Cubs-White Sox rivalry: Bitter or blah?

About the so-called Crosstown Classic …

Is “classic” giving it too much credit?

In this week’s “Polling Place,” your home for Sun-Times sports polls on the social platform X, we sought your take on the Cubs–White Sox rivalry. Is it closer to bitter or closer to blah?

“Sox fans care more,” @mwitg commented. “Cubs fans only care about the Cubs.”

“You can’t have a rivalry when you have two owners who don’t care — except for dollars, of course,” @RonaldVoigt4 wrote.

Next, we asked how many wins the Sky will pile up out of the 44 (up from 40) they’ll play in the regular season.

“Enough to make the playoffs,” was @JBIRD1268’s take.

Last, we wanted to know which star is the most recognizable current pro athlete in the city. Spoiler alert: Bears quarterback Caleb Williams took the vote by a huge margin.

“Has to be Caleb,” @ronw_sportsnut offered.

“It’s very easily Angel Reese regardless of what the results of this poll say,” @JasmynWimbish wrote.

On to the polls:

Poll No. 1: Which answer best describes the Cubs-White Sox rivalry?

Upshot: Once upon a time, there was no mistaking the buzz in the ballpark when North and South collided. Alas, that ship has sailed. Players used to be full of it when they’d say, “It’s just another series.” Now, there’s a lot more truth to the sentiment. Maybe things will change after that Cubs-Sox World Series that’s coming any year now?

Poll No. 2: WNBA teams will play 44 regular-season games this year, up from 40. How many will the Sky win?

Upshot: The Sky were just 13-27 last season, but Reese and Kamilla Cardoso are a year older, Courtney Vandersloot is back, Ariel Atkins was added to the mix and rookie coach Tyler Marsh has been well received. It’s got to be at least a fair amount better.

Poll No. 3: Who’s the most recognizable current professional athlete in Chicago?

Upshot: OK, so we’ve settled that. On to a more important matter: Will Williams be widely recognized as a good NFL QB by the end of the coming season?