Earlier this week, RedEye broke it down between the cities of Houston and St. Louis. Houston lost a close one, but Astros fans took the defeat and used it to root their Astros into the World Series just to show us up. So be it. Now we pit Chicago and our White Sox against the Astros, who happen to hail from Houston.
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THE PARKS
The mechanized roof moves back and forth an estimated 160 times a year, a distance of 14.6 miles. The team also offers WiFi access during games. And they have a train inside the park.
There is no roof at The Cell. There is an exploding scoreboard.
WINNER: Chicago. Keep it simple.
AN ITEM ON THE MENU
Minute Maid Park has the Nolan Ryan Burger.
U.S. Cellular Field offers a wide array of vegetarian food.
WINNER: Houston. But we’ll appeal this one; they’re closer to more cows.
HEFTY TOWNS
Men’s Fitness ranks Houston the nation’s “fattest city’ in 2005, up one spot from No. 2 in 2004.
In the same ranking, Chicago held steady at No. 5 for the second straight year.
WINNER: Houston. But you know what? Have a box of Twinkies on us.
POWER UP
ConocoPhillips is an energy company headquartered in Houston.
Paul Konerko was MVP of the ALCS and hit 40 dingers this past season.
WINNER: Chicago. Swing away, kid.
STATE BIRD
Texas’ state bird is the mockingbird.
Illinois’ is the cardinal. You made the cardinals angry, Houston. You won’t like the cardinals when they’re angry.
WINNER: Chicago. Who’s laughing now, eh?
BEER
The Spoetzl Brewery, brewers of Shiner’s beer, is about halfway between San Antonio and Houston.
Milwaukee’s up the road, but Goose Island beer is brewed right here in the city.
WINNER: Push. And it’s the end of the week. Who needs a cold one right about now?
EX-CUBS
Jose Vizcaino.
None.
WINNER: Chicago. Houston, you’re sunk.
OVERALL WINNER: Maybe you saw this coming or maybe you didn’t.
But the numbers show Chicago edges Houston this time. Will it be the same on the field for this World Series? Watch and see for yourself.
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Edited by the sports staff of RedEye.
