Chicago Cubs: What’s it like to be a Cubs fan where you live?

Apr 10, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) raises the Commissioner's Trophy to fans prior to a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) raises the Commissioner's Trophy to fans prior to a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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North Carolina

Mar 14, 2017; York, NY, USA; Tyler Snelbaker wears his daughter, 13-month-old Charlotte Snelbaker, as he shovels out his Lincoln Street home during Winter Storm Stella in York, New York. Mandatory Credit: Kate Penn/York Daily Record via USA TODAY NETWORK
Mar 14, 2017; York, NY, USA; Tyler Snelbaker wears his daughter, 13-month-old Charlotte Snelbaker, as he shovels out his Lincoln Street home during Winter Storm Stella in York, New York. Mandatory Credit: Kate Penn/York Daily Record via USA TODAY NETWORK /

From home to away in North Carolina
by: Nicholas Blazek and Daniel Shepard

My family was from Chicago, and I grew up across the lake in Michigan in Three Oaks. On a clear day, you can see the skyline across the lake (true story). I went to more games than I can count, and I ‘ve been a Cubs fan since BEFORE I was born. Went to a game while still in my mother’s belly. I swear I could smell the Italian beef in there. Lol.

But life brought me to Charlotte, NC 13 years ago. I still get home to see a game each year, and I’ve created a Cubs’ fan out of my wife as well. But it’s different when you walk down the street and not EVERY person you see is a Cubs fan. I still see the occasional few and even more after last season. And Atlanta is close enough that I can go see a game there when the Cubs play.

Fun Fact: When I go see them there this summer, I will have watched the Cubs play the Braves at Fulton County Stadium, Turner Field and the new Sun Trust ballpark. All while the Cubs have called Wrigley home for all those years.

😥
I try to interact with every fan I see, and I, of course, have the MLB.tv package to watch every game. Not being close to Chicago when the World Series trophy made its rounds was sad, as apparently, they didn’t feel Charlotte was a big market to bring it to–go figure. /

But I was born into this, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. As they say, #ThatsCub.

Apr 12, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) dives for and misses a bunt off the bat of Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (not pictured) during the second inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) dives for and misses a bunt off the bat of Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (not pictured) during the second inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

-N.B.

Being a Cubs fan in a small town in Western North Carolina is difficult. First off, you have to deal with the people who know nothing about baseball, but sport a New York Yankees or Atlanta Braves hat because it looks cool.

Secondly, the only time you get to watch the Cubs play (outside of highlights on MLB Network or the ESPN app), are the ones televised on MLB Network. That means very rarely do I get to hear Len and JD call Cubs games.

While I am a proud Cubs fan, it is very hard to be a good fan when I can only watch one, maybe two games every week.

I will enjoy the games I can watch on television., and forever dream of a day when I can ditch this small town and live a few blocks from Wrigley.

-D.S.