I’ll take the Cubs-Brewers rivalry since the Brewers joined the NL in 1998. The networks prefer two teams that have played and won more WS titles and I get that to a degree, but how easy is it to get to and from NYC to Boston, or Los Angeles to SF?

When both the Giants and Dodgers played in NY, I’d argue that was as good because both fan bases took it so personally. Cardinals fans and Brewers have disdain for Cub fans more than Chicago. Both groups love traveling to Chicago-no matter how much they may cry about the prices. Since the Brewers joined the NL Central, Cub fans have made the trip north tens of times because it’s an easy, cheaper trip than dealing with the crappy parking at Wrigley. And more importantly the teams have played almost to a tie Brewers 211 Wins to Cubs 209 Wins.

Brewers fans have a harder time reconciling the Cubs 2016 WS success than most White Sox fans. It’s really pretty funny. The Cubs-Cardinals history is a lot longer, but there is nothing convenient or pleasant about that ride up and back on 55. When the Brewers played in the AL, they had a nice hate-hate relationship with the Crew-even playing home games in County Stadium for part of the ’69 season when the Brewers were the Seattle Pilots.

While it’s nice to pretend that intercity rivals are strong, teams playing one another 4 times a year isn’t that interesting really. I used to think and hope that the Reds-Indians meant something but it really didn’t.

I’m open to hearing about other great rivalries though.

What’s been fun about Cubs-Brewers since 2008 is that for years neither team was especially good and nobody really had bragging rights despite some puffy-chestedness after games.

Ryan Braun was hated by Cub fans especially since he whooped their asses. Likewise, Brewer fans couldn’t stand Sammy Sosa as he hit some monstrous homers over the years. Do you see a common thread?

When historical rivals meet for the first time in a season, one of the less gifted writers on the beat are forced to write about the guys that played for both teams and maybe create a best of team.

I’m taking it a step further, by limiting my team to guys that played for both teams between 1998-2023. For that reason, I can’t include Jaime Navarro, Darrin Jackson, or Brock Davis. Jackson and Navarro both played for the White Sox as well. And based on the trend of the following list, I expect Yan Gomes to join the Brewers in his next life.

This is not a complete list, but I think you get the idea as to why the two teams have only made two WS appearances with one win since the Brewers joined in 1970.

Catchers: Blake Lalli, Jonathan Lucroy, Martin Maldonado, Henry Blanco, Jason Kendall, Tyler Houston, Victor Caratini, and Paul Bako. Infielders: Jose Hernandez, and Aramis Ramirez. Outfielder: Jeromy Burnitz. Pitchers: Glendon Rusch, Doug Davis, Wade Miley, Tom Gorzelanny, Ray King, Brandon Kintzler and Matt Garza. Brooks Kieschnick gets an honorable mention as he was with the Cubs 96-07 and Milwaukee in 03-04.

I’ve probably made several people sick to their stomachs as most of these names aren’t HOF’ers. However, a few had decent years for one of the teams and failed miserably when they changed addresses. A couple of the catchers weren’t especially good for either team.

Not surprisingly, the two teams split their just completed 4-game series. It was an entertaining if infuriating series because the home plate umps were that bad.