Guys,
I am going to forget to put a lot of things in this post. I will probably add more in the comments section as time goes on.
For the last eight years, I did not watch one inning of baseball. I swear, that was the case. Just the thought of baseball angered and annoyed me. In 2008, I told everyone I was done and with good reason. The Cubs had just been swept by the Dodgers. I was with my now ex-girlfriend at the time. We were watching that last game in my apartment. Days before, I had told her I was going to be done watching after that Saturday. I honestly did not believe I would ever see this day.
I called Genrebuster after the final out and we chatted for a few minutes. It was pretty emotional and while we didn’t get through everything we wanted to talk about, we will in the coming days/weeks.
Before I get to anything else, I want to say that I never forgot why this website existed in the first place. I never forgot how we all came together as a group. It was all of us being pissed off.
It wasn’t just the losing that pissed me off and forced me to stop watching. It was the shit head fans (douchebags in Wrigleyville), the stench of Wrigley (the smell of piss just frustrated me) and many other things.
Throughout the last month, I’ve had person after person at my job, in my personal life and online, try to talk to me about baseball. I told my customers that I don’t watch baseball anymore. They will never win. I told my friends in real life that they are never going to win and there is no reason to go back.
All through this year, I didn’t watch. I simply just heard what was going on through the news and online. I refused to let my heart break again. I heard about the comeback in San Francisco. Then, I saw they were facing the Dodgers. That was the same team that ended my fandom and desire for the sport of baseball in 2008. Somehow, someway, they won that series. I don’t know all that happened other than they came back down 2-1 in the series.
Two Saturdays ago, I was driving in the suburbs to go visit a friend. I was listening to the Blackhawks’ post game on the radio. Judd Sirott said they were going to the newsdesk. I forgot the guy’s name, but he said something along the lines of: “Well, this is something we thought we would never see in our lifetime: The Cubs have won the pennant.”
That hit me on the inside. But, I didn’t break.
So, the World Series arrives. Once again, still not watching. I am just reading up about it throughout the days they play. I heard about how stressful the games were. Fast forward: Down 3-1.
Then, they win a game. And another. Game 7 is up.
I was checking my phone even more during the night. I was watching the Bulls and eating steak for dinner (steak dinner, boom!). The night before, I didn’t sleep hardly at all. I was thinking about this. None of us ever thought they would even be in this position.
I check my phone, 1-0. Then again, 5-1. Then, 6-3. I was getting even more nervous.
15 minutes after that 6-3 score, I checked it again to see it was 6-6. I couldn’t believe it. I thought to myself: “Well, I am glad I didn’t come back.” It was almost like, this is what the Cubs do. They do this. This is what they are supposed to do: Fuck you over. I almost thought God was doing the ultimate “fuck you” to all of us.
I read about 15 minutes later there was a rain delay. I was watching an NBA game on ESPN. On the ticker, it said that the game would resume at 11:15. I decided that I was finally going to turn the channel to the game. For the first time in eight years, I am going to watch baseball. I am a very superstitious person, but I felt that I couldn’t keep checking the scores. It was time to come back for this night.
I tuned in and a runner is on first with Bryant up. And let me say this: I have little or no idea who any of these guys are. I just have heard about some of them through the news. But, the Cubs score twice (they should have scored more, but who the fuck cares?!). Onto the bottom of the inning.
The first two outs come and I still told myself that they could still fuck this up (as I heard they did earlier in the night). I don’t know who this Carl Edwards Jr. guy is, but he sounds like a NASCAR driver. Fuck. He gives up a walk and a run. In comes this Montgomery dude. Two pitches later, a ground ball goes to Bryant and during that, I am thinking they will fuck this up, too. I couldn’t be any happier to be wrong.
I cannot believe the Cubs have just won the World Series. I was jumping up and down screaming “oh my God” countless times. It was insane. Eight years ago, I was telling all of you that there is no God because of what we have endured. Tonight, I was reassured of that there is one.
There is so much more on my mind, but I cannot end this without mentioning how happy I am right now. I am not going to sit here and say “I’m back to watch baseball like I use to”, but I suffered for the first 22 years of my existence. I am 30 now. I qualify as a real fan.
