The Chicago Cubs clinched their spot in the playoffs tonight with a win over the Reds (sorry Adam, and sorry Tom)and a Brewers' loss to the Padres! If you know me at all, you know that I was ecstatic, followed by emotional. Yes, tears were shed when Kerry Wood came on screen (he ALWAYS gets me emotional)and hugged Ron Santo. It is now one of my favorite moments! You'll also know that every year I claim that it is the Cubs' year to win a world series. And you obviously know that the Cubs haven't one the WS in 99 years (yes, that's the longest drought since Cavemen rode dinosaurs to work. Regardless (or "rugaadluss," if you will), it seems that I might be right!
A little back story on those who might not have realized that I was a Cubs fan...
Many times over the past 15 or so years, I've been asked, "You're from Missouri, why aren't you a Cardinals fan?" The answer lies in my lengthy history with the Cubs. Thanks to WGN, along with the crazy antics of Harry Carey, my Grandpa and I would sit and watch the Cubs games on TV. I fell in love with the lovable losers and couldn't wait for game days to watch my favorite players of the 80s: Mark Grace, Ryne Sandberg (I even played 2nd base because of him), and Andre Dawson. My favorite player of all time is Greg Maddux, who also played for the Cubs in the 80s. I learned a lot about the game from watching WGN in my pre-teens and teens, but more than that, I learned to love something that was bigger than I was.
The second answer to why I'm not a Cardinals fan is because when I was younger, the only time I got to go to a Cubs game was when they were playing the Cardinals. I remember my first Cubs game. Dad took Steven and me to St. Louis for a weekend. We did some cool stuff (I saw a picture the other day from the weekend and my dad gets mega props for not dying of embarrassment from my brother and my looks... we were goofy!). The main thing, though, was that he took us to a Cubs game and they beat the Cardinals. Every year I go to Cubs games and it is much more affordable to go to St. Louis.
This year (and twice before), I've been fortunate enough to go to Wrigley to watch them play. This is another main reason I'm a fan. To be a part of something so legendary is very humbling (I sound as if I play for the Cubs or something). The atmosphere is so fun in Wrigleyville! By the way, if you go to a Wrigley game, you MUST go to the Cubby Bear across the street before and after the game: Party Central!
Anyway, the stadium is named the Friendly Confines for a reason. Chicago people may be rude as hell if you meet them on the street, but once you walk through the turnstiles into the stadium, something comes over you. You now are in a secret club where you high five, yell together, cry together, win together, and lose together.
That is, if you're a Cubs fan, or player. One of my favorite stories from Tom (yes, the same one mentioned above as a Reds fan) is about the day he began to accept the Cubs. He was in college and his roommate, a Cubs fan, made him sit down and watch a game. The opposing outfielder was running back to make a fly ball catch when, all of a sudden, a Cubs fan threw his beer on the player, causing him to drop the ball. You gotta love that.
So, congratulations, Cubs! And here's a big high five to all you Cubs fans out there... it's gonna happen.
Enjoy some of the photographs I've taken of the lovable (not-so-much) losers.
beautiful Wrigley...
The August 1st game, when they first sat on top of the Central Division with a walk-off win!
A play by Rich Hill (who I saw that morning at Starbucks across the street!) to D-Lee
And of course, my man, Zambrano (aka Z-man, aka Z-pack)...
