Old Style Sports

So you’re wondering what a true Old Style Sport is, eh? Check out this video to learn how to play beer pong, sissies!

Paul White, a 35-year resident of Chicago, works as a peanut vendor at Wrigley Field. The longtime Cubs fan took a few moments of his time to talk with Old Style Sports about his favorite team this week as the Cubs took on the Diamondbacks.

Click here for the full audio.

Old Style Sports: So what do you think the Cubs’ chances of winning the World Series are this year?

Paul White: Overall, or just percentage-wise?

OSS: If you had to put a percentage on it, what would that percentage be?

PW: This year I believe that… I’d say 85 percent chance of winning. The Cubs this year, they have the people to do it.

OSS: How do you feel about the sale of the Cubs? Do you feel that the team and the stadium should be sold separately? Together? And how do you feel about a potential name change for Wrigley Field?

PW: Well, it’s the owner’s prerogative to sell whatever way he chooses. It is a business when it comes down to it. Whatever is going to make him the most money, and that’s what it seems what the new owner is about. If it’s a better sell, when you sell them separately, if you can get what he wants from one buyer as opposed to another buyer, then it’s all good. As far as the name is concerned, I think that should be stipulated in the contract whomever buys Wrigley Field leaves the name as Wrigley Field. This is a landmark. This is an icon. This is our ballpark. So the name should actually never change. I don’t care if it changes hands. It’s been too long. This is something that is substantial to people who come here year in, year out for their vacations just to say ‘Hey, I want to Wrigley Field.’ Keep it as it is. That’s what makes it that Wrigley Field experience. If you come here and you say ‘I’m going to such and such field,’ it’s not the same. You want that bricks and Ivy experience, baby. Wrigley Field.

OSS: What do you think about the prospect of Mark Cuban owning the team?

PW: Well, he seems like a person who is interested in winning. We want an owner who wants to win, and I believe if he was the owner and the way that he has the enthusiasm with his club down in Dallas, that he wants to win. He wants to make a winner. I believe if he came here and he was the owner, that he would spend the money that was necessary to produce. You want to get the players, you want to get the right personnel. I think he would go get them. He wouldn’t hesitate to get the players and get the talent that he needs to get the talent on that field to make a winner. And I know that he would want a winning team here in Chicago. And that’s the way that you make money. Sure, Wrigley Field is a special place – it’s a place where this ballpark, the crowds come even when the Cubs are losing. So if they are winning, just think about how fantastic that would be. If they’re winning, I’m all for Mark Cuban - if he’s the man, and he has a vision for the Cubs to be number 1 – then bring it on.

OSS: What do you think about the Cubs potentially welcoming back Steve Bartman to the field? You saw the Red Sox earlier this season welcome back Bill Buckner and give him a ceremony. Granted, Steve Bartman is a fan, but do you think it would be a neat thing to see Steve Bartman come back to the ballpark?

PW: Well, from my perspective, everybody deserves a second chance. Forgive. You may not forget, but forgive. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t see any problem. As long as he gets his act together.

OSS: And my last question: If Steve Bartman got into a fight with Bill Buckner, who would win?

PW: Bill Buckner, baby. Bill Buckner. Hands down.

So yesterday while I rode the L in downtown, basking in the warm sun rising over the beautiful lake, it never occurred to me that this is perfect weather for a robbery.

Makes you wonder what the world is coming to when people get robbed on Chicago’s lakefront - regardless of whether or not it was in the loop.

Willie Parker was probably hoping Rashard Mendenhall at least got roughed up… he’s got mouths to feed. This isn’t the worst Chicago has to offer though. For more info on violence in Chicago, check out The Violence Project.