Society and Culture

Cubs Fans: Are They Satisfied Being the Happy/Woeful Losers?

If you're a fan of the Chicago Cubs then you have been through a lot in your lifetime. Close calls, huge disappointments, curses, and of course, Bartman. But as a collective cultural group and a member of society at large, are Cubs fans satisfied in their role as the sometimes happy, sometimes woeful losers?

Not winning a World Series in 100 years can do a lot to the collective psyche of a group of people. Winning becomes somewhat out of the realm of expectations and possibilities, replaced instead with inevitable shortcomings and failures. It's a hard way to experience fandom and it's hard to develop diehard fans in such a culture.

When the Boston Red Sox broke their curse, it was a massive relief. But Boston fans were never seen as the "happy" losers. Instead they were filled with anguish and resentment. Cubs fans on the other hand are always depicted as being the loveable losers, the aw shucks crowd that is disappointed but will snap back and have a good time anyway.

Truthfully though, most Cubs fans simply don't know how to feel. 100 years, many opportunities missed, entire generations of families not seeing a championship and as mentioned, wining doesn't seem as realistic. So while Cubs fans are always struggling with the losses and the setbacks, at least they have found a way to continue supporting their club, and to continue having a great time at the games.

When you're a fan of the Chicago Cubs you know what you are signing up, there are no surprises. These fans aren't happy being the loveable losers, but they are happy to be Cubs fans despite the losing, and despite the heartbreak. That's the difference and that's what being a fan is all about. Plus, when the Cubs finally do win... there won't be a better feeling in the world than for those who stuck it out through the hardship.