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by Digger

2008 was widely believed to be the year all Cubs curses were laid to rest. Chicago Cubs (97-64) were built for winning. Championship Manager. Feared 1-8 lineup. Powerful starting pitching. Lights out bullpen. Great defense. They moved into first place on May 11 and never looked back.

Everything seemed to be going right for the Cubs. They were doing what was expected all year. Winning. Winning big. Winning often. NL Central Division Champions.

Cubs brass even scheduled excorcisms at famed Wrigley Field attempting to dispell all curses (Curse of Fred Merkle, Curse of the Billy Goat, Curse of 1969, The Steve Bartman Incident).

Chicago fans jammed Wrigley all year. Once again, they were beginning to believe time had finally come for Cubs players to bury years of frustration and near misses. Fans and reporters often spoke phrases of hope highlighting how Boston finally dispelled the Curse of the Bambino by winning two World Series ('05, '07).

99 consecutive seasons without a World Series title. No National League Championships since 1945. The "Lovable Losers" from Chicago endured a century of heartbreaks. "Cursed Again!" was heard often after the Cubs found new and unbelievable ways to lose...

1969 Cubs owned a seven game August lead over the team soon to be named the Miracle Mets. During a pivotal head to head matchup in New York, a black cat ran in front of Chicago Cubs on deck hitter. Cubs eventually blew their 7 game lead and failed to qualify for the Playoffs.

1984 Cubs win first division title since 1945. Win 1st two games in best of 5 series vs San Diego (won first game 13-0). Game 3, Cubs up 3-0. Ahead by 3-2, 1B Leon Durham commits 2 errors in 7th inning leading to 4 runs. Cubs then swept in 3 straight, including blowing a another 3-0 lead in Game 5.

2003 National League Championship Series. Cubs own commanding 3 games to 1 lead (best of 7) over Florida Marlins. Game 6, Cubs own 3-0 lead (again). Marlins erupt for 8 runs in the 8th inning, highlighted by Bartman's blunder. Game 7 the Cubs had battled back to lead 5-3 only to blow another Series.

2008 Chicago had NL's best record (97-64). Everything was clicking. LA Dodgers won fewest of all Playoff teams (84-78). One problem... LA was hot and revitalized. Cubs jump to an early 2-0 Game 1 advantage... fail to score again until 7th inning of Game 2. Dodgers command series and sweep Cubs marking 100 consecutive years without a Championship.

So, how does a Cubbies fan get over this one? Good thing this wasn't another patented gutwrenching chokes which sent Chicago packing. Who knows how many fans would have ended up in psych wards? They were simply outclassed by Joe Torre's Dodgers. Back to the drawing board.

Recent times have found us in an era of new stadiums being built in many baseball cities. While I'm a fan of creating better ballparks replacing old bowl looking cookie cutter parks... I was dead set against tearing down historic Tiger Stadium, Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park and Wrigley Field when rumors first surfaced.

Tiger Stadium is gone.

Boston tinkered with a new venue until City and fan opposition interevened.

Yankee ownership will make a killing in their New Yankee Stadium. But, tearing down the current Stadium has many fans irked. Especially with the rich history and tradition associated within The House that Ruth Built. Superstitious fans remain uneasy... 26 World Championship Teams, 37 Pennants, 45 Playoff appearances.

Wrigley Field. Well, for the very first time I'm now of the opinion Wrigley Field should be rebuilt on another location. Clearly, no Cubs team can win a Championship in current Wrigley. The "curse" thing is buried too deeply inside minds of players, fans and owners. It would be great to see a replica stadium instead of a complete redesign. Either way, Cubs need a new home. 2008 proved it once again. Unlike Chicago fans, I had zero confidence in the Cubs getting past LA in the NLDS.

Cubs World Series hopes will always be doomed until they move. Sounds crazy to some, but 100 futile years provides enough proof it's time to find a new home.