Just being in Chicago with the Cubs in the playoffs, 2007 feels so much different than 2003. I am not a Cubs fan, but I've lived among them now for 22 years. They are in the playoffs (though they lost Game One last night). But this year is different.
In 2003, there was actual hope. In Dusty did they all Trusty. They had Wood. And Prior Knowledge.
But then came Game Six of the 2003 NLCS. You know, the game with He Who Shall Not Be Named in OldCleat's blog because it was not his fault, really.
Having gone to the seat that the unfortunate Cubs fan sat in and looking down on the field, it looks to me like Moises Alou would have had to have been Dikembe Mutumbo to have gotten that pop foul.
Anyway, it wasn't just that game, I believe, that has exacerbated the angst. The strum und drang.
First, it was the Red Sox. Misery loves company, and when they won it in '04, it gave the Cub fans hope for '05, which, of course, hurt worse when it didn't happen.
But at least it wasn't happening for Chicago baseball.
Then came 2005. Grinder Ball. Ozzie. Good Guys Wear Black.
When the White Sox won the Series in '05, that was when the Cubs fans KNEW that they were toast. No more Sammy. No more Dusty. No more Woody (well ... he is sorta still around).
The Cubs in 2006 were a morass. They finished in sixth place in the N.L. Central.
But with Sweet Lou and a whole bunch of money, they turned it around and got in the playoffs by finishing first in the Central this year.
And I have never seen more long, unhappy faces.
Sure, they are all wearing their silly Cub uni tops. And they act like they believe.
But they don't. They sit in fear and loathing, waiting for the crapola to hit the old fan. It isn't fun. '98 was fun. 2003 was more fun than this. Nothin', of course, beat 1984. But this is just morose.
Have some fun, Cub fans. It sure as hell beats having seven losing seasons in a row, like the Reds have had.
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