Kenny Williams gets you ready for the MOST IMPORTANT SERIES OF OUR TIME

June 19th, 2008 | Posted by PostmanE

Kenny Williams has pulled no punches this morning. Why, he’s provoking Cubs fans! And I’m responding! On two blogs!

”It is so different,” Williams said. ”You might as well build a border, a Great Wall of China on Madison, because we are so different. We might as well be in two different cities ”The unfortunate thing for me is it’s a shame that a certain segment of Chicago refused to enjoy a baseball championship being brought to their city. The only thing I can say is, ‘Happy anniversary.”Early in his career as GM, talks of budget constraints would creep up. So hours before the Sox played the Pittsburgh Pirates, Williams was asked — if the opportunity presented itself — if he could imagine ever being GM of the deep-pocketed, throw-money-at-every-hole Cubs.

”That would be a betrayal,” Williams said before a long pause. ”God, I would really, really have to need the job. Oh, wow, really need the job.’ ”Let me just throw out one question: What happens if we win another one before they win one?” he said.

First, kudos to Sun-Times reporter Joe Cowley for labeling the Cubs as “throw money at every hole,” when the White Sox’s 2008 payroll just slightly exceeds the Cubs’. Whoops!

Second, Kenny, if the White Sox win another title, congratulations. I imagine it will be just as sweet as the first. Your fans will be pleased. In the meantime, keep draining that farm system and hiring shady scouts to sell you bogus prospects. Whoops again!

Third, if we are to follow Kenny’s logic, surely he’ll be rooting for the Cubs to win a World Series this year. You know, just to enjoy it? Somehow, I doubt that.

What I didn’t write at FanHouse is this: Kenny and Ozzie know their fan base. Without making any crude generalizations about White Sox fans — many of whom are informed, bright people whom I would like to hug with both arms — Sox fans occasionally like to bemoan their second-rate status in Chicago. Williams and Guillen know just how to rile up their base. They’re the Karl Rove of baseball management. If White Sox fans really want to buy into this — that they’re owed some sort of extra due from Cubs fans — that’s fine. The smart ones won’t do it. I hope.

In the meantime, the CROSSTOWN SERIES is set to be the MOST IMPORTANT OF OUR LIVES. Did you hear both teams are in first place? And that they’ll … still probably in first place no matter what happens? FEEL THE EXCITEMENT!?!