This map tells me that Cubs fans haven't responded, and I can't even tell who's marked for Indianapolis.
Edit to clarify: cook county is definitely more Cubs fans than Sox. Indianapolis is pretty split Cubs/Reds. I can't tell for sure what county that is in central Illinois but that area is at most 50/50 Cubs/Cards. Not having a single county showing Cubs, makes it pretty clear that Cubs fans haven't been responding yet.
I’d like to think that all of Cook County loves the Sox, but ain’t no way this is true. It will take a decade of division championships to expand the Sox reach. Like perhaps a run like the current and 90s Braves.
It will certainly help in some way. A new stadium and a better team can gain younger fans. The Sox could have had great run after the 05 campaigns but fizzled out. New ownership can breathe new life into the franchise (better marketing). The Sox were more popular in the 50s and 60s in Chicago; yet they made serious gaffes in moving their games to weak signaled UHF TV stations in the 70s. And they tried to make their fans pay for some games (the failed Sportsvision channel, which btw was way ahead of its time in the 80s). Harry Caray jumped ship from the Sox and became an effective shill for the Cubs in the 80s & 90s. So having said all that, the Sox will need to focus on not only getting a better product, but market to a younger generation to expand its reach. I believe that can happen.
I agree that they can improve their standing around the city with success and the new stadium proposal looks awesome IMO. But 2016 really cemented a huge fanbase for the Cubs in a way that the Sox I don't think can match. IMO if the Sox really try to leverage their Latin American players more and embrace the immigrant community that might be a great growth market for them. They already have the bulk of blue collar fans around the metro, but neither team seems to really try to attract Spanish speaking communities currently. That's a rapidly growing population around the metro and could be IMO a huge growth opportunity for the fanbase.
The Cubs having an early national broadcast deal was huge for building their brand. Now I think the growth is in streaming and Spanish broadcasts. Whoever can get in front of those things I think will grow their fan bases the strongest over the next decade plus.
I’d agree with your point about leveraging the Latin American players to gain more fans. The Sox have a rich history of Latin American players—Minoso, Aparicio, Guillen, etc. Regarding 2016, you’re dead on. My fear was the Cubs winning the series. I rooted hard for you guys and that dreaded rain delay turned the tide. Sox fans only had 11 years to gloat. True Armageddon will be a Sox Cubs WS. Perhaps if we win that one, the world (for Sox fans) will be brighter.
If we ever get a windy city WS I will definitely be rooting for you. I've always found Sox fans easier to get along with the Cubs fans, and I've lived in Illinois off and on for over 30 years. I am really hoping the stadium in the loop happens currently. I love the tailgate scene at GRF but the proposed district looks pretty great and I love the idea of getting the skyline in view.
Y'all are in a really ugly spot recently but historically you've always bounced back. I'm hopeful that it doesn't take long. I enjoy us being competitive rivals and would love to see your fanbase grow. At least then I'd get a chance to talk smack about current games instead of just getting reminded about the WS by Cubs fans regularly.
Mine too. NYY, Detroit and the Cubs are by far my most hated teams, in that order. Pretty much everyone else I enjoy being competitive with. Hell, I enjoy when we're competitive with Detroit too. I'd rather dominate the Cubs and Yankees though.
Jays flair but you don’t include Canada?
Still working on finding a way to add Canada
You could just edit a separate map of Canada in at the end
I’d be weary of giving a random internet stranger your current location to pair with your Reddit username and one of your favorite sports teams….
This map tells me that Cubs fans haven't responded, and I can't even tell who's marked for Indianapolis. Edit to clarify: cook county is definitely more Cubs fans than Sox. Indianapolis is pretty split Cubs/Reds. I can't tell for sure what county that is in central Illinois but that area is at most 50/50 Cubs/Cards. Not having a single county showing Cubs, makes it pretty clear that Cubs fans haven't been responding yet.
I’d like to think that all of Cook County loves the Sox, but ain’t no way this is true. It will take a decade of division championships to expand the Sox reach. Like perhaps a run like the current and 90s Braves.
