SIU fans of the Chicago Cubs have had it tough – just ask the fans of their rivals.

When the St. Louis Cardinals won the 2006 World Series, it was the team’s 10th and it came off the heels of the White Sox’s 2005 title, its first since 1917.

The Cubs, meanwhile, went 145-179 in those two years, posting a .445 winning percentage. I use the word winning loosely, of course.

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However, it’s 2008 and the tide has turned.

The Cubs entered Wednesday’s action with the best record in the National League (91-58), the best home record (52-24) and have scored a league best 795 runs.

See a pattern?

In a world focused on the instant gratification of now, there is no question that the Cubs are better than the Cardinals.

Why?

The Cubs have entered the 21st century and embraced sabermetrics.

For those of you still sporting jerseys from retro night, sabermetrics is the use of mathematical tools to analyze baseball.

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The biggest change for the Cubs has been in embracing the base on balls. The Cubs have drawn 641 walks in 2008, 246 more than in 2006 and the change in ideology has helped the Cubs earn the highest on-base percentage in the National League, allowing the Cubs have more base runners when power hitters such as Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Geovany Soto step to the plate.

This isn’t 1980-something. Willie McGee and Vince Coleman are not swiping bases any more, and the scrappiness of Aaron Miles isn’t going to cut it.

The stars shine brighter in Chicago.

The Cubs sent eight players to New York for the final All-Star Game in Yankee Stadium, including three players who were voted to be starters.

Most fans would contend that one of the starters, rookie right fielder Kosuke Fukudome, didn’t belong, but his .383 first-half OBP helped change the team’s plate approach.

The Cardinals only sent first baseman Albert Pujols and outfielder Ryan Ludwick. Even the free-falling Brewers sent three stars to New York, the second most among NL teams.

Wrigley rocks.

While the Cardinals play in the new Busch Stadium, the Cubs still play at the original Wrigley Field, where you can enjoy a baseball game without the distraction of the Kiss Cam.

Cubs fans always fill the park and the home team has rewarded its patrons with a .684 winning percentage.

When you’re done singing ‘Go Cubs Go’ after another victory, take a few steps in any direction and have a frosty beverage at a Wrigleyville tavern. No matter who you support, the awaiting nightlife welcomes you with open arms.

The stats back the best.

The numbers don’t lie, the 2008 Cubs are legit. They average 5.34 runs per game, have a team batting average of .279, a .356 team OBP and have struck out 1,171 batters.

You know what all those stats have in common?

They all rank atop the National League.

Ted Lilly’s 15 wins would rank first on the Redbirds’ staff. Carlos Marmol’s 111 punch outs would rank tied for second with Kyle Lohse, who has pitched 104 more innings than Marmol. Kerry Wood has 31 saves. The Cards’ bullpen has blown 30.

While Albert Pujols has carried the Cardinals so far, the Cubs have had contributions from everyone in their everyday lineup. Proving once again that one man can’t do it all by himself.

The numbers speak for themselves, and while the Cards have nine more titles, fans of the North Side Nine can take solace in the fact that only one has been won this century.

Luis C. Medina can be reached at

536-3311 ext. 269 or [email protected].