The day started with promise. I was sure my Cubbies would pull it out, after all this is the year. The game did not end as hoped. The Cubs lost to the Atlanta Braves 16-5. This pitiful start to the season left Cubs fans sulking.

The game started with Carlos Zambrano starting his 6^th opening day. He only lasted a mere one and a half innings and gave up 8 runs on 6 hits. http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100405&content_id=9084892&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc. The Cubs had started off well in the first scoring 3 runs and later tried to rally back in the 3^rd scoring 2 more runs. These would be the last runs they scored in the game, while Atlanta would have a huge scoring inning in the bottom of the 7^th scoring 6 more runs. They didn’t stop there and scored 2 more in the bottom of the 8^th.

Even though they did not win the season opener, it’s early in the season and its only the first game. The eternal optimist of a Cubs fan that I am says that there is always tomorrow.

Besides the fact that he was a Cards fan, he mentioned to me that Wrigley Field should be torn down and rebuilt. He suggested leaving the ivy, but rebuilding everything else. He mentioned that it was too old and the scoreboard should be updated. I was tolerating this guy before because I mean he can’t help it if he doesn’t know any better and is a Cards fan, but after insulting Wrigley Field, my Wrigley Field, I will never be able to look at him the same.

I know in an earlier blog I discussed the history of The Friendly Confines, but it is such a symbol of Chicago and of Illinois that it is worthy of a thousand blog entries. All of the things that he was complaining about are what make Wrigley great. People come from all around the country just to experience a game at historic Wrigley Field.

I was talking to my dad about my conversation with this guy, and he, being a Cubs fan and a Chicagoan agreed with me fully. He reminded me that my great-grandma used to take my grandma to Wrigley on ladies’ day, way back in the ‘30s.

That’s the amazing thing about Wrigley. It isn’t just a place where a professional baseball team plays its games. It’s a legacy. To think that I walked in the same places, down the same aisles, maybe even sat in the same area as a great-grandmother I never met is astounding.

Talk to any Chicago Cubs fan and they will most likely tell you a story about Wrigley. Tradition, history. That’s what Cubs fans have in their team and in Wrigley Field. My friend Megan can recall trips to Wrigley and touring the locker room. All she wanted was to see Mark Grace’s locker. My Great-Aunt Marge talks about her son taking pictures of Wrigley from every single angle possible after he got his new camera. Me, well you have heard my stories, my history. Wrigley is not just a place to go; somewhere to cross off the list of sites to see in Chicago. It’s an experience.

Wrigley is not just a field. It is a time machine, a link to our past and way to connect to it. To think that since 1914 people have been sitting in the same bleachers and cheering on their baseball team blows my mind. 96 years of history and tradition. 96 years. Sorry baseball boy, but I don’t think Wrigley Field is going anywhere.

I think about each of these ideas and questions as I continue writing. We have made a choice to be Cubs fans. No one is controlling us. It doesn’t matter if we win or lose. I may be like all four of my grandparents and never see the Cubs win a World Series in my life. That really doesn’t matter to me. It’s not a deal breaker. Until the day I die, I will be a Cubs fan.

Then it all clicked. I said that it doesn’t matter if we win or lose. I used “we” instead of “they” or “the Cubs.”  The reason I am a Cubs fan, the reason anyone is a Cubs fan, is because we are part of the team. We are not just fans, we are the team too. When the players on the field win, we all win and when they lose, well, we lose too. That is the sign of a true fan. The song by Eddie Vedder, posted on my blog earlier, has a line in it that has stood out to me since I first heard it: “we are not fair weather, but far weather fans.”

I believe this statement to be the absolute truth. If we were only fair weather fans, well let’s face it, the Cubs would have no one left. My heart has indeed been broken, but my absolute, unconditional love has made my heart grow back stronger and bigger.

WGN 720 AM is a radio station in Chicago, http://www.wgnradio.com/sports/baseball/cubs/, which broadcasts nearly every Cubs game. Listening to the games on the radio is not always the best way to get the whole picture of the game, but listening to Ron Santo is a treasure all its own. Ron Santo is one of the Cubs greatest players in the history of the league and I attribute part of my undying love for the Cubs to listening to this man on the radio.

Santo’s voice changes with the highs and lows of each game and you can hear the joy or the pain in his voice. Turning on the radio in the middle of a game, you can tell how the game is going before you hear the score, simply by Ron’s voice.

While I love listening to the games on the radio, it’s really not feasible if you are not in the broadcasting area, which I am not while living at school. The really amazing thing about the Chicago Cubs is that WGN not only owns a radio station, but they were one of the first stations on the cable network http://www.wgntv.com/sports/baseball/cubs/. They were thinking for the future and it has definitely paid off.

By having a cable station, the Cubs are guaranteed national exposure, something that many leagues only get a few times each year on ESPN or FOX.

By having the ability to broadcast most games at a national level, the Cubs have developed a huge fan base that spans all over the country. Senior citizens that retire to warmer climates can still enjoy their favorite team. Students, like me, can enjoy some downtime and watch the Cubs.