I love all of you guys. I really do. All of you guys are the best. We all came to the original Fire Dusty Baker site over a decade ago. A bunch went away, but a lot of you stuck around. We all grew up on baseball. We all grew up loving the Cubs. It just sucks that the one of the reasons I grew up a Cubs’ fan, Ron Santo, wasn’t on Earth to see this. Likewise for Ernie Banks for you older folks you grew up watching him. But, I know those two guys are up with God right now celebrating. It makes me very emotional thinking about it. Listening to Santo on the radio growing up made me love baseball more than any other sport. Ron and Ernie watched this game together up in the sky.
Maybe later, I’ll chime in with more. This post wasn’t to get attention or whatever else others on the outside may think. This is just me letting everyone know (especially you, Dave), that I saw what was said in the last month. I was just keeping my distance until now. I was thinking about writing this the other day, but being the superstitious guy I am, I tried to not think about this too much.
Regardless of what happens for the rest of our lives, God-willing we live forever, but if we are to leave this world, we can leave the happiest motherfuckers in the world. We finally saw this.
Tick-tock. Tick-tock.
Fire Ryan Poles | Fire Matt Eberflus 
November 3, 2016 at 1:39 am
Haha, welcome back Fro!!
Eamus Catuli
AC000000
Fly the motherfucking W!
November 3, 2016 at 1:43 am
I was almost forgetting about the “Eamus Catuli” sign. I need some refresher courses.
Thank you, Dave. Growing up with the Bulls, it was routine that they would win titles. With the Blackhawks, it was nerve wracking, but we were always confident in them. I just could not believe it.
Cheers, my frendt.
November 3, 2016 at 2:19 am
Tick tock…tick tock…indeed!
Fro!!! Thank You for starting this new thread off so beautifully, my frendt! And, welcome back to “the Cubs”.
When my phone rang and I saw it was “Fro”, there was no way it was going to voicemail., I’m honored that you called buddy; we will celebrate in person when I see you again in Chicago. We really should get a group together, and I’ll give as much advance notice as possible.
Guys, this is unreal. I’ve been a fan almost as long as Ernie. What a game!!! What a season!!! What a team!!! But c’mon…Maddon is way beyond the fucking toothpick chomping idiot, even at his worst. š
I didn’t watch until the 9th inning, due to a gig. I did listen to a couple of innings on the radio, which I still enjoy. Not sure why Maddon pulled Hendricks so early…but I’m not going to question the man who led this team to it’s first WS appearance in 71 years…and first WS win in 108.
I wonder if bobbyd is still alive? I’m guessing not, as he disappeared rather abruptly, a year or two after I first discovered firedustybaker.com. I think some of you were following that blog before I discovered it.
Anyway, I’ll write more in a day or two. I need some time to take this all in.
Thank You everybody – long-time contributors and newer – for continuing to “participate” here. And special Thanks to Fro for keeping this site going all this years.
November 3, 2016 at 2:20 am
*all these years…(blame it on Mr. Jameson).
November 3, 2016 at 2:23 am
I’m 30, too. I don’t know how older people can take this shit for all these years. I was heartbroken after 2003, let alone all the years before & after that. I had to turn off for awhile after the 8th and 9th inning after Chapman’s meltdown and Baez bunting.
Those players (hitters especially) have so much heart. Such a great story and a great group of men to have the honor to end the drought.
November 3, 2016 at 2:25 am
In 2003, I was a senior in high school. I just remember those days as worried and sick. Up 3-1 and that Game 6 just broke me. I knew it was over in Game 7 (desipite Wood and Uncle Piss Hands, Alou, going deep for the lead early on). It was the only way we knew the Cubs. That was what they did. It was routine. You and I probably felt the same way.
2007 and 2008 really did me in. Getting swept in both of those years convinced me that this day would never come.
Sports: It doesn’t matter what the lead is in a game or series. It’s not over until the game ends.
November 3, 2016 at 2:33 am
Fro: Yup… I lost almost all my interest in regular season baseball after that. Dominate regular season then get swept twice? What’s so great about this team is that they weren’t just a team that got hot at the right time…they were the best team in the regular season & not only won the World Series but overcame a 3-1 deficit to the team that was hot at the right time. Any other year, I believe Cleveland wins this easily.
As far as Maddon…I like Maddon, but he was just pissing me off tonight. I really do think Chicago had to overcome some of his panicky decisions tonight. But he’s a damn good manager. In no way am I saying he’s Dusty, don’t get me wrong. Was just getting frustrated tonight with him making this harder than it needed to be.
November 3, 2016 at 2:34 am
I should say, “any other year against any other opponent.” This Cubs team was special. Truly the best. Not an October hot streak.
