Having to defend ones fandom if indeed they do win it all….I’ll admit Im skeptical whenever I meet a Red Sox fan, usually thinking “wow, they mustve been a fan for at least 4 years now huh?”

But hey, if thats what it takes to see it happen, so be it. I was surprised to hear theres so much animosity towards the Cubs in Milwaukee, b/c the brewers havent been in the NL all that long, and its really only the past two years that theyve been in direct competition for the division, so its a bit surprising to see the hatred is so deep seeded already.

But with the success of the team the past few years, the backlash was inevitable. But here in NY for much of my life being a Cubs fan was pretty unique and greeted with pleasant shock or polite derision/pity…..so this should be a new phenomenon having to prove my fanhood…..but bring it on!

Is that MLB and sports in general loses its last truly lovable losers. Which organization has such a loyal fanbase, historic stadium, and great team? I don’t even know of any organization that comes close to this mixture. Maybe a Cleveland team? There’s a storyline that is forever lost once we win it all, and for that, I think we are all willing and wanting to burn that damn sacrificial lamb.

Dan

and a big IF, the Cubs go the distance. The one thing I fear is the instant Cub fans come out in droves. It happened in Boston ( New England) You have some Red Sox fans that couldn’t tell you about 1967 and Yaz and the triple crown, Pesky Pole, and the nightmare of 1986 and the loss to the Mets. I see the same thing happening IF the Cubs win it all. You will strike a conversation with one of these instant fans and you mention just say When Dawson came here in 1987 when he filled out his contract.
 I don’t know being a Cub fan is the history is the agony and joy.
Other than that, I don’t care what NON Cub fans say. Period.

Good. Actually, great. The rising animosity is a leading indicator of the essential fact here, kids: The Cubs are very, very good, the best Cubs team in several generations. Get in our way and be prepared to take a beating.

and IF that becomes an issue I’ll figure out a way to deal with it then.

and don’t live in Chicago, I’ve had to deal with being called a bandwagoner before when the Cubs are doing well. I remember in ’03 someone accused me of it. My quickest why to deal with that is to show them that I have faded Chicago Cubs key chain that I’ve had since I was 16 that has a copy right date of 1987 on it. I been through plenty of bad season as fan, I remember the 0-14 start in ’97. If someone thinks I’m a fair-weather fan that’s not really my problem.

It’s big news that people in St. Louis hate the Cubs? It’s news that people in Milwaukee hate the Cubs? Why the heck shouldn’t they?

I worry that people will think I am some kid that won’t really know what it means. I embraced learning everything I could about this team.

I know about 1908, the world series failures through the 1930’s, the goat and the 45 series, the unreal 69 team that anytime I can meet someone who lived it can tell me about it, the 84 team and what the hell happened.

I was born in 85 so my memories of failure are only 98, 03 and 07. I haven’t endured as long but I understand the context. I know my loyalty will be questioned but those who don’t know but I love this team and want them to win it bad. I suppose this is just something that comes with the territory when your team wins it all.

That being said, Go Cubs and I hope for my own sanity but also for those that endured 84, 69 and if you can remember 45 more so for you.

Something special is brewin’ here

Why would any of us give a damn what anyone else thinks about the Cubs? We’ve suffered for years, some of us more than others but it’s irrelevant.

The lovable losers iconic name is just a function of all things Cubbie, leading up to mid-Oct, 2003 IMHO. Things are changing, things are different. The Cubs are building up to powerhouse status. We’ve waited too long. My father lived well past life expectancy for someone born the year he was born and he was never even alive yet alone old enough to see and understand a Cubs WS title.

I guess we could come up with a “test” to see if others who claim to be diehards. Like Sparky above mentioned Billy and Ronnie, I bet we could come up with a “play 20 questions” test for others. If they don’t get at least 16 or something like that we can question their fan-dom, but really….really now, would it matter to us diehards? I don’t think so.

for me is the derision I see from fans of teams that honestly don’t have a leg to stand on. It’s sort of the culture sports has become but can any Brewers fans really talk to me about losing/choking? How long has it been since they’ve even been to the playoffs? Maybe I’ll revel in the Cubs winning a little more if it happens. Who knows though really what their exact reaction to something like this would be. Like most above, I’m relatively young (26) so my experiences are from about 88-89 on. I can still remember a game with my cousin in ‘92 the Cubs beat the Pirates 11-1 and we were stoked because at the time the Pirates were good and had just won the division. I don’t have to justify/prove my fandom to anyone who doesn’t already know.

My only concern if they do win is the cost of Opening Day tickets. I’ve gone for 9 years straight since moving back for college and if I can’t get lucky when they go on sale I’ll have to save up for a broker. The only thing that could compare to being at the game they win it is being at the game where they get their rings and raise a banner/flag or whatever. And there aren’t many FA on this team so almost everyone could be back.

would be…..

ummm…

There is no problem.

I’ve had doubters about my reasons for being interested in sports so I dont view this as any different.

If, and when, the Cubs win it all I, along with everyone else here, will be as happy as can be. As with any good team, you’re already seeing people on the bandwagon. Look at how many new members have joined BCB over the course of the season, and there’s many new fans at Wrigley and that is absolutely fine with me.

I have no problem if the rest of the country thinks that every Cubs fan is fairweather if it means that we are winning consistently. I know how special a World Series will be to me. I know how special this season has been so far, regardless of what the ultimate outcome is. I know how special a World Series would be for my wife (Los Angeles native) who became a Cubs fan in 2003 while watching the stretch run with me – and since has followed every single game, even during 2006. I know how special this would have been to my grandmother (passed away in ’91) who took me to my first games a child on the Addison bus (never learned to drive), and we saw some truly awful teams together. Regardless, she watched every single game, and was a big of a fan as I can imagine, despite living her entire life without seeing a champion.

So, people can say what the will. And the bandwagon jumpers can join our party, but I’m going to be grinning from ear-to-ear and will be far too happy to care.