Of course, what follows is only my opinion and isn’t jaded towards popular sentiment. However, what may appear as critical, is just a reflection on the Cubs and Sox failures during the past season, or rather falling short of expectations.

No Sox fan went into the 2022 season thinking Tony LaRussa would prove to be the biggest thing in town. Some fans might have thought the team would waltz their way into the World Series despite TLR’s presence in the dugout. Nobody thought he’d be the talking point for the season.

Why and how the team fell short of the mid-90’s win prediction is up for debate. Injuries to key players played a part in the disappointing season as did a lack of depth and failure to make any moves during the season.

So as not to appear as the ugly Cub fan, I’ll highlight a couple of the nice stories for the team. Rhp Dylan Cease was among the best pitchers in the league for the entire season. However, it was Johnny Beisbol aka Johnny Cueto who was even more entertaining and dominant. Unlike the younger Cease, Cueto completely owned opposing teams without big strikeout numbers. He appeared to be Luis Tiant without the postgame cigars.

Ownership put all of their eggs in the basket of a core group of young players (outside of Tim Anderson) who haven’t been able to put together consecutive and productive seasons. They seem to have followed the Indians strategy in the 90’s. Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert are the players in question.

For their part, the Cubs did not fall short of anyone expectations as far as a won-loss record goes. Their effort and second half success were bright spots, but not really the biggest story of the year.

Heading into the season, everyone was talking about free agent Rookie of the Year, Seiya Suzuki. Despite a nice start (6-game hitting streak) and .262 average, his arrival wasn’t as impactful as advertised. Young pitchers, Justin Steele and Keegan Thompson pitched very effectively and carried their weight when called upon. Ian Happ also had a breakout season, earning a spot at the All-Star game and golden glove.

Unfortunately, the biggest story that lasted the entire season was the Willson Contreras saga. As the last of the core players from the 2016 World Series crew, his walk year was a major distraction. Aside from the curtain calls and tearful good-byes, the entire situation forced everyone to revisit the hast departure of Baez, Rizzo, Bryant, and Schwarber.

That Contreras signed with the hated Cardinals will perpetuate the handling of the situation and the end of the Championship reign. Believe me, Chicago sports fans never let this stuff go. Ask Bears fans about 1986 and Wilber Marshall.

The White Sox have already hired LaRussa’s replacement, and the Cubs have Yan Gomes and Tucker Barnhart. I guess everyone’s problems are solved.