2026 Chicago Cubs – locked and loaded

As a lifetime (60-plus years) Chicago Cubs fan, using the words “locked and loaded” is dangerous.

The words sound cocky, which is the last thing any real Cubs fan is. It’s been 10 years since the Cubbies won a World Series.

Before that, it was 108 years. Between the heartbreak and disappointment were years of struggles, disasters, and “almosts.”

One of the worst cases of “almost” was the 1969 Cubs. I went with my dad to a spring training game that year to see the Cubs play the Cardinals. What a blast. The Redbirds, the Cubs’ archrivals, were quite a team. Seeing Lou Brock, Joe Torre, Curt Flood, and Tim McCarver up close was astounding to my 10-year-old self.

Times were different. Athletes were gods. We had no internet, only a game of the week and the radio. Seeing a game was special, and not a given.

It was Mr. Cub I had to come to see, and there he was, playing first base. Ernie Banks was 38, so someone placed a chair by first base for the old man to sit down. Everyone laughed, no more than Banks. I spotted Fergie Jenkins shagging flies, Ron Santo playing third with Don Kessenger at short, and Glen Beckert at second base.

I was optimistic as they raced out to a lead in their division. In August, the Cubs were leading the division. I had gone to a game at Wrigley Field in June. The Cubs won and looked like they’d go all the way.

Until they ran into September. I was watching when a black cat sauntered by Santo and stared into the Cubs’ dugout. They gassed out, and the miracle Mets caught fire. Painful.

I guess I should have prepared myself for things to come.

I’m not here to whine, really, I’m not.

2016 was incredible. A dream season. I barely sat down during the series. I jumped so high (yeah, right), I tore my hamstring. Like most Cubs fans, I kept waiting for a calamity, but the Cubbies were resilient.

They won it all, and grown men cried like babies. There were no more lovable losers. No curse of the goat. What a relief.

Since capturing the Series, the Cubs haven’t done that badly. They won three division titles, but dropped to fourth place by 2021. A rebuild began, and they won 83 games in a row two years in a row, then 92 last year, making the playoffs.

That takes us to this year.

The Cubs have a solid pitching staff led by a 14-game winner. Shota Imanaga will need to show his 2024 form. Cade Horton (a sparkling 11-4) could make a Cy Young run. Edward Cabara has shown genuine flashes of talent. Despite a tough spring, Jameson Tallon expects to be fine by the time the season starts. Justin Steele, who missed most of last season with an elbow injury, could be back by June.

Closer responsibilities belong to Daniel Palencia, who surprised many by saving 22 of 25 games last year.

The Cubs’ lineup is strong.

Michael Busch,1B – came over from the Dodgers and had an exceptional year. Smashed 34 homers, solid play at first base.

Nico Hoerner, 2B – consistent, super fielder, good hitter

Alex Bregman, 3B – The new guy. The Cubs need him to have a big year.

Ian Happ, LF – Streaky, when he’s cold, he’s cold, when he’s hot. Great outfielder..

Pete Crow-Armstrong, – CF – Had a great first half last year, slumped in the second. Tremendous fielder, fiery player.

Carson Kelly, C – solid, has some pop.

Moisés Ballesteros, DH – the kid can hit – his swing reminds me a little of the late great Tony Gwynn.

Dansby Swanson, SS, – Makes some great plays at short, has power, but strikes out a lot. Hoping to improve this year.

Matt Shaw, RF, scrappy, determined, filling in until Seiya Suzuki comes back from injury.

So how far will the Cubs go this year? Lots of intangibles. They came within one game of making it to the National League Championship Series last year. If their pitching stays sound…