John Cusack: actor, producer, writer and fan of both the Cubs and White Sox?

That’s right. Although Cusack was brought up on the north side, he admitted to MLB.com he is a fan of both Windy City teams.

But can someone from Chicago really be neutral to the two teams?

“I think you can be a fan of both, because if you really don’t have an opinion about baseball you can root for your city,” said Rob Fantozzi, a freshman math education major. “But most people grow up with their parents teaching them to like a team.”

But that still doesn’t explain Cusack’s case.

Cusack lived on the north side. It’s rare that he – along with anyone else who was brought up around the city – was not taught to love one side of the city and hate the other.

So I figured I had to go back to the drawing board and think of a better question to ask baseball fans.

But after the Southsiders claimed their first penant in 49 years Sunday, perhaps the real question is: Can a Cubs fan really cheer for the White Sox as they begin a World Series run?

Robin Schrader, a sophomore accountancy major and Cubs fan, believes it’s possible.

“I’m not a Sox fan, but I think they deserve to win,” Schrader said. “It’s good for the city, even if the Cubs are the team that’s not in the World Series.”

Although Schrader and other Cubs fans may be temporary ChiSox supporters, don’t expect all Cubs fans to jump on the “It’s-good-for-Chicago” bandwagon.

“I don’t like the White Sox going to the World Series one bit,” sophomore marketing major Jen Kincaid said. “I wish the Cubs did better this year, because if they would have made it into the playoffs I wouldn’t be so bitter.”

But for Sox fans like sophomore accountancy major Phil Smith, negative Cub-fan vibes aren’t even an issue.

“It’s fine by me because in 2003 I was a Marlins fan,” Smith said. “Cubs fans are Cubs fans; whatever stance they take is fine by me.”

Mark Olsen, a sophomore computer science major, made the best point about Cubs fans who refuse to support their south-side neighbors.

“They’re doing the same thing any loyal Sox fan would do,” Olsen said. “You can respect a team, but you don’t have to like them.”

Olsen hit the nail on the head with his statement. I’ve been trying to hide it the whole article, but I’ll admit it now: I’m a Cubs fan.

Just walk into my room and you’ll see it’s a shrine to the Cubs. I have posters, signs, bobble heads, a beanbag and even my blankets and bed sheets are Cubs’ color.

But despite my loyalty to the north side, I’m not a Sox hater.

For me the Sox are like Brett Favre. I hate Green Bay with a passion, but I have to respect No. 4.

He’s unbelievable at what he does and a talent like his has to be respected, but I can still dislike what he does to the Bears every year – well, except this year.

So go on Sox fans, enjoy your time in the spotlight. I won’t harass you about it or wish you ill.

I just won’t have my TV set on every night to watch a Cubs fan’s nightmare; the White Sox and the Astros, or even worse, the Cardinals, facing off in the October classic.