If you saw me around campus at all the last three weeks, you most likely saw me donning my Cubs jersey, supporting the team during their post-season run. Admittedly, Im a die-hard Cubs fan to the point where its probably not good for my health. That being said, Ive got a bone to pick with some other so-called Cub fans.
Despite The Cubs lack of winning in the past, many fans (including myself) still supported them and blindly believed one day theyd go all the way. That day came last year when the Cubs took down the Indians in a crazy seven-game series to become world champions.
After their historic season, the Cubs struggled this year and eventually saw their season ended in the NLCS by the Dodgers. Throughout the course of this year, I heard about how the Kyle Schwarber experiment needed to end, about how we needed to sell at the trade deadline. And then in the post-season, everyone complained how Joe Maddon wasnt managing his bullpen correctly. After believing in this losing organization for 108 years, the team wins one World Series and now it seems every fan is going to start criticizing every move made.
Thats fine. I guess its tough that we cant blame our misery on a goat anymore. I also understand every championship caliber team has a window. My point is, we need to trust in this thing the Cubs have and remember who built this squad.
Theo Epstein, who makes a case as the greatest general manager in sports history, took the helm of the Cubs front office in 2012 after they finished 61-101, among the worst teams in baseball. Five years later, the Cubs have been to the NLCS three consecutive times and have a World Series victory. Epstein has done a great job of turning the franchise around and building a team that can compete for a long time. For the short span he has been in charge of the Cubs, it has been perhaps the most successful stretch in the teams history.
Fans need to understand that were not going to be the most dominant team every year, and that hindsight is 20/20. Its easy to criticize Epstein for giving up highly touted prospect Eloy Jimnez among others for Jose Quintana. Though Quintana struggled in decisive game five of the NLCS, he shined in his other starts and will be a part of the rotation for years to come. Not to mention, I can name a plethora of guys who were stars in the minors and couldnt put it together in the big league.
I expect Epstein to make some more moves this off-season, whether that means trading guys or signing free agents. Either way, I trust him and his track record to get the job done. The Cubs havent been relevant in a long time, and instead of criticizing, fans need to appreciate all Epstein has done. Just keep trusting the process, and well be flying the W at the end of another season in no time.
