Sometimes it’s hard being a fan. Last year, when the Cubs backed into the playoffs, I wasn’t mad when they got swept by the Diamondbacks. I figured that our team was good, but evidently not good enough. We needed to be better.

This year. We had the best record in the regular season for most of the year. We were ranked at or near the top of the “power rankings” all year long. We led the league in certain stats. We picked up Fukudome, Edmonds, and Hardin. Marmol and Wood were closing like mad. All our hitters were doing great.

Then the post season hit. It’s like the Cubs just gave up. “Yaay. We made it to the playoffs. Now let’s get this over with so we can go home.” I don’t know what the problem is. We have good pitchers, we have good defense. We have good hitters. We have had, arguably, the best team in the entire league.

I have really enjoyed this season, but it is going to be a long time before I hold out lots of hope again. I will enjoy watching the Cubs. I will always be a fan. But 100 years of disappointment say that I shouldn’t get my hopes up too far again. At least I have a life to live and the Cubs losing doesn’t really mean much in light of other things.

Ah well. Back to football.