Whether watching the Cubs on T.V. or listening to them on the radio, it’s just a really great time. They are a team with a lot of history and a great future because as every true Cubs fan knows, there’s always next year.

The first three games have been a test of who wants to be on the active roster. The Cubs have played Oakland, Arizona, and the Chicago White Sox, the Cubs cross town rival. The Cubbies toppled Oakland scoring 9 to Oakland’s 3 runs. The second game in Spring Training against Arizona was a little closer as they won 8-7. Sadly Saturday’s game was lost to the White Sox, 15-3.

Though they lost, it is important to remember that these are in a sense scrimmage games and mean nothing in the long run. They are mostly played in order to warm up for regular season games and in order to find the players for the active roster.

The Cubs have a full schedule this week as they have a game every day http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=chc&m=3&y=2010. They will even split the squad up and play two separate games this coming Friday and Saturday. Sadly none of the games will be available for viewing on WGN.

Even though none of the coming games can be watched, the official website of the Chicago Cubs will keep you up to speed as the game progresses. Also if you are unable to get online and follow the game, scores and inning statistics can be found on the scoreboard tab of the official website http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/scoreboard/20100309.html. Also if you have an iPhone, you can download an ap that will allow you to follow the game and see final scores.

Spring Training is an exciting time for baseball lovers and it only makes me that much more ready for regular season games. Opening day starts in 26 days.

The curse began in 1945 during the World Series http://www.dacurse.com/timeline.htm. During the fourth game of the series in which the Cubs were playing the Detroit Tigers, William Sianis, a Greek tavern owner and Chicago Cubs fan, brought his pet goat named Murphy to the game.

After some reluctance, Sianis and his goat were allowed into Wrigley and seated. At one point Murphy got away from his owner and made his way onto the field.  After returning to Murphy’s seat, it started to rain and soon other fans started complaining about the smell Murphy was creating.

Sianis and his goat were asked to leave in the seventh inning, but they did not go quietly. Sianis was so extremely upset about this and shouted out, “The Cubs will win here no more” http://ezinearticles.com/?Curses!–the-Chicago-Cubs-and-the-Curse-of-the-Billy-Goat&id=1335909.

After this the Cubs lost the series, and Sianis sent Phillip K. Wrigley a letter saying, “Who smells now?” Since this the Cubs haven’t even been to a World Series.  In 1950, Wrigley sent a letter to Sianis asking him to lift the curse, but Sianis was not ready to forgive and forget. In 1969, Sianis lifted the curse and the Cubs remained in first place for most of the season, but then they ultimately fell short. There have been many attempts to “reverse the curse” but as of yet none has been successful.

This coming Wednesday, February 17^th, the pitchers and catchers have to report for duty http://chicagocubsonline.com/. They will begin their first official practice on Thursday the 18^th. Position players have to be in Arizona by February 22^nd. The first full squad workout will follow in the 23^rd.

Many of the players have already reported to training camp in an attempt to get as much extra practice in as possible http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2010/02/cubsnews021410.php.

Some are already wondering how many of the spots are already guaranteed to players from previous seasons.  Here are the players that will probably be guaranteed a spot in the coveted opening day roster.

Pitchers

• Carlos Zambrano
• Ryan Dempster
• Randy Wells
• Tom Gorzelanny
• Carlos Marmol
• John Grabow
• Angel Guzman
• Sean Marshall
• Carlos Silva

Catchers

• Geovany Soto
• Koyie Hill

Infielders

• Derrek Lee
• Ryan Theriot
• Aramis Ramirez
• Jeff Baker

Outfielders

• Alfonso Soriano
• Marlon Byrd
• Kosuke Fukudome
• Xavier Nady

These players have a proven track record of success and deliver results for the Cubs baseball club. I would have to add Mike Fontenot to the guaranteed line up, but then again he is one of my personal favorites so I may not be the most impartial person when it comes to putting him on the roster.

If these spots mentioned above are already filled that means that a mere six spots are left to be filled for the active roster.

Whatever happens in the coming weeks, it will definitely be interesting and exciting.

The Peoria Chiefs are one of the Chicago Cubs’ minor league teams, and they are in my backyard. http://peoria.chiefs.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t443  I live just 40 minutes north of Peoria, Illinois. The Chiefs play in downtown Peoria at O’Brien Field.

Professional baseball has been a part of Peoria history since 1878. For a full and detailed history of baseball in Chicago visit this site: http://peoria.chiefs.milb.com/about/page.jsp?ymd=20081204&content_id=485425&vkey=about_t443&fext=.jsp&sid=t443.  I’m going to provide you with an abridged version.

In 1978 an independent baseball team was started and called the Peoria Reds. The Peoria Reds changed their name to the Peoria Distillers a few years later and operated as a semi-professional team.

With the US entering WWI in 1917, baseball left Peoria but returned again after the war. The return of baseball also brought a new stadium to Peoria. In 1923 Woodruff Field was built, costing around $50,000. In 1930 lights were added to the stadium. By the 1930’s the team had changed their name again, now being referred to as the Peoria Tractors.

