Theo Epstein Will Bring Chicago Cubs Fans Back to Wrigley Field

Theo Epstein is the man who Chicago Cubs fans wanted to direct the baseball side of the Cubs.  According to WEEI-AM 850 Boston, the Cubs have hired Epstein as general manager.  Epstein joins the Cubs after the Boston Red Sox suffered a historic collapse in September, missing the playoffs.

Hiring Epstein not only boosts the Cubs in many ways, but it also gives Cubs fans reason to hope.

Cubs fans had lost interest in going to Cubs games.

Cubs fans had been down in the dumps for the last two years.  The team had had two dreadful losing seasons since Tom Ricketts bought the team. 

Managers in the last two season have been uninspiring. The Cubs had lost their direction in the final season with Lou Piniella as manager.  Piniella had mailed it in before leaving late in the season.  Last season, Mike Quade bumbled listlessly. 

Former Cubs President John McDonough had left the Cubs in 2007 to take on the business side of the Chicago Blackhawks.  Even in the saddest of seasons, McDonough could inspire Cubs fans to turn out in droves.  McDonough knew how to promote the Cubs product.  He knew how to make Cubs fans proud even when they weren't supposed to be proud.

Current Cubs President Crane Kenny hasn't mastered that art.  His ineffectiveness is evident.

Cubs fans haven't attended games like they had.  Last season, Wrigley Field attendance averaged 37,258 per game, the lowest it had been since 2003.  Stadium capacity was 90.5 percent, the lowest at Wrigley Field since 2002.

This only begins to demonstrate how attendance at Cubs games has been relatively low for the Cubs. Wrigley Field seats were largely empty last season. Large spaces of empty seats could be seen while watching Cubs telecasts.

This was an odd site for Wrigley Field, one of baseball's pilgrimage sites.

Epstein can bring the enthusiasm back.

While Epstein doesn't run the baseball side of the Cubs like McDonough does, Epstein can inspire fans to return to Wrigley Field in his work directing the baseball affairs of the Cubs.

Cubs fans are the greatest of dreamers. They can imagine a World Series title any season, no matter the real prospects of the team. No signing is out of reach of the Cubs fan's imagination.

Epstein gives Cubs fans reason to dream. He can at least bring some of the dream acquisitions to reality.

Epstein can make an Albert Pujols signing happen. He can add the hitters and pitchers that can make Cubs fans' dreams reality.

Regarding the dreams of a World Series title, Epstein might have to work with Quade for a short while. If Quade doesn't succeed, Epstein is fully capable of finding a good replacement.

Quade was an uninspiring choice for manager last year.

When Cubs fans ask for a manager they can believe in, Epstein can hire a great one.

Wrigley Field will be full again.

Cubs fans will be back in droves in 2012, the first season that will see the fruits of Epstein's work. Since 2001, the highest attendance related to stadium capacity is 99.1 percent in 2008.  Cubs fans will fill Wrigley Field at a higher rate in 2012. 

With the signings that Epstein will acquire, the Cubs will have a team that will inspire fans to come to the game like they had in the years before Ricketts bought the Cubs.  Cubs fans can watch their team proudly again.