It's All About the Benjamins: the 5 Stages of Cubs' Grief

by Zeke on Jun 13, 2010 6:57 AM CDT

In the end MONEY will be the determining fact for Cubs change. When fans start staying away and game/concession/merchandising revenues decline precipitously, THEN change will occur. This is going to take a long time. Whether we want to admit it to ourselves, the Cubs have already entered the rebuilding phase. The PLAYERS have certainly entered it.

So what phase of "Cubs Grief" are YOU in?

1-Denial-

Not accepting or even acknowledging the loss. "This can't be happening to the Cubs". Meh."They’ll win today. Things will be better".

2-Anger-

"Why does this s**t ALWAYS happen to the Cubs?" feelings of wanting to fight back or get even. "Where’s Rothschild? Next time up Carlos should just DRILL Pierzynski in the ribs."

3-Bargaining-

Bargaining often takes place before the loss. Attempting to make deals with others to stop or change the loss. Begging, wishing, praying for them to win. "This team has too much talent! If Hendry would just fire Lou, things would get better."

4-Depression-

Overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, frustration, bitterness, self pity, mourning yet ANOTHER Cubs’ loss as well as the hopes, dreams and plans for the future. Feeling lack of control, feeling numb. "Hendry HAS to go. He built this mess. Where the hell is Ricketts?"

5-Acceptance-

There is a difference between resignation and acceptance. You have to accept the loss, not just try to bear it quietly. "F**k this s**t. G*dd**n Cubs! When does the Bears/Bulls/Blackhawks/Illini/NW/ND (insert favorite OTHER team or sport here) season start?"

Poll

What phase of "Cubs Grief" are YOU in?

Denial

1 votes

Anger

6 votes

Bargaining

1 votes

Depression

14 votes

Acceptance

30 votes

None of the above (explain)

6 votes

All of the above (I'm a Cubs' fan, after all...)

16 votes

74 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

It's a rough year

When I follow my AL team (A’s) as much as the Cubs (which is usually borderline obsessive). Granted the A’s had a great run first half last decade, but they’re bad now, and yet giving me some hope as opposed to my acceptance of the waste of a season the Cubs are giving me. Makes me a little bummed we have a trip to Wrigley planned this year, and not next year when maybe there will be a better functioning team on the field. Oh well…

by portlandcubfan on Jun 13, 2010 9:30 AM CDT reply actions

Looks like we're in the same boat.

My AL team is the Tigers and we too have a trip to Wrigley planned for later this summer. Oh well.

We have met the enemy and they are us! ~ Walt Kelly, Pogo, 1971

by Zeke on Jun 13, 2010 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Where is the option...

for ALL OF THE ABOVE? i’ve even hit all phases of Grief in single games this year.
I’m usually a level 3 tho. “Lord, if i do all the yard work, put up those shelves the wifes been yelping about, and go to the church picninc, all before first pitch tonight, can we get a Cubs win? Please?”

"Anyone on our team that thinks we are cursed will be moved to a lesser-cursed team"
-Tom Ricketts

by WiscoCubs on Jun 13, 2010 11:26 AM CDT reply actions

LOL. Just for you, I've added that option.

We have met the enemy and they are us! ~ Walt Kelly, Pogo, 1971

by Zeke on Jun 13, 2010 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Ever since

the playoff failure of ‘08 I’ve accepted this team for what it is. A major market club that just started to scratch the surface of rebuilding. I stopped beating myself up after that collapse, and have hoped Hendry/company took the necessary steps to take this philosophical approach. The farm system is much, much better than it has been in years, but the same old “sign an aging, overpaid, overrated veteran free-agent” to fill a hole instead of relying on your in-house assets attitude obviously hasn’t worked. The time is now to start the process (I thought the trading deadline last season and/or the offseason were the times to do it), and get this franchise moving forward rather than being stuck in the mud. My acceptance of what this team is has definitely lowered my blood-pressure, allowed me to enjoy all the nice Colorado sunny Sundays without interruption, and has slowed down my aging process. The sooner everyone joins me and others of course, the more thankful we’ll be when the Cubs finally break their drought.

"Is there any truth to the rumor that the Bears gave up their first-round pick in 2011 for the decals?" - Someone registered as the DailyNorseman at PFT suggesting the Bears gave up picks in order to get Gaines Adams tribute decals. Stay classy Minnesota fans!

by propheteer on Jun 13, 2010 12:59 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

None of the Above

The 5 stages come into play when you lose in the playoffs, or a World Series.
03 was bad — 08 closed the window. The 5 “stages” came again.

This is a bad season. Cubs fans have experienced many of these.

I lost sleep over the fatal end of those 2 seasons. This is just — ‘meh.’

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jun 13, 2010 11:26 PM CDT reply actions

03 just depressed me

I was so disappointed.

08 I was disgusted enough that I took all my Cubs stuff from apartment and put in my storage locker. I thought they should donate their play off shares to charity.

Two different reactions but both broken hearted.

This season, acceptance.

"Actually, Major League Baseball is more like Neverland

And the Lost Boys don’t have to ever grow up. Some do, anyway, but that is not a universal characteristic"

by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 14, 2010 12:52 PM CDT reply actions

definitely, All Of the Above

I will go back and forth between all of the emotions depending on how they lose or win. I suppose as time goes on I will settle on one of them unless of course they win it all. :)

"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

by cooliogirl47 on Jun 16, 2010 9:53 PM CDT reply actions