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Home of the cubs -MLB
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Filled with over forty thousand seats of red, white, and blue roaring fans, supporting their National League baseball team, the Chicago Cubs. The collective name for this fandom is known as the Cubbies, and this takes place in the stadium named
Wrigley Field, located in Chicago, Illinois. The environment is decorated with its iconic ivy-colored brick outfield walls and large Jumbotrons, along with a large city and electrifying
crowd. These seats are supported by a spiritually devoted organization and one of the most passionate fan bases to ever exist! Despite the century plus drought of the Cubs' shortcomings with their appearances in the World Series Championships, the fans' loyalty makes these fans super compared to most, throughout those hard years and now, for what they have done to support their hometown baseball team.
Response To The Billy Goat Curse
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| Team Logo |
The fans have shown their loyalty throughout 108 years of being curse by Billy the goat in 1945, with the team going through a rough patch of losing series after series of championships. This event took place when in game four of the World Series for the Cubs against the Detroit Tigers, a Chicago bar owner, William Sianis and his pet goat were not allowed in for the game. The owner shouted in frustration to security, “You are going to lose this World Series and you are never going to win another World Series again,” the bar owner proclaimed after they were denied entry (7). Therefore, the Cubs end up losing the series to the Detroit Tigers after this event occurred. During those tough years of losing, Billy Goat's nephew and new Billy Goat Tavern owner, Sam Sianis, with the help of
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Billy Goat at Tavern in Chicago. -ESPN
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Tribune columnist, Dave Condon, brought the goat to Wrigley in an attempt to lift the curse. "The goat was escorted to Wrigley in a white limousine, and given a red carpet entrance to the park with a sign saying, All is forgiven. Let me lead the Cubs to the pennant"(7). This shows the extraordinary effort by the fans to help break this curse and put the baseball team back into business.
Game Traditions
On game day, fans carry traditions before, during, and after games to separate themselves from ordinary fans. One tradition is taken place during the game when catching a home run ball but throwing it back. This is once in a lifetime thing for most people, however, at the home field of Wrigley Field it is not for cubs fans. The fans end up throwing the ball back only if it is hit by the opposing team because of stipulations. "As the chants to throw it back begin, the pressure mounts. Do you throw back what is likely the only home run ball you will ever catch or do you risk being mauled?" (5). This shows the fan  |
| Fans celebrating after Cubs winning |
willingness to a personal souvenir in response to the chanting, shows the dedication of the fans putting the team's identity over their own personal gain to carry the tradition. Another one is when Cubs fans hold up white flags with blue W's on it and sing together, "Go! Cubs! Go!" after a win to celebrate the team success at the end of a game. Additionally, when the cub fans sing, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch, which was started by a sports announcer, Harry Caray (8). The purpose of chant was to continue it because of Caray’s death, the Cubs have worked hard to keep the tradition alive. Typically, a celebrity comes out and leads the crowd through the seventh inning staple and gets the players hyped up. Captain Cubbo
One fan that stands out from the other fans is Captain Cubbo, his real name is Roberto Ramos, and he grew up across the street from Wrigley Field. This fan took the idea of dressing up as a superhero with a mask and cape to attend Cubs games. He mentions that, "I put a mask over my head, a cape on my back and a Chicago Cubs jersey across my chest. I took many pictures with Cubs fans and was also interviewed at the convention. The fans were excited about my character, but some thought I was a luchador, or wrestler. I had to stop and correct them by saying, I’m Puerto Rican, not Mexican. I am not a wrestler, but what I am is Captain Cubbo. This is how the character was born"(9). This character has an influence on the fans as he has multiple social media pages like Instagram or TikTok, to entertain players and fans by showing his obsession over the cubs. His room is filled with posters, jerseys, collectables, and more that demonstrate his love and passion for the Cubs baseball team.
Fandom Interaction
The Chicago Cubs media has a YouTube channel in the format of answering fans' questions that range from media about life, dating, and, of course, baseball. The team's social media calls it "
Call to the Bullpen," and it is a fun way for players to interact with each other and connect with the fans who love their team. One funny question a fan asked was, "I was coming back from the bar the other night, with my rideshare driver asked if he could stop at the drive-through. I was so surprised all I could say was okay, but then I stood all the way home as he scarfed down a cheeseburger. Help confirm I'm not crazy, that was a weird request, right?" and Chicago Cubs player Anthony Rizzo responds, "Absolutely not... on the way home from a bar, fast food, and you didn't order anything. You are crazy" (10). This interaction shows how these big-time players don't just care about themselves and are willing to take the time to have open ears with the fans and give them their attention. Furthermore, when fans are not watching a game, they can access a fan page to make online comments about rumors, stats, scores, trades, and more. One webpage by the name of "
Bleed Cubbie Blue" gives fans this opportunity to interact. For example, one fan said on a rumor about trading a player that "David Haugh said if Tarik Skubal trade talks are real, the Cubs need to be involved, going as far as saying he'd do the Tucker Trade/equivalent for Skubal. What do you think? Do the Cubs have to ammo to compete for the best offer? And is that something you're ready and willing do?"(2). This highlights fans coming together to pour their attention to the Cubs and their production overall.
Final Thoughts
Like many sports teams, it comes with entertaining fan bases, but not quite like the tradition and support of these Cubs fans. Through songs to wearing costumes, these fans make the sports team much more enjoyable than just the game itself. You get to make everlasting memories with friends and family through watching and supporting the Chicago Cubs baseball team, which you will pass down to your kids for generations to continue. Go! Cubs! Go!
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