SixFourThree

Unlike the teams, can Twins and White Sox fans get along as the end of the season approaches?

In our latest edition of (Bull)Pen Pals, two AL Central fans debate whether they should and can root for their usual rivals once the playoffs begin, or when their team is eliminated from competition. Play ball!

My Flyover State Friend-

As Midwesterners currently exiled on the East Coast, we share a unique comradeship. You are one of the few people who truly understands the pain I feel when ESPN spends 4 consecutive nights covering the Yankees/Red Sox series (ahem, this past weekend) and I have to wait for a messenger pigeon to tell me the score of the White Sox/Twins game.

I want you to know that although the current pennant race leaves me no choice but to passionately root against your team, our respective franchises share too many similarities and have had too many epic battles for me not to have a soft spot for them. May the best team win the division and if on the off chance it is not mine, I look forward to supporting yours when they match up against these buy-a-ring teams on the East Coast.

In Central Solidarity,

Zoberman

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Dear ChiSoxKid,

It’s true – we both share the East Coast-bias pain. This season, the pain is only compounded because my beloved Twins have tanked and are no longer a match for the traditional AL powers. However, I’m not going to let this pain skew my general beliefs on when it is appropriate to root for rivals.

In most seasons, I’ll pull for whichever AL Central team faces off against the buy-a-ring teams. (If you remember, I was there with you in the fraternity house shower in ‘05 when we popped bottles following BigBadBobbyJenks’ biggest save of his career.) But that’s the thing – this year, your Green Sox have imitated those very teams. And I’d argue an imposter is worse than the real thing.

With the acquisitions of Jake Peavy and Alex(is?) Rios, Chicago has taken on big salaries for little on-field benefit in ’09. Especially in light of his uninspired recent effort for Charlotte, Peavy likely will not factor positively into the playoff race. And assuming Rios’ contract for the next five years is just silly! Comparing these harebrained moves to the classy one Detroit pulled off (trading Baltimore a Single-A relief prospect in exchange for free-agent-to-be Aubrey Huff), I’m admiring Dave Dombroski and laughing at Trader Williams.

I’m sticking to my guns. Go Twins – then Tigers, Rangers, Angels, Rays, Red Sox, and Yankees (in that order).

All my love,

Chubbs