North: It's World Series or bust for this Cubs team
So, I'm watching the Chicago Cubs prepare for postseason play and try to finally end decades of futility.
Theo Epstein, armed with a five-year extension worth close to $50 million, has the players, the manager and the fans in his corner.
I can't help but believe that the next 5 to 10 years will be exciting and eventful. I really feel like the wait is almost over and the "lovable losers" moniker will be a thing of the past.
It's obvious that players and fans are having a blast, and why not?
Veteran catcher David Ross plans on retiring after this season and the adulation he has been receiving is somewhat surprising for a journeyman player hitting .233, especially for a guy who has only been with the team two years.
If the Cubs were only playing .500 baseball and not in the hunt, I doubt his send off would be quite so celebrated. I also think it's more of a clubhouse tribute to his guidance, likability, veteran presence and just being a really cool guy.
Everyone, including the fans, are enjoying it, even though some have considered it all a bit hokey.
Cubs fans tend to latch on to someone who mirrors them and Ross is that guy.
Other Cubs teams have identified well with the fans like the 1969, 1984 or the 1993 teams, but this team is different.
Everyone should continue to have fun and celebrate away with Ross, but this crew is expected and needs to bring home the trophy. Nothing else will do!
Can anyone guarantee it? Of course not, but Joe Maddon has been the perfect leader for this team. I almost believe if he had been the manager in 1969 or one of those other years the results might have been different.
What Maddon has now is a stacked team.
I can't forget, though, that it was only a year ago when the Cubs, with pretty much the same team, were swept by the New York Mets. The Cubs were happy to be there and picked up valuable experience, but the Mets were as inexperienced and still managed to win.
Totally different results are expected this year, and if the Cubs can pull off a World Series we might be looking at a run similar to the Blackhawks and their success.
Well, postseason play is almost here and as the boys wait in the weeds they have to know they are the hunted.
Solid leadership plus the right mix of youngsters and veterans on this team have made many of us believers, but now they have to do it! Anything else will be unacceptable.
No excuses, and I don't want to hear it was a great season but. … No, it's champagne or nothing.
Now go get 'em, boys!
• Follow Mike North on Twitter @north2north. His column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.