It was pretty hard to be a Chicagoan last fall and not catch Cubs fever. The city was alive with Cubbie pride, and maybe you got your first taste of being a baseball fan. Welcome! Even if you’re typically just into baseball for the peanuts and Cracker Jacks, you have to admit, being invested in the team adds another layer to the experience.
But another season is upon us, meaning if you’re looking to grow that fledgling flame in your heart for the Cubs, now is the time to do it. You already have your World Series T-shirt, and maybe you even sprang for a jersey last fall, but there are steps you can take to becoming a more serious Cubs fan beyond buying gear and tweeting out gifs.
1. Try keeping score
Bring a scorecard (or buy one at the stadium) to fix your focus on the game. Keeping track of hits, walks and outs is a great way to familiarize yourself with the sport and also make sure you always know what’s going on.
2. Get to know players beyond your obsession with Bryant and Rizzo
Yeah, yeah, we know you know Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant. And if you were glued to the TV (or in the stands) during the playoffs last year, you probably also know Jake Arrieta, Kyle Schwarber, Javier Baez and Addison Russell. You’re not impressing anybody. If you really want to present yourself as a more serious Cubs fan, it’s time to take a look at some of the team’s deeper tracks:
Albert Almora Jr. – The centerfielder was president Theo Epstein’s first draft pick for the Cubs. You may remember him for a diving catch against the Giants in the NLDS or pinch running for Schwarber in the 10th inning of Game 7.
Carl Edwards Jr. – A relief pitcher who made some big appearances for the Cubs toward the end of 2016. He’s tall and wiry, but he can definitely bring the heat. Some people are saying he could end up being the Cubs’ big closer down the road.
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Ian Happ – This kid was the Cubs’ first pick in the 2015 draft and he’s currently still in the minors. He plays both second base and outfield, and he crushed spring training this year. The Cubs will probably either bring him up or trade him for pitching talent this season, but either way, he’ll make a big impact.
3. Put the major series on your calendar
If you’re going to start being a real Cubs fan, you’ve got to know when big games are coming. Of course, this depends on how well other teams are doing and who Chicago is battling for first place. But aside from that, you’ll want to mark down when the Cubs play the White Sox in the Crosstown Classic (July 24-27), when the rival Cardinals come to town (June 2-4, July 21-23, Sept. 15-17) and when we go to St. Louis (April 2, 4-5, May 12-14, Sept. 25-28). The Pirates, Cardinals, Reds and Brewers are all in our division, so those games have a little extra weight, and it can’t hurt to be mindful of when we play the Dodgers and Giants, since they’re probably still hurting from the postseason defeats.