If the Cubs are ever going to break their streak of ineptitude, I think they have found the man to do it. Theo Epstein has taken the helm of the Loveable Losers and has totally revamped the way the team addresses the offseason, making small farm-team acquisitions to strengthen the future, rather than throwing large sums of money at players like Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols.
His offseason strategy, though, is not what makes me think he can be the one to end the curse. What really convinces me is the fact that we have a Jewish guy leading the team, one that, in my eyes, epitomizes Jewish sports fandom.
Why are the Cubs the definition of a Jewish sports team? First of all, the Cubs are one of the oldest teams in the league, dating way back to the days of being called the Black Stockings. The longevity of both the Chicago baseball franchise as well as the Jewish faith forms a bond that literally runs deep.
Additionally, there is a running joke that says that the description of all Jewish holidays is “they tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat.” This goes hand in hand with the Cubs, as they have spent over a century being targeted and beaten by others. The only difference is that the Cubs have yet to have their big vanquishing of evil. They have yet to climb the mountain and demonstrate their ability to prevail over every foe. Although that is what Theo is for.
Finally, and most importantly, there is the single most significant ingredient in both being Jewish and being a Cubs fan. I speak from experience, as someone who is constantly being asked about my spiritual customs, as well as my baseball ideology. That component is faith. It takes a supreme act of faith to be a Cubs fan, and to continue to rest our hopes on the idea of “Next year,” with no guarantees that that will ever come to fruition. Yet any native of Chicago will tell you that the livelihood of the city rests within the outcome at Wrigley Field.
Now, though, comes the eternal question: what will make next year any different than any other? Mah nishtana ha shavua ha ze mi col halelot? (see what I did there? :)) The answer is Theo Epstein. If the name didn’t give it away, Theo is a Member of the Tribe and ready to take the league by storm with his specialized revamping of an organization. He is willing to play the game differently, to create a unit of guys on the field built differently than any of the other 29 they will compete against, and to tolerate criticism in the hopes for results. But, most importantly, he is Jewish.
The bringing together of baseball’s top Jewish executive to the Chosen Team will eventually lead to victory, and to the deliverance to The Promised Land. Now, I have just one recommendation for Mr. Epstein: Let the Jews stay in the office and off the field. There aren’t 9 players in the league who are Jewish AND talented. So let The Chosen Team have a couple of the non-believers on the team, just as a form of interfaith experience.
God bless the Chicago Cubs.
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