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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > June > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USCubs fans live in despair, Braves fans unaware
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Suddenly, the choppers and the chanters are getting skittish. They’ve always fretted over the aches and pains of Mike Hampton, but now they have the Braves’ horrors in most road and close games. John Smoltz also is history for the year with a bum shoulder. Mark Kotsay has that creaky back. Plus, the bullpen often implodes, and injuries threaten to quiet Chipper Jones’ bat more than pitchers.
Yeah, well. To see baseball fans who really are obsessed with searching for dark clouds in the brightest of skies, you needn’t go further than the shores of Lake Michigan. That’s where the Braves are spending the next few days seeking to end their recent struggles against the traditionally jinxed Cubs. It’s a franchise that nevertheless owns the game’s best record. It’s also a franchise that entered Tuesday night’s action at Wrigley Field among baseball’s elite four in hitting, pitching and expectations.
None of that matters when it comes to the doomsday psyche of the Cub Nation. I mean, you think Braves fans are panicking right now after just