Rozner: You might want to enjoy this era of Chicago Cubs baseball
The last time the Chicago Cubs won three straight division titles was, well, never.
They have a chance in the next couple of weeks to do precisely that.
The last time the Cubs won 90 games in at least four consecutive seasons was 1912, a mere 106 years ago, but they're a few weeks away from doing it again.
The last time they finished over .500 in at least four straight seasons was in 1972 - some 46 years ago - when they completed a stretch of six seasons in a row, but the most they won during that time was 92 games, and - sorry - that was 1969.
They didn't make the playoffs during those six years and averaged 86 wins.
The Cubs are on pace for 95 wins this season, and this four-year stretch - beginning in 2015 - would average 97 wins based on that victory total.
They're winning percentage over these four years is .597.
The Cubs are about to reach the postseason for the fourth straight year. Last time they did that? Never.
The Cubs reached their third straight NLCS last October. Last time the Cubs did that? Yeah, you know the answer. Never.
And then there's that World Series victory in 2016. It had been awhile since they last won the last game of the season, but you probably knew that as well.
The point here is not to suggest that the Cubs are satisfied. It's quite clear they are not.
Theo Epstein didn't have to go digging around for the likes of Cole Hamels and Daniel Murphy, but when he sees a need he tries to fill it within some reasonable parameters.
He measures his team's chances in the division and the National League and makes a decision based on all of the factors, not limited to but including payroll, salary tax, greatest deficiency, available assets and width of an open window.
Epstein doesn't have the luxury of overreacting to bad stretches or sitting on his hat when it all looks so very pretty.
Either way, the Cubs president wants to win more titles before he leaves this job, and he probably won't be satisfied regardless of how many the Cubs win while he's here, especially if that number is one.
And this is not to suggest that you, as a Cubs fan, ought to be satisfied, but this period of Cubs baseball is not just the best you have ever seen. It's also the best in more than a century.
And it might be the best you will see in your lifetime.
So, yes, get angry about the Yu Darvish contract and his inability to stay on the field this year.
Be frustrated with Jose Quintana, who has not made anyone forget what the Cubs gave up to get him.
Go ahead and wonder what the future holds for Tyler Chatwood.
Drive yourself crazy when the Cubs' offense reverts back to a home run-only attitude and goes days without an effective approach at the plate.
And get aggravated that the Cubs have let the Brewers back in it, creating a crucial series at Wrigley Field beginning Monday night.
But at the same time, recognize where you are at this moment, in the middle of a decade - starting in 2015 - that might go down as the greatest baseball this team has ever played.
There's no guarantee it will last another six years, but that's what Epstein hoped to create when he asked you to suffer through 2012, 2013 and 2014, when Tom Ricketts asked you to have faith that Epstein knew what he was doing.
Epstein makes mistakes, and he will make more. He would not deny that and would not expect you to do it.
He does not walk on water.
But Epstein has delivered over the last four years something very special, something stunning for a franchise that previously took pride in being lovable.
Have great expectations, get upset, pound the table and spill your beverage when the game goes the wrong way.
But for the love of Gene Hiser and all that's holy, find a way to enjoy this season and those that will follow, because it may never be this good again.
brozner@dailyherald.com
• Listen to Barry Rozner from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on the Score's "Hit and Run" show at WSCR 670-AM and follow him @BarryRozner on Twitter.