What beef? Cubs-White Sox rivalry has lost its intensity

In 2006, Cubs catcher Michael Barrett punched White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski after the two collided at home plate. Less than two months later, Cubs fans threw plastic bottles, cups and other debris onto the warning track in the outfield after Pierzynski hit a ninth-inning homer to send the Sox to victory.

That year in particular is an iconic chapter in the Cubs-White Sox rivalry.

But lately, the Crosstown Series has become more of a media event than anything, and the rivalry between Chicago’s two MLB teams is nowhere near as intense as it used to be.

Nowadays, the Cubs-White Sox beef doesn’t seem to be more than a geographical rivalry. It might be important for the fans in the stands, but it holds little weight on the players.

“It’s just another series and another respectful team that we have to come out and beat,” Cubs outfielder Albert Almora said before Tuesday’s game against the Sox. “I think the rivalry is more for fans, and you see it out there in the bleachers, but I’m taking it just as another series.”

First baseman Anthony Rizzo also downplayed the rivalry. He said the best part of the series is that he can sleep in his own bed after playing at Guaranteed Rate Field.

“It’s fun, we’re both in the same city,” Rizzo said. “It’s fun when we go over there because it’s part of our road trip but we’re home. The fans are into it, the energy is there. It should be a good two days of baseball.”

Former White Sox player and manager Ozzie Guillen has many fond memories of the Crosstown Series, but he no longer says he hates Wrigley Field.

“When I was a manager that was the biggest thing in town in the commercials and [everything] — that was really a rivalry,” said Guillen, who used to say the Friendly Confines was infested with rats. “They were having fun fights in the field. ... [Carlos] Zambrano wanted to fight Joey Cora, it was fun.

“But now it’s like, ‘Oh, hi guys.’ I walk through this ballpark and they used to call me all kinds of names and now it’s like, ‘Oh, hi Ozzie. We love you.’ I’m like, ‘What? When did this change?’”

The only person who really seems hung up on the crosstown rivalry is Ken “Hawk” Harrelson. Earlier this week, the former Sox broadcaster stuck to his belief that Wrigley Field “sucks.”

“You couldn’t give me a $5,000, $10,000 bill to put another foot in that place,” said Harrelson, who also said he’ll “never again” step foot in the ballpark. “I’m telling you what, that place sucks, for the visiting team.”