2006 White Sox on target to replace 1969 Cubs as Chicago's biggest chokers

by Jimmy Greenfield

The Cubs could lose 100 games for the first time since 1966, but it's the White Sox who may be a team for the ages.

If the standings hold, the 2006 White Sox will be bigger chokers than the legendary 1969 Cubs.

Here's how it breaks down:

Since starting the season 57-31, The White Sox have gone 27-34 so far in the second half.

The '69 Cubs went 61-37 during the first half before finishing 31-33 in the second half.

Not only did the '69 Cubs have a higher second-half winning percentage, but there's also another huge distinction: If the wild card were in existence in 1969, the second-place Cubs would have made the playoffs.

The Sox may miss out on the playoffs even with two extra playoff spots awarded in the American League.

And they've done this while playing the season virtually injury-free, with enormous home-crowd support and while their chief competitors, the Minnesota Twins, had its starting rotation decimated by injuries.

You can argue that the Sox never had anywhere near the 10-game lead the Cubs had on the Mets, but the fact is the White Sox led the Twins by 10 games at the All-Star break. This choke was just more methodical and less dramatic.

So cheer up Cub fans, the season isn't entirely lost. Two more weeks and you'll be able to laugh at Sox fans all winter long. Maybe even longer.

copyright 2006 Chicago Tribune