The summer humidity is replaced with a brisk fall air. Jack O’ lanterns are adorning the neighborhood doorsteps. And that defunct store in the town’s strip mall is now a cheap costume store. That’s October – nothing out of the ordinary, right? Most would agree. Well, on behalf of every Cubs fan who has lived their lives “waiting for next year,” I am here to tell you how wrong you are. Things are different this October, ladies and gentlemen. That brisk fall air is electric. White flags with blue “W’s” hang above those festive jack o’ lanterns. The windows in that strip mall are painted with “Go Cubs Go!” It’s October and the Cubs are in the playoffs.

I could sit here and spit out stats and accolades to pay homage to the spectacle that is the 2015 Chicago Cubs. But, this props goes out to the ones that already know. The die hard Chicago Cubs fans. The ones who have never wavered in their loyalty or intensity. I am talking about the 77 year old fan who has been watching his team for 70 years just to see them win the pennant again. I am talking about the 7 year old fan who watches every game she can. The one who knows every statistic about Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, and Jake Arrieta alike. And this is for every single Cubs fan in-between. The ones who have stood idly by watching the SNL skits, taking the “Lovable Losers” jokes in stride, and who have heard “There’s always next year!” too many times to count.

Here’s to you, my fellow Cubs fans, young, old and in-between. It is your unfaltering loyalty in all of the agonizing years of bloopers, billy goats, and Bartmans that makes you the greatest fans in the history of professional sports. And when I step into the Friendly Confines in just a few short hours to cheer on our Cubbies just know I am honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with all of you – the ones who have never given up.