Baseball: America’s pastime.
This was completely evident this past week when the Chicago Cubs won the World Series. It was more than a win, but rather a moment that deemed to be indescribable. It had been over 100 years since the last World Series win and that fact was heartening. To those who have supported the Chicago Cubs since day 1, this article is for you and I hope my words are able to demonstrate your feelings of joy. The twin feelings of anxiety and excitement were inevitable and I’m grateful to been able to capture that with these answers.
Discussing sports is always an interesting topic because there is so much more to the game itself. It’s the environment, the fans, the traditions, and the loyalty that makes each game so unique. There’s something so powerful about having thousands, if not millions, of people come together to support a hardworking team and its individuals. I can only imagine what each fan felt and I couldn’t have said it better than these answers presented in this article.
How did watching this game make you feel?
“I was beyond excited. It’s hard to describe this feeling in words because it was so monumental. Here’s to the haters! Chicago Cubs all the way.” – Rachel Perelman, NYU '18
“I was incredibly emotional. As everyone knows, I love Chicago so much and have enormous pride to be from that city. My whole family lives there and it means the entire world to me. My great-grandfather was a bat boy for the Cubs a long time ago, and my great-grandmother was one of the first season ticket holders, so our tradition and passion for the Cubs evidently goes a long ways back. To my great-grandfather, a diehard Cubs fan, who passed away earlier this year, I wish you could have been here to see this win. Overall, I felt incredibly emotional thinking of all my family members who have passed away waiting for a Cubs World Series win and it made me realize how blessed I was to experience this.” – Erin Line, NYU '18
“I’m from Chicago and it was insanity for us all. I think our city has an unmatchable sense of pride, especially for a team that hasn’t won a World Series for 108 years. Those of us who had been attending games our whole lives were filled with crazy joy. It was beautiful.” – Ally Bernadini, NYU '19
“Expect nothing, appreciate everything” – one of the most powerful quotes I’ve held onto throughout college because of the simplicity behind its meaning. This quote was truly an eye opener as I realized that certain aspects happen for a reason. Moments such as these display how there is nothing more powerful than gratefulness. To be grateful for the now and for what’s to come is beautiful and no one can take that feeling away.
Did you expect this win? Why or why not?
“Yes and no because at one point, Indians had been way ahead in the series, however, the Cubs came back and it was 3-3, just in time for game 7. During this final game, the Cubs were ahead for most of the game and all of a sudden, after a bunch of switchups for the pitchers of the Cubs, the Indians were coming up. Suddenly, it was tied and it started raining only to proceed into the 10th inning. Finally, the cubs won. I was out of breath from cheering so loudly. It was crazy. ” – Rachel Perelman, NYU '18
“There is this phrase among Cubs fans that “There is always next year.” Even in the worst seasons, we all have this glimmer of hope that the next year will be our year. I always believed that the Cubs would win some day, and as soon as the season started last year with Joe Maddon’s team, I knew that this was the team to go all the way. After the Mets crushed them last year, I was disappointed, however, I knew that this would only make them stronger as a team overall. 2016 was the year and I knew they could win! It was such a fantastic moment” – Erin Line, NYU '18
What’s in a name you ask? Just ask each fan and they’ll tell you. Personally, I love watching the Houston Rockets play because they represent the positive aspects of my hometown. To me, it brings back memories of driving to the stadium with my family and grabbing popcorn and a foam finger only to scream defense. Even with being miles away from home, I still watch these games because it brings back the same feeling I had when I was younger. A feeling of belonging and love: love for the memories that are irreplaceable. With this, I wanted to ask these fans what this game/this team/this city meant to them and the answers I received were beautiful.
Why does this experience mean a lot to you? Did you grow up in Chicago? In fact, is Chicago a place you would consider to live in the future?
“The Cubs have been the one Chicago team that I’ve always rooted for. I’m a huge hockey fan, but not one of the Blackhawks (I know, I know), so to have the city come together and to feel genuinely happy is such a unifying experience. I grew up in the suburbs and yes, I would 100% move back to Chicago/Chicagoland area” – Grace HL, NYU '19
“I remember growing up with a next-door neighbor named John. Mr. Klimek sat on his back porch every summer and tuned his radio to WGN; He would listen to every Cubs game without missing an inning. During this time, I remember playing wiffle-ball with my dad and my brother, only to see him in his backyard, drinking old style and cursing like Carlos Zambrano. While those summer days mostly taught me how to curse, it truly taught me about being a diehard Cubs fan through thick and thin. Mr. Klimek didn’t live to see the Cub win a world series, however, his dedication to this team was inspiring. Although I’m currently not living in Chicago, distance doesn’t matter because watching baseball builds bonds that can’t be build any other way. In fact, losing a game and sticking it out is what builds the strongest ones in my opinion” – Ally Bernadini, NYU '19
I can only imagine what it must have felt like and these answers have provided me with just that - an indescribable feeling put into such honest words. Better yet, what’s beautiful about these fans is that nothing got in the way of showing his/her support. In the midst of it all, this team provided each fan with a glimpse of hope.
How/Where did you watch this game?
“Unfortunately I had a huge midterm the next day and had spent the whole week sick while watching the games. With this midterm, I desperately needed to cram because it was worth a huge part of my grade, so I watched part of the game and forced myself to go to Bobst library during the rain delay. When the 10th inning began, I listened to it on the ESPN radio and watched the play-by-plays on the ESPN app during the end of the inning. As soon as they won (and right around the time the Bobst top floors close), I ran out crying and face-timed my mom and siblings, who were also crying out of pure happiness” – Erin Line, NYU '18
“We don’t have cable, so I had to find it online. With this, I was more stressed to find this game online than I was about my upcoming midterms. First, I tried to watch it on box sports, but the account wasn’t working, so panicking, I had to quickly find an alternative. Each of the sites kept buffering, so I missed one of the runs that the Indians made – but it was all good because I caught the game at its best parts – the persistence toward the win. FLY THE W” – Rachel Perelman, NYU '18
Describing Chicago in 3 words, I got answers such as loyal, strong, incredible, motivated, enthusiastic, and cultural - all ideals we find so admirable. With this in mind, it was mentioned how Chicago is given such a bad reputation from this election with both candidates focusing on the inner city violence, however, it is important to note that violence does not and will not define this city. This city is deemed to be so much more than that. Each home base comes with baggage, but these answers display how Chicago is filled with hopefulness for what’s to come.
To the students who took the time to answer these questions, thank you for allowing me to share this feeling of pure joy with others. 108 years. Wow. The number 108 simply shows how nothing is more powerful than loyalty, dedication, and passion. To the Cubs fans, this one is for you. Congrats on the win. All of us are applauding for you, the team, and the beautiful city you all call home!
