Warmer Houston offers change in weather, intensity of fans

With the World Series visiting Chicago for the . rst time in 46 years and Houston for the . rst time ever, you wonder how the event plays out in both cities.

The most obvious difference is the weather. Sunday’s Game 2 in Chicago was played in such miserable conditions— a constant drizzle and 45-degree temperatures by the opening inning — that crosstown icon Ernie Banks might have said, “ Let’s play tomorrow.”

Tuesday in Houston was pleasant — 61 degrees at game time — prompting another boyishly enthusiastic baseball . gure, Bud Selig, to say, “ Let’s play outdoors.”

So the Minute Maid Park was open.

The intensity among fans also seems a bit different. As I got off the “ L” outside U.S. Cellular Field, a young fellow wearing a Sox cap started screaming. He explained out loud that for years he’d had to endure the indignity of living in the North Side among Cubs fans and that he could never root for that insufferable National League team.

That resulted in a traf . c control of . cer who likes the Cubs engaging him in an animated discussion.

There are no such divided loyalties in Houston, where the denizens are all .rmly in support of the Astros — as long as they don’t get in the way of high school football. Good thing the World Series takes Friday off.

Tuesday night, the biggest controversywas leaving the roof open.

John and Terry Wesley arrived at the game in their homemade Killer Bees out. ts, waving “We Beelieve” signs and paying homage to Biggio, Bagwell, Berkman, etc.

John .rst came to Houston games in the ‘ 60s, when the team was known as the Colt 45s.

Terry’s only regret: She left her stinger at home. She wanted to use it on Major League Baseball, which ordered the roof open for Game 3. The Astros enjoy a statistical advantage and louder crowd support with the roof closed.

“ Baseball should take their nose and put it where it belongs,” she said. roof