Okay, I'll Be That Guy: The Cubs Title Isn't That Special

Before everyone freaks out about the "blasphemous" title, hear me out.  I know the Cubs organization hasn't won the Wold Series since 1908, which was the longest streak in America's 4 major sports.  But there comes a point in any lengthy title drought where the people who are alive to see its end are mostly too young to fully appreciate the extent of the streak.

"I WAS AT THE LAST CUBS WORLD SERIES GAME OCT 10 1945"

Right now, the average American age is around 38.  So that means most Americans haven't even lived through half of the Cubs' streak.  That doesn't mean we don't understand how long 108 years is, it just means we don't understand it nearly as well as someone who was alive in 1908.  Since the average U.S. citizen is 38 years old, I made a list of all the major sports franchises who were founded before 1978 (38 years ago) and haven't won a title since 1978.  Here's all 38 of them:

So as you can see, the Cubs were one of many teams that most Americans have not been alive to see win a championship.  In fact, 38.8% of teams founded before 1978 have not won a title in the last 38 years.  So to most of us, the Cubs were just another team that hasn't  won in our lifetime, making the streak not as important to us as it is to older people.

Another reason the Cubs title is being over-hyped is that they were the pre-season favorites this year.  They were given 4-1 odds to win the Fall Classic back at the beginning of spring training, which are about twice as good as the odds of the typical pre-season favorite.  So if we're talking about this year alone, it almost would have been more surprising if they didn't win.  I'm not saying the pre-season favorite always wins (in fact they often don't), but Vegas almost never puts a team at 4-1 unless they are clearly the best team.  The Dodgers and Astros were tied for the second-best odds this year at 10-1, so the Cubs were more than twice as likely to win it all as their biggest competition.  Basically, America's favorite underdog was the furthest thing from an underdog we've seen in years.

Kris Bryant

And my final argument would be this: The whole "this city has been waiting over 100 years for this moment" speech deserves a pity clap.  While the Cubs have been bottom-feeders for the better part of the last century, the city of Chicago has seen tons of championships brought home during their "traumatic" wait.  Chicago has the 3rd most major-sport championships won by any city in all of North America, trailing only New York (who has the most sports teams by far) and Boston (who is mainly this high because of the Celtics).  Also, Chicago is the only city with at least 5 titles in every major sport.  So when I look at cities like Buffalo, Phoenix, Atlanta, and San Diego, who all have had at least 3 major sports teams but have less than 3 combined championships, it is hard for me to sympathize with the Chicago fans' sob story.

Buffalo Bills' fans

At the end of the day, the Cubs' World Series win is undoubtedly special, but it is special just like any other championship is special.  To the handful of die-hard Cubs fans who were alive in 1908 and have been patiently waiting over a century to see their beloved team win, God bless you.  But besides them, and even some people who have been a Cubs fan for a vast majority of their streak, I will simply congratulate you on a great season for your team.

MLB

Cleveland Indians

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hcostats

hcostats

Predictions and Analysis of NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAA Football, and NCAA Men's Basketball

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