I got excited after the division title and bought a division champs T-shirt. Not so sure how excited I am to wear it now, but maybe I’ll feel different after spring training starts.

In 2007, the Cubs had to make up a huge deficit to finish first after game 160. It was a great run, and I drove from Racine Saturday morning to be across from the ballpark when the shops opened to get the gear. I bought t-shirts and hats for my dad and I to wear to the Badger game in Madison — that afternoon. Also bought stuff for friends who were going to the Brewer-Padre game with a Brewer fan friend of ours.

In 2008, I realized that I have t-shirts from 2003 and 2007 that I rarely, if ever wear. I decided not to get a division t-shirt, hoping there would be other shirts — and realizing that if they didn’t go anywhere, the shirts would be available for about $5 later.

I don’t think it has anything to do with being a good fan, belief, etc. For me, it came down to, how many t-shirts does a man need? I’ll probably get one if I see it for sale cheap, but I wasn’t gooing to get a shirt for every round of playoffs last year. I probably wouldn’t pay full price anymore unless it was NL or WS Champions.

for me. It’s useless.

Only NL Pennant and World Series merchandise has meaning.

Those “Wild Card” T-shirts/caps from a few years back were laughable.

…so I wouldn’t buy a divisional shirt (or cap) to begin with. I’ve got my conventional Cubs hat (which I purchased new in spring of last year; first time I’ve done that in a LONG time) and it went back on my bedroom mirror immediately after the third and final crushing NLDS loss to the Dodgers.

As far as how I feel looking back now, I’m damn proud of what the 2008 team accomplished during the regular season. The ‘08 campaign was a blast – 97 wins!!! – and I’m glad I didn’t miss a minute of it. (OK, I wasn’t able to watch every inning of every game, but I followed every game in one way or another.)

The postseason was, well, crushing. I dealt with some serious grief in the weeks afterward. But I also felt like I learned a lot. I’ll never go into another Cubs postseason series with any sort of expectations again. Whatever happens, happens. And if the Cubs are meant to live out their existence never winning another World Series championship, so be it. I hope that’s not the case, but so be it if it is.