Chicago Cubs: A thank-you note to a team I truly love

To the 2015 Chicago Cubs,

On behalf of myself and the entire Cubs nation, thank you for a great season in 2015. Despite the ultimate outcome, you have given the city of Chicago a reason to smile. We witnessed the future of our beloved team grow and you surpassed our wildest expectations we had coming into the season. Its safe to say that this Cubs team has forged the path to winning and brighter days are ahead.

This was one of those special seasons. The type of year we will look back on and remember fondly. Losing always hurts, but there is a different feeling after this defeat.

Many fans are upset, but the loss to the New York Mets isn’t the reason. I’m upset the ride is finished. Over the years of my Cubs fandom, no season has provided the same level of fun and excitement than 2015. My memories of 2003 are still fresh, but in the end, this season has left an uplifting feeling moving into the years to come.

Anthony Rizzo is the definition of the term “class.”  At the ripe age of 26, Rizzo has become the undisputed leader of this team. He is a vocal member of the squad and a great ambassador of the game.

October 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) and first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) celebrate the 6-4 victory and against St. Louis Cardinals in game four of the NLDS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

To be loved in Chicago you need to be able to do two things. First, prove to the fans that you are a winner. Rizzo has continued to make himself a better ballplayer and the league has realized that with his addition to the All-Star team this year. Rizzo put up great numbers and was a work-horse that Joe Maddon could rely on each day. With his continued success, he will eventually bring home a World Series to the North Side.

Secondly, to truly be loved in this town you need to endear yourself to the city. Rizzo, a cancer survivor, gives back to the fight against cancer in hopes that the effort will provide someone else a chance to live their dreams. It’s refreshing to see an athlete who genuinely cares for his or her neighbors and wants to give personal time to be with them.

We can attribute this season as the summer fling we had with the Cubs. Over the course of seven months, we became familiar with names like Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber, and with every hard hit and great play, we, as fans, started falling in love.

The entire league got to know the name Jake Arrieta. Postseason struggles aside, Arrieta completed one of the greatest statistical seasons in baseball history. Playoff baseball in October happened because of his arm, and what we observed this season won’t soon be forgotten.

Special moments could be shared for every player on the roster. The accomplishments and strides that this franchise reached this season certainly have not gone unnoticed.

Cubs Nation is awake and ready for what lies ahead. 2015 isn’t a failure, but rather the foundation for Chicago Cubs baseball moving forward. It marks the beginning of a new era, one that we can be proud of. The National League and all of Major League Baseball has officially been put on notice … wait until next year.

Next: Impressive season comes to an end for Cubs