November 3, 2016 at 2:45 am
Genrebuster said this many years ago (as I am sure others have as well). If someone looked hard enough, they could find it in the archives. But, he said it would take a special group of players with a strong head to see this day. In other words, a group of players who were mentally tough and could overcome adversity at moment’s notice.
I’ve read everything you guy’s have said about Maddon. It appeared that he did make panic moves in this game and overall. If this game was a loss, who knows if this team would ever overcome that.
Baseball is such a fucked up sport.
November 3, 2016 at 2:59 am
Welcome back, Fro!
84 was my first heartbreak. As devastated as I was about 2003, it was really 2004 that pissed me off. They choked the last 10 days of the season and missed the wildcard-all the while Dustfuck was feuding with Chip Caray and Steve Stone fore being too critical of the team. I have not seen a Cubs game in person since that season.
Since then, if the Cubs have been good, I’d watch, but not get my hopes up. 2007-8 really sucked, but they were never in the series, so I wasn’t heartbroken-just pissed. Since then, I’ve never been able just to kick back and watch a game. I knew Theo was building a team, so I paid close attention last year, but after the 4-0 choke to the Mets in the NLCS, I didn’t watch anything this year before the playoffs except the no-hitter and the 100th win-which the Cubs had never done in our lifetimes.
Even during the playoffs, we’d dvr the games, if it looked bad when playing the game back, I’d look up the score. Game 6 against the Dodgers was the first game I watched live all the way through this year.
Even the World Series, I was dvr’ing. I even went to concerts while Game 3 and Game 4 were on. Walked right by Wrigley before game 3 heading to the Metro. Not until tonight did I watch the WS live from the beginning. Even then, when the Cubs fucked up, I had to walk away-objects were thrown and overturned as well. Jameson was consumed. I said “same old cubs” and cursed Maddon’s pitching decisions. But they proved me wrong. Not the same old Cubs. A new Cubs that should win more that once. This changes everything. If we don’t win next year, it will be sad-not devastating. But I hope that they are ready for greatness.
November 3, 2016 at 4:08 am
Nemo, thank you. It’s just after 4:00 a.m. and I am still up. I have work at 9:00. I highly doubt I will be there on time. I am very happy I don’t have a boss. Sometimes, I take it for granted.
Genre and I had a brief conversation about this day back in March. I tried to shield it out of the picture and he understood. I am just so happy all of that negativity is gone.
November 3, 2016 at 6:39 am
Very well said Fro. I vaguely remember 69(I’m 52), but my real heartbreak with the Cubs started in 84. I never, ever thought I’d see them win it all. It still doesn’t seem real yet.
I have only one regret. I just wish my little brother Mark was alive to see this. He would have been so happy.
November 3, 2016 at 7:55 am
Fro, glad you’re back in the fold buddy, and that was truly a wonderful opening! Like you said, we all got together back in the day because of, as I always liked to call him, the toothpick chomping prick. I started watching the Cubs in 1968, pre-cable. Living in Madison, my only access was every Sunday, channel 15 in Madison would pick up the feed from WGN, and I became a Cub fan. September 1983, I finally made it to Wrigley for the first time, and there were only about 3000 people in the park that day. Hell, we got to Wrigleyville 55 minutes before game time and we were STILL able to park on Sheffield kitty corner from Murphy’s. 1984 was my first true Cubs heartbreak. I still may never forgive Jim Frey for pitching to Steve Garvey in game 4 when he was already 4-4.
Fast forward to 2003. No need to rehash that except to say I did not watch game 7 against Florida because I KNEW, that the Cubs would lose. Even more painful was not 2 weeks later, a bunch of friends and I went to the Wisconsin-Northwestern football game and aftreward went to the Cubby Bear and watched the f’ing Marlins beat the Yankees, the whole time thinking that SHOULD be the Cubs.
Fast forward once more to this year. The bad? I don’t know how or why, but I’ve lost 5 good friends this year, including 2 of my best friends from high school, most recent one only 2 weeks ago. 3 weeks ago today, I blew out my knee at work, so I’m off until at least February. But honestly, the good beats the bad. I am now engaged to the love of my life who I have known for 38 years (it was always wrong place wrong time, until THIS year), and finally, the end of another drought, 70 years longer than my personal one. I never thought I’d see the day I could see the words “Chicago Cubs, 2016 World Series Champions”. I honestly don’t think it has sunk in yet; Tammy and I were watching the game in bed, she hasn’t been feeling well so she dozed off, but I woke her up the second Rizzo caught the throw from Bryant. She’s not a huge sports fan- she’s always asking me questions about baseball, football, hockey- but she knew how big this was, and was genuinely happy for me, all of us, and Cub fans everywhere! Now I’ll sit here all day with my leg up, watching Sportscenter, maybe catch the Score on the computer, and try to let it all sink in. Unbe-fucking-lievable!
