Chicago ? September is a lovely time of year in Chicago. The leaves change colors, football starts — and brokenhearted Cubs and White Sox fans start thinking about “next year.”

Not this year. No, this year is special — or a sign the world is coming to an end. For the first time since way back in 1908, the Cubs and White Sox both entered September within five games of first place.

With 31/2 weeks left in the season, fans already are dreaming of an all-Chicago World Series, just like the one in 1906.

“It’d be awesome. That’s what everybody’s been waiting for all these years,” said Cubs catcher Josh Paul, who counts as somewhat of an expert having grown up in suburban Chicago and spent the first five years of his career with the White Sox.

The Chicago Bears, normally the city’s focal point in the fall, are going to just have to wait their turn. Chicago has a serious case of baseball fever, and it isn’t looking for a cure any time soon.

“Usually at this time of year, I’m looking at the Bears,” said Citron Mitchell, who was decked out in White Sox gear outside Wrigley Field Thursday. “But not this year!”

For the country’s third-largest city, Chicago has a pretty pitiful record when it comes to sports teams. Oh, sure, some bald guy named Jordan gave the city a thrill in the 1990s, leading the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles. But he left years ago, and the Bulls haven’t been the same.

And other titles? For all their history and Hall of Famers, the Bears have won one measly Super Bowl. The White Sox haven’t been to a World Series since 1959, and they’re better known for the championship they threw than either of the two titles they won.

As for baseball’s lovable losers, the Cubs haven’t won a World Series since 1908 — that’s 95 years, for those keeping track — and they haven’t even been to one since 1945.

They’ve made only three postseason appearances since 1945, winning a grand total of three games, and have finished above .500 only five times in the past 20 years. The last time the Cubs put together back-to-back winning seasons was 1972 — before starting pitchers Kerry Wood and Mark Prior even were born.

Sorry Boston, your Red Sox have nothing on the Chicago boys when it comes to getting the sympathy vote.

“You hope every year this is going to happen, but it’s a hope and a prayer,” said Barry Pitler, 61, of suburban Highland Park, a Cubs fan since he was 10. “It’s always wait, wait, wait. Next year, next year, next year.”

Given both teams’ recent struggles to produce runs, the odds of an all-Chicago World Series are slim. But maybe, just maybe, “next year” finally is here.

Dusty Baker has rejuvenated the Cubs in his first year in Chicago, and they were just one game behind NL Central leader Houston and a half game behind St. Louis going into Thursday’s series finale against the Cardinals.

The White Sox, meanwhile, are tied with Minnesota for the AL Central lead. The South Siders had the day off Thursday before beginning a weekend series with Cleveland.

“I think it would be a good thing for the city to do what New York did a few years ago,” White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said of the Yankees-Mets meeting in the 2000 World Series. “To watch two teams with such rivalry, such intensity, be in it for all of the marbles would really be exciting.”

Baker, who took the San Francisco Giants to the World Series last year, agreed.

“I’m pulling for the Sox,” said Baker, whose friendship with Manuel dates back to their days growing up near Sacramento, Calif.