One was originally known as the Grand Rapids Rustlers — the other as the White Stockings. And tonight, the former Rustlers and Stockings — now affectionately known as the Indians and Cubs — will face off against each other in the 112th edition of Major League Baseball’s, best-of-seven World Series.
While a single Series, Super Bowl, or other professional championship does not necessarily merit an entire blog post, this one feels different. It’s not because it’s a grueling, head-to-head competition (… consistent with another intense, more electoral classic, also going on this time of year). It’s instead because of the unique, combined history of these two teams — and what that means for the rest of us.
The Cleveland Indians were established in 1894. They have appeared in the World Series six times in those 122 years. They were last in the World Series in 1997, but haven’t won the title since 1948.
The Chicago Cubs were founded 18 years earlier, in 1876. They have appeared in the World Series eleven times, but not since 1945. The Cubs last won the championship in 1908.
Let’s pause here for a moment. The Indians haven’t won since…
- 1948… The first tape recorder was sold… the first U.S. figure skating championships were held, and NASCAR was incorporated. ABC began broadcasting on television. The World Health Organization was formed; and subway fares in New York City jumped from five cents to an outrageous ten. The Honda Motor Company was founded. Baseball’s Negro National League disbanded; and Allen Funt’s “Candid Camera” debuted on TV as did “Kukla, Fran, & Ollie.” It’s the year Prince Charles, Al Gore, and Olivia Newton-John were born — and Mahatma Gandhi and Babe Ruth passed away.
The Cubs last won 40 years earlier, in…
- 1908… It was the first time the ball was ever dropped at Times Square on New Year’s Eve… U.S. stamps first started being sold in rolls; and the Model T was invented (costing a whopping $825). The first tunnel under the Hudson River opened. Star #46 was added to the flag for Oklahoma; and Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Murdock became the first ever to travel across the U.S. by car. The first Mothers’ Day was observed. The first Gideon Bible was placed in a hotel room, and the first numbers were used on an American football uniform (at the University of Pittsburgh). It’s the year Bette Davis, Mel Blanc, and Ethel Merman were born — and when Grover Cleveland and Butch Cassidy passed away.
This year’s World Series matchup features two teams which have gone a combined 176 years without a championship. Wow.
(With all due respect to the Astros, Brewers, Mariners, Nationals/Expos, Padres, Rangers, Rays, and Rockies, who have never won MLB’s top prize) We live in sports era that sees teams dominate. From Alabama atop college football’s annual polls… Duke, Kentucky, and a handful of others in NCAA basketball… even the Patriots and Steelers in the NFL… Said teams always seem good.
But the challenge for the team that’s always good is that they sometimes miss the depth of the sweetness of victory; they sometimes take winning for granted. They at times get puffed up, missing the humble gratitude for such a blessing.
Did you notice Cleveland’s enthralled fans the other night? Did you notice the joy in the streets of Chicago?
While there will always be a few puffed up persons who threaten to pierce the beauty of the moment, the reality is that these two teams — and their loyal legions of fans — don’t take winning for granted. They can’t; no Indians’ fan under the age of 68 has ever seen their team win the title — no Cubs’ fan under the age of 108. To them, this is beautiful, joyful, and sweet.
The gift to the rest of us, is we get to watch… cheering both of them on.
Respectfully…
AR
As a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, I thank you. I had asked my father, on many occasions, ‘Why did you make me a Cub fan?!’ His response was soft and direct. ‘It will teach you humility.’ With his passing in December, I thought about that simple statement. In February, my baseball itch began to come forth and demanded to be scratched. ‘Is this the year?’ I heard myself muttering.. ‘We finished with a strong team, if not for the failure in the NLCS.’ So I looked forward to another year of Chicago Cubs Baseball. For 51 years, I believe I came from the womb a ‘Die Hard Cubs Fan’, I have hoped and believed, that ‘Wait until next year!’ is this year. For my Father, I have learned humility. I have learned what it means to be a Chicago Cubs fan. I have learned to believe.