It's not easy to be positive when you're a Cubs fan. We always expect the worst. But today, I want to pretend I'm a Yankee fan, and expect to win with our awesome players. No matter the situation today, there is a ton of good news when it comes to the Chicago Cubs, and I'm going to share it with you. As fans, let's get behind our beloved Cubbies and cheer them all the way until I am running naked up Sheffield Ave, covered in tears and beer. Cool?
First positive. The Cubs are young. Fully 15 players on the 40 man roster are 25 years old or younger, so, as guys like Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo, both just 23 years old, develop, we could be seeing a strong Cubs infield for years to come. Darwin Barney is only 27. If we just add a third baseman, or move Castro to make room for Javier Baez, who is only 20 and has 17 homeruns at class A Daytona, our infield really could be solid for at least half a decade and beyond. If Wellington Castillo continues to hit, and gets better at fielding, he's only 26, and could be part of a Cubs Championship run. The outfield should include Jorge Soler, 21, in a few years, and Albert Almora, 19, batting .346 for Kane County. And as far as pitching goes, both Jeff Samarjndceibiwv and Travis Wood, are under 30. Compare this with other teams, like the first place Pirates, who have 8 players on their 40 man under 25 years old, and have gone through a steady rebuilding process to the point of contention. Their players are on average 3-5 years older than the Cubs. The second place Cardinals have 9 men under 25, mostly in their pitching staff. So watch out! Of course any youth movements need to factor in actual development, but when I started playing Piano years ago, I improved through the years, why shouldn't these guys.
Second positive. Billionaire owners. I believe Tom Rickett's when he says he's going to bring a Championship to Chicago. Once he gets his stadium built and the revenue streams going, I can see him buying some big name players to fill the holes we may have at any given time. These Wall Street guys are competitive as hell, he grew up rich and has never wanted for anything, so how's a guy supposed to get fulfillment out of life? Why, bringing a World Series Championship to Wrigley! That's how! I can see the Cubs adding some big name star pitchers and a huge bat in a year or two. Shin soo choo and Robinson Cano are free agents at the end of this year, or we could trade one of our plethora of developing talents for some proven prowess. Either way. The Rickett's will bring a Championship here. He has a personal stake, and something to prove. The Cubs are billionaire fan owned.
Third positive. The Cubs play in the best ballpark in the major leagues, hands down. And it's about to get better... I attended the Cubs series in Boston a few years ago, and the renovations there maintained the feel and atmosphere of an old ballpark in the center of a city, while providing modern amenities for the entertainment and comfort of the fans. At heart, I don't want anything to change, but Wrigley will still be in Wrigleyville, we'll still have more day games than anyone else, there will still be Ivy on the walls, and they're keeping the hand operated scoreboard and bathroom troughs. So I'm fine. So, let Rickett's get his money, and get a Championship team out on that ball field! We Cubs' fans deserve it.
In summation, baseball is a Marathon, not a race. And right now, we have the youngest legs, the richest owners, and the best stadium. Even this year, our starters are 8th in the majors in .ERA. Not too shabby. Our catchers are 5th in caught stealing. And the Cubs are third in doubles, with 166. I believe the current builders of the Cubs are not content to give us a flash in the pan, aging all-stars team, but rather a contender for years to come! It's time for fans to realize where we are headed. And that's to the top baby! To the Top!!!!
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