not an expert on all things Chi-Town, but I highly recommend strolling over to Millennium Park in The Loop, a part of the bigger Grant Park, overlooking Lake Michigan.

The park boasts award-winning architecture, including "Cloud Gate", which Chicago residents call "The Bean", due to it's shape.

This 110 ton steel structure is now the city's most famous structure, and it is great picture taking material, and it's a great place to stroll, especially in the summer, when it is physically possible to walk outside in Chicago, because hell, it clearly isn't possible in the winter!

Best Food

Brats or Bratwurst. Whatever you would like to call them. Bratwurst is a delicious German Sausage, commonly served in sports stadiums in the Second City. Chowing down on one of these bad boys with a little sauerkraut and mustard at Wrigley Field is one of the most enjoyable ballpark experiences a person could have. Is the smell off-putting? Yes, but once you dig your teeth into one of these, you will never go back to Hot Dog's.

Some might say Chicago Deep Dish or The Chicago Style Dog - being from NY, I like Chicago's brats, not their pizza.  Thin crust for me, if you please. 

All things being equal, if you're at a game in Chicago - the best bet is to go for the Brat.

The Accent

I have done a few Youtube searches on this one, and I have come away with a few things. The first thing I noticed, is how fast they talk.

Chicagoans hurry their words a little bit, and they can get muddled. They basically have a Midwestern accent, but with a few twists.

For example, they would say "Saaasages", while most Americans say sausage like "sawsage". Also, they use a lot of "dems" and "deys", instead of "them", and "they".

Another notable pronunciation would be "tree" for the number three. Overall, this is a pretty funny accent, very reminiscent of Frances McDormand in Fargo.

Why This Is A Great Sports City

With five major sports teams, the Blackhawks(NHL), Bulls(NBA), White Sox and Cubs(MLB), and Bears(NFL), this town splits it's allegiances pretty fairly.

While the Cubs and the Bears are the two favorites for the most part, there is still a considerably even amount of rooting for all the teams, unlike cities such as New York, where the Yankees are MUCH more cheered for than say, the Knicks or Islanders.

Out in Chicago, there are tons of people who care about the Bulls, Bears, Sox, and Cubbies, and the Blackhawks are making a rapid comeback as they currently stand in 2nd place in the Western Conference Central Division - behind the terrific Detroit Red Wings.

The Fans

When I think of Chicago fans, the first word that comes to mind is loyal.

Considering the tundra forecasts that grace Chicago winters, butts are still in seats during Bears games, and fans in Chicago absolutely LOVE their teams.

Something that separates the Second City from the Big Apple, is that in New York City, there are the several die hards, but there are also TONS of casual fans - not that there is a problem with that.

In Chi-Town, fans tend to be well informed and incredibly supportive, there is a lot less pessimism in Chicago - more than in a Philadelphia, or a New York.

The Team

This is an extremely tough question, as the answer clearly is between the Cubbies and Da Bears.

On one hand, the Cubs are the most lovable franchise in baseball. They play at the coolest stadium in baseball and their stadium is always packed. On the other hand, the Bears are loved by everyone in Chicago and have had so many legends play for them its hard to consider another team as "more liked."

With that said, I am going to have to choose the Cubs.

As a Chicago outsider, when I think of Chicago sports, I think of sitting in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field (formerly CUBS PARK), the smell of old style and bratwurst seizing the air - which is the best baseball food around. 

I think of crazies in the bleachers who paint their stomachs along with their friends, in order to spell out Fukudome.

I think of Harry Caray getting the Wrigley crowd into Take Me Out To The Ballgame. And when I think of the Chicago, I think of the Cubs. 

The Media

Chicago has two major newspapers, the Chicago Tribune, and the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Tribune is a broadsheet style paper, while the Sun-Times is a tabloid, although it is much more even-handed and respectable than the NY Daily News or something like that. Reading some of their coverage online, I must say I prefer the Sun-Times' sports coverage, not to mention their excellent online layout.

When it comes to Radio, Chicago has 1000 ESPN Radio, and 670 The Score, which is an extension of Sporting News Radio. When it comes to local coverage, 670 seems to have the upper hand, as it had Mike North, who was the face of Chicago sports radio, until he parted ways with The Score this year.

The Players

For the Cubs, it is shortstop Ernie Banks.

For The White Sox, I have to go with Frank Thomas.

The Bears? Walter Payton.

The Bulls, MJ... Michael Jordan.

And The Blackhawks, I would have to go with Bobby Hull, although it's painfully close.

So, who is the face of Chicago sports? I have to go with "sweetness" Walter Payton. I think of him flying past linebackers, of him winning a Super Bowl on the '85 team. He, in my mind, is the quintessential Chicago athlete.

The Venues

Hm... this is tough. Yeah right, we all know it's the "Cell", the U.S Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox. I had you there for a sec, didn't I?

Nope, it's Wrigley Field - home of a matinee ballgame, the sunshine hitting the ivy on the outfield fence, the rooftop bleachers overlooking the outfield.

Not only does Wrigley Field represent Chicago baseball, it represents baseball.The Bears even used to play there too. 

It was originally contructed to be the home of the Chicago Whalers baseball team, which was part of the old Federal League & it was originally named WEEGHMAN PARK (for its owner, Chalres Weeghman)when built in 1914.  It replaced Comisky Park as the oldest park (FIELD) in Chicago.

Not only does Wrigley represent Chicago Sports, it represents - above all - Chicago.

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