Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Tag: Chicago Cubs Page 2 of 3

Biggs On: 2016 Fall Classic Remarks

By

On October 28, 2016

In Biggs On

2016 Fall Classic

The “Lets Go Cubs” (“Eamus Catuli”) sign behind right field

Ten years ago if you told me that I would be watching the Cubs in the World Series, I may not have believed you. Well the 2016 Fall Classic is here and to say I’m excited is an understatement. The really strange thing is, it’s actually kind of stressing me out. We have all been waiting our whole lives to make it to the World Series that I can’t bear the thought of losing. I am trying to talk myself off the ledge in preparation for the worst case. I almost wish they didn’t make it so I wouldn’t be feeling all this angst.

I keep telling myself that regardless of the outcome, celebrate the end of the 71 year drought. If we end the 108 year “alleged curse” then there will be a cacophony of rejoicing and thousands of grown men crying. The “Anno Catuli” sign, in right field, will finally read all zeros for the first time. Year after year the Cubs have left us all feeling disappointed. Losing this year would be the ultimate disappointment, which scares me. Will the “lovable losers” still be lovable? On the other hand, Facebook is full of wonderful and endearing stories by some of the Cubs oldest fans.

#LetsGo for Styrlund and Bell

Two of the most extraordinary stories are about two of the oldest, known Chicago Cubs fans. Raymond Styrlund is 105 years old and Mavis Bell is 107 years old. Mavis was born the year after the Cubs last won the World Series. Looking at the faces of these people and reading their stories you want the Cubs to win more for them than for yourself. Many of them are relishing that the Cubs are even in the World Series. The look of pure delight on their faces is what makes it all worth it, regardless of the outcome.

Styrlund and Bell don’t have too many more years left on this earth. Witnessing their Cubs win the World Series would be fulling a 100-year-old life ambition. As much as I would be devastated if the Cubs were to lose, I would feel more sorrow for folks like Raymond and Mavis that have, literally, waited over a century.

A Sports Story for the Ages

We have two teams with the longest World Series drought in baseball. The players of both teams are playing to erase the past. The fans of both teams are hoping to see a championship for the first time in their lives. Regardless of who you are rooting for; regardless of who wins, this is an epic event it sports history. I’m glad to be here talking about it and witnessing it. It’s a story for the ages.

#FlyTheW

minions_iconI could accomplish so much more if I only had minions!

“The Whole Shootin Match”

By

On October 16, 2015

In General Cogitation

Remember this classic moment (from the movie Rookie of the Year)?

Coincidentally that scene was a game between the Cubs and Mets for the NLCS and that was that late John Candy, a loyal Cubs fan, playing the role of the Cubs commentator. I’ve been sitting here trying to work and trying not to think about the Cubs just four wins away from a World Series (which has never happened in my lifetime). I haven’t been very successful. I blame Twitter.

lgo_mlb_chicago_cubsThe Mets are 0-7 against the Cubs during the regular season, but this is the post-season and your regular season record doesn’t matter anymore (remember the Cardinals had won over 100 games and had the best record in all of baseball). It’s going to be a tough contest for both teams (and probably quite lively as the mudslinging has already begun between the fans). The Cubs have earned their spot here from incredible plays and young, focused players. Some of the plays I’ve seen during the NLDS are World Series plays. The Cubs look like a championship team. They have a real shot this year but I’m trying to remain humble.

If they don’t go all the way, even if they are eliminated in the NLCS, I will still be very proud of how well the team played this year. There will be no lamenting or sorrow. They, not only, eliminated the St. Louis Cardinals for the first time, Joe Madden even made good on his promise. The Cubs were, originally, expected to make the playoffs next year but Madden, at a press conference, promised that the team would make the playoffs this year. They have shown all of baseball that the Cubs are real contenders. They are a team that will not let any other team write them off as an “easy win”.

Goat or no goat, Back to the Future prognostications or not, win or lose, this was our year. We have been saying it for as long as I’ve been alive, “this will be the year”, and whether we are world champions or not, I think 2015 was definitely our year.

Go Cubs! #FlyTheW

Home Team Hype Is Infectious

By

On October 13, 2015

In General Cogitation

Paul-footballlgo_mlb_chicago_cubsI am, and always will be, a Cubs fan, Bears fan and Dolphins fan despite living in Cincinnati. When a Cincinnati team has a great year (or is currently undefeated in the NFL) the air around the city is electric. It’s hard not to be swallowed up by the excitement and hype centered around a winning team. You can see the elation in the faces of the locals and the news anchors. The Cincinnati Reds are in the same division as the Cubs so its far more difficult to be excited for the Reds when they are doing well (for obvious reasons); however, being such a big football fan, I find that I often get caught up in the hype of the Bengals 5-0 start to their season.

