Oh, how we’ve missed you, Cubbies.
Sure, you’ve been a thorn in our sides from time-to-time. Your 9-10 record in 2014 against the Cardinals proves that you rose to the occasion against your rival and held your own. But Cardinal fans have been able to shrug off losses to the Cubs with constant reminders to check the standings.
The numbers have been staggering. Since 2010, the Cubs have compiled five straight losing seasons, going 346-464, with zero playoff wins or appearances. During the same time frame, the Cardinals have a record of 451-359. Using my high school math education, that tells me the Cubs are 105 games behind the Cardinals over the past five years. Throw in one World Series Championship for the Cardinals (2011), two National League Championships (2011 and 2013) and four straight NLCS appearances and the Cardinal-Cub rivalry has been one-sided to say the least.
Don’t look now, but the slumbering Cubs are getting ready to emerge from an extended five year nap. While Cardinal Nation has enjoyed great success over the past five seasons, the Cubs and their fans have endured nothing but a prolonged hibernation. It’s about time for this rivalry to reach new heights — or at least heights that haven’t been seen in several years.
Chicago is giddy, hibernating fans have resurfaced on social media with new vigor, and Las Vegas odds makers have proclaimed the Cubs as one of the top seven teams in all of MLB heading into 2015. Even Wrigley Field has a completely new stench. Things are starting to fall into place on the north side of Chicago. New manager Joe Maddon is bringing a fresh outlook and a recent history of turning a bad franchise into a perennial winner. Let’s be honest here, were the Tampa Bay Rays anything more than a laughingstock before Maddon came along? He changed the culture and turned them into winners. Plus he apparently stole Harry Caray’s glasses, so Cubs fans can relate to him already.
Now Jon Lester comes along and with all of the young talent already in place, the Cubs are looking to be more than a team hoping to finish .500. They’re thinking they just might win the whole darn thing. They’ll have to go through St. Louis first. 2015 is setting up to be a most interesting baseball season. The fans deserve it and it’s been a long time coming. These long-time rivals just took it up a notch.
