The Fire Has Been Lit

Let’s start off by saying, this isn’t an obituary for the 2015 Chicago Cubs season. No, this is much different. This is more like a birth announcement for what is yet to come.

While stunned is how Chicago Cubs players, coaches, and fans felt after the Cubs season came to a close. This incredibly gifted and fun team’s confident demeanor, and ability to comeback, made you believe that they would find a way to continue the series and season against the New York Mets.

As the final out was recorded on Wednesday night, Mets closer Jeurys Familia put out the Cubs 2015 team, but ignited a fire that only a World Series will quench. Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, who missed the NLCS because of a leg injury, had this to say.

“We didn’t get the job done, but this ballclub has just been amazing. This year has been amazing. Nobody expected us to go this far. It just really leaves us thirsting for next year.”

While that thirst may only be quenched with the addition of quality, impact pitching, the Cubs have a core group of guys that will only get better through the experience that a deep playoff run can give you. Knowing that, Anthony Rizzo had a guarantee for Cubs fans wanting more.

I couldn't be prouder of my team and all of our accomplishments this year…don't worry we'll be back

— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) October 22, 2015

A leader of this team, Rizzo certainly has the right attitude. While many will say these Cubs arrived a season too early, and that might have been true, that attitude will continue to feed the fire that you can only get by being so close and having everything stop so abutptly.

That attitude, the fire, and the lessons all the players learned through this experience will certainly help catapult them further as this Cubs team grows.

Success is not conquered at the "finish line" is measured by what you gain on the way there, I thank the fans for what they gave us!

— miguel montero (@miggymont26) October 22, 2015

While yes, the only championship you can win is the one staring at you in the eye, its no longer far fetched to be optimistic about next year. Anyone around baseball feels better about this 97 win team coming off a disappointing NLCS exit, than they did about that 2003 team that pushed the Marlins to six games. That is because of the you nfl core of players, the manager on the field, all the way up to the leadership and owners in the front office.

The new beginning has arrived. No goats or Bartman’s matter any longer. They move forward almost as a a new franchise with its only goal to win a World Series. While generations have come and gone without seeing the Cubs take home the ultimate prize, this generation is in store for many opportunities at it.

Jamie Baker

Hi, I’m Jamie and I run this site. I’ve published work on multiple other sites and through that experience I decided to create CHICAGO style SPORTS. We truly aim to speak for the Chicago fan. Additionally, as a member of the IBWAA (Internet Baseball Writers Association of America) you can be assured that all content you read will be written with incredible integrity.

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