THE HOUSE OF CARDS FINALLY FALLS

every year i get an almost macabre kick out of watching the cubs fail and their fans wallow in the disappointment that i'm sure will continue to follow them for the rest of my time on earth.

i've spoken and written many times about the nauseating sense of entitlement displayed by cub fans year after year ("it's our turn") and their pre-school pep songs (go, cubs, go) and their ridiculous attire, from blinking lights on their floppy hats to turtle neck dickeys, not to mention that obnoxious "W" flag that has now been transferred to items of clothing, bumper stickers and even table cloths. most cub fans have no idea that the "w" is to be displayed when they win and nowhere in sight when they lose. but i digress.

the last two years have been very difficult for me as the cubs actually navigated the regular season successfully and amplified the fan giddiness as they headed into the playoffs with delusions of grandeur and visions of world series trophys dancing in their heads. it was no fun during the regular season for me as they climbed the mini-mountain and captured their division and i had to listen to all the huzzahs that emanated from wrigleyville as the faithful made their travel plans to los angeles, phoenix and points beyond for the post season wipeout that was sure to occur. after all, they were heavily favored both years.

i even heard fans talking about risking the $75 cancellation fee as they booked multiple flights into american league cities the last ten days of october for the series but thankfully, the cubs have never even sniffed late october and the drought that has now spanned two centuries has produced incredible chokes, collapses and fan disappointment.

this year the cubs were favored by everyone from las vegas to new york to make or win the world series. they were loaded for bear and nothing could derail this express train to october and the central division crown was a 'gimme.'. but the collapse i was waiting for finally happened the past couple of weeks as, following an august disaster, the team has erupted in a firestorm of finger pointing, racial accusations, choking and fan displeasure. how sweet was it that i saw hundreds of empty seats the other night against the nationals as the fans realize that once again, it's over ....and this time, it's going to be over for a long, long time.

bad contracts, bad players, no chemistry, no guts and way too many holes in the lineup have doomed this team and the new owner has no chance to be successful unless he eats about $200 million in contracts and even then, he will have to start from scratch and he'll have no money left. i suggest cub fans take a close look at the ownership history of pittsburgh and kansas city because that's where it's going.

couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of people.