I've been a Cubs fan all my life. My dad was a Cubs fan, my mom's a Cubs fan and my siblings and their children are Cubs fans. When I was a young man, I'd call my mom and Dad every weekend on Sat. AM. During the summer my Dad would often talk about the Cubs. He'd go over their latest standings with me and talk excitedly about how this could be the year. I'd usually respond with "Dad, it's June, they're always in first in June. What matters is the end of summer not the beginning". Most years they were first in June and last in October. Being a Cubs fan was good training for being a mariners fan. Love the guys but protect yourself with low expectations.
One year (1989), the Cubs were doing a bit better than usual. Conversations with my dad started out as always -"Dad it's June, wait until October..." Then in July "OK, they've lasted a bit longer than usual but it's still only July, wait until October". In August I said something like "Wow, they're doing well this year but there's still plenty of time for them to screw this up". By Sept, they only had to win something like one game out of their last 15 to clinch a playoff spot, and I was starting to come around to the possibility that they might make the playoffs. Finally, they clinched a playoff berth and even I, one of the most cynical Cubs fans started to believe. They lost in the Nat. League Championship series 4 games to 1 that year. Our hopes were dashed again.
Dad died about 21 years ago on May 12, 1995. He was 14 the last time the Cubs were even in a world series and he never saw them win one during his 64 years on the planet. My mom turned 85 this year. She's lucky enough to have lived long enough to see this win.
So Dad, don't roll over in that grave, but it finally happened. The Cubs won a world series.
One year (1989), the Cubs were doing a bit better than usual. Conversations with my dad started out as always -"Dad it's June, wait until October..." Then in July "OK, they've lasted a bit longer than usual but it's still only July, wait until October". In August I said something like "Wow, they're doing well this year but there's still plenty of time for them to screw this up". By Sept, they only had to win something like one game out of their last 15 to clinch a playoff spot, and I was starting to come around to the possibility that they might make the playoffs. Finally, they clinched a playoff berth and even I, one of the most cynical Cubs fans started to believe. They lost in the Nat. League Championship series 4 games to 1 that year. Our hopes were dashed again.
Dad died about 21 years ago on May 12, 1995. He was 14 the last time the Cubs were even in a world series and he never saw them win one during his 64 years on the planet. My mom turned 85 this year. She's lucky enough to have lived long enough to see this win.
So Dad, don't roll over in that grave, but it finally happened. The Cubs won a world series.
