Cubs: We took the 2017 team and its success for granted as fans

Cubs fans have not had a great time watching the 2021 team so far, and if their current struggles continue, it could be the end of an era on the North Side. Oftentimes people reference the shortcomings of the team since they won it all in 2016 as to when things started to decline; that the 2017 season is where the troubles began.

No, the Cubs did not return to the World Series in 2017 and the offense’s inconsistencies started rearing their ugly head, but I can speak for myself when I say I wish I appreciated that season more. I spent much of it angry and frustrated over the fact that Chicago was not steamrolling opponents on a daily basis the same way they did the year prior.

Let’s be real, the frustration in the first half was warranted. They were sub-.500 (43-45) at the All Star Break and were 5 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first place. They ended up storming back to win the NL Central, win a postseason series and made it within three games of the World Series.

That season would have been celebrated like 1969, 1984, 2003, or 2015 had it happened prior to 2016. There would have been commemorative books, documentaries, posters, memorabilia, etc. It ended up feeling like a disappointment to many.

I think I can speak for fans that they would love to have that 2017 team back compared to now. It was a flawed team but they were still pretty dang good.