Category: Chicago Cubs are Lutheran

No need to thank me. . . . .

On By scottpetersenIn Chicago Cubs, Chicago Cubs are LutheranLeave a comment

Remarkable!  Amazing!  Astonishing!  Miraculous!   Phenomenal!  Incredible!  About time!  Noooo, I’m not talking about my new haircut.  I am talking about the CHICAGO CUBS victory in Game 7 of the World Series.    

The curse laid down in 1945 by Billy Goat Tavern owner William Sianis (he was asked to leave Wrigley Field because his pet goat Murphy – who he’d brought to the Field – smelled worse than most goats) is now over.  Done.  Kaput.

I like to think that I deserve some small margin of credit for the Cubs success.  Why?  You ask.  Okay.  What is the current year?  2016.  Two – Sixteen.  My birthday.  And how many games did it take for the Cubs to clobber the Indians?  Four of Seven.  ’47 – my birth year.  And they did it in extra innings (which is where I would like life to take me).  Soooo, it was bound to happen.  Two sixteen four seven.  In extra innings.  Yep.  So last March I put down $250 in Las Vegas on the Cubs winning the World Series in 7 games.  At 883 to 1.  Oh wait a minute. . . . I forgot that part.  Darn. 

Wait’ll next year. . . . .      

Could it be?

On By scottpetersenIn Chicago Cubs, Chicago Cubs are Lutheran, Political CorrectnessLeave a comment

I watched The Game last night with friends. We clapped, chortled and cheered.  Held our breath.  And lo and behold – our collective elan carried the day. The Cubs won.  The Cubs are in the WORLD SERIES.  Be still my heart.  Four more games to a miracle. . . .

I’m sure the ACLU and many vapid millennials chafe at the political incorrectness of cheering for one “team” to succeed and for another team to buried in oblivion.  After all – how discriminatory.   Tsk tsk.  Nonetheless, I’m sure even those misguided souls would not object when a Chicagoan yells “GO CUBS” – “CLOBBER THOSE INDIANS.”  Unless they’re from Cleveland . . . . . . 

The Chicago Cubs are Lutheran

On By scottpetersenIn Chicago Cubs are LutheranLeave a comment

Donna and I went to see Garrison Keillor at Ravinia. It’s perhaps our sixth time attending his live radio broadcast of “Prairie Home Companion.” His show is always – always – a treat. 

Mr. Keillor discusses the goings on in Lake Wobegon but he inevitably gets around to talking about Chicago, the North Shore, Illinois politics and such.  Last night was no different.  But last night he talked about the Chicago Cubs.  And he came to the divine conclusion that the Chicago Cubs’ failures over the last hundred years are due to the fact that they are (are you ready?) a Lutheran team. He went on.  And on.  And the audience loved it.  And collectively thought gosh maybe it’s true. . . .

In 1914, Wrigley Field (then known as Weeghman Park) was built on the grounds of the old Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary.  Because Lutherans (who are in abundance in Lake Wobegon) are devoted to “service to others,” this mantra has seeped from the ground and stuck.  On the Cubs.  And the Chicago Cubs since 1914 have been the living embodiment of Lutheran theology — “in service to others.” Devoted to ending other teams losing streaks. Ending batting slumps. Lowering opposing pitchers E.R.A.’s. And so on. The Chicago Cubs failure to ever win a World Series while playing in Wrigley Field is not because of a Billy goat. Not because of poor management. Not because of poor players. It is because – they are Lutheran.  Having grown up as a Lutheran, I kinda see where he’s coming from . . . . .