Being a Chicago Cubs fan March and April are the most optimistic months of the year. For obvious reasons, the rest of the year pales in comparison. Last year was a bit different though, the Cubs actually put it together in September and gave us something to cheer about in the fall. Unfortunately for us, we couldn't even get a win in the playoffs. Our pitching couldn't hold up and we couldn't buy a hit during the Diamondback series. But here we are a day before the season starts with the same optimism that we saw in 1985, 1990, 1999 and 2004. Of course, these are the seasons that followed Cub playoff appearances and each of these seasons they finished under .500. (2004 was the only post playoff season since '46 that had an above .500 season. They had a quite respectable 89-73 but still finished sixteen games back.) But it looks like the optimism isn't just in Wrigleyville. Sports Illustrated has the Cubs going to the World Series. Seventeen out of nineteen ESPN experts have the Cubs at least winning the Central. Even a Miami Herald reporter has them winning the World Series. It's been hard for me not to get excited about this season so I'm entering Opening Day more cautious than optimistic. Let's call it cautiously optimistic. Let's face it this team, us fans, and all of Chicago needs a World Series Championship. It's been 99 years and counting lets end it this year. Go Cubs.
Bonus Link: Jim Caple: Is This Finally the Cubs' year?