I grew up in a suburb of Chicago, and for some crazy reason, like many other Chicagoans, I became enamoured of the Chicago Cubs, a Major League Baseball team. As most sports-aware Americans know, the Cubs' haven't had the most stellar record in history. In fact, they haven't been in the World Series since 1945, and they haven't won the World Series since 1908!

During my teen years, they had several good runs at the pennant. In 1984, they won the National League East and played the San Diego Padres in the National League Championship Series. True to their history, they lost. They also made it to the playoffs in 1989. They also lost that year. In more recent years they've also made it to the playoffs. In 1998, it was very close, and they had to play a one-game playoff with the SF Giants, but they ended up as the National League Wild Card team. Unfortunately, they were swept by the Atlanta Braves in the 1st round of the playoffs. In 2003, they had a magical season and were only 5 outs away from making it to the World Series, when Bartman struck... In 2004, they had a good year, but fell apart down the stretch and missed the playoffs. Even though they haven't had much luck over the years, they're still near and dear to my heart, and the hearts of baseball fans across the US, and probably around the world as well.

Cubs fans the world over enjoyed watching the 1998 season Home Run race. The Cubs slugger, Sammy Sosa, battled for the lead for Home Runs throughout the season with Mark McGuire. Sammy set a record by hitting 20 Homers in the month of June. That was a record both for the month of June, as well as for any month in the season. While Sammy didn't set the all-time record (Mark McGuire did that by hitting 70 homers in the 1998 season) he did break the long-standing record of Roger Maris (61 homers in a season) and hit a total of 66 homers in the 1998 season. Sammy was named as the National League Most Valuable Player for 1998. Sammy had a good season again in 2000 as he won his first ever Home Run title. Sammy hit 50 HR's to lead the major leagues.

Sadly, the "voice" of the Chicago Cubs, the beloved Sportscaster Harry Caray passed away in Mid-February of 1998. Harry will always be known for his oversized eyeglasses, his 7th Inning Stretch rendition of "Take me out to the Ball Game", and his trademark home-run call of "It might be......it could be.....it is!!!! Hey-Hey! A home run!".


Harry was quite a character, and some of the funniest moments came when he started pronouncing players' names backward, something he could do quite well. He will be sorely missed by all baseball fans, but especially by Cubs fans all over the world. For many people, Harry WAS the Cubs... Here's hoping he's enjoying himself in heaven calling games for some of the immortal Cubs who have passed on before him.

Also passing in 1998 was Jack Brickhouse. Jack was the announcer for the Cubs from 1941 until 1981. When he retired, Harry Caray was the one to replace him. He was famous for his "Hey! Hey!" Home Run call. He too, will be missed by Cubs fans the world over.

And so, here we are in 2008, and it seems as if the Cubs are doing very well. As of this writing, they have the best record in the Major Leagues, and perhaps they might finally break the 100 year streak of no World Series titles. It sure would be wonderful to see them win it all...