Although Chicago’s at the top of the list when it comes to cities everyone should visit, San Francisco is pretty spectacular as well.
We’ve got the lakefront, they’ve got the bay and the Pacific Ocean. We’ve got Garrett Popcorn, they’ve got Ghirardelli ice cream. We’ve got reigning Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta starting on Monday, they’ve got October powerhouse Madison Bumgarner.
How do we settle this once and for all (or at least for a few months)? We’ll leave it up to a good old-fashioned RedEye faceoff.
NON-BASEBALL PRO TEAMS
If you had to be a fan of a team right now …
Warriors > Bulls (even with Dwyane Wade back in his hometown)
Bears > 49ers (just barely, as both their records stink right now)
Blackhawks > Sharks (not even close)
Winner: Chicago, 2-1.
CELEBRITY FANS
Cubs: Bill Murray. Eddie Vedder. Nick Offerman. Jake Johnson. Vince Vaughn. Hillary Clinton. We could go on.
Giants: Rob Schneider, Colin Hanks, Zooey Deschanel, Lil Wayne, Marisa Miller, James Hetfield, among others. A solid list, no doubt.
Winner: Really tough call, but the nod goes to the Cubs thanks to Bill Murray and his “I Ain’t Afraid of No Goat” T-shirt. Classic.
HASHTAGS
Cubs: #FlyTheW
Giants: #BeliEVEN
Winner: Believe it or not, the Giants take this one despite the fact that it’s based on coincidence; San Francisco has won the past three World Series in even-numbered years. We’re suckers for wordplay.
WEATHER
Chicago: Good news: Summers are nice and warm. Bad news: Winters are brutally cold.
San Francisco: Good news: It usually stays above 40 in the winter. Bad news: It usually stays below 70 in the summer.
Winner: San Francisco. There’s something about not needing six layers on your commute to work that sounds appealing with January approaching.
CURRENT TV CRED
Chicago: “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Chicago Med,” “Shameless” and “Empire” are all, well, on fire right now.
San Francisco: Huh. “Fuller House” is about it at the moment, which isn’t saying much.
Winner: The Windy City by a landslide. As much as we loved “Full House,” the sequel needs some serious work.
WATERFRONT TOURIST TRAP
Chicago: Navy Pier
San Francisco: The Embarcadero
Winner: Chicago. The views from the Centennial Wheel are stunning, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater productions are first rate.
SKYLINE JEWELS
Chicago: Willis Tower, John Hancock Building
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge
Winner: San Francisco. There’s just something postcard-perfect about that bridge.
FINAL VERDICT
The Windy City takes this one over The City (bit of a pretentious nickname, BTW), 4-3. Hopefully for Cubs fans, this Giants series won’t be as much of a nail-biter.
CUBS VS. SAN FRANCISCO
Cubs lead series 2-0
Game 1: Cubs 1, Giants 0
Game 2: Cubs 5, Giants 2
Game 3: at Giants, 8:30 p.m. Monday, Fox Sports 1
Game 4*: at Giants, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Fox Sports 1
Game 5*: at Cubs, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Fox Sports 1
*If necessary
@redeyesportschi | chsosa@redeyechicago.com
