No offense Cubs' fans but you all need to settle down for a little while. I am not a Red Sox fan nor a Cubs fan (Although I do root for the Cubs in many games), but some of you Chicago fans need to learn from the Bo-Sox fans.
How many World Series have the Cubs won since 1908? I'll give you a hint, it rhymes with hero. How many times have you guys/gals had your heart broken? Count your fingers and your toes...and while you are at it...all of your friends' fingers and toes too.
The Cubs are a storied and renowned organization that have some of the best fans around. There is no disputing the support and dedication that the Cubs receive each and every year from the community. Cubs' nation is spread all over the U.S...even the globe.
About five years back the Cubs looked like a championship contender for the first time in a while. In Game Six of the NLCS, the Cubs experienced the type of heartache they didn't know was possible. It was most likely a very similar feeling to how the Red Sox fans felt in 1986 when Mookie Wilson's slow grounder rolled through Bill Buckner's legs as the Mets rallied in the ninth inning to beat the Sox in game 6 of the World Series.
The Mets went on to win Game Seven of the World Series that year leaving Boston fans everywhere stunned and heart sick. Thus, in 2003 when the Cubs lost Game Six and eventually the series to the Marlins, Red Sox fans knew exactly what the Cubs and their fans were going through.
Now skip ahead one year later to 2004. The Red Sox were playing the Yankees and Boston fans everywhere had seen this before; the Yankees dominated the first three games of the series including a 19 run outburst in game three. The Red Sox fans had given up hope and were once again feeling heart sick and hopeless.
Game Four went into extra innings but the Sox fans knew even if they won this game and the next game, their team still had to travel back to Yankees Stadium. Confidence remained at an all-time low. Two magical nights later, the series was 3-2 and the Boston fans realized they could be witnessing something historic...but they would never be confident because of their past.
Unbelievably, the Red Sox did what no team had ever done before... came back from a 3-0 deficit to win the ALCS. Best of all, it happened in Yankee Stadium...the place where so many of their dreams had been shattered and where their optimism was always turned into pessimism.
At this point, the Red Sox and their fans knew they had broken the curse, they had broken their bad luck streak, and best of all they had broken the back of the team and fans who had tortured them over the past century.
So you are probably wondering what this has to do with the Cubs of 2008, right? Well, here is my advice to Cubs' fans, always have faith but do not expect anything! All I have seen and experienced these past few weeks are Cubs' fans running their mouths and acting like a spot is already reserved for them in the World Series.
How can a city, a nation of Cubs' fans, a place where heartache is habitual, be overconfident about their team who hasn't won in 100 years? Haven't you people learned your lesson yet? Some of the best things in life happen when you LEAST expect it. Just ask those Red Sox fans...better yet, learn from them.
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2 months ago
Well quite frankly sir, We've earned that confidence throughout the season because our boys in the blue pinstripes have showed us they have what it takes. Comeback win after comeback win, how could you not be confident about this teams ability to win games. This is a different team then in years past, they are playing on what they've done this year not what any other team has or hasn't done in the last century. Plus they have something to prove after last year. I'm not guaranteeing a World Series by any stretch of the imagination, but this team has an awfully good shot at doing some amazing things this October.
from 2 months ago
There is no doubt the Cubs are a great team this yr and the fans can be excited about what they are watching...however, I am just warning fans that they have seen teams like this before and your hearts have been torn out...better to be prepared for nothing rather than expecting filet mignon and you get half of a salisbury steak instead.
2 months ago
On the cusp of the playoffs, every team's fans think THIS is the season. Only one set will be correct. Enjoy it everybody, just don't get too far ahead of yourself, unless you have a couple of crow reciepes
from 2 months ago
Definitely agree with you there jc
2 months ago
Very well thought out article. Remember this is October and ANYTHING can happen.
from 2 months ago
thanks allen
2 months ago
> How can a city, a nation of Cubs' fans, a place where heartache is habitual, be overconfident about their team who hasn't won in 100 years?
I think most Cubs fans have a streak of masochism somewhere deep down inside - me included. I may now live in Europe, but I grew on the north side of town and even after having been away for more than 30 years, I still dream, hope and suffer with the Cubs. Always with the knowledge that pain is part of the package and if the worst comes to the worst, there is always next year. However, this is THE YEAR, it must be THE YEAR, because there is always next century might be too much to bear.
On the other hand, a 97-64 record is nothing to scoff at, and in October anything can happen and ...
> Haven't you people learned your lesson yet?
No.
God, how envy the guys who can just jump on the El and...
2 months ago
great comment anon. i enjoyed your input here..good stuff, thanks
2 months ago
As a Red Sox fan, I'll admit that other than my team, I'll be pulling for the Cubbies. I think most of the country is pulling for them as well.
I believe that Cubs fans do have a right to boast a little. Why not? There's no question they have proven themselves to be the best team in the NL, and have great pitching. You've earned the right to boast and brag. I do think they can get by the Dodgers who are a little long in the tooth, by the way - and their pitching is suspect. Losing that 1st game, though, makes me nervous.
The AL is the better division in baseball, so I think it will be difficult to get past whatever AL team emerges. I don't think my Red Sox are healthy enough to defend. So, I think it's either the Ray's or Angel's year.
** I'll be supporting the Cubs all the way!
2 months ago
As a Red Sox fan, I'll admit that other than my team, I'll be pulling for the Cubbies. I think most of the country is pulling for them as well.
I believe that Cubs fans do have a right to boast a little. Why not? There's no question they have proven themselves to be the best team in the NL, and have great pitching. You've earned the right to boast and brag. I do think they can get by the Dodgers who are a little long in the tooth, by the way - and their pitching is suspect. Losing that 1st game, though, makes me nervous.
The AL is the better division in baseball, so I think it will be difficult to get past whatever AL team emerges. I don't think my Red Sox are healthy enough to defend. So, I think it's either the Ray's or Angel's year.
** I'll be supporting the Cubs all the way!
2 months ago
As a Red Sox fan, I'll admit that other than my team, I'll be pulling for the Cubbies. I think most of the country is pulling for them as well.
I believe that Cubs fans do have a right to boast a little. Why not? There's no question they have proven themselves to be the best team in the NL, and have great pitching. You've earned the right to boast and brag. I do think they can get by the Dodgers who are a little long in the tooth, by the way - and their pitching is suspect. Losing that 1st game, though, makes me nervous.
The AL is the better division in baseball, so I think it will be difficult to get past whatever AL team emerges. I don't think my Red Sox are healthy enough to defend. So, I think it's either the Ray's or Angel's year.
** I'll be supporting the Cubs all the way!
2 months ago
As a Red Sox fan, I'll admit that other than my team, I'll be pulling for the Cubbies. I think most of the country is pulling for them as well.
I believe that Cubs fans do have a right to boast a little. Why not? There's no question they have proven themselves to be the best team in the NL, and have great pitching. You've earned the right to boast and brag. I do think they can get by the Dodgers who are a little long in the tooth, by the way - and their pitching is suspect. Losing that 1st game, though, makes me nervous.
The AL is the better division in baseball, so I think it will be difficult to get past whatever AL team emerges. I don't think my Red Sox are healthy enough to defend. So, I think it's either the Ray's or Angel's year.
** I'll be supporting the Cubs all the way!
2 months ago
SORRY!
from 2 months ago
haha its ok alexa. I am not saying Cubs' fans can't boast I am saying they should watch it a little bit and wait until they do something past the regular season. but i definitely understand your point though and if they beat my Dodgers then I will root for them as well
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