Reformed Cub fan speaks out

Based on attendance figures, the downturn in the economy has certainly not affected the fanaticism and willingness of Chicago sports fans to pay outrageous ticket and parking prices to watch a Bulls, Cubs, Sox and Bears game.

The average ticket prices for Bears, Cubs Sox games are as follows: Cubs $52.56; Sox $38.65; Bears $75; with prices for Bulls tickets ranging from $35 to more than $900.

A family of four attending a Cubs game will easily spend close to $250. That same family going to a Sox game will spend close to $200 and $350 to see a Bears game. The Cubs have the highest average ticket price in baseball, and this for a team that for most of the past 65 years has been abysmal. Are Cub fans the most fanatical or are they just the most gullible?

I attended my first Cubs game in 1946 and remained a rabid fan until 2000, at which time I said enough is enough of juiced players making millions and refusing to give autographs unless they were paid at a card show or a team convention. And referring to Wrigley Field as some kind of shrine is just nonsense - it is an old ballpark that is too small and has inadequate parking.

Only in sports does a millionaire/billionaire owner of a sports team blackmail a city by threatening to move his team if the city/state does not build him a new stadium; and then after getting a new stadium increases ticket and concession prices for the same fans that helped pay for the sports stadium.

P.T. Barnum is reported to have said, "There's a sucker born every minute." If living today he would probably say, "Sports fans are certainly suckers - especially Chicago Cub fans."

Victor Darst

West Dundee