107 years. That is how long it has been since the Chicago Cubs, also known as the “lovable losers,” have won a World Series. They last hoisted the trophy in 1908 and it has been downhill ever since. Or has it? The Cubs last played in a World Series during the 1945 season, eventually falling to the Detroit Tigers in seven games. But that was then, and this is now.
Chicago’s North Side has a rich history of losing and coming up short, but that has not deterred us fans, including me, from supporting and cheering on our Cubbies during their worst. Rain or shine, you can expect Wrigley to be rocking, and the surrounding area known as “Wrigleyville” to be packed with enthusiastic bargoers saying “this is our year.” This atmosphere is unprecedented when compared to any other stadium or team. I can tell you from firsthand experience that there is nothing quite like being a Cubs fan. Sitting in the bleachers on a warm summer afternoon with the other “bleacher bums” is paradise. For most people, sitting on a hard aluminum seat with a bunch of drunks is not considered paradise, but for the thousands of Cubs fans out there, it is.
The long-standing tradition of throwing homerun balls of the opposing team back is something you can expect to see out of any loyal Cubs fan. Singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh inning stretch is guaranteed to be some of the best fun you’ve had. Snapchat cannot even begin to encapsulate the environment or the celebrity singer, belting the famous words “Let me root, root, root for the Cubbies!” You cannot fully experience Wrigley Field without snarfing a ballpark dog down along with an Old Style beer. (Nobody actually likes Old Style, they just drink it to honor the long standing tradition.) At the conclusion of your fun-filled game, you’ll leave the ballpark listening to Steve Goodman’s song, “Go Cubs Go,” fade into the streets after a win (hopefully.)
However, there is one bond that all Cubs fans share that cannot be broken…the heartbreak of the 2003 season against the Florida Marlins. Up 3-0 in the eighth inning of the sixth game with a 3-2 series lead and five outs between the Cubs and the World Series, Mark Prior delivered a pitch to Luis Castillo. Castillo hit a foul fly ball down the left field line and Moisés Alou gave pursuit. He leapt onto the wall and reached for the ball but was unable to make the catch. At the same instance, a Cub fan everyone now knows as Steve Bartman attempted to catch the ball and interfered with Alou’s ability to make the catch. On the next pitch from Prior, Castillo walked. Later that inning, Alex Gonzalez (Cubs Shortstop) booted a routine double play ball hit by Miguel Cabrera. The Marlins went on to score eight runs in the eighth inning of game six and walked away with the victory. Florida eventually went on to secure the pennant and advance to the 2003 World Series.
That 2003 season will forever be ingrained into every Cubs fans’ memory. But this sort of bond brings all of us fans closer together. Though we experience the countless losses, we build memories along the way. Every year, no matter the outcome, we Cubs fans show up and support the blue pinstripes. 2016 has the potential to be special, so make sure to head down to Wrigley and its surrounding area to experience the magic and witness history. Go Cubs!
