I admit it.
As Cubs fans, we're a bit spoiled now. The close call in 2003 and the division titles in the last two seasons have only whetted our appetite for more.
Making the playoffs just won't satisfy many of us Cubs fans any longer. We want to win a championship and finally shed that "lovable losers" tag, once and for all!
I believe that's a good thing. While the Cubs success has made it more difficult to get good seats at Wrigley Field, and has led to the occasional booing of our own players, I think it's more healthy that we want to win.
Sure, Wrigley is a great place to soak up the sunshine and drink a few beers. But letting management know we're hungry to end this embarrassingly long drought is better.
Look, I know that Cubs fans are optimistic by nature. I get that. As the community leader on this site, I see where my realistic views are often interpreted as pessimistic.
But consider it from my vantage point. While I was too young to feel the sting of 1969, I actually shed tears over the 1984 Cubs. I was just so sure that they were going to win it all. I was absolutely flabbergasted when they didn't.
Since then, while I still love the Cubs, I look at things a bit differently. I admit, I got swept up in the euphoria last season.
Ninety-seven wins will do that to a person.
But I was not shocked when we went yet another year without going to the World Series. Still, the way we played in the playoffs did surprise me quite a bit.
So, I'm coming into this season with mixed emotions. Yes, I realize the Cubs look great once again. But even if we win another 97 games (we won't), I will reserve judgement until I see how we perform in the playoffs.
These kind of expectations can be dangerous. Even Lou Piniella admitted that the expectations got to the team last year. Of course, the weight of the hundred year thing is gone now, at least.
Now I know that Jim Hendry went out and made a lot of changes, mainly designed to make the lineup more balanced.
But we did not lose in the playoffs last year because we were too right-handed.
Just like we did not lose in the playoffs last year because of any goats or silly curses. We simply played three games of really bad baseball, collars got tight, and Lou made some questionable decisions.
But the beautiful thing about the game of baseball is that with the spring, hope blossoms again. New life returns, and old memories fade away. There is hope again, and with the quality of team we have, there is a valid reason for that hope.
Still, with apologies to Missouri, Chicago is quickly becoming the "show-me state". Tell me and I may question it. But show me and I believe it.
Seeing is truly believing.
Yes, Cubs fans have come a long way from the "lovable losers" and "friendly confines" of my youth. But that just means we won't be satisfied until we win it all. Which will happen this year, come to think of it.
Right, Cubs fans?
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