Opinion: Cubs win would be another landmark in historic year

April 15, 2009
By Michael Omenazu
Sports Writer

Photo by Michael Omenazu Above: The scoreboard at Wrigley Field in Chicago

In no sport are statistics more hallowed and venerated than baseball. However, with scandals stemming from steroid abuse, once-sacred milestones that were set to reside in the hall of fame now rest in infamy.

Arguably, the most notorious number is 100, representing the number of years the Chicago Cubs have failed to win a World Series. The franchise is currently mired in the longest title drought of any major league sport.

In the century since the last championship, two world wars have been fought, along with numerous international conflicts. Technology has evolved with the invention of cellular phones, portable musical players, the formation of the Internet, and the creation of gadgets that employ all three. The Wrigley Field faithful even have a reputation of being more involved in these devices than the actual games they attend.

Also, within those one hundred years, a nation once divided has united to progress socially, providing civil rights to minorities and endowing women with the right to vote. This is most evident in the country’s most recent and landmark feat, as the first African-American president, Barack Obama, was elected to office.

Riding into the White House promising a new era of politics and on a campaign of change, the charismatic commander is now looked to by the masses to deliver them from a damaged diplomatic reputation and impotent economy. A World Series win for the Cubs during his administration would be an equally substantial feat.

Obama, no stranger to the ‘City of Broad Shoulders’ (as he worked as a community organizer in the inner city), could appreciate a win, as it would assist in his stimulus package. The stock market would benefit from an instantaneous jumpstart with a surge of increased ice skates sales needed for transportation as the proverbial Hell and Earth freeze over. 

Such is possible as Obama is an avid sports fan and loyal supporter of a Chicago baseball team. However, he has affirmed his loyalties to the White Sox, one of the many teams whose championship campaigns have additionally highlighted the Cubs futility.

Fans that bleed Cubbie Blue have had salt poured on their wounds as they have watched the team that plays only nine miles away separate themselves further by adding a Commissioner’s Trophy to their mantle.

The Red Sox shared a similar state, suffering from what many believed to be the Curse of the Bambino, possibly resulting in walk-off losses, epic collapses, and ground balls through first basemen’s legs. Boston, however, was able to overcome this, winning their FIRST title in dramatic fashion, upending their long-standing archenemy in an unprecedented three game deficit comeback.

After suffering more than 85 years of inadequacy, the Red Sox have enjoyed the success of two titles within four years (2004, 2007). The opponent they triumphed in ’04, was Chicago’s divisional rival, the St. Louis Cardinals. They responded by returning to the Series in 2006 and leaving triumphantly.

Even Philadelphia, a sports city known for both its unkind fans and even more so unforgiving sports history, had their Phillies win in 2008. The Florida Marlins, sans an inept history, have been able to become a franchise (1993), win a World Series (1997), then start from scratch and win again (2003).

In contemporary times, history is being made in the present with promises of a brighter future. The Chicago Cubs, a franchise with the “Lovable Losers” moniker and miserable past, has the opportunity to create another historic moment- winning a World Series- and ring in a new era at Wrigley.