Less than an hour from now, the Chicago Cubs play their first World Series game in 71 years.
What a year.
UPDATED 10.27.16 8am:
The Cubs tied the World Series 1-1 last night with a 5-1 win.
A FB Comrade, Michael, posted this today. I had to share:
Holy Cow...
Think about this for a moment... those of us who watched the Cubs vs Indians last night witnessed something that has not happened for over 70 years... before most of us where even born... a Cubs victory in a World Series... historical... magical... like watching a blazing comet that only flies by once in a hundred years in a starlit night's sky...we were privy to an event that thousands who are no longer with us could only dream... wish... and pray for... watching our beloved Boys of Summer play a game in October... this Cubs' team has accomplished the impossible... they made Wait Until Next Year into This Year... and we who are alive to see it have been Blessed...
If you don't understand what I am saying...
If you're wondering what the big deal is...
All I can say is... its Baseball... the memories of a child... playing catch with his father... brothers and friends... when a small framed pitcher on an uneven mound was at once Whitey Ford... Sandy Koufax... Fergie Jenkins or Bob Gibson... pitching strikes in an imaginary seventh game of a World Series...
When an old wooden bat with the faded names of our heroes etched in the barrel... and in our hearts... made solid contact with a dirty, tattered ball that had seen too much abuse... and that young batter suddenly knew what it was like to be Mickie Mantle... Roger Maris... Al Kaline... Eddie Mathews... Billy Williams or... the irreplaceable Yogi...
And the joy... that tingle up the arm... of a young All-Star when they snatch a hot grounder off the infield to rob their opponent of a hit like Ron Santo... or speed across the outfield to leap and snare a fly ball over their head like Willie Mayes... enjoying that solid smack of horsehide into cowhide as the ball settles into their glove...
Or the exhilaration of imitating Lou Brock or Ryan Sandberg while stretching a single into a double by sliding safely into second base...
But mostly it is the memories of friends... and a time of innocence... the bonding with others as you laughed... and argued... with them as you played the game... or as you all searched frantically in the cornfield across the street for that one... and only... baseball...
That is what the big deal is... its Baseball... its American... as Patriotic as The Flag... Mom's Apple Pie and John Wayne... its memories... its the remembered camaraderie of friends... some who are sadly no longer with us... its not about winning or losing... its not even really about the Cubs... it is about dreams being fulfilled... it is about life's struggles and accomplishments... it is about perseverance... faith... and loyalty... and you don't really need to be a Cubs' fan to understand... its magic... its in our blood... Its Baseball...
GO CUBS!
MT
The late Ron Santo, who stopped playing about the same time I started watching:
UPDATED and BUMPED 10.31.16:
The Cubs stay alive in the World Series and head to Cleveland for Game 6 on Tuesday night.
Check out the signs behind the broadcasters from last night's post-game show:
Ouch.
UPDATED and BUMPED 11.3.16 7:30am:
They did it. They actually did it. And they dragged the 2016 season into another day to do it. And it was exhausting (for me)!
Next April my fellow Cubs fans and I will say the unthinkable:
Last year was the year!
UPDATED 10am:
FB Comrade Vince shares:
Bill Murray - lifetime Cubs fan. Did you know he played minor league ball? I didn't either until today.
Bob Newhart:
Hell of a series... hell of a game seven... I might not stop smiling until I drop... thanks for posting... Go Cubs... and... wait until next year... has taken on a whole new meaning...
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