I don’t mind watching the Bengals doing well, especially when the Dolphins and Bears are off to a fairly rough start. I’m sure the love a city shows for its football team would be just as contagious if I were in any other city (except Boston, nothing could make me root for the Deflatriots; NOTHING!) I’m not saying that I will become a die hard Bengals fan. I don’t even know if I will become a mediocre Bengals fan. Be that as it may, I don’t feel guilty that I’m happy they are winning when I never would have given them a second glance prior to living in Cincinnati.Bengals_helmet

I think it should be acceptable by all the die-hard and local fans to allow someone of different allegiances so suddenly become a fan of their team. It shouldn’t be any different than someone who becomes a fan of a college team because they attended/graduated from said school. Don’t get me wrong, nobody has accused me of being a “fair weather fan” nor have I given up one iota of allegiance to the Bears or Dolphins. In fact I’m trying to compliment the enthusiasm of the Cincinnati Bengals fans and how their love and excitement for their team has become quite endearing even before their 5-0 start.

Either way its going to be another exciting NFL season and the Bengals and Bengals fans are going to make living in Cincinnati a lot of fun too!

/cheers

minion_keboard_smI could get so much more accomplished if I only had minions!

Why Cubs Will Win

By

On October 9, 2015

In General Cogitation

There is a pretty entertaining article on FoxSports today about why the Cubs will win the World Series. It isn’t because of Robert Zemekis, or the fact that it’s the year of the goat or any of that other superstitious nonsense, he gives actual, statistical reasons and its a good article. The last slide is probably the best and where I stole lovingly borrowed the picture below (with caption).

#LetsGoCubs #FlyTheW

Because curses are stupid and don't exist

Because curses are stupid and don’t exist

Missing Harry, Ernie, Ron and Grandpa

By

On October 6, 2015

In General Cogitation

me_gpav_wrigley-sm

Me and Grandpa Vleaminck. Wrigley Field. circa 1982

In 2003 the Cubs finished 88-74 and it was the last time I remember being excited about post-season baseball. This year they finish at a more impressive 97-64, but I’m trying not to let myself get too excited. Who knows what calamity will befall the Cubs this post-season to knock them out of the playoffs, but I’m going to remain positive. I don’t really believe in curses because to err is human. The impressive statistics from the season, I hope, will continue over the next couple of weeks and the mistakes and errors will not cost the Cubs another shot at redemption.

Regardless of the outcome of the post-season, I’m proud of the team this year. Their season has me thinking about four people: Harry Carey, Ernie Banks, Ron Santo and Grandpa Vleaminck.

My grandpa introduced me to Cubs baseball when I was just two years old. Harry made me love the Cubs during the 80s and 90s. It would be statistically improbable that either of them could have lived to see this team (both would be over 100 years old this year). Harry would have had to come up with a new catch phrase because “Holy Cow” would have been too trite for the spectacular season this year. “Elated” would have been too trite to describe how my grandpa would be feeling right now.

ErnieBanksCartoon_iru49ivi_rfrqjfgjErnie and Ron definitely left before their time and there is a definite sorrow in the air knowing that they could have lived to see this team (especially Ernie who only just passed away this year). As Cubs fans we know that they are all looking down, drinking some “ice cold Bud Light” and watching their favorite team play October baseball.

The first of the Cubs post-season games will be Wednesday night at 8pm (EST) against Pittsburgh.

#LetsGoCubs

Why I’m A Cubs Fan

By

On June 25, 2013

In General Cogitation

me_gpav_wrigley-smGranted, I don’t think its necessary to explain why anyone chooses whatever team they choose to root for but I feel that my choices for being a Cubs fan are pretty sentimental. The picture you see attached to this post is a photo of me when I was 2 years old. I am seated with my grandfather in Wrigley Field. Documented proof that I have been a Cubs fan since I was 2 years old.

It’s more then just a 30 year old picture. I grew up in South Bend, Indiana but I fondly remember my grandfather showing up at our house in his 1986 red Mustang to pick up me and my dad and we drove to Chicago to watch the Cubs play. He did this quite often. He was a die-hard Cubs fan and he passed that on to my dad and me. He passed away never having seen the Cubs win a World Series. I hope that doesn’t happen to me or my dad.

I hope to instill this love for a baseball team in my kids one day and I know my dad will do all he can to perpetuate the love for the Cubbies. I think to be a Cubs fan is like a good marriage. You must endure the bad times and savor the good times no matter how abundant and/or few there may be. I will never give up on the Cubs because I know my grandfather never would have.

So now you know why when someone asks me “why am I a Cubs fan” that I respond with “because I’ve been a fan since I was 2 years old.”

Go Cubs!

Page 2 of 3

Previous

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén