Cubs History: Two franchises that took the same route to glory and back

Chicago Cubs: Cause and effect

For both teams, crucial personnel losses right before and just after their championships was one factor.  After the Super Bowl win, the long-simmering, unresolved feud between Buddy Ryan and Mike Ditka ended because Ryan left.

Key players like Wilbur Marshall left through free agency, and Walter Payton and Gary Fencik retired.  Retirements happen, but losing key players to free agency and allowing two coaches to feud for four years is a failure.

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The same can be said for the North Siders. Trading or allowing key players to leave like Jorge Soler, Dexter Fowler, and Starlin Castro, did damage for which their replacements could not compensate.  Injuries afflicted vital players such as Jim McMahon, Otis Wilson, and Kris Bryant.  And with both teams, too many drafts picks failed to pan out.

Are dynasties dead? Certainly not.  Between 2001 and 2019, the New England Patriots made the postseason every year but two and won six Super Bowls.  The Los Angeles Dodgers have won the NL West the last eight seasons in a row.

Dynasties aren’t dead in Chicago either. The Bulls won six NBA Championships from 1990 to 1998, and the Blackhawks from 2009 to 2017 won the Stanley Cup three times.  Both Cubs and Bears fans should expect more from their teams.