Chicago White Sox: Field of Dreams game is against wrong opponent

Let’s state it right at the top: The Chicago White Sox shouldn’t be playing in the Field of Dream game this year due to the pandemic.

The Chicago White Sox versus St. Louis Cardinals matchup should be moved to next year, assuming the coronavirus is under control by then.

Not only that, but the White Sox should be playing the Chicago Cubs.

First, let’s address the playing of the game. There’s no reason the game needs to be held in 2020 – the movie came out in 1989, so the 30th anniversary has already passed. There’s no other tie-in that I’m aware of.

Yes, the area around Dyersville, Iowa, might suffer economically if the game was pushed back a year, but it might still suffer if the game is played with no fans, or if fans are allowed and few show up, due to virus fears or a reduced capacity limit. I suppose the lack of fans ties in with the movie – only the Kinsella family and Terence Mann actually spectated – but I think I’d rather have fans at the game, and if that means waiting the pandemic out, fine.

Of course, the game won’t be played on the movie’s diamond, but rather, a new one constructed for MLB. So it’s the idea of fans not sitting in the bleachers, a la the movie, is symbolic. And really, it’s a bummer they aren’t using the movie set – I’d love to see a Sox slugger belt a ball into the cornfield.

Not to mention the travel. While Chicago and St. Louis are within driving distance, MLB has setup this whole mini-season to minimize travel.

Then there’s the team aspect. The Sox were supposed to face the New York Yankees, because the fictional character of John Kinsella liked both teams. Supposedly, the change to St. Louis is because of the shorter drive. But given the Cubs’ significant fan base in Iowa, and the fact that Ray Kinsella’s van bears a Cubs sticker in one scene, plus the natural Sox/Cubs rivalry, the two teams should be playing each other.

It would be best, barring a scientific breakthrough, if the two teams met each in 2021, in front of full crowds. But if MLB insists on playing the game this year, it should be an all-Chicago affair.

Well, perhaps there’s hope for future Sox/Cubs matchups on the site. After all, they’ve built it. When it’s safe, people will come.