Thoughts of a Cub Fan

There is just something about a Cubs fan that separates him from all of the other fans in baseball. No doubt about it the difference is obvious. You see, a Cubs fan is loyal, patient, kind, forgiving, and lovable. We have waited over a hundred years now for a championship and it seems like it might be another hundred years before the Cubs win that coveted title in all of baseball. A Cubs fan has endured a lot. You name it, that Cubs fan has been through it, except for the World Series.

Everywhere I go I see fellow Cub fans. I live in Fort Myers Florida, and I go to a lot of Twins and Red Sox spring training games, without fail I can always spot a Cubs jersey or hat somewhere in the stands. Cubs fans are humble because when I see a fellow Cub fan in the stands at these spring training games they are usually taking a friendly ribbing from a guy whose had two or three drafts and knows a "funny" Cubs joke. A true Cubs fan will take this in stride because unfortunately we are used this type of friendly abuse.

I know that what I have said so far is just an opinion laced with anecdotal evidence but I have spoken with many Cub fans and the story is usually similar. I believe that Cubs fans are ubiquitous and very gregarious. The Cubs set the home attendance record almost yearly during spring training's Cactus League and I have read that they are well represented at all of the other baseball parks that they travel to in Arizona as well. This also carries over to the regular season where Cubs fans are known to travel to wherever their team is playing. Usually when the Cubs are visiting another stadium, you can see plenty of Cubs shirts and hats throughout the stands. Sometimes the Cub fans will out number the home town fans. They all chant together, "Let's go Cub-bies!" Without fail when the TV camera pans through the crowd you can pick out a Cubs fan getting heckled by a "happy" hometown fan. Every Cub fan has been through this experience once or twice and the fans watching at home are thankful that this loyal fan is graciously taking one for the team.

The Cubs are the one team in baseball that can be thirty games out of first place and the stands are full. For any other team to accomplish this feat they would have to be doing well and in contention. Nobody knows for sure but it might be day baseball and WGN that has helped to create this tremendous following. But regardless of whatever or whoever created it, Cubs fans are in love with their team. The memories are many and the legends live on in our hearts. I have to say that I really miss the voices of Harry Caray and Jack Brickhouse. "Hey, Hey!" and "Holy cow!", these two phrases live in baseball history. The energy of these two broadcasters alone was incredible. They both bled Cubby Blue.

The Cub fans have always been in love with their players and the players have always responded warmly to the Cub faithful. Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, Billy Williams, Ron Santo, Greg Maddux, are just a few of the great names to pass through the Friendly Confines. Great seasons like '69, '84, '03, '07 are regularly talked about. These players have come so close but they have failed to take the Cub fans to the World Series that the Cub fans and players have longed for. Even through the crazy vicissitudes of these years and the many heartbreaks they both have endured, the bond between the players and the fans couldn't be stronger. 

The history of the club is rich from the black cat and billy goat episodes to Babe Ruth calling his shot back in 1934. Wrigley Field is a Chicago icon that has a lot more history to create. It is the second oldest ballpark in the major leagues behind Fenway. Wrigley Field is a great place to watch baseball with the energized fans and the rowdy bleacher bums. Cub fans are lovers of the game, how it's played, the history, and the integrity of the game.   

It is my suspicion that Cub fans will continue to be loyal and watch their beloved team struggle day after day. Mark my words though, there will be a day in the future that the Cubs will win it all. If you thought that The Boston Red Sox had a celebration just wait until the Cubs fans get their shot at throwing a party. The festivities will most likely be nationwide and not just restricted to one municipality. But until that day actually happens I will sit back and watch and enjoy the games.