Before the Twins and White Sox do their Hatfields-and-McCoys thing, a video tribute to third baseman Joe Crede will be played. Crede, who was drafted in 1996 by Chicago and became one of the better third basemen in the league, signed with the Twins just before spring training began. He'll take his familiar third base position tonight -- right in front of the White Sox dugout.

"I've had a lot of good times over there and a lot of special memories," Crede said. "It's something that will always stay with you. Just enjoy it and move on and try to get three wins there."

Yes, because once today's game begins, White Sox fans are liable to let Crede have it -- especially if he contributes to the Twins' cause in any way.

"They are going to get on him," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "That's what fans do."

After the Credefest ends, everyone is expected to fall back into character as one of Baseball's best rivalries begins its 2009 version. Don't forget, this is the same park where Gardenhire and Eddie Guardado were soundly booed during pregame introductions for the 2003 All-Star Game.

Other events through the years on the south side underscore how heated this rivalry is.

Like Torii Hunter running over Chicago catcher Jamie Burke in 2004 -- and Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen wishing aloud that his team would play the same way.

There have been charges by White Sox players that the Twins play dirty at times, such as when they thought Nick Punto intentionally forearmed the ribs of Tadahito Iguchi in 2007.

White Sox fans had to endure July 6, 2007, when the Twins outscored Chicago 32-14 in a doubleheader, with Justin Morneau belting three home runs in Game 2.

Last season might have been the pinnacle of the rivalry. From June 20 to the end of the season, the teams were never more than three games apart at the top of the AL Central standings. The Twins swept the White Sox in three pressure-packed games at the Dome in September to take a half-game lead in the division.

The teams finished the regular season tied, with Chicago winning 1-0 in Game No. 163 at the Cell. Michael Cuddyer tried to run over former teammate A.J. Pierzynski at home plate to score the tying run but was thrown out.

The White Sox have a photo of that play as part of a collage on the cover of their 2009 media guide.

The Twins , led by closer Joe Nathan, cried foul. The Twins had won the regular-season series between the teams, but the game was played in Chicago thanks to a coin flip. The league realized it was a silly rule and changed it to the result of the season series to determine home field advantage in a one-game playoff.

"It may come back to bite us in the butt," Nathan said, "but I've always said I would take playing at their park if they earn it."

The story lines are flowing as the Twins prepare for this three-game series: Crede is returning to his old stomping grounds. Righthander Nick Blackburn will take the mound Saturday against the Sox for the first time since he lost that 1-0 game to then last fall. Catcher Jose Morales returns to the scene of the crime, where he was 3-for-3 in his major league debut in September 2007 but blew out his left ankle while running to second following his third hit -- which cost him most of his 2008 season.

"The only flashback I have is that I hit good in that ballpark," he joked.

Story lines are fine. The action on the field is what makes this rivalry great. Who needs the Yankees and Red Sox when there's the Twins and White Sox?

"Crede playing against his old team has got to be the story to go with," Nathan said. "As far as us playing them, it's another chapter."

La Velle E. Neal III - lneal@startribune.com