White Sox worth watching as city turns attention to baseball

TORONTO — The White Sox and Cubs entered Wednesday with the best records in their respective leagues. With the Bulls missing out on the NBA playoffs and the Blackhawks getting knocked out of the Stanley Cup playoffs in the first round, the city’s undivided sports attention is turning to baseball sooner than usual. So far, it’s been fun to watch.

While the Cubs’ 15-5 start was not that much of a surprise, the Sox’ 15-6 start going into their series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays has been an eye opener. The last time both teams had the best records in their leagues through April 26 or later? How about 43 years ago on May 29, 1973, when the Cubs were 29-18 and the Sox 26-14.

Manager Robin Ventura, who played for the Sox and hit a home run as a New York Met against the New York Yankees in the 2000 World Series, has a sense for what this summer in the city could be like should the Sox and Cubs keep this up.

“Having played in New York where both teams made the playoffs,’’ Ventura said, “it’s an exciting atmosphere for a city when it has two teams capable of doing that.’’

Ventura said he took notice of Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta’s no-hitter but said “I have enough to do” when asked if he pays attention to the Cubs. He said he’s happy for a Sox fan base which has endured three straight seasons of losing.

“Where we’ve been the last couple years, just for us, not necessarily for them [the Cubs], you’re happy for our fans that we can play a better brand of baseball,’’ he said. “You hope there can be meaningful games later in the year and make the playoffs.’’

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said he sees a different attitude oozing from the other dugout watching the Sox. Ventura said he’s seen it since early in spring training.

“It’s not something that just happened during the season,’’ Ventura said. “Having known Gibby a while, I take that as a compliment. … he gets stuff like that. To me, that’s a compliment when they not only just see the players we have, but the execution of things. Guys like him understand that.’’

The Sox and Cubs both won their divisions in 2008 but lost in the first round of the playoffs. The Sox haven’t returned to the postseason since. The teams play each other four times this season, from July 25-28 with the first two games at U.S. Cellular Field.

And oh, about 1973. The Sox finished 77-85 under Chuck Tanner, good for fifth place in the AL West. The Cubs finished 77-84 under Whitey Lockman, good for fifth in the NL East. Which tells you one thing: It’s early.