Chicago Cubs are built to contend for many years to come

It’s an off-day in the World Series and a good time to reflect and ponder about the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs have gone 108 years without winning a World Series.

They’ve had good teams in years past and they’ve had bad teams. Anthony Rizzo was on a Chicago Cubs’ team that lost 101 games before things got better. It is a confluence of events and talented people who have brought the Cubs to the doorstep of baseball history.

Cubs’ President Theo Epstein built this club to compete for not just this season, but for seasons to come. These players, whom Chicago has fallen in love with, are young, Addison Russell is 22, Javier Baez 23, Kyle Schwarber was in the minor leagues in the not so distant past.

Willson Contreras, 24, is a rookie catcher. Kris Bryant was last year’s Rookie of the Year. Pitcher Kyle Hendricks is in his second year in the starting rotation.

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Baez is only going to get better. Russell drove in 95 RBI this season in his second year with the team. Albert Almora, Jr. a talented outfielder, is a reserve.

These players are going to be around and Cubs management knows it has a core of talented players which will play on contending teams.

Here For Awhile

The Chicago Cubs’ success this season isn’t a one-shot deal. I look back to players like Rick Monday, Jim Hickman, Don Kessinger, Moe Drabowsky, and countless others. They all played in a Cubs uniform. Then there is Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, one of the Cubs’ immortals.

He longed for this moment, to play in the World Series, especially at Wrigley Field. Kerry Woods who starred for the Cubs was recently wearing a Ron Santo jersey, in memory of the great Cubs’ player.

It’s been so long that a Cubs team was this good. And, in the immediate future, they will remain competitive. Other teams have had their runs. The San Francisco Giants, for example, won three World Series in 2010, ’12, and ’14.

That’s a heck of a run. Their manager Bruce Bochy will probably go to the Hall of Fame, certainly catcher Buster Posey. Why can’t the Cubs have their run?

Next: Maddon has some decisions to make

It has been about changing the culture, the mentality, and getting winning players. Don’t forget Joe Maddon, the manager. If the Cubs win the Series, I don’t think the fans will let him leave Chicago – or anyone else on this team.

As it is, Maddon could get a free dinner at Harry Caray’s restaurant anytime. The Chicago Cubs are writing history before our brightened eyes. The Cubs will host a home game on Friday night. Most Cubs fans could only dream about this fact.

Well, it’s become a reality. And, the way this team is built, this may well be the start of something big.