In 1908 neither TV nor radio (at least mass market radio) had been invented yet, there were only 46 states and the Cubs best pitcher only made $3,500/year.
Another crazy fact is the Yankees have played 153 World Series games - almost a full 162 game season - since the Cubs last played in one.
All of that though...is in the past.
The only thing that matters to the 2016 Chicago Cubs is their time is now and all of the historical data and curses are behind them. Their team is youthful and full of energy. As you watch the Cubs play tonight you'll see a team that plays loose and only looks forward. Their confidence comes from the top with their ownership, front office leadership and head coach Joe Maddon. Maddon has created a culture of freedom to just let the boys play ball, it's a culture that has changed baseball forever on the North Side of Chicago. When Cubs Infielder Javier Baez was called up from the minor leagues Joe jokingly gave him the advice "Try not to suck". That phrase shot around social media and grew so much attention that merchandise apparel was created to benefit Joe's Respect 90 Foundation. (You can buy them here Joe Maddon's T-Shirts )
So what can the Cubs teach us about business? A lot. In business, often times our past losses prevent us from winning and moving forward. Don't let a bad month ruin your quarter or a bad quarter ruin your year. The Cubs being in the World Series should be a wake-up call for all of us. The world is our office. The internet has created opportunities for all of us that we didn't have before. Anything we put our mind to we can now do. No matter where this world takes you always keep moving forward. It's better to fail moving forward than to fail retreating.
The Cubs could have easily went along with the history of being the "Lovable Losers". No one ever expected the Cubs to be in the World Series, even their biggest fans. Usually by mid-August the season is over and the phrase "Next Year is Our Year!" rings through the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field. Well next year is here, tonight is the night and this Cubs team only has one thing on their mind, winning the World Series.
So if the Cubs can make it back to the World Series...what can you do??
Be Great and Dominate!
Stephen