Chris Rongey: Sox fans do make things interesting

A year ago when we knew there was a possibility (likelihood, really) there could be some restructuring of the Crosstown Cup, I wrote that I was still in favor of the six-game season series between the White Sox and the Cubs.

Now that things have changed, I have to admit, this isn’t bad.

As you know, the teams will play four straight against each other with two in each park. Being that the ballparks are eight miles apart, it’s hardly an inconvenience for anyone, and having them play a single four-game series keeps the focus on baseball just long enough to feel like an “event” but short enough to keep it from growing tiresome.

Now, I’ve always enjoyed the series. Maybe it’s just me, but even if the Sox and Cubs aren’t preseason favorites in their respective divisions and the usual anticipation is lacking, I still enjoy the “tension” of the series.

Until the postgame calls come in. But really only after a Sox loss. After people have had a few beverages. Or a lot of them.

Oh, who am I kidding? Probably a lot of them.

So, enjoy the Crosstown Cup this week. Be safe, and by all means, feel free to indulge responsibly.

However, if you have indulged, and the Sox happen to lose any of these next four games and you’re irrationally angry about it, do me a solid and lose your phone.

You might be asking, “But, Chris, how do I know if I’m irrationally angry, because an irrational person doesn’t know they’re being irrational?”

That’s a good question, but the answer is simple: If you’re angry and you can hear your own pulse, you’re irrationally angry.

So, relax, and remember that I still love you and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Meanwhile …

What an improved week for Paul Konerko.

It was just a week ago we were discussing the team’s nonnegotiable need for his production this season, and he put together maybe his best week of the year, going 7-for-21 with a home run, a pair of RBI and 4 walks on the homestand.

While it’s not out-of-this-world production, it still is production nonetheless, and this team can’t maintain a competitive season over the next four months without that from him.

Konerko certainly has appeared more comfortable at the plate, and the results have been good.

That’s a bit more like it.

And while we’re at it, let me take this time to praise Alexei Ramirez, who’s hitting over .350 in his last 14 games and has raised his batting average nearly 40 points over that span.

Also, the guy hasn’t sat out an inning all season. That’s right, Ramirez has played every inning of every game this year, and much of that has to do with the fact he hates to sit and is in good enough health to be able to do that.

It’s just not something that happens often.

An exceptional defender with a decent bat who can play every day, for $7 million a season, is a nice bargain.

ŸChris Rongey is the host of the White Sox pregame and postgame shows on WSCR 670-AM The Score. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRongey and at chrisrongey.com. Subscriber Total Access members can email him questions each week via our online link.