October 23, 2016: Just Another Day

It was 6:45 AM Saturday morning, and my son was jumping on top of me.  I had already been up a few times earlier; it wasn’t that easy to sleep.  That’s pretty rare for me.  After trying to get him to go back to sleep for a few minutes, I knew it wasn’t happening.  Time to get up.  It was just another day.

Bowls of cereal followed by the morning walk of our dog got our day going.  It was then time to head to his baseball class for the day.  As we drove down Irving Park, I saw a sign:  2 miles to Wrigley Field.  I didn’t need any reminders of what was going to take place there on this evening.  My son was hitting the crap out of the ball today, while I talked to one of the other fathers about the Cubs.  This could turn out to be anything BUT just another day.

I wanted my son to nap; I wanted him to be up for what could be.  Mission accomplished at 4pm; an hour nap in the books, less than 2 hours from game time.  We were ready.  Now, it was time to get on my gear.

I chose the 2007 NL Central Champions T-Shirt as my undershirt.  The shirt was a gift from my friend, who bought it outside Wrigley after the Cubs clinched that year.  I was living in LA at the time; I appreciated the gift.  Next was my jersey choice; 4 of them to choose from.  I chose my 22 home jersey.  I bought this jersey back in 2003 when there was a Cubs number 22 pitching in Game 6 of the NLCS.  There would be another 22 on the mound in this year’s NLCS Game 6.  The game was on October 22nd.  22 is my favorite number.  What does all this mean?  Are the stars aligning?

I set the temperature in the house at 71 degrees; the number of years since the Cubs have seen the World Series.  I set the volume on the TV at 13; the number of years since the Cubs last got this close.  Finally, put my son’s Lester jersey on him, and put my Cubs hat on.  We were ready… and no, I’m not at all superstitious.

It turned out to be such a special evening.  Normally entrenched at the end of the sofa during the game, I could not sit down.  I couldn’t sit still for more than a few pitches; the nervous energy was flowing.  The first pitch of the night was lined into RF by the Dodgers Andrew Toles; he had been a pest all series.  Did we worry then?  If we did, it only lasted for one batter, as Super Javy turned in another defensive beauty tagging Toles on his way to second on the way to a double play.  First bullet dodged.  Then it was the Cubs turn to bat.

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He didn’t give up another hit until he left in the 8th inning.  He picked a guy off.  He looked unhittable.  He looked every bit the major league leader in ERA.  He shut the Dodgers down.  Were you pissed or worried when Maddon took him out with the Cubs 5 outs from the World Series?  Remember the last time we were that close?  I do, and now we can start to forget it.  Chapman came in, and got the final five.  The Cubs are going to the World Series!

I cried for a minute; I thought I would cry more.  I think I instantly toned it down, understanding that we still need 4 more wins to reach the pinnacle.  Still, I was just kind of soaking it in… watching on the TV something I have never seen before.  The Cubs are going to the World Series!  This is crazy.

Kissing my son and my wife.  Talking on the phone with family.  Texting friends.  This day will be remembered forever.  This was anything BUT just another day.

So now, I can relax for a minute.  The next box has been checked.  Best record regular season, check.  NL Central champs, check.  Win the NLDS, check.  Win the NLCS, check.  We are now heading into virgin territory.  I have never seen the Cubs play in the World Series, but that will all change Tuesday night.  We know that 6 days from now, the Cubs will be back in Wrigley for Games 3, 4, and if necessary, Game 5.  What lies ahead in these final games of baseball for the year?  We’ll worry about that starting tomorrow.  Right now, I will say it again:  The Cubs are going to the World Series!  I look at these words, and I can’t believe it.  I can’t believe it has finally happened.

It’s great to see something happen for the first time in your life.  It’s great to experience a joy you have never felt before as a fan.  I can finally check this box off; only one remains.  The Cubs are going to the World Series!  Let’s check that final box off boys.  Let’s Go Cubs!!!