1/3/10: Why are Chicago Sports Fans Restricted to Hoping?

It isn't the complete and elegantly cleaned up ICC newspaper version of my story, but since it is still relevant, and needs a larger audience (read Heather McGraw's Holiday article at http://iccharbinger.com as support for this statement) I'm posting it here.

In the past Harbinger issue, an opinion peace was printed about how sad a year it was for baseball in the Windy City. This piece may have been a prime example of why Chicago franchise fans are considered losers because nothing happened that was worth crying about.

The White Sox? Did anyone believe they were going to the playoffs before the season began? It was the Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Indians who were predicted to win the American League Central by most of Sports Illustrated’s writers, and the prior season saw them go to a one game playoff for the Central Division championship. Southside fans should be proud that they at least got to see their pitcher Mark Buehrle throw a perfect game. The Pale Hose had a reason for all of baseball to pay attention to them beside the obscenity laced rants of their crazed manager Ozzie Guillen. Should that not be considered an accomplishment, to make people regret not spending a day at the wretched “Cell”?

As for the Cubbies, can their fans recall the last time they had three consecutive winning seasons?Since the last time the Cubs won the pennant in 1945, the longest stretch of winning seasons may have been six (1967-72), but they did not make a single post season appearance during that stretch. In the past three years, they had made the playoffs twice and had winning records in all of them.

Cubs fans can complain about Milton Bradley and his antics, but the Cubs did not suspend him for the season until after they were no longer contending for the National League Central Division’s crown. Why did they do that? Because he still produced enough for the Cubs to at one point stand on top of the standings during the season. As for Alfonso Soriano, he got hurt. This had happened the two previous years. Since superstition is part of being a Cubs fan, could they have contended if Soriano was not limping a third of the time?

It was not an easy summer for the fans of the Second City, but it tells us that the teams may have the tools to win the titles next year, so there is plenty to be hopeful about. If there is anything about Chicago sports to complain about, it would be their Winter teams.

The Bears ended up making the Lou Brock of NFL trades when they sent Kyle Orton over to Denver for loud-mouthed quarterback Jay Cutler. Bulls’ fans are optimistic because their team challenged the Boston Celtics in last year’s NBA playoffs as long as they ignore the fact that the Celtics were playing without, Kevin Garnett? Despite hockey icon Barry Melrose’s support, until the Blackhawks finally knock off their nemesis, The Detroit Redwings, should anyone have faith in them winning the NHL’s Western Conference let alone Lord Stanley’s Cup?

Put your hope behind teams who have proven they are for real. The White Sox had won the World Series in 2005, and this was the first time since in the last three years that the St. Louis Cardinals topped a winning Cubs team. Do not write these teams off for other sports to distract you. Get pumped for 2010. Buy your tickets to Wrigley and petition to tear down US Cellular Field. Next year may finally be the year.