Ah, this is the best time of the year for a baseball fan like myself. The days are getting longer, the grass is greener and Major League Baseball's Opening Day is only days away. Being from Central Illinois, I grew up watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and I am still a huge fan. However, I chose to attend Northern Illinois University, which happens to be about 70 miles away from where the Chicago Cubs play. So, I've compiled a list of signs that you're a Cardinals fan in Chicago Cubs territory:
1. There is nobody to talk Cardinals baseball with
I don't care how big of a baseball fan you are, everyone has a side they prefer when it comes to Cardinals and Cubs. In Cubs land, nobody wants to talk about the Cardinals, at least in a positive way. Nobody wants to talk about how well Adam Wainwright pitched or the Randal Grichuk's strikeout numbers are way down from last season. It's a rough life.
2. You get weird looks while wearing Cardinals gear
I can personally attest to this one. I have a Cardinals hat that I wear quite often, and people who see me wearing it look at me like I'm doing the dance below. Come on, people. I feel as if I'm looked down upon when I'm wearing my team's gear. I'm just trying to get to class; I don't want to be heckled because of the logo on my hat.
3. You get mad when other people are wearing Cubs gear
People envy success. That's the case here. As a die-hard Cardinals fan, this is hard for me to admit. The Cubs were a good team last year, and they have a good shot to take home the World Series trophy this year. It seemed as if Jake Arrieta pitched the game of his life or Kris Bryant hit two home runs over the scoreboard. I didn't have to watch SportsCenter that night to know either because everyone on campus would let me know.
4. You become friends with White Sox fan
I find it fascinating that a mutual hatred brings people closer together. White Sox fans are in an even worse spot than Cardinals fans because the Sox typically aren't a good team as far as their record. As for the Cardinals, well, we all know how successful they have been. However, when the Cubs succeed, White Sox fans are pushed to the side along with us Cardinals fans.
5. You can't trash talk the Cubs because you're greatly outnumbered
Back at home, there's about an even number of Cardinals and Cubs fans, so it's fairly easy to start an argument over who's the better team. That's not the case up here at all. For every one Cardinals fan, it seems there are about 100 Cubs fans ready to fire this joke back at us.
6. Professors acknowledge the Cubs' success and encourage students to support them
I can't stress this one enough. Even if your professor doesn't watch baseball or sports at all, chances are they know about the Cubs and their success. Oftentimes, professors will give a spiel on how well the Cubs have been playing lately and suggest that students start to follow them because of how successful they are.
7. Nobody has a clue that the Cardinals won, or cares for that matter
This could possibly be the most stressful part of living in Cubs territory. When the Cardinals win a three-game series against the Mets, I want to celebrate. That's not possible here up north, unless I want to celebrate all by myself. Cubs fans couldn't care less about how the Cardinals are doing, except maybe in September. All the Cubs fans are concerned with is how their team is doing.
At the end of the day, I respect the Chicago Cubs and what Joe Maddon has done for the organization. Whatever happens, the 2016 season will be one to remember. I do know that the next three years here at Northern Illinois University will be spent rooting for my St. Louis Cardinals. Do I respect the Cubs? Yes. Will I stop loving the Cardinals? Not a chance.
