Chicago Cubs: Looking Back to 1908

Words cannot express how excited I get watching the Chicago Cubs right now, and it's no surprise why.

With roughly three months left to go in the 2008 Major League Baseball season, the Cubs have won eight straight games. They are 26-8 at home. They hold a 3.5-game lead for first place over the Cardinals in the National League Central Division.

More exciting than that, though, is the fact that the Cubs boast a 37-21 record—the best in Major League Baseball. The last time the North Siders had the best record in the Major Leagues coming into June was 100 years ago in 1908—the last year the Cubs won the World Series.

This has many Cubs fans excited, and it has many more worried. Some superstitous Cubs fans are concerned that the success in Chicago might just be a prelude to a huge choke.

Who could blame a Cubs fan for being nervous, right?

Luckily for North Siders, though, there is plenty of statistical evidence that suggests this year's Cubs success is no fluke. Some of this season's earlier concerns have gone away.

Alfonso Soriano, for example, is hitting .280 with 13 home runs and 36 runs batted in, only three less that team leader Aramis Ramirez.

The outfield problems may have been solved. In addition to the acquisition of All-Star Jim Edmonds, Michael Hoffpauir has seen action in 11 games, in which time he has put up a .421 batting average.

The Cubs may have also found their fifth starter. Sean Gallagher has started five games so far this season. He has a 3-1 record and a decent 4.55 ERA.

Hang in there, Cubs fans. It may be nerve-racking to be the best team in baseball—but if there's one thing being a Cubs fan has taught me, it's to enjoy success while you can.