You Just Got To Have FAITH, Cubs Fans

The one difference this year for the Cubs, and me, is faith. I believe the Cubs will win, and have all season. Call me naive, call me young and stupid, but I truly believe in this year's team.

I am fairly young, 19, and have been a Cubs fan since 1998. The home run race between Sosa and McGwire dragged me into the lovable loser's corner. And like a lot of “new” Cubs fans, (older Cubs fans may call them band-wagoners) whenever the Cubs reach the playoffs a new generation of fans emerge.

I have seen this at my school first hand. I used to be the only one at my school caught in a Cubs shirt, or jersey. But last year, my senior year, there was probably 5-8 Cub shirts roaming the hall.

The Cubs are enticing to younger fans.  They see the Cubs having a good year and root for them because it is their chance to be a part of history. Some will come out of the wood work for October, and then when the Cubs ultimately lose, usually in heartbreaking fashion, they summon their shirts and jersey to the back of their closet.

This season will be no different and perhaps worse (regarding the band-wagoners) because the Cubs are the best team in baseball, and the favorites in the N.L.

But, this season has been completely different in the sense that I have faith. No matter the deficit, no matter the pitching matchup, no matter a poor performance, whether by the pitchers, or hitters.

The other night when Zambrano had a poor start against the Pirates, and Soriano made another error in the field, I was really never worried. Frustrated sure, but I had the feeling that they would pull through.

Last night against the Phillies when the offense couldn’t get anything going against Cole Hamels, while flipping back and forth between the game and the Obama speech, the Phillies suddenly had a 4-1 lead, late. Going into the 8th with the top of the order coming to bat, there was a feeling deep down that they would pull through.

Like two nights before, when they would score seven runs in the 8th against the Pirates, their rally was sparked with walks. This to me has been the biggest difference with the Cubs, this year they walk a lot more. They lead the Major Leagues with 540 walks. In years past, strikeouts plagued the Cubs offense, too often swinging for the fences and missing, ala Sammy Sosa.

The second half of the season the Cubs have improved with their road record. Winning 13 of their last 14 on the road, starting with the four game sweep of the Brewers. The Cubs have been consistent for the second part of the season, and barring Kerry Wood’s DL stint, the Cubs have been healthy.

As long as the Cubs stay healthy and consistent for the last month of the regular season and the postseason they will keep winning.  You just got to have FAITH.