Nick’s Picks: It’s Happening
I didn’t ask to be a Cubs fan.
I was born into a Cubs family. My great-grandparents were Cubs fans, my grandparents are Cubs fans. My dad is a Cubs fan. My great-grandfather on my father’s side would watch the Cubs on his TV in a unique style. He had one TV setting on top of another. One had the Cubs game on, the other had football.
You might ask yourself, “But what if you wanted to watch boxing?” Well, no worries, there was a third TV positioned to the right of the other two that would have boxing. So, all bases are covered. It was picture-in-picture before PIP existed. it was a literal picture-on-picture. He had the model for today’s sports bars in his living room for 40 years.
For his entire life my Dziadz (the Polish word for grandfather is dziadzio/dziadek) watched as the Cubs dished him heartbreak after heartbreak. For the past 69 years, his son, my grandfather, has done the same. For the past 45 years, his son, my father, had done the same. The Cubs were never a choice for me. I never chose to lose. But I’ve been drawn to the losing culture for almost 26 years, watching heartbreak after heartbreak. It was a trap I couldn’t free myself from. The Cubs don’t get chosen, they choose you, for better or for worse.
We lived in St. Louis for four years, I was surrounded by Cardinals fans and I tried, oh did I try, so hard to be a part of Redbird Nation. I bought shirts, I went to games. I saw Stan Musial in person. I met old Cardinals legends and listened to Mike Shannon call games like it was my obligation. I watched the Birds On Bat clinch a world title in 2006 and saw the thrill of what a successful baseball franchise could be like. But, I never could truly be a fan.
The memories made in St. Louis never held a candle to walking into Wrigley for the first time with my dad, ironically at a Cardinals-Cubs contest. That first view of the historic park is one that cannot be replaced. The red and white of the Cardinals never felt as good to wear as the red, white and blue of the Cubs. Sure, Mike Shannon was great, but I’d give anything to listen to Ron Santo again. Meeting Fergie Jenkins this past February at spring training topped my experience of meeting Al Hrabosky (Okay, that’s an obvious statement.) But, no matter what, the Cubs always felt right, even when everything happening on the field looked so wrong.
I haven’t talked about the Cubs at all this season or postseason in any articles because, yes, I am that superstitious. I didn’t want to jinx anything and be a part of the curse, if only in my own mind. But, it dawned on me as I muted Joe Buck during game six to listen to Pat Hughes, that this team was bigger than any curse or superstition. This Cubs team was above any black cat, billy goat or whatever the hell happened the eighth inning in game six of the 2003 NLCS. No, I’m not talking about Bartman. I’m talking about Alex Gonzalez’s error and Prior’s wild pitch.
This team was finally what Dziadz was waiting for. This is the reason he had three televisions, so he could watch this team play three times as much. Or, you know, maybe it was for the whole ‘three sports, one time’ deal.
But, seriously, this is the team that Cubs fans have been waiting for since 1945. I can say that with 100-percent accuracy because this is the only team to break through since 1945. This team is why I was destined to suffer as a Cubs fan the past 25 years. Why all Cubs fans have been on the hook for their entire lives. It’s all for this season. All for this weekend. All for tonight.
Soak it up Cubs fans, enjoy it. This is going to become our new normal.
“It’s happening,” is actually happening.
“Next year,” is here.
The green apples are growing at an alarming rate while Harry, Ernie and Dziadz are looking down with big smiles.
The Cubs return to Wrigley Field for a World Series game for the first time since 1945. They need three wins to completely turn the sporting world on its head and officially put Satan on ice skates.
Before the series started, I thought the Cubs to win in five I’m sticking with that. Chicago will close it out Sunday night and start the biggest party in the history of American sports.
I never chose to be a Cubs fan, but I’m sure glad the Cubs chose me.
Last Week: 4-3
Overall: 55-30
High School Football Sectional Semis 10/21
Carroll (6-3) at Warsaw (5-4), 7 p.m. Class 6A Sectional 3
The Scoop: The Tigers are back in action after having a much needed bye week. I was nervous all week about having to pick this game with the health of Michael Jensen being up in the air. But it’s been said that he will play so my pick becomes that much easier.
I like this Warsaw team and I know a lot of people are counting them out given recent sectional results, but the Tigers pack and extra punch this year and could make more noise than people realize. John Harrell’s website has Carroll rolling in this game 42-24, that just seems crazy to me. When looking at it on paper, Warsaw averages 34 PPG on offense, Carroll is at 33. Warsaw surrenders 23, Carroll 25. They are very evenly matched, both finished the season on poor notes in the final few weeks. Warsaw is at home and is apparently the underdog, that should be enough for this Tiger team to be motivated. Tigers by a touchdown tonight!
Nick’s Pick: Warsaw 34, Carroll 27.
Northridge (3-7) at NorthWood (10-0), 7 p.m. Class 4A Sectional 19
The Scoop: It’s a Northern Lakes Conference battle in Nappanee. The Raiders gave NorthWood a scare earlier this season in what ended up being a 14-0 win for the Panthers at Andrews Field back in September. I don’t expect a similar result this time.
