The Chicago Cubs have made it to the Post Season for the second year in a row and if you are anything like me, you know that watching the Cubs — well, really any time — can be an extremely stressful process. Plus, we all know that the Cubs are the most unpredictable team in the MLB dating back to 1908 when they last won the World Series. However, I feel that most of the nation can feel the Cubs' thirst for this year’s World Series.
After being the first team to clinch their spot in the playoffs this season and their continuing effort to win despite their historical record of 101-56 — the highest amount of wins since 1910 — anything can happen with our Cubs. For those of you not familiar with the details of the drought, the Cubs are said to be cursed by the "Curse of the Billy Goat" back in 1945 after the Chicago Cubs kicked out Billy Sianis, owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, and his goat Murphy, because the goat’s scent was too disruptive to other fans. Sianis got enraged and declared that “them Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more” and from then on, the Cubs haven’t won a World Series.
As a Cubs fan, I believe in the curse; we have seen it over and over again, especially last year during the NLCS when the Mets swept our poor Cubs and ruined our chances at a World Series win. Now, here is the thing; I’ve been thinking about the famous words of Sianis and I can tell you where we went wrong. Sianis said, “Them Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more.” Well, we can already see that Sianis is wrong because the Cubs have won hundreds of games since the curse was placed on us in 1945. Sianis never specified whether or not the Cubs would never win another World Series again, he just said that “they ain’t gonna win no more.” Therefore, the Cubs' incredible record of 101 wins shows up Sianis’ curse.
You don’t have to agree with me, but it is a more optimistic view going into the postseason. Along with all the stress that goes into watching the Cubs, here are a few more ways to make your postseason viewing a little more exciting instead of stressful.
1. “Root, Root, Root”
“For the Cubbies!” Rooting for the Cubbies with all your heart and soul, even when they are losing, is so important to letting the team know that you have their backs no matter what. The more that you cheer and get pumped up, the more that the team will feel excited to be playing. So keep on screaming and rooting.
2. Bleed Cubbie Blue
It’s one thing to wear a Cubs shirt to the game, but it’s another thing to decorate yourself full out in Cubs gear. Go and spend the extra $5 for a face tattoo or make a poster of Anthony Rizzo’s head. Express your Cubbie Pride obnoxiously and let the World know that we are the greatest fans.
3. The Flag
If you don’t own a win flag by now, go get one. The W(in) flag is as essential to the game as the fans. It promotes our pride in our Cubs and lets our team know it. Plus, without one, you’ll just feel out-of-place and uncomfortable. Public service announcement: There are rules to owning a flag. Do not wave, wear, promote or even look at the flag before the last strike is called, or before the last out is called. Once you hear the Cubs shout with joy that’s when you pull out the flag and start chanting “Go, Cubs Go.”
And lastly ...