WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE
Yup, I think that's where it all started. My dislike of the Chicago Cubs. Especially most of their fans. It continues today. It puzzles me. It has for years.
Before Superstation WGN (is it still that?) I mean there are very few Cub games shown anymore. Same with TNT and the Braves. Another team and fans I don't care for.
But back to the beginnings. As I started to write, before WGN, there were very, very few Cub fans in MTV. Those that were supported their team fervently. But they didn't seem obnoxious to me. They didn't seem to act superior. And with good reason. Even back then it was a long time since a World Series appearance. A generation since a Cub championship.
They were pretty lean times for the Cardinals, the late 50's/early 60's, so I guess neither Midwestern team had much to gloat about.
But in college, I started noticing an attitude from the Northsiders. Maybe it was because the Cardinals stole Lou Brock from them in a one-sided trade. Maybe after '64, '67, and even '68, they had had enough. From my perspective, I didn't see a change in Cardinal fans, but bias sometimes hides its ugly head.
Now the Cubs have had some nice teams, nice players, and even a few nice Cub fans--Jim, Larry, and Brent are the 3 exceptions; that is the three I know who are great Cub fans. I know there are more; I just don't know anymore.
What bothers me is the loyal support of the franchise. What? How do I denigrate loyalty? Well, loyalty needs to be predicated on worth. That is, the Cubs don't deserve the loyalty. I mean you'd have to try hard not to win in order to lose that many years in a row. It's like spousal abuse. Why should the one being abused, remain supportive?
As a St. Louis Rams fan, I understand losing. At least the last 3 seasons. But it's been not quite a decade since they were Super Bowl champs. Do I wear Rams' jerseys and tee shirts? Not out in public. Does that make me hypocritical? Maybe, but it's almost like those tee shirts that say "I'm with Stupid" and an arrow pointing to the other person. Only when I see someone in Cub gear, I think they're stupid. Loyal, but not too bright to display such unrequited emotion.
There: I've said it. No more Cub bashing. Even if they sweep the Cardinals later this week. And if they do, I hope they're smug about it. I'd offer the old cliche "act like you've been there before," except none of them has.
Yup, I think that's where it all started. My dislike of the Chicago Cubs. Especially most of their fans. It continues today. It puzzles me. It has for years.
Before Superstation WGN (is it still that?) I mean there are very few Cub games shown anymore. Same with TNT and the Braves. Another team and fans I don't care for.
But back to the beginnings. As I started to write, before WGN, there were very, very few Cub fans in MTV. Those that were supported their team fervently. But they didn't seem obnoxious to me. They didn't seem to act superior. And with good reason. Even back then it was a long time since a World Series appearance. A generation since a Cub championship.
They were pretty lean times for the Cardinals, the late 50's/early 60's, so I guess neither Midwestern team had much to gloat about.
But in college, I started noticing an attitude from the Northsiders. Maybe it was because the Cardinals stole Lou Brock from them in a one-sided trade. Maybe after '64, '67, and even '68, they had had enough. From my perspective, I didn't see a change in Cardinal fans, but bias sometimes hides its ugly head.
Now the Cubs have had some nice teams, nice players, and even a few nice Cub fans--Jim, Larry, and Brent are the 3 exceptions; that is the three I know who are great Cub fans. I know there are more; I just don't know anymore.
What bothers me is the loyal support of the franchise. What? How do I denigrate loyalty? Well, loyalty needs to be predicated on worth. That is, the Cubs don't deserve the loyalty. I mean you'd have to try hard not to win in order to lose that many years in a row. It's like spousal abuse. Why should the one being abused, remain supportive?
As a St. Louis Rams fan, I understand losing. At least the last 3 seasons. But it's been not quite a decade since they were Super Bowl champs. Do I wear Rams' jerseys and tee shirts? Not out in public. Does that make me hypocritical? Maybe, but it's almost like those tee shirts that say "I'm with Stupid" and an arrow pointing to the other person. Only when I see someone in Cub gear, I think they're stupid. Loyal, but not too bright to display such unrequited emotion.
There: I've said it. No more Cub bashing. Even if they sweep the Cardinals later this week. And if they do, I hope they're smug about it. I'd offer the old cliche "act like you've been there before," except none of them has.
posted by TQ @ 5:35 AM
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