Baseball has always been my favorite sport. It was my favorite sport to play growing up, and I still love it today. I am one of those people who can sit through watching a 9 inning baseball game on TV and never lose interest. In fact, being that I am a huge Cubs fan, if I were able to, I would watch all of their 162 games if I had nothing else to do in my life that would allow that.
The Cubs are the odds on favorite to win the World Series this year. In fact, last year I put a little bet on them to win it, and the odds were 100-1. They are now 4-1 odds, which is insane. I am really excited to see what the Cubs are really going to be this year. Last year I was very impressed with how far they had gotten. This year however, the worldwide expectations of them winning the whole thing scare the living you know what out of me. I believe they are going to be great, I even feel like they definitely have a strong chance to win it all. I still am very nervous that they will not be able to live up to all of these expectations, and then we will just be heart broken all over again.
I don’t typically pay too much attention to spring training, due to the fact that the normal line up isn’t in, and we are trying out a bunch of guys that probably won’t even make the team. They are 1-7 to start however. 1-7? I guess I was hoping that they would just come out of the gate right away, even in spring training, and win every game.
Expectations.
Here we go again!
This is exactly why I am doing my absolute best to temper my expectations this year. There are still 31 other teams they have to beat to take this thing. That is not easy. Is it too much to just win a couple of these games though? Give me some sense of accomplishment coming out of spring training?
Joe Madden seems like the perfect coach to get us to do something that we haven’t done for over a century. He is a players coach. He keeps it loose, keeps it fun, and keeps it interesting. I have seen so many examples of these guys have a blast at spring training through various social media outlets. My fear though is are they having too much fun? Their record seems to show that. I just want this team to make sure that they can balance staying loose with winning. I love this team more than anything, and all I want to see is them win. I have to admit though, I am scared!!
A Second Inside My Brain 
The most honest and sincere post from a Cub fan, EVER! I am in the same boat with you. Hoping yet steeling myself for what could or could not happen….those darn Cubs, love em and…..worry about em!
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Go Cubs! I’m not a sports fan, but I wish them the best! You aren’t worried about the Curse, I guess. Your worries are grounded in the real world. Enjoy the season!
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I am a lifelong Cardinals fan, but I really love this post! I can just feel your passion and excitement for your team bubbling over in every word that you write. The tone is candid and playful, yet very sincere. You can sense your anxiety, but it only peeks through your zeal for the game. I wish you and the Cubs a great season ahead!
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I am sorry to hear about your loyalties, but I appreciate your post! Maybe for once, or twice after last year, we can overtake those troublesome Cards!
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I am a none fan, but I have sons — and with my eldest son (who is 21), we watched the NY Yankees.. do something. They won a series years and years ago. I think it was even pre-911 when life was “normal” and the expectation was to raise children in “normalcy” — where adopting tech didn’t come with such social upheaval and inquiry.
.. I’m thinking, like VCRs. When they came out, no one thought the world was going to end and we were going to be surveilled and yada.
Now, in the post-911 world, we have cellphones and gadetry and people think 1984 and junk. Just contaminates the simplicity of life, which is.. baseball.
So, with my second son, age 11, I’m going to introduce him to the Cubs and give him your backgrounder. And tell him there’s a teacher out there who says he could “watch all of their 162 games if I had nothing else to do in my life that would allow that” — and tell him how beautiful it is to find something you really love, really speaks to your heart, that lifts your day from the crazy.
Thank you so much, Mr. Cubs fan! I hope you get to tell us more about them and what’s happening from your commentary. (I’ll come nag you). We will certainly follow along!
Thank you!
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Thank you for such a cool reply to my post. I will definitely need to update you, but better yet, I would even like to try to persuade you to give them a chance. Watch a couple games, get to know a couple of these young studs. That way, if and when the Cubs finally break the drought and the world celebrates, you could say you are a Cubs fan!
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