It's inevitable--the Chicago Cubs and the Baltimore Orioles will meet in the World Series.

The reason is hipness.

Right now, the coolest thing to be is a fan of either the O's or the Cubbies.

Before this year, I have never seen anyone dare to step out in public with a Baltimore baseball cap. Last year, a lot of fans wore paper bags. Now, wearing the insignia of a bird on your head is hipper than loafers without socks.

Hey dude, nice bird.

The Orioles, however, cannot match the hipitude of the Cubs. Sure, President Bush and the rest of Washington's socialites have paid several visits to Memorial Stadium. But the Cubs have a hip comedian (Bill Murray), a hip conservative (George Will) and a hip hometown announcer (Harry Caray).

The Cubs versus the Orioles in the Series. Too hip for me.

As a tribute to hipness, we offer the top 10 hippest Baltimore Oriole nick-names (compiled by Charm City locals Andy Fine and Andy Cameron, with an assist by yours truly):

10. Brady "Bunch" Anderson.

9. Cal "Berkeley" Ripken, Jr.

8. Tim Hulett "Packard."

7. Mickey "Tete a" Tettleton.

6. Craig "How Much am I" Worthington.

5. Randy "Run of the" Milligan.

4. "Three Pennies to the" Schilling.