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New York Vs. Chicago: It's About Baseball And So Much More

CHICAGO (CBSNewYork) -- The Big Apple vs. the Windy City. The City That Doesn't Sleep vs. the Second City.

They have "da Bears." We have the Jets and Giants.

Both towns say they have the most passionate sports fans. But Mets and Cubs fans have one thing in common: Their fan bases are long-suffering, CBS2's Otis Livingston reported.

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Nearly three decades have passed since the Mets last won a World Series. But that's nothing compared to the Cubs, who haven't won in more than a century.

This is New York vs. Chicago, folks.

"Every corner has a pulse (in New York). There (in Chicago), very few corners have a pulse," said Mets fan Andrew Ginsburg. "They have very angry crossing guards, our buildings are more attractive, our entertainment is much better. We have Broadway shows, we have great comedy. Chicago? Eh, they've got Al Capone."

"Chicago people, way nicer," said Cubs fan Jeremy Mitchell.

When asked if they're so nice they'll let the Mets get a win Tuesday night, Mitchell said: "Oh, no, no. They're not nice on the field."

"We're the first with music," said Mets fan William Penza. "We're the first with art. We're the first -- like anything that's happening in the world starts here."

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And don't forget one of the more contentious topics: pizza.

Chicago has the jam-packed deep-dish pie -- onions, peppers, sausage and anything else they can squeeze in there. The traditional New York slice is simple in its beauty, unique in its taste.

"New York pizza is Italian pizza, thin slice pizza. That's how it originated, no?" said Dominic Accetta, owner of Sacco's Pizza in Hell's Kitchen.

"We've definitely got the better pizza," said Colleen Feliciano of Lou Malnati's Pizza in Chicago. "I mean, it's just so unique, so satisfying. It just kills New York's thin, kind of boring (pizza)."

"Deep dish, it's just way too thick," countered a New Yorker. "It's a little too overcompensating."

But when it comes right down to it, this is about a chance to get to the World Series. With their team up 2-0, Mets fans have every right to feel like they're in the driver's seat in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series, but Cubs fans say: "Welcome to Wrigley! The series is far from over!"

Game 3 is Tuesday night in Chicago.

"The Cubs in ... the next four," a Cubs fan predicted to Livingston. "We've got you guys. We had to keep it interesting and all that."

"Come to New York," Ginsburg said. "You'll understand, Chicago. That's why you guys haven't won in 107 years."

The rivalry between the Cubs and Mets took shape 46 years ago. Who could forget the curse of the black cat that ran in front of Ron Santo in the on-deck circle in 1969?

The Mets beat the Cubs that day and went into the division lead for good the very next day en route to winning their first World Series.

In 1973, the Mets celebrated winning the National League East at Wrigley Field on the final day of the season.

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