Ridge has the type of offensive tempo needed to beat NorthWood, slow and steady. If you want to top the Panthers, you need to keep Trey Bilinski and the offense off the field. Ridge has the strategy but I don’t know if the Raiders have the talent. NorthWood is surely looking at that September game as a failure. The Panthers score 14 points, they average 46 a game. There is no way they are satisfied with that result and will be looking to score early and often tonight. Tom Wogomon is the coach to upset NorthWood, if there is one, but I don’t know that his team will have enough tonight.
Nick’s Pick: NorthWood 38, Northridge 14.
Churubusco (8-2) at Whitko (7-3), 7 p.m. Class 2A Sectional 35
The Scoop: Whitko and Busco meet in a semi-final rematch from last season. The Wildcats won the county clash 34-27 in the first meeting between the two schools since 1975. The Eagles, currently No. 13 in the polls, beat No. 10 Eastside last Friday while Whitko topped Central Noble 28-24.
The Wildcats have struggled against teams with winning records and that’s what concerns me with this matchup. Busco is a very good team , despite the fact that its mascot is not the Snappers, Turtles or Shells when the high school is in a town literally dubbed “Turtle Town, USA” seriously, who dropped the ball on that one? I mean, that’s right there for the taking? Who sat in on that meeting, with the “Turtle Town” sign just miles away and said “I don’t know guys, I just can’t come up with anything. Let’s just settle on Eagles.” But, I digress.
The “Eagles” score 33 PPG to Whitko’s 32 but only surrender 12 on defense, that will be the difference in this game for me. I think Churubusco’s defense makes a big stop late to preserve the win.
Nick’s Pick: Churubusco 27, Whitko 20.
Southwood (7-3) at Triton (2-8), 7 p.m. Class 1A Sectional 43
The Scoop: The Trojans dominated last week and bring a red hot offense into the sectional semifinals to take on a very good Southwood team. The Knights are the clear favorites here, but don’t count out what Triton has done the past two weeks. The Trojans have won two games in a row and dropped a 50 burger on Caston last Friday. This squad has “spoiler” written all over it.
The biggest question will be whether or not Triton can slow down Southwood’s passing game. The Knights are very good at spreading teams out and moving the ball at big clips. I like what Triton has done the past four weeks, but I think the Trojans will have a little too much to deal with here against a Southwood team that scores 35 PPG.
I don’t think we’ve seen Triton at its best just yet, so this could be the upset of the night. But, for now, I’m sticking with Southwood.
Nick’s Pick: Southwood 31, Triton 16.
College Football 10/29
No. 24 Penn State (5-2, 3-1) at Purdue (3-4, 1-3), noon.
The Scoop: Where the heck did PSU come from? The Nittany Lions upset Ohio State last week, but not just any Ohio State University. it was THE Ohio State University, so that’s a pretty big deal. Just ask anybody that is a Buckeye fan. Purdue is..uh..not quite as good as Ohio State. So, I’d like to give the edge to PSU in this one. No worries, Boiler fans, program revival is one week closer to beginning.
Nick’s Pick: Penn State 38, Purdue 24.
Maryland (5-2, 2-2) at Indiana (3-4, 1-3), 3:30 p.m.
The Scoop: Indiana has hit a definite turning point in its season. This is flirting with being a must win for the Hoosiers this week. JUCO QB Richard Lagow is in a slump and the rest of the offense looks very bland because of it. First-year Maryland head coach DJ Durkin has the Terps in great shape and looking for a bowl berth. I knew IU would disappoint me last week, I’m expecting a similar result this week.
Nick’s Pick: Maryland 34, Indiana 31.
Miami (4-3) at Notre Dame (2-5), 3:30 p.m.
The Scoop: It’s like 1988 all over again! But, you know, a 1988 where the Russians dropped bombs on a Michael Dukakis-led America and Kirk Gibson grounded out to second.
These two storied program are currently having a book burning in hopes of getting an entirely new saga to start. Miami was promising for the first few games of the season before realizing this was no longer the 1980s. ND made it a few quarters before doing the same this year. Everybody is all hot and bothered about “Catholics vs Convicts” and I’m just over here sipping my tea like, fellas, it’s Convicts vs. Convicts…but that’s none of my business.
I’ll be on the sideline shooting the game, look for me!
Nick’s Pick: Notre Dame 27, Miami 21.
NFL Week Eight 10/30
Kansas City (4-2) at Indianapolis (3-4), 1 p.m.
The Scoop: I give up with this Colts team. I have no clue what they are doing week to week and no idea what to expect. I have no faith in the Colts and no feel for what will happen here. The way things are going, the Colts should win this game despite giving up 550 rushing yards to Spencer Ware. Your guess is as good as mine. I’m calling 120 on the ground for Ware and a win for the Colts.
Nick’s Pick: Colts 34, Chiefs 24.
Minnesota (5-1) at Chicago (1-6), 8:30 p.m. Monday Night Football
The Scoop: The first spot in the draft can’t pick itself!
No, but honestly, if the Vikings were undefeated I was going to pick the Bears to win this game. Seriously, I was. But there is no way the Vikes drop two in a row. Matt Asiata carries the team to victory while people ponder how John Fox still has a job.
Nick’s Pick: Vikings 31, Bears 10.