Chicago and Cleveland: What we have in common
Beyond sharing their World Series droughts, Chicago and Cleveland share quite a bit of common ground as the Cubs and the Indians compete for the 2016 championship. Here are a few examples to consider. Add some more connections and perhaps we can get to 108, which represents the number of stitches in a baseball and the number of years since the Cubs won the World Series.
Lou Boudreau
This Hall of Famer was the player/manager for the 1948 Indians when his team won the World Series, and he was a longtime announcer for the Cubs and once their manager (1960).
Hometown hero
Cleveland second baseman Jason Kipnis cheered for the Cubs while growing up in Northbrook, and Cubs designated hitter/outfielder Kyle Schwarber grew up in Middletown, Ohio, north of Cincinnati.
Bill Veeck
He owned the Indians when Boudreau led them to the 1948 title, and he led a group in Chicago that purchased the White Sox in 1959, a team that won the American League pennant. Veeck sold the Sox in 1961, then bought them back (1975-81). He made his home in Chicago.
Terry Francona
Now the manager of the Indians, he also was a manager in the White Sox farm system when Michael Jordan started his baseball career with the Birmingham Barons.
Musical memories
While Cleveland is proud of its Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, among its 2016 inductees was a legendary group with a familiar name: Chicago. Of course, we also have Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam at Wrigley - and Pearl Jam is nominated to be a 2017 Rock Hall of Fame inductee.
Baseball movies
Cleveland has a love affair with the 1989 film "Major League," and Chicago has a favorite spot, among many others, for "Rookie of the Year."
Basketball icons
Michael Jordan made a career out of beating Cleveland en route to collecting six NBA titles, and the Bulls have never been able to get past LeBron James, who brought the NBA title to Cleveland in June.
Football icons
Cleveland hasn't won an NFL title since James Brown played (1964), and the Bears haven't won the Super Bowl since Walter Payton (1985). They are arguable the two best football players ever.
The Lake Effect
Lake Michigan has its way with Wrigley Field on some days, and the same goes for Lake Erie in Cleveland and Progressive Field.
Familiar face
Kenny Lofton, who will join Carlos Baerga and throw out the first pitch for Cleveland in Game 1, played for both the White Sox and Cubs. He played 10 seasons for Cleveland, and also played for 10 other MLB teams.
Game show hosts
Chicago can claim Pat Sajak ("Wheel of Fortune"), and Cleveland has Drew Carey ("Price is Right").
Botanic gardens
Each city boasts a must-see walk on its tourism hot spots.
Corked bats
Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa served a 7-game suspension for using a corked bat in 2003, and Cleveland power hitter Albert Belle served a 7-game suspension in 1994 for using a corked bat. Both incidents occurred in Chicago (Belle vs. the White Sox).
Celebrities
Cleveland boasts Bob Hope, Paul Newman and Tim Conway. In that same arena, Chicago can counter with Bill Murray, Harrison Ford and Bob Newhart. And we won't even mention Oprah and John Belushi, among others.
Movie houses
Christmas is big in both towns. You can drive by Ralphie's boyhood home in "A Christmas Story" in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland, or visit Kevin's place in "Home Alone" and "Home Alone 2" in Winnetka.