November 3, 2016 at 10:25 am
And Fro, Aroldis Chapman had a certain career high number of pitches in consecutive games before this World Series, Now its 100-something but before that, it was 83.
EIGHTY-THREE!
November 3, 2016 at 11:04 am
“September 1983, I finally made it to Wrigley for the first time…”
EIGHTY-THREE!
And Dave, that is astonishing. “83” is everywhere these days. You and I are going to have to explain that bit to people who don’t listen to The Score. However, we’ll have to explain it IN PERSON. We’re all going to have to get together for this.
November 3, 2016 at 1:17 pm
Hey guys,
So, I guess this really happened last night. I’ve had many real dreams about the Cubs winning the World Series only to be depressed when I woke up. No more.
My mom’s grandfather lived 92 years and never saw a Cubs championship-not sure how much it bothered him as he wasn’t the type to show his feelings. My Uncle-mom’s brother-was a lifelong fan (had a contemporary autographed photo of Ernie Banks) died in 94. Last year was hard-my mom’s other brother died just before the playoffs last year. My mom was sick but hung on long enough to enjoy us beating the dreaded Cardinals, but then she died around Thanksgiving.
So, yeah, this ride has been more than a little emotional for so many of us fans. I’m just glad our family and friends will never have to say about us “It’s a shame they never got to see the Cubs win the World Series.”
Enjoy this guys. It’s for all Cub fans ever. We may win again, but it will never be better or more important than this time.
November 3, 2016 at 5:00 pm
You had dreams of that happening? I thought it wouldn’t even show up in anybody’s sleep. And I am not trying to be a smart ass about it. I never thought I would see the day.
If they never win again, I am fine with that. We saw this once in our lives. Sure, some may be pissed off at a shitty bullpen pitcher or some hitter who can’t take pitches in the future. But to know that this happened is the one thing we have wanted our entire lives. It finally happened.
I am going to that fucking parade tomorrow. I don’t give a damn. I am closing up my store and telling everyone I am taking off on the busiest day of the week. I don’t know if I will ever see this again.
November 3, 2016 at 5:10 pm
I have some “facts” to share.
Yesterday afternoon, I was watching a show on the WWE Network. It was called “Table for 3” with Booker T, Goldust and R-Truth eating a meal together and sharing stories. The total time of this show? 19:08. I didn’t know if that was a bad or good omen. But regardless, I thought of the Cubs.
The start times of these games, as people have pointed out: 7:08 Chicago time. In military hours, 19:08.
Cubs World Series Championships: 1907-08. Final score of this game was 08-07. The game took 10 innings and the Cubs scored 8 runs. 108?
Baseball is indeed, a very fucked up sport that can be so symmetrical, it’s scary.
I guess it wasn’t a curse. They just sucked for the last 108 years.
November 3, 2016 at 5:51 pm
Wow!
November 3, 2016 at 6:10 pm
Genre, Fro, Nemo, Pie, Chucky, and all my friends, this was indeed a long time coming for me. I started watching the Cubs in 1964 (I was a freshman in High School) on the ABC Game of the Week, that moved to NBC the next year. I remember watching them playing the Phillies on my old black&white Zenith. And, if my memory serves, it was after they made the dumbest of trades – Lou Brock for Ernie Broligio! I suffered through 1969, and 1984, and 1989, and 2003, and 2007-2008 with “wadday want me to do?” Pinella, and then 2015 sweep by the Mets.
So, when Davis hit that home run in the eighth, I got up and told my wife, my daughter, and her husband, that this game was over, and left the room. I’ve been through too many of these to believe anything else. But, then I looked on the internet, just to see if the thing was finally over, and I saw that the Cubs were up 7-6 with runners on. So, I said, “Well, it can’t hurt to see what they do here. But, it won’t matter, the Indians will come back and win regardless. These are the Cubs, choking is their specialty.”