In 1937, due to low attendance numbers, baseball once again left Peoria. In 1943, during WWII the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was created since there was a shortage of male ball players. In 1946, Peoria joined the league with the female team called the Peoria Redwings. The A.A.G.P.B.L. was disbanded in 1951 with the return of the men from the war.

In 1953, baseball would return once again to Peoria, this time supported by the Cleveland Indians. It was in 1953 that the team would adopt the name of the Peoria Chiefs. 1954 brought a change in professional baseball backing when the St. Louis Cardinals became their major league affiliate and in 1957 the Chiefs’ affiliation was changed once again when the team joined New York Yankee organization.  At the end of 1957 the Chiefs would be finished at it would be 25 years until professional baseball would return to Peoria.

In 1983 baseball would again return with the Peoria Suns.  In the fall, Pete Vonachen and his son Rocky bought the team and renamed them the Peoria Chiefs after the 1953 team. It was in 1985 that the Chicago Cubs would become the affiliate of the Chiefs. The ’80s brought several amazing players to the Chiefs that would become huge professional baseball favorites. Players such as Greg Maddux, Mark Grace, and Joe Girardi entertained thousands of fans in Peoria.

The 1994 season brought the return of the affiliation with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Peoria Chiefs was where Albert Pujols the 2001 National League Rookie of the Year would get his start. Other major Cards players played for the Chiefs in the late 90s and into the early 2000’s. By 2004 the Chicago Cubs would regain their affiliation with the Chiefs.

The Cubs remain the affiliate of the Chiefs. They have prospective players that could be moved up to the major leagues. Also players from the Cubs that are coming off an injury will start to get back in the swing of things in Peoria.

Because the Chiefs were so close to my home town, I have been to several games and seen some of these amazing players. My friends and I usually make one game each summer and enjoy any seat in the house.

Another great thing about baseball in Peoria is how inexpensive the seats are. For a seat right behind home plate it only costs $10. A seat in the grass out near the outfield is a mere $6.

It’s really a remarkable thing to have so close to my home. The Vonachen’s are very family oriented and are very much a part of the action. Last summer I was at a game and one of the radar guns was malfunctioning. Rocky Vonachen didn’t send a maintenance man to fix the problem; instead he came down into the stands in his dress pants and shirt and fixed the radar gun.

Sometimes a fireworks show will follow the game. To me this whole experience is the epitome of summer.

I love going to the games and watching the players that could be in the major leagues someday. It’s a really great atmosphere and an amazing place to watch a good baseball game. If you visit Peoria in the summer it’s definitely something to check out.

I have heard the heart break of this game many times from both of my parents. Bring up the Cubs to either one of them and they will lament about the ’69 Cubs and how broken hearted they both were.

Some of the key players from the ’69 Cubs hold a special place in my heart as well. Ron Santo partners with Pat Hughes to announce each Cubs game over the radio on WGN 720 http://www.wgnradio.com/sports/baseball/cubs/. I have grown up hearing his voice telling me about the Cubs; teaching me about the love of the team. Long time listeners, like me, feel that he is part of the family.

Fergie Jenkins is another ’69 Cub that I have connected with. My family and I used to fly from Chicago O’Hare Airport to Phoenix, Arizona every year. Two times in a row we were on the same flight from Chicago. It was amazing to be so close to someone that played for the team I idolize. I will never forget how tall he is and how awestruck the passengers on the plane were.  

In 1984 the Cubs would finally return to post-season play after an absence of almost 40 years.

The Cubs would continue a mediocre showing through the rest of the ‘80’s and into the ‘90s. In the late ‘90s, Sammy Sosa brought the spotlight to Chicago as he raced against Mark McGuire for single season home runs. Sosa would be the first each year to achieve over 60 home runs, but would always fall short of McGuire.

I remember this race vividly. It was everyday wondering who was ahead and who hit home runs that day. It was a great time to be a Cub fan.  

The Cubs would go into the 21^st Century as a team that had good players but couldn’t win together as a team. In 2003 the Cubbies would be in a tight race for the NL Central Division Champions. They would win and head to the division championships only to have their dreams crushed yet again. The Cubs would take a 3-1 game lead only to be foiled again. Going into the 8^th inning, the Cubs had a 3-1 lead when a pop up foul ball was hit. Moises Alou went to catch the ball only to have it knocked from his hands by Steve Bartman. The Curse of the Billy Goat struck again. This started a downward spiral for the Cubs that would result in a loss and the ultimate loss in the division series.

This was the first time I knew the heart-break that comes with being a Cubs fan. I remember crying and being so upset and not understanding why the Cubs would do this to me.

The Cubs have continued on an up and down rollercoaster of being good one year and mediocre the next. No matter how good they are they are never quite good enough to advance to the World Series.

Understanding the history of the Cubs can give you a little insight into the heartbreak that comes with being a Cubs fan and the unending devotion that each fan has.