For some it still has the cringe of walking down a dark, blind alley to find a serial killer; "five outs away from a World Series."
The 2003 Cubs were soooooooooooooooo close, yet so far away from making dreams come true.
And despite the public lynching of an innocent fan for alleged fan interference of a foul pop, the Cubs lost Game 6 by a butchered error by shortstop Alex Gonzalez and poor managerial decisions of Dusty Baker. And people tend to conveniently forget, the Cubs also lost Game 7 so the team lost its chance for World Series glory, not some kid named Bartman.
It is easier to find excuses than rely on the facts. Why some people wear the Cubs curse as some badge of honor is strange. Normal fans want their team to win, and not justify the losses by some cosmic fate.
The unintended consequences of the 2003 implosion continue to this day. This is when Wrigley Field was The Place to be . . . the bleachers will filled with drunken yuppies, sell out after sell out, a real party atmosphere around the park. It was in this intense environment Tom Ricketts noticed that the Cubs as a business drew massive support (money) win or lose. He would later convince his father to invest in the Cubs since it was like buying a money printing press.
So the fortunes of the entire franchise turned in 2003 as Ricketts became the owners of the club.
The heady days of Tribune spending and free spending housing boom would soon crash and burn in 2007, taking the Tribune into bankruptcy and the Cubs being sold. By most objective standards, the Cubs franchise has steadily gone down hill since the Ricketts purchased the team and its assets. Team performance cratered, attendance fell dramatically and ownership was more interested in real estate construction projects or fighting with the neighbors than getting a 2003-type competitive ball club on the field.
There was an instant myth that the Cubs were "saved" from the evil corporation by a billionaire family promising instant success and championships. It would not be a business, but run as a cherished community monument. But what we have learned since those initial press conferences is that the family has not put money into the team due to high debt load restrictions. Instead, the family has bought up property to build commercial venues to make Wrigley a 365 day destination spot like Times Square. Instead of rebuilding the major league roster with expensive major league talent, the money has been diverted to create an enclosed electronic signage wonderland inside Wrigley Field. The Ricketts have been more guarded with spending money than previous owners.
In the grand scheme, the Cubs have been set aside as the ugly stepsister. The Cubs are merely a tenant playing at Wrigley Field. The business side of the team is calling most of the shots. Perhaps some day, the Cubs will turn into a Cinderella story, but it is unlikely.
