Chicago Cubs: New season brings new standards for Cubs’ fans

A new season is just around the corner for the Chicago Cubs, and it will be unlike any season we have witnessed. Will the excitement continue, or is it “all or nothing” now?

Yesterday was a great day. The sun was out, I spent time with my daughters, planted some trees and worked around the house. Social media bombarded me with the overwhelming excitement of my fellow Chicago Cubs fans. Posts all over Facebook and Twitter announced the day had arrived for games to begin.

It was a beautiful site to behold – seeing the excitement for the team we enjoy and passionately support on our televisions. Or on any device that would enable us to consume mass quantities of Cubs reports. Hype videos were shared. Celebrations of the game we love being played by the team we love appeared everywhere. Videos, once depicting us as the “lovable losers” now changed to celebrate the end of 108 years to turmoil. Now, fans of the Chicago Cubs appear like this:

What now?

Now, you may like or dislike the video by Whistle Sports. I am sure it may upset some that the Bears were not included. However, there are truths in the video that we must be aware of now.

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First and foremost, the “curse” is over. Fans from other teams will attempt to remind us about the century of ineptitude which the Cubs endured, but those are motivated by unbelief that the world has not indeed ended. We, as loyal fans of the Cubbies, can no longer hold onto the emotions of the “curse” that we so richly embraced. Move on from Bartman. Release the goat. Enjoy the now.

Secondly, there are examples of how annoying fans from front-running teams can be. Now, I am not a fan of hockey, but after living in Illinois for several years, hearing “Chelsea Dagger” everywhere I went stressed me out. Much like that of the “chop” for the Atlanta Braves and Florida State, or “Rocky Top” for Tennessee. I can name many others, but here is the point. We can easily turn into “those fans” if we are not careful. But, then again, after 108 years, those fans can learn to take our “Go Cubs, Go.”

There’s a point to this–and never Konerko for a kids name

Finally, Konerko is not a great name for a daughter. But, naming her after Kris Bryant is appropriate. I prefer Kristen. You also have Addison Russell as an option. Not the sort to want kids? How about a dog named Wrigley or a cat named Rizzo?

Sure, much of this is comical, but there are serious things to consider. This is new territory for the Cubs and their fans. No longer is it “wait till next year” but “can they repeat this year?” Teams such as the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, and that team three hours south hear regularly. While the Cubs are the favorite to win it all in 2017, there will be turmoil. There will be losing streaks. Moments will transpire throughout the season that will make us throw our drink at the screen.

It will be easy for us to slip back into the emotions and actions of old. They are comfortable to us all. Yet, the need to embrace the excitement and keep a positive mindset throughout the season is crucial. Seems easy, but gloom, despair, and agony are comforting blankets. It cannot be an “all or nothing” season. We, the loyal fans of the Chicago Cubs, will stay with our team no matter what. Sure, there will be moments of disappointment, but the excitement for our team will remain strong.

Next: 2016 was a season to brag about

As we move through Spring Training, remember that it is a long season. Anything can happen. Now that we have been there, it is time to act like it. And, if we take the examples from other fans, they can learn to live with it for the next 108 years.