White Sox imagine Cubs victory

Imagine what would happen if the Cubs won the World Series.

<p class="MsoNormal">Throngs of fans who have been waiting a lifetime to see it would crowd into the streets, celebrating like never before.

<p class="MsoNormal">Sound familiar?<span style=""> </span>

<p class="MsoNormal">While many White Sox players are pulling for former teammates and friends who play on the North Side, none would be particularly shocked by the celebration if the Cubs were to finally win the World Series.

<p class="MsoNormal">It would, the Sox say, look awfully similar to the party just two years ago, when the South Siders won it all.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Probably the same," Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle said. "I think there are just as many Cubs fans as Sox fans, and they've waited just as long, a couple years longer than we did. I think the turnout would be pretty good."

<p class="MsoNormal">An estimated 1.7 million people showed up to celebrate the Sox's World Series victory in 2005. The memorable ticker-tape parade started at U.S. Cellular Field, and Sox players rode double-decker buses through Chicago into the heart of the city, where the rally took place.

<p class="MsoNormal">Despite Chicago's reputation as a Cubs town, Sox players think it would be a similar -- if a wee bit unoriginal --<span style=""> </span>celebration if the improbable happened.

<p class="MsoNormal">"There would be a little bit, the fact that we won and it had been such a long time since a (Chicago) team had won the World Series. There are some things you can't duplicate," Sox captain Paul Konerko said.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm sure it would be a party."

<p class="MsoNormal">Jim Thome, who grew up in Peoria -- prime Cubs country -- wasn't around for the Sox's celebration but agrees with teammates who were there.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I think it would be kind of very similar to what happened here with the White Sox," Thome said. "Tremendous city, great fans on both sides. I think those people waited a long time just as they did here. I think it would be great."

<p class="MsoNormal">And pretty similar.

<p class="MsoNormal">"You always love your first child the most," Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said with a wink.