Cub fans have their own separate identity from the average baseball fan. They will blindly support their team even though 99 years of past history strongly suggest that their isn't any light at the end of the tunnel. When the last pitch has been thrown, they will be on the losing end of the scoreboard.
So, why do their fans faithfully sell out Wrigley Field, and are always amongst the league leaders in road attendance. Is it their perpetual underdog status? Is it the Harry Carray beer drinking party atmosphere that the bleacher bums eagerly embrace? For whatever reason the "Lovable Losers" are undoubtedly one of the most beloved teams in baseball.
Early in the 1980's there wasn't much to root for. Annually battling for last place with very little star power to speak of. They even lost Bruce Sutter to the rival Cardinals after the 1980 season. Not even the more adept baseball trivia buffs could probably tell you that "Jerry Martin" led the team in home runs in 1980 with 23. Rick Rueschel led the team in victories with 11, and the entire team could only muster 64 wins as a team. Bill Buckner was the lone bright spot hitting for a .324 batting average. With those atrocious stats, many may wonder how any 8 year old boy in their right mind could fall in love with the Chicago Cubs. Heck, even the jerseys weren't to attractive to the eye.
Yet, here I am in 2008 waiting in anticipation for another season to begin. Tomorrow, I will discuss the Dallas Green era and the moves he made to help the Cubs rise out of mediocrity and come within one game of heading to the 1984 World Series. Not, for the faint of heart.
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