Oct. 9, 2015, marked the day that our campus’s atmosphere changed. No I’m not talking about the new Panther Athletics logo; I am talking about the National League Division Series. Oct. 9 was the day that the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals began to play for the NL Division title. For the first time in MLB history, these two rivals hit the field in the postseason. With this being said, EIU’s campus broke in half, as northern versus central and southern students began the rivalry for their favorite team.
For the Cardinals fans on campus, postseason division title games are normal and the series should be a piece of cake. Can Cubs fans blame them? The Cardinals prove every year how great of a team they are but, this year, the Cubs proved themselves. The Cubs are now bigger and better than ever before. Throughout Chicago, the suburbs, and EIU’s campus, Cubs fans are going absolutely nuts over the regular season and Wednesday night’s shutout Wild Card game against the Pittsburg Pirates. Even some Cardinals fans were raving over that game. But, starting last week, rivalries and arguments will begin about who will rise above.
During my sorority’s philanthropy Wednesday night, arguments were already rising about who will win the series, whose players have a better batting average, or largest fan base. Even guys of different fraternities were coming together to root for or against the Cubs during the game. Now with the division title at stake, the ancient rivalry between these fans will cause a huge stir on campus next week.
Starting Friday and for the rest of the series, our campus will consist of endless viewing parties at houses and bars. Girls are wearing their favorite team’s baseball hats and every guy is sporting the jerseys. Cardinal’s fans brag about their experience in the playoffs while Cubs fans rave over Jake Arrieta’s Cy Young worthy season. Both fans have great teams to back up their arguments. Each team performed miraculously during the regular season, so neither team’s fans could bare to see their season ending. In my opinion, between the players and the fans, this is one of the toughest fights in MLB history.
Throughout EIU’s campus, the excitement is increasing as each game goes on. One team will rise above and continue on in the postseason. No matter which team wins, our campus will be united once again and friendships will still last. Some of my best friends are Cardinals fans, and I will only hate them…for this week.
