Alright, folks, gather 'round the virtual water cooler, because we're diving headfirst into the age-old question that's stirred up more drama than a reality TV show finale: Who, pray tell, is the Chicago Cubs' biggest rival?
The Eternal Grudge Match: Cubs vs. Cardinals
Let's cut to the chase, shall we? If you ask any self-respecting Cubs fan who their arch-nemesis is, they'll likely spit out "The St. Louis Cardinals" before you can say "fly the W." This rivalry, folks, is ancient. We're talking generations here. It's like that family feud that's been passed down since your great-grandma's era, except instead of passive-aggressive potlucks, it's baseball.
Why the Cardinals? Oh, Let Me Count the Ways...
- Geographical Proximity: They're practically neighbors! A relatively short road trip separates these two cities, meaning fans travel in droves, turning every game into a mini-invasion.
- Historical Clashes: We're talking about a rivalry that stretches back to the late 1800s. That's right, before your great-great-grandpa was even thinking about baseball, these two teams were already at each other's throats.
- The "Best Fans in Baseball" Debate: Both fan bases are incredibly passionate, to put it mildly. And each side is convinced they're the true "best fans." This leads to some, shall we say, spirited debates.
- The sheer volume of games: Since they are in the same division, they play each other many times per year. This keeps the rivalry fresh, and always in the forefront of fans minds.
Honorable Mentions: The Brewers and... Well, Everyone Else
Now, while the Cardinals are the undisputed heavyweight champions of Cubs rivalries, we can't forget about a few other contenders.
The Brew Crew: A More Recent, But Still Spicy, Rivalry
The Milwaukee Brewers have been making a serious play for "most hated" in recent years. Being another divisional rival, and having some very close division races with the cubs, that has increased the rivalry. Plus, they are a fairly close drive, so fans travel to those games in large numbers as well.
Every Team Ever (Especially When They're Winning)
Let's be honest, Cubs fans have a special talent for finding a reason to dislike any team that's beating them. It's a survival mechanism, really. You gotta have someone to blame when things aren't going your way.
In Conclusion: It's the Cardinals, Duh!
So, to sum it all up, while there are other teams that Cubs fans love to hate, the St. Louis Cardinals reign supreme. It's a rivalry that's ingrained in the fabric of baseball itself, a testament to the power of tradition, geography, and good old-fashioned sports animosity.
Frequently Asked Questions (Because We Know You're Curious)
How to tell a true Cubs fan?
- Easy! They'll have a strong opinion about the Cardinals, and will likely be wearing some kind of Cubs apparel, even to the grocery store.
How to survive a Cubs-Cardinals game?
- Bring your A-game, your loudest voice, and maybe some earplugs. It's gonna get rowdy.
How to get a Cardinals fan to admit the Cubs are okay?
- Good luck with that! But seriously, maybe try a peace offering of deep-dish pizza.
How to know if the Cubs are having a good season?
- Look at the standings against the Cardinals. If the Cubs are winning those games, it's a good season.
How to explain the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry to a non-baseball fan?
- Tell them it's like the Hatfields and McCoys, but with baseball bats and a lot more hot dogs.