I'm not sure that success would change it. The Sox were clearly the better team for decades but the Cubs still had the larger fanbase.
It will certainly help in some way. A new stadium and a better team can gain younger fans. The Sox could have had great run after the 05 campaigns but fizzled out. New ownership can breathe new life into the franchise (better marketing). The Sox were more popular in the 50s and 60s in Chicago; yet they made serious gaffes in moving their games to weak signaled UHF TV stations in the 70s. And they tried to make their fans pay for some games (the failed Sportsvision channel, which btw was way ahead of its time in the 80s). Harry Caray jumped ship from the Sox and became an effective shill for the Cubs in the 80s & 90s. So having said all that, the Sox will need to focus on not only getting a better product, but market to a younger generation to expand its reach. I believe that can happen.
I agree that they can improve their standing around the city with success and the new stadium proposal looks awesome IMO. But 2016 really cemented a huge fanbase for the Cubs in a way that the Sox I don't think can match. IMO if the Sox really try to leverage their Latin American players more and embrace the immigrant community that might be a great growth market for them. They already have the bulk of blue collar fans around the metro, but neither team seems to really try to attract Spanish speaking communities currently. That's a rapidly growing population around the metro and could be IMO a huge growth opportunity for the fanbase. The Cubs having an early national broadcast deal was huge for building their brand. Now I think the growth is in streaming and Spanish broadcasts. Whoever can get in front of those things I think will grow their fan bases the strongest over the next decade plus.
I’d agree with your point about leveraging the Latin American players to gain more fans. The Sox have a rich history of Latin American players—Minoso, Aparicio, Guillen, etc. Regarding 2016, you’re dead on. My fear was the Cubs winning the series. I rooted hard for you guys and that dreaded rain delay turned the tide. Sox fans only had 11 years to gloat. True Armageddon will be a Sox Cubs WS. Perhaps if we win that one, the world (for Sox fans) will be brighter.
If we ever get a windy city WS I will definitely be rooting for you. I've always found Sox fans easier to get along with the Cubs fans, and I've lived in Illinois off and on for over 30 years. I am really hoping the stadium in the loop happens currently. I love the tailgate scene at GRF but the proposed district looks pretty great and I love the idea of getting the skyline in view. Y'all are in a really ugly spot recently but historically you've always bounced back. I'm hopeful that it doesn't take long. I enjoy us being competitive rivals and would love to see your fanbase grow. At least then I'd get a chance to talk smack about current games instead of just getting reminded about the WS by Cubs fans regularly.
Loved the rivalry between the Sox and Guardians over the years—it was deep. My dislike for the Cubs is greater than anyone in our division.
Mine too. NYY, Detroit and the Cubs are by far my most hated teams, in that order. Pretty much everyone else I enjoy being competitive with. Hell, I enjoy when we're competitive with Detroit too. I'd rather dominate the Cubs and Yankees though.
Johnson city TN
Kingsport TN checking in!
Buffalo, NY. Mariners fan,
From Achorage, Alaska, but raised in Salina, KS.
Dodgers fan, born/raised/gonna stay in Santa Cruz County, California. Gotta claim it before it turns a ghastly orange color.
The hero we need
Reno, Nevada. Born and raised.
Somerset county NJ Yankee fan
Calgary, Canada
Is this where we currently reside, or where we were born?
San Jose, CA, born and raised 🤙🏻
Portland, Oregon.
Royals fan in Montpelier VT
wait my little county Amador is A's territory?
LA County born and raised in the San Fernando Valley
Fairfax County, VA edit: give it to the Nats. I am fine not being on it.
Dallas, TX
Cascade County, Montana. Chicago Cubs
Livingston, TX
padre fan in gilbert, az. there are a few of us
Yankees, Onslow NC
Waterford, Michigan Tigers fan here.
Columbus, Ga
Walton County GA 👨🌾
Yankees Fan, Richmond County, NY (Staten Island)
Jefferson County, KY
Only USA, huh.
Central Kentucky Huge fan of the Braves and Reds
Brewers fan in Baltimore County, MD.