Bleeding Cubbie Blue: The Emotional Investment of Cubs Fandom

If you are reading this then you are either a Cubs fan or know one! You know that being a Cubs fan is an extremely bumpy ride that was more potholes than smooth sailing for the longest time! For those long-term Cubs fans we have witnessed the worst lows and the most amazing highs! Let’s discuss being a Cubs fan and what that means to me personally.

My introduction to the Cubs started in the late seventies or early eighties. I was around nine years old with a kid brother. He was still at the age that he had to take naps, so according to him so did I. We shared a room so that presented an issue. If I was in there all he wanted to do was play, so that was out. Mom had an idea that I would take a nap in her room while my brother slept in our room. Once we laid down he would check several times to make sure that I was, in fact, taking a nap. Once he was asleep I could get up. I still had to stay in my parent’s room, probably to give my mom a break from me! They actually had a television in their room that I was allowed to watch. Well, you can imagine what was available to watch on weekday afternoons back then. There were a bunch of soap operas, Green Acres, religious programs or what was this? Thankfully, we did have cable and I came across WGN TV out of Chicago?? Hey, they have baseball this afternoon. This was much better than the alternatives! Sweet!

I became a lifelong Cubs fan that summer. Little did I know that would be a lifetime of what ifs or what could have been! Oh yes, those moments that have left us feeling like we've been punched in the gut. The Bartman incident, the near misses in the playoffs—man, the agony! The ability to push through this is what makes a Cubs fan a Cubs fan!

Anyone not a Cubs fan will say, "isn't being a Cubs fan just setting yourself up for disappointment?" While that might be true for a very long time, let me tell you about the flip side of the coin: the triumphs. The World Series victory in 2016 that ended a 108-year drought. The legendary players who have donned the blue pinstripes. I grew up with Andre Dawson, Greg Maddox, Mark Grace, Shawon Dunston and Ryne Sandberg! These are the Cubs players that I remember watching like it was yesterday. Greg Maddox painting a masterpiece, The Hawk smashing the ball over the wall, Ryno slapping a couple of homers or making some great plays in the field and who could forget the Shawon-O-Meter! I sure will not.

Now, you are probably wondering, how do we keep our sanity? It's all about finding balance, embracing the journey, and holding on tight. It's about the shared experiences, the memories made, and the unbreakable bond that ties us all together. I had so many friends, none of which were Cubs fans, congratulate me after the Cubbies won the World Series. They knew the long journey I had embarked on to reach this summit! I almost felt as though I personally had won! Wow, what a feeling!

When I was eighteen years old, I will always remember the week my dad and uncle took my brother, my best friend and I all the way to Chicago, from Florida, to see a Cubs game. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Taking in the atmosphere of Wrigley was unreal. Sitting on the third base line watching the teams warm up and there was Harry Carey walking around greeting everyone! I have watched this Holy Ground hundreds of times on television, but here I am. It was almost overwhelming, but it was incredible. I do not think the stupid grin ever left my face!

Being a Cubs fan will always try our patience, our resolve and positive outlook about baseball. I tell you what though they have also provided me with lifetime memories that I would never trade for anything.