By Adam Studzinski
Cubs fans, this one is for you.
Those who know me well know I’m a White Sox fan. That’s not changing. But I saw something this past Saturday that struck me to my core. Something I don’t think anyone can truly describe the meaning of.
The Cubs winning the National League pennant was an event the likes of which we might never see again. Will a baseball team ever go that long without getting to the World Series? How was a 71 year gap even possible in the first place?
Everyone is talking about it. The more I hear about it, the more I’m realizing I don’t think the emotion tied to what’s happening in Chicago can be understood by a lot of people. They talk about it. They say it’s been forever, blah blah, but they don’t UNDERSTAND it. I’m not sure you can even fully grasp it if you’ve been in Illinois, let alone Chicago, your whole life.
As Sox fan, I can’t understand the emotion tied to this. I’ve seen my team win it all (although some seem to have forgotten 2005 was a thing).
Cleveland? They think they’ve suffered. They know nothing. Sure, Chicago teams have won more championships since 1965 or whatever year you want to use as a benchmark. But none of those teams carry the kind of following and deep longing for a W as the Cubs.
I’ve seen the pain and anguish in the eyes of my Cubs fan friends. It’s a kind of suffering they can’t put into words. I’ve had friends tell me about relatives who’ve died and never got to see this. My dad, who is a Cubs fan and not a, well, let’s go with “young man,” has never seen the North Siders play in the World Series.
For so many people it doesn’t seem real. I’m writing this mere hours before the Cubs and Indians play game one and I’m still about 10 percent sure the entire planet is caught up in a dream. So many people had started thinking this moment would never happen. And yet, it is. It’s not a dream.
The National League Champion Chicago Cubs are in the World Series. Holy cow.
I write this, my dearest Cubs fans, to let you know I’m with you. I might not truly get how much this entire experience means to all of you, but I’ll be right there with you as this series unfolds. Whether you need shoulder to cry on or a shoulder to stand on as you celebrate. You guys have taken hit, after hit, after hit and just keep going, bleeding Cubbie red and blue. Enjoy this.
OK…here we go. I honestly never thought I’d say these words and mean them – Go Cubs Go.
