In part one of this story, I explained my irrational hatred of the Chicago Cubs. The piece ended pretty much where it began... with me, the bitter sox fan, reveling in the fact that undeserving Cubs fans would never get to experience the joy of their team winning a World Series. It was business as usual in 2008.
The Flintstones from Hanna-Barbera Productions
Unfortunately, for an irrational and bitter Cub hater like me, things were about to change...
During the summer of 2009, something terrible happened. Tom Ricketts, a lifelong Cub fan, who happened to be a billionaire, bought the Cubs. "Damn! I wish a Sox fan would buy my team", I thought. But I was conditioned to believe that nothing could save the lowly Cubs... not even a fan with very deep pockets. For two years, it seemed like I would be safe. The Cubs would continue to be "lovable losers". That would be just fine by me... especially the "losers" part.
My joy turned to dread on October 21st, 2011. On this day, the Cubs hired the best general manager in baseball: Theo Epstein. This was the guy who was responsible for breaking Boston's "Curse of the Bambino"... and somehow the traditionally idiotic Cubs had snagged him. My heart sank. When I found out he was available, I wanted my White Sox to hire him immediately. Not only did my favorite team fail to do this, they allowed their hated rival to acquire him. I was furious. I knew it was only a matter of time before my worst baseball nightmare came true... the Chicago Cubs would be true contenders.
Deadpool from 20th century Fox Film
Like the good Sox fan I was, I continued to hate the Cubs. I especially enjoyed their 2012 season during which they lost 102 games. But I knew I was living on borrowed time. Epstein would eventually figure it out. But then they lost 96 and 89 games the following two years. Maybe I would be ok. Maybe I would never have to suffer through a successful Cubs season.
Wrong.
In November of 2014, the Cubs hired Joe Madden... who just so happened to be one of the best 3 managers in the game (if not the best). Great. My nightmare was nearly complete.
Best GM? Check
Team filled with highly touted prospects? Check
Smart trade after smart trade? Check
Great manager? Check
Team owned by a fan with unlimited cash? Check
Yep that was the exact recipe for what I wished my favorite team would be like.
The proceeds from the sale of these shirts goes to charity...
of course because Maddon is that classy.
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At first, I did my best to continue my hatred. However, it became increasingly difficult. I had such a deep respect for what the Cubs had managed to do. I could no longer argue that the attention they were receiving was undeserved. They had set up the dream scenario. Although there is no guarantee that it will ever lead to a championship, the organization had done exactly what I had always wished mine would do. The team set themselves up to be legitimate contenders. In a business where luck plays such huge factor, that is really the absolute best you can do. Now the Cubs deserved all the accolades which they received. They had become a far better organization than my once beloved White Sox. I could either continue to hold on to my irrational bitterness, or I could accept the fact that the hated Cubs had become a first class organization.
Last year, for the first time in my life, I did not root against the Cubs. Although I did not cheer for them, I did not revel in their losses either. I remained respectful and indifferent. I felt that the team (and my wife and friends who are Cubs fans) had earned that from me.
Then this year, I began to listen to Joe Madden speak. I heard about the funny things he would have the team do in order to "stay lose". He brought in magicians and a petting zoo. He had his players dress in funny outfits and adopt the mottos "Try not to suck" and "If you look hot, wear it". When he answered reporters' questions he gave thoughtful and honest answers.
This is not photoshopped. He had freaking flamingos in his press conference.
During which he gave honest and thoughtful answers...
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Then I discovered one more fact about Joe Madden. During many of his press conferences, he intentionally wears T-shirts promoting different charities. He knows he is going to be on camera. He realizes he is going to get a ton of attention. And yet, instead of using the spotlight to sell his latest product... he uses his fame to help charitable organizations. Not only did I want this guy to be my manager, I wanted him to be my dad.
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I can't possibly hate that guy. In fact, I like him a lot. Madden deserves to win. He has earned it. As a result of this realization, for the first time in my life, I have found myself rooting for the Chicago Cubs to win.
I never thought I would ever type those words. However, rooting for something is simply far more fun than rooting against something.
I still can't bring myself to say "Go Cubs!"... but I will say "Go Joe Madden!"
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Chicago Cubs Primer (Catcher and Outfield)
LF/2B/3B/1B Ben Zobrist
Age 35
2004 Drafted in the sixth round by the Houston Astros
2008-2015 Played for Rays (with Joe Maddon as his manager), A's, Royals (where he won the World Serries last season)
2015 Signed a 4-year $56 million deal with the Cubs to be reunited with Joe Maddon
3 Time All-Star (Including starting 2B this year)
Cool story bro...
He lives so close to Wrigley Field that one day this year he and his son rode their bikes to the game. Zobrist did it in full uniform while wearing PF Flyers (the shoes from the movie Sandlot... which are "Guaranteed to make a kid run faster and jump higher."
Charity work
Works closely with numerous Christian charities.
Stats
CF Dexter Fowler
Age 30
2004 Drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 14th round
2013 Traded to Houston Astros for Brandon Barnes and Jordan Lyles
2015 Traded to the Cubs for Luis Vtalbuena and Dan Straily
2016 All-Star
Cool story bro...
Rejected an offer from Harvard in order to play minor league baseball
He was a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic baseball team
He plans to earn a college degree after retiring from baseball.
During the 2015 offseason, he had agreed to a deal with the Baltimore Orioles. The deal feel through and he signed a 1 year deal, including a mutual option, with the Cubs on February 25, 2016 (VERY late in the offseason). My White Sox could have had him but made him a lowball offer...
Charity work
In August of 2016, Fowler, who was working with the Pay Away the Layaway charity, went to a local K-Mart and paid of the back to-school-supply lay-away-accounts of 43 area families.
While a member of the Rockies, Fowler started a charity called Dexter Fowler's Leadoff Leaders. This charity worked to honor people and organizations who are "making a difference".
Stats
RF/CF Jason Heyward
Age 27
2007 Drafted 14th overall by the Atlanta Braves
2014 traded to The St. Louis Cardinals for Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins
2015 Signed an 8 year $184 million contract with the Cubs
1 Time All-Star
3 Time Gold Glove winner
Cool story bro...
As a retirement gift to David Ross, he paid to upgrade the veteran to a hotel suite for all Cubs' road trips.
He wears #22 to honor a high school teammate who died in a traffic collision.
He won Wilson's MLB Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2014
He had his jaw broken after being hit with a pitch in 2013 (that is why he wears a special helmet).
Stats
C David Ross
39 years old1998 Drafted in the 7th round by the L.A. Dodgers
2002-2014 Played for Dodgers, Pirates, Padres, Reds, Braves, and Red Sox
0 All-Star appearances
Cool story bro...
He is considered Jon Lester's personal catcher
His teammates refer to him as "Grandpa"
He's freaking hilarious! He is responsible for many of the silly things the Cubs do after they get on base.
If you don't believe me, here's his commercial to try and drum up All-Star game votes this year.
Charity work
He works with charities to raise awareness about the treatment of concussions.
He also support the Hudson Foundation, Pediatric Cancer Foundation, and Kevin Faulk Foundation.
Stats
Sources
http://www.baseball-reference.com
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chicagoinc/ct-dexter-fowler-cubs-school-chicago-inc-spt-0901-20160831-story.html
http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/66112700//
http://wgntv.com/2016/09/18/cubs-ben-zobrist-rides-his-bike-in-full-uniform-to-wrigley-field/
http://fabwags.com/hyla-ross-boston-red-sox-catcher-david-ross-wife/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Cubs