Chicago Cubs: Dealing with your excitement and your fear

The emotions running through Chicago Cubs’ fans throughout the country is a broad mix. Some are excited, not put off by the expectations that Sports Illustrated has heaped on. Others are downright sick to their stomachs. They do believe in this team, but history hasn’t been good to them.

I’ve seen this with every Chicago Cubs fan that I know. From social groups over to my friends on Facebook. There are many whose excitement cannot be tempered. But there is still a handful that hasn’t slept much, especially since seeing what has happened to the Texas Rangers after their layoff (Down 2-0 to the Blue Jays). Should we feel that trepidation that seems to never leave? Or will this team rise above every curse and drought to give Cubs’ fans something special?

As a fan, it’s a difficult range of emotions to manage. All of us live and die with this team. It’s why the last 107 years has hurt us so much, but these last two seasons have felt so damn good. We appear to be bucking the label of the “lovable losers”. Years ago I read an article about what happens to Cubs’ fans once they win. Will people be happy for them? Judging by some of the things I read, no. We haven’t one yet and people seem to be tired of us. And will the team still be lovable? To us fans, always. But where will all the 1908 jokes come from then?

Many don’t like us

There are many that feel if the Cubs don’t win it all, this team is a failure. Granted, most of those who feel that way are outside the circle of the Cubs. But they’re just waiting to pounce on the Cubs to make their remarks, and history has been on their side as far as that’s concerned. But things have been changing in Chicago over the past five years. Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, Jason McLeod and the rest of their staff have assembled a winner. Donald Trump has said he would hire “the best people” for his campaign. No idea what that guy is doing, but the “best people” are already in Chicago.

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I’ve not been one to buy into the recent history of the Giants. I don’t believe they’re destined to win again because it’s an “even” year. That is a crazy coincidence that it’s worked that way. They are as close to a baseball dynasty as there currently is right now. But I’m not handing this series over to them. And I can guarantee the Cubs aren’t going to either.

Let’s do this together

Whether it be fear, hope, anxiety or whatever other emotion is overwhelming you about the Cubs–it’s all going to be alright. It’s okay to not be quite sure how to feel. There really aren’t many who can explain to you as a Cubs’ fan what to do. The Cubs looked poised to return to the playoffs year after year. It doesn’t mean we don’t want to see them win this year. We aren’t content with “wait til’ next year” any longer.

And what will Cubs’ fans turn into when they do win? Will they become arrogant bastards? Well, we just might. And as far as I can tell, that’s okay. We’ve been ridiculed, laughed at, and had to endure more than our share as fans over the years. The Cubs have one as many or more World Series titles as 16 current MLB teams. But it’s hard to tell when the 1908 jokes come out.

Next: Is the layoff a concern?

Can a city will it’s team to a victory? That’s yet to be seen. Tonight’s game is just the start of what we hope to be something special. As Kyle Schwarber said, fly it high enough, fly it proud enough. #FlytheW