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The Crack in the Concrete |
The history of Chicago sports in this town is a see saw battle where teams rise to prominence, only to fall short in a playoff game. Although we have seen some bright spots in 1986, the nineties and 2005, Chicago sports history tells us that we will be disappointed over and over again. However, there are special occasions.
Never mind the fact we have seen the Cubs go to the playoffs 3 times in the last twenty years only to be at a place where they needed one more game to win to get into the World Series. The fact the White Sox got blown out in ’83 and ’00 with very impressive numbers, but unlike the Cubs, they made it up to the city by bringing home a championship. The Bulls had their issues in the ‘80s but created a dynasty by bringing 6 championships home only to leave us with 7 years of rebuilding. The Blackhawks got to the big dance known as the Stanley Cup in 1991, but were swept by Mario Lemieux and his Penguins, and then there’s the Bears.
Ah the Bears. That team who has disappointed many people over the years. Sure, they won it all in 1985-1986, but since then it has been a mudslide of sadness and despair. They have made it to the playoffs a few times since then but after Ditka was fired, everything became unglued. Enter Dave Wannstedt who not only plagued the Bears with his “genius”, but also came down south to my favorite team the Miami Dolphins and ruined them too. Any hoot, Dick Jauron came into the picture and was able to lead the Bears to the playoffs after getting blown out in the first round against Philly. And then in 2005, up against the Panthers in the first round they fell as well. Bad history indeed.
So here we are in the second round of the playoffs only because the Bears got a bye, just like last year. The Bears going into this game as huge favorites, like they were with Philly and Carolina. The pundits talking about how earlier in the year the Seahawks not just fell but plummeted against the Bears. Means shit! The Bears must bring their A game if they want to win obviously, and revert to the team they were back then, so someone can crown their ass!
The Bears may not be our last chance but right now they are the best one. The Bulls seem to be doing something, but we look at baseball. We have the great team being cheap asses, and unloading the team for the high school whiffle ball league, and the other breaking the bank trying to sign what they believe are “super talents” which in reality are average players making super dough because they don’t want to be the laughing stock of baseball again. Relish this moment this afternoon Chicago, the Bears may just be on the road to bring that Superbowl back home again.
JAE
