Cubs-Cardinals Rivalry Explored In Upcoming Exhibit

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 21, 2017 9:30PM

Getty Images / Photo: Jonathan Daniel

The current state of the Chicago Cubs v. St. Louis Cardinals rivalry—one of the longest, most storied in all of professional sports—is as strong as ever. The Cubs, perhaps you recall, won the World Series last season and are favored to repeat. And the Redbirds remain as competitive as a subset of their fans remain contemptible (see the treatment of former Cub/current Card Dexter Fowler after he criticized Trump's immigration ban). So the table is well set for "Cubs vs. Cardinals: The Rivalry," a new exhibit that explores the infamous competition and arrives at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum this spring.

The Lincoln museum is, of course, located in Springfield, IL, which should provide relatively neutral ground. The exhibit will "animate the stories associated with one of baseball’s most celebrated rivalries and two of the most enthusiastic fan bases these teams represent," Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson said diplomatically in a statement.

Some of the memorabilia on display includes the actual base that Cardinal (and onetime Cub) Lou Brock stole to break the stolen-base record and a Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog's chart of Cubs star Andre Dawson's hitting pattern. (There seems to be some non-rivalry-related inclusions, too, like the hat sported by Kerry Wood when he struck out 20 batters in one game—against the Astros. But whatevs.)

“Baseball is the American pastime and a huge part of history and culture. Few sports stories can top the length, passion and sheer fun of the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry,” Alan Lowe, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, said in a news release. “We’re excited to offer our visitors an unprecedented look at this piece of the Illinois story."

Perhaps both sides can find some common ground! Hey, it's happened before. The exhibit opens March 24.