Chicago Cubs: Looking back at last season and remembering the good

With the off day before the Chicago Cubs return home and play the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3, I watched about every possible Cubs’ World Series Champions video I could find. I feel better about things, at least.

After watching the Chicago Cubs fall to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Justin Turner‘s walk-off home run, I tried to give myself some separation from the Cubs on Monday. With a 9 to 5 job, I was busy enough there to keep my mind off of things for most of the day. But with Cubbies Crib and a few other Facebook sites that I moderate, it became near impossible not to get sucked into the discussion.

“Who’s fault is it?” I saw that one a lot. Or “Why was Lackey in instead of Davis?” I saw a few people blaming the lack–absence, same thing–of offense. But that was glazed over as it was all Joe Maddon‘s fault for bringing in John Lackey. I get it. With the way the bullpen has performed, it’s a terrible place to be when walking out to the mound and looking out to the pen.

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Going back a year to remember 108

So to take my mind off where the Cubs are at now, I went back to last season. The 2016 World Series video and “Joy in Wrigleyville.” If you haven’t seen either of these yet, just stop. You’re likely a bandwagon fan, and there’s no place for you here.

Ok, now that I got that out of the way–these videos were cleansing to my soul. Because watching these films, it took me back to where I was in Game 7. The agony of what my friends and I went through for that few innings–and the sheer jubilation in the win. It wasn’t just a win for the Cubs. It was for the fans, too.

Recharged and ready to roll

And this is where I not only brought myself out of the funk I was in after watching Game 2 of the 2017 NLCS, but it lifted me to a place where I could believe again. The Dodgers shut out the Cubs TWICE to take a 2 to 1 lead in the series. And then, it happened. The Cubs rolled out three straight wins and punched their ticket to the World Series. If we just replace Game 1 with Game 3 on Tuesday–boom. Same spot as we were last season.

One of the things that I’ve realized is this. When I see the fans say things like “Are you happy with just one World Series?” My answer is, yes. I’m 38 years old–not near the experience that my father has put in as a fan at 80. But there was a time when I believed that I would never get to see a Cubs’ World Series victory.

Even if it’s my only time

But by the grace of God, I got to see it with my brother and a lifelong childhood friend. Of course, I want to see the Cubs continue this run and get back to this spot again. But the win was about a moment, one that can’t be washed away by the Dodgers, or Cardinals. Or anyone else who might stand in their way. It erased many years of heartache, and that can’t quickly be erased.

Next: Cubs down, but far from out of it

The Cubs are coming home to Wrigley. Down 2-0? Pfft. It’s no 3-1 deficit. It’s a different team; I’ll give you that. But it’s still the Cubs. It’s still our team. If there’s any question of that to you, you might want to send back your World Series hat–which is likely the only one that you’ve bought since. Time to make room for the real fans.