Cubs (and their fans) invade Chase
When the Chicago Cubs make their annual trek to Chase Field, it inevitably cranks up the energy level at the airplane hangar-ish looking ballpark in the desert. That’s what is on tap for the next three nights in downtown Phoenix…high energy, two first-place teams competing, and a whole lot of Cubs’ fans taking up seats at Chase.
To “preview” the series the Arizona Republic and their website, Azcentral allowed Cubs fans in the Valley to recount their favorite Cubs memories. Wow, what a great way to endear yourselves to the locals. What other city in America would something like this happen? Answer: nowhere.
Nobody likes to get pushed around, especially in their own house, so expect D-Back fans to be a little defensive for the next three days. There’s a good chance that if you attend one of the games wearing Sedona red, you’ll be the target a Cub fans’ venom. They’ll make fun of the fact that your team has only been around for a decade. They’ll say you’re not good fans, that you’re quiet, and know nothing about the tradition of baseball. They’ll make fun of the stadium itself, saying that baseball belongs to be played outdoors. They’ll compare Chicago to Arizona, and the Cubs to the Diamondbacks. Count on it.
Comparisons are inevitable, but comparing the two teams’ histories is unfair. The Diamondbacks have a history, although a short one, of winning. Four division titles and a World Series trophy in their first ten years of existence. The Cubs have had 4 division titles in well…63 years, and we don’t have to talk about when their last World Series win happened. Hint - it was the same year that William Howard Taft was elected President. And, oh yeah, the Diamondbacks manhandled the Cubs and swept them out of last year’s National League Divisional Series.
The bottom line is this is a huge series for the Diamondbacks, who squandered an opportunity to build a two game lead over the Dodgers in a 6-5 loss yesterday. This will be an opportunity to gauge whether or not they can compete with the best of the National League. If they can, it creates hope for the rest of the season. If not, those Cubs fans are going to be extra ruthless at Chase Field. Better bring an extra thick skin Diamondbacks fans, or at least some earplugs.
Join the discussion at The Locker Room Forum. Arizona Sports 24/7.
Posted by Vince Marotta
Vince has been part of the Phoenix Sports scene in a few different capacities. First as a fan, Vince has been yelling at his tv during Suns and ASU games since the late 1970's. Vince also saw the media side of things as a radio talk show host from 1996 to 2002, and then again in 2007.
http://azsportshub.com
(Rate this post)
Loading ...Related Articles:
