Ask Me If I Really Care?

     Last week, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series. They were the favorites, handling a game but undermanned Cleveland Indians squad in a pivotal Game 7 which took an extra inning to determine the ultimate outcome. The contest itself was a highly over-managed affair where the moves of Joe Maddon of the Cubs and Terry Francona of the Indians threatened to derail a great battle while concurrently creating superb theater.

     Much of the drama had to do with the Cubs not having won the World Series crown in 108 years, BEFORE venerable Wrigley Field, the ivy-walled palace the North Siders inhabit, was even built. The Cubbies, dubbed the loveable losers for their lack of appearances in the Series let alone in the playoffs, were most everyone's darling. Heck, they had a supposed hex laid upon them by the owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, a local Chicago establishment, who foolishly attempted to bring a billy goat with him into Wrigley Field for the 1945 Series, the last time Chicago had represented the National League in the Fall Classic.

     Then there was the Cleveland team, the American League champs. While the Tribe had been in the 1997 Series, their last championship was merely in 1948. They, too, like the Cubs, had a rich history of losing seasons. In fact, Cleveland has had a lot of losing until this year when the Lebron James-led Cavaliers themselves won an epic Game 7 of the NBA Finals in Oakland against the defending champs, the Golden State Warriors who had set the regular season record for wins. This was the franchise which was mocked in film by the classic Major League movies and Charlie Sheen's bespectacled, myopic character, Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn. Plus the Browns, who had won the last Cleveland championship in 1964, had moved to Baltimore and won as the Ravens; the current expansion Cleveland Browns team has yet to win a contest this season. More ineptitude.

     Emboldened by the Cavs' dramatic win and the fact that the Republican National Convention was held on the shore of Lake Erie, the Indians faithful were exuberantly believing it was their time, not that of Cubs fans. Even with Lebron perched in a box at Progressive Field, his karma could not undo the vibes surrounding the Cubs and their fans. Perhaps denying Sheen a reprise of his movie role to throw out the ceremonial first pitch might have reversed the fortunes--a fact we will never know for sure.

     Alas, the Indians were denied and the Cubs were victorious. All throughout were were enveloped by stories of Cubs fans young and old, of villain Steve Bartman who went to catch a foul ball rather allowing it to drop into the waiting glove of Moises Alou and would have extinguished the Florida Marlins rally in 2003 in the League Championship Series. There were dogs, cats, centenarians, babies and everyone and everything in between which personified fandom loyalty. That steady stream culminated in the victory parade and rally attended by a throng estimated to be 5 million people--one of the largest gatherings anywhere, EVER.

     I am positive that Cubs fans are contiuing to exalt in the aura of the historic win. That is their choice, for which I do not offer judgement. Notwithstanding that I am a proud New York Yankees fan whose team, despite last winning the title in 2009 and having accumulated 28 World Series crowns, I have my own opinion of the ongoing celebration by Cubs fans. It is borne out of loyalty to other teams in other sports.

   
     I root for a number of professional franchises. The New Jersey Devils, one of 3 local National Hockey League franchises and who I currently watch, have won a couple of Stanley Cups in the last 30 years. My New York Knicks have last won a National Basketball Association finals in 1972-73; the Brooklyn nee New Jersey Nets have NEVER won an NBA Finals. So be it. I am not factoring in Rutgers Men's Basketball--no NCAA Tournament spot since 1991, let alone only 1 Final Four appearance way back in 1976.

     No, my considerable lack of empathy for the Cubs (or Indians fans for that matter) supporters is laid directly at the feet of the most inept National Football League team I have been a season ticket holder since 1977--the New York Jets. One Super Bowl slot, one Championship in 1969 whereby the now defunct American Football League ineers somehow on the exploits of  brash quarterback Joe Willie Namath ended up upsetting the vaunted Baltimore Colts.

     Nothing to show for it since then. A couple of American Football Conference championship games. Neither played at home. For my 40 years of allegiance, I have nunca. Nada. Zippo. Zero. Average or worse seasons are the norm with this group. Coaches and General Managers come and go. Players too.  But the outcomes are predictable.

     The 2016 side sits at a measly 3 wins coupled with 6 losses. The playoffs are almost out of sight. Somehow yesterday they managed to snatch defeat from victory by a player going offsides on a kickoff and drawing a 5 yard penalty after taking the lead, only to have the Miami Dolphins player return the ensuing kickoff 96 yards without much of a touch to win the game.

     These are my Jets. Whether it is the Butt fumble by quarterback Mark Sanchez versus the New England Patriots, a sack in the AFC title game or just another flat game in another losing season,  this is my lot.

     Understandably, I am increasingly unhappy as I grow older, wondering if I will see a Super Bowl visit, not a win, in the next 4 years when I have reached age 70?  The odds bode against such happening. Unless in a dream-like scenario, owner Woody Johnson in a rage of desperation can snare winning team builder Theo Epstein from the Cubs, Ivy League-educated and with a law degree earned in his spare time while working and learning the ropes with the San Diego Padres. Although he is baseball man, I am willing to wager that his grasp of what a franchise should be trumps what those who currently run the Jets have, even if Theo has a decided lack of NFL experience.

     Some might argue that the Jets do not possess the longest streak in the NFL without a league championship (Arizona Cardinals--68 seasons), so the position would be that I cannot trivialize the Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons nor Minnesota Vikings and the aforementioned Browns fans who have suffered even longer with their droughts. Thirteen teams have not won a Super Bowl, four of them expansion teams.  A number of them have at least won their respective conferences.

     My response to that is akin to the Cubs and Indians fans (or for that matter the Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres who have not won the World Series)--I don't care about your plight. Mine is dire enough. I have no sympathy for the Toronto Maple Leafs fans post-1967-68 nor do I feel  much for the St. Louis Blues fans who have not won a Stanley Cup. No pity for the Sacramento Kings fans who go back 65 years to the 1951 Rochester Royals championship team. So to with the Atlanta Hawks who last won while in St. Louis in 1958; and the Phoenix Suns who have NEVER won a title in 48 seasons.

     Cumulatively, all the teams mentioned are serial losers. It is just that mine is among the worst and the losing is not going to end real soon. The time I invest in the Jets along with the astronomical prices for season tickets are in direct disproportion to the aggregate wins and titles. While we may be in lockstep with a lot of other similarly situated franchises in the four major professional sports, I derive no solace from their misery. Nor can I empathize with the Cubs fans and have any degree of happiness for them.

     When, perhaps make that if, the Jets win, maybe I will be a more magnanimous winner. Until then, I am a lousy, sore loser. Sorry Cubs fans, no love from me on this one. And stop getting giddy believing that you have a dynasty. You have won 1 World Series in 108 years. The Jets, like a lot of others, didn't win again. Do not compare yourselves with the New England Patriots or the Yankees, Boston Celtics or Montreal Canadiens who have own the most crowns in their leagues. Be content with 1 win after the hex and over a century.

     I sure would be.