Just started rooting for the Cubs when they were 5 games behind Milwaukee and making their comeback last year. Since then, they’ve done awesome, minus the playoffs, and she thinks they are the greatest thing to happen since diamond earrings.

I’ve never seen someone so surprised when the Cubs lose. It’s hard to explain what life has been like the past 25 years.

Hopefully she never has to learn!!!!!!

less resigned to the fact that we’re going to lose the big games.

At the same time, I find it much less frustrating to go 8-2 in the homestand than 3-12 on the road. :D

They’re a good team. A really good team. It’s nice to see.

This team has really played well early. I don’t how far they can go in the playoffs, but I feel pretty good about their chances of getting there. This team might eclipse the 96 win total of the ‘84 team. I just hope they eclipse the combined playoff win totals of the ‘84, ‘89, ‘98, ‘03, and ‘07 teams by 2. I wasn’t sure the Cubs were better than the Mets and Cards in ‘89. In ‘03, I wasn’t certain the Cubs were better than the Astros. In ‘07, I had doubts the Cubs were better than the Brewers. They won those division titles, though. In ‘08, I feel strongly that the Cubs have the best team in the division. That’s the first time I’ve felt that way since ‘84.

prior to 2003 I never really had high expectations for the Cubs. I always hoped that they would do well and the rarely did. 2004 was tough on me and 2005 and 2006 especially were just lousy. Over these past few years I have worked on trying to keep a level head and not freak out too much (doesn’t work as well when I am at the ballpark). It’s definitely great to see them in first and it’s great to see them playing the way they are, but I always remind myself that there is a lot of baseball left to be played. You just hope that they are still there at the end.

That year, we just came off the let down of the playoffs, but added Mad Dog to the rotation, which wouldve been: Wood, Prior, Zambrano, Clement, Maddux. If that rotation stays healthy, instead of the injuries that took place… I think we’re wearing a ring right now.

Last year, although expectations were higher than normal with Lou and Soriano arriving… a more realistic view told us that our division just wasn’t very good, and we’d struggle to beat the better teams in the NL. Arizona wooped us in the regular season… and in the playoffs.

This year, however has been optimistic from the start. In February, it appeared we had the best team in the division. And thus far in the season, we’ve beaten the heck out of some crappy teams (finally), and also beat the crap out of some good teams (NYM and AZ).

The only thing I worry about is our road schedule catching up with us… we’ve played 27 at home already, compared to 18 on the road. Meanwhile, the Astros are opposite, with only 18 games played at home, and 28 on the road.

to have a Cubs team be this good…to start to actually expect them to win pretty much every time out is a very foreign feeling for most of us. Over the years I’ve learned to sort of mute my enthusiasm for the Cubs as a sort of survival tool . But, that being said, this is the most excited I’ve been for a Cubs team since ‘84.
I can’t believe I’m saying this-and being a lifelong Cubs fan I’m always a little afraid that over confidence will jinx them-but I’m actually starting to think that this is a legitimate World Series contender. God, it’s so strange to actually use “Cubs” and “World Series Contender” in the same sentence. At the same time, I think I could get used to it!

I want to think, as I thought in 1969, the late ‘70s, 1984, 1989, 1998, 2003 and 2007, that this year is finally the year. This team sure looks good enough. But our hope is tempered by the failures of the past.

Perhaps at last, THIS is the team to get us past it. Enjoy the ride. It’s been fun so far.

I have more hope now than I ever have as a Cubs fan. However, I still go into the big series-especially those on the road-with a feeling of trepidation and a niggling worry that we’ll find a way to lose despite all the evidence that this year we will find a way to win. The starting pitching really still has me shaken but there seems to be signs that it (with the possible exception of Marqui) is shaking its early season funk. If we could get the end of the rotation guys going into the seventh, I would feel a whole lot better. For now though, I think I’ll try to take Al’s advice and enjoy the ride. I’m just afraid I may be too conditioned by disappointment to truly savor the successes—at least until that great day the boys in blue finally bring the trophy back to its rightful home on the north side.

...not to get too carried away with my optimistic feelings. First and foremost, I keep reminding myself that it’s still May. Then again, I’m also reminding myself to enjoy every day the Cubs are well above .500 and at the top of their division.

And as the weeks go by, I see fewer and fewer reasons to lose hope in this team. The key to this year’s edition of the Cubs is balance—speed, power, a renewed emphasis in OBP, a deep starting rotation and bullpen, pretty solid defense. I feel like the pieces are all there, but, y’know, the games still have to be played.

So, to answer your question, I’m trying not to let myself get spoiled. But I’m enjoying the fact the Cubs are giving me many, many opportunities to succumb to the temptation.

There are many Cubs fans out there that really do not follow the team, they simply root for the Cubs. So in some respects they fit the bill of the caricature that has been created. We’ve been over this one before, folks one thier cell phones with thier back to the game. Or IMO, people more concerned with Wrigley Field’s restrooms and concessions, than the team on the field.

It’s almost like you were reading my mind. Cut that out!

I’ve been since the end of ‘03. That’s true on a game-by-game basis as well as the season outlook. For the first time in many years, I felt good about this team heading into the season. I still think they could use a starting pitcher and hope that Ascanio can provide some relief in the bullpen (yep), but it’s a solid team.

Still, they haven’t clinched anything and it’s still a looong season!

Though I am enjoying this team’s play, I can’t help but think about The Swoon. I guess that’s why they play 162 games …. scary. I wish I could just let go!

—t.

With this year’s team, I always expect to see good things happen even when we are down I am always confident that this team can still win. Hell, why shouldn’t we the problem is we watch this team everyday and are so familiar with them that we don’t see how truly feared our lineup is and how much opposing fans hate for us to come to their stadium. GO CUBS!

given they’ve only played 4 dozen games or so. Still more improvements are needed and whether or not they can further improve come this time in July will remain to be seen.

It’s not all that unfamiliar. Going into 2004, with the acquistion of D-Lee over the winter, having A-Ram starting a full season here, the thought Barrett would bring much needed offence to the catching position and finally the signing of Maddog right before ST started fueled significant optimism throughout Cubdom. Coupling in how Wood and Prior did in 2003 overall and a decent staff overall, Z up and coming, Clement rather solid; ST 2004 – at least for me – envoked visions of turning at least those middle numbers of Anno Catuli to zeros.

For 2008 though, because Lou is going to play the players with the best chance of winning overall versus just “his guys” and the fact HE WILL bend Hendry’s ears about making roster changes, I feel more optimistic on the management side than I have in most seasons prior to this, 2004 & 2007 not withstanding.

I think the Northwestern slogan from 95 applies to this team “Expect Victory” simple and to the point nothing fancy.

I think one reason for optimism is mentioned by blackhawk. Pinella and Hendry are on the same page. As is Crane Kenney. I felt many times Dusty and Jim weren’t or they were and Andy MacPhail wasn’t.

Call me weird and you won’t be the fhe first or last but I think once we get our first title we’ll start on somewhat of a roll.

I think we’re on the cusp of a new era for the Cubs and I can’t wait. We’ve been waiting so long and dang tooting we deserve it!

Wouldn’t it be nice if the young kids who are Cub fans now grow up in an era where the Cubs are consistent winners?

When my 13 year old Godson complains sometimes about the Cubs I tell him about the teams of the 70s.

My point of view is weird. For example, yesterday against the Astro’s the Cubs were down 4-2 going into the ninth. Now, I was basically expecting the Cubs to win so I was thinking no big deal. So then, it’s a great shock to me when they lose but I feel a bit better after finding some good things that came from the game anyway.