Cubs’ huge attendance edge over White Sox no surprise to Sveum
BY GORDON WITTENMYER Twitter: @GDubCub May 30, 2012 1:22PM
Cubs fans hoist a "W" flag after the team's 3-1 win over the White Sox Sunday, July 3, 2011, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. | John J. Kim~Sun-Times
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Updated: May 30, 2012 5:05PM
Whatever Kenny Williams’ questions or disappointment over the White Sox’ lousy attendance for their first-place run, even first-year Cubs manager Dale Sveum isn’t surprised the last-place Cubs have out-drawn the Sox by a nearly 2-to-1 margin.
``That’s just the way it’s always been,’’ Sveum said before Wednesday’s game against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. ``The Chicago Cubs are the Chicago Cubs. People are going to come to Wrigley all the time.’’
The Cubs rank eighth in the majors with a home average of 37,250—80 percent more than the 27th-ranked Sox (20,662).
``You get a lot of different reasons why: the passion of the fans here, where the ballpark is,’’ Sveum said. ``You can go on and on, but that’s been going on for years and year. Whatever the Cubs’ record is, people are going to come out to Wrigley Field.’’
Sox GM Williams said earlier this week he hopes the South Side fans will start to respond to the success of the team, adding that attendance could affect the club’s ability to add at the trade deadline.
Sveum has paid attention. He said he winds up watching Sox games a lot during down time from the Cubs and is happy for pal Robin Ventura.
``He’s done a nice job,’’ Sveum said of the Sox’ first-year manager. ``I texted him last night about what’s going on, that he’s doing a nice job and all that. It’s nice to have a buddy that’s starting out the first time and obviously doing well.
``We text once in a while and talk quite a bit when he’s in town, and we’ll do it again a couple weeks from now [for Cubs-Sox II].’’