And then, after two outs in the bottom of the tenth, Edwards walked the next batter, and then gave up a double that scored the run to make it 8-7, I said to myself, “Oh well, at least they made it interesting.” Bringing in Montgomery didn’t thrill me, but he got the ground out that finally brought the Cub nightmare for me to a close.
Thanks again Fro and Genre for providing a place where Cub fans can come to let off steam. No other Cub blog will allow it. Eventually, you get banned! But, you guys are different, and I appreciate you.
As far as Joe Maddon is concerned, yes, he is a good manager. But, he is also stubborn, which is not a good trait. His moves in the postseason been more a product of stubbornness, panic, and desperation than well thought out strategy. That game could have been easily won without all the dramatics. But, he got them to that point so I give him credit for that. Nevertheless, I hope he learned some lessons from this series, and not repeat the same mistakes next year!
The real hero in all of this is Theo Epstein. The guy knows baseball, period! Those kinds of minds have been lacking in this organization for decades (Dallas Green was also a good baseball man, but the Tribune Co. pushed him out after 85). Epstein signed players, and traded for players (Zobrist comes right to mind) that know how to win! That was a tough minded team win last night that won in spite of Maddon, not because of him. No other Cub team could have pulled it off. And I thank Tom Ricketts for hiring him. He also deserves a lot of credit for this season.
It’s like I have been saying for years; if you have poor ownership, and the Cubs have had horrendous ownership since the beginning, then your chances of fielding a winning team go down the toilet. That’s what has happened to the Bears, the Lakers in basketball, and the Angels in baseball. Dumb owners mean dumb decisions which results in fed up fans!
So, I raise my glass to toast the 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs (I love saying that!), and a hope for more like this in years to come!
God Bless You All!
November 3, 2016 at 6:14 pm
Congrats guys. I am not the biggest baseball fan in the world. I’m more of a football guy but dam what a win. I love seeing how much that win means to so many people. God couldn’t break all of our hearts again not this year. Finally it’s the cubs turn. Next up hopefully the bears!
November 3, 2016 at 8:27 pm
Cbears523, it’s always appreciated. And thank you for visiting this website (the darkest corner of the internet). As you can see, some of us are also huge Bears’ fans. There are some guys here who also love the Packers. While we may disagree on that, the Cubs is what brought us all here over a decade ago.
If only Theo Epstein could take over the Bears…
November 3, 2016 at 9:05 pm
Yep. I also wanna say is Jason Hayward worth the money or what? He couldn’t deliver with his bat but he sure fired up the troops. Here’s to hoping his next year is better. I feel like if any of us take over the bears we could do a better job than the current management. Trading olsen and Marshall for like 2 3rd round picks is laughable.
November 4, 2016 at 8:47 pm
the origins ofvthis title started in august of 2011 that is the day jim hendry was fired
November 6, 2016 at 11:36 am
…..it’s still hard to believe that the Cubs did it.
I was 12 in 1969, so it didn’t really hit me too hard.
But man oh man, do I remember ’84 and ’89. The mere thought of Steve Garvey…the sound of Will Clark’s voice…makes my skin crawl. Barf.
I completely blame Dusty Baker (aka “the toothpick chomping prick”, thx Mac) for the epic collapse in 2003; zero leadership. “Piss hands” Alou was completely out of line, too.
I never thought for a second that Bartman should have been blamed. I’m happy for him, maybe people will finally leave him alone.
The day Jim Henry was fired was an absolutely glorious day.
Yes. It’s still hard to believe that the Cubs did it…..
Now I’m enjoying the attention that I’m receiving while wearing my circa 1987 Cubs jacket (it mostly stayed in the closet for the last 10 years).
And I’ve been enjoying asking people- mostly strangers – who comment on the jacket and/or WS win (4 yesterday):
Me: “Do you know when the Cubs last won the World Series?”
Them: “1908(?)”.
Me: “No, 3 fucking days ago!! Sorry if my language offended you…”
Laughs from all, sometimes a high 5, and zero offense taken.
I love reading all your posts. Will write more as possible…
“Tick tock”. š
November 6, 2016 at 11:37 am
CBears523…I’m with you on Heyward, and I bet he’ll start hitting again next year.
November 7, 2016 at 9:31 pm
Good work on the “No, 3 fucking days ago!!…” when it comes to others. You aren’t being an asshole at all.
And of course, let us all know when you return to the city.
November 19, 2016 at 11:23 pm
Thank you, my frendt. Will do…hopefully before too much time passes. My brother and I are talking about it…