Do you feel that? The electricity in the air? The excitement and anticipation hovering over the city and its outer limits?
It’s the World Series and it’s coming to a city near you, Wheaties. On Friday, the Chicago Cubs will return home to the Windy City as they prepare for Game 3 against the Cleveland Indians.
The series itself couldn’t be more exciting. After getting blanked 6-0 in the first game, the Cubs roared back to take Game 2 by a score of 5-1 on Wednesday night. And thus, the series is stuck at one game apiece heading into a three game home stand in the city roughly forty minutes east of Wheaton.
Do we all realize what that means?
Potentially, this year’s historic World Series could end here in Chicago. Probably not, but if one of the two teams rips off three straight wins, then either the Indians or the Cubs will break two of the largest North American professional sports championship droughts. The Indians last won the World Series in 1948, the second longest drought for an MLB franchise. However, nothing can top the 108-year drought of the Cubs who haven’t won a World Series since 1908.
In the time the sports world has been waiting for an Indian or Cubs World Series victory, the US sent a man to the moon, the color television and Mr. Potato Head was invented and the jet passenger aircraft was put into use, as well as a whole host of other inventions and events. In essence: it’s been a long time coming for both franchises.
Whether you’re a Cubs diehard, an Indians fan or someone who doesn’t know a home plate from a kitchen plate, the same advice applies for all parties: just enjoy this weekend. All eyes will be on Wheaton’s adopted city of Chicago this weekend as it is the center of the sporting world for a few days, at least.
We love watching history take place before our eyes, so rather than stressing about the car crash-like upcoming presidential election, allow yourself a couple hours to smile at the beauty of what was once known as America’s pastime. Enjoy witnessing something occur that people have lived entire lives without seeing. Even if sporting events, especially baseball, put you to sleep faster than an 8 a.m. class after a late night Los Run, simply appreciate the general buzz of excitement felt by your friends, classmates and professors who are all living and dying by each and every pitch.
So bring on Friday and all the emotions this series will bring. Long-suffering fans in both cities are deserving of a championship and by this time next week, one of them will get it. One city will be celebrating their accomplishment, while the other will lament a missed opportunity and wonder how much longer they’ll be forced to wait for their moment of glory. It’s safe to say, whoever wins, it’s certainly been a long time coming.