Go Cubs Go: Why This Year Is Going to Be Chicago's Year

Every year, fans gear up for opening day and open their hearts to the newest prospects and the veteran favorites, hoping for a promise, hoping for this year to be THE YEAR.  And almost every year, the hope continues to ride up and down on what is the Cubs’ roller-coaster of success, until it is finally had to be admitted when the Cubs are done for the season without that World Series win, that this year is not THE YEAR.  But being a loyal Cubs fan, I have hope and the highest hope for this being THE YEAR and there are a couple of words why:  Fukudome and Lee. 

In the opening games of the season, the Cubs are already above a .500 with a 4-3 winning record, and who can complain with a winning record so far.  April is going to be THE MONTH.  The most revered and newest player to call himself a Chicago Cub is Kosuke Fukudome.  Fukudome, already successful in Japan playing for the Japanese Olympic Team and the Chunichi Dragons with over 192 runs in about 8 years with a batting average of just over .300.  Already, Fukudome already has a .458 batting average and 1 home run and 4 wins under his belt.  I wonder if Fukudome expected so many fans to be riding on his performance this season.  Fukudome is expected to have a little over 20 home runs and keep a batting average close to .400 this season, based upon his current statistics.  Fukudome is the future of the Cubs and an asset to making this year THE YEAR. 

While the newest always brings a sense of excitement to the routine, it is always a veteran that helps the fans to feel at home, someone to rely on and so far this season Derrek Lee has stepped into a leading role with a current batting average of .400 and 3 home runs to bring home to Chicago.  Lee was the breakout star for the Cubs in 2005, but because of a wrist injury in 2006 his statistics and performance dropped.  So far in this early season, Lee has left nothing out in his game performances and reflects the Lee that was seen in 2005.  He is predicted to have around 70 homers and keep a batting average close to .400 for the rest of the season and over 90 RBI’s. 

Together with Fukudome and the rest of Cubs, there is hope, real hope, and I know that this year is THE YEAR for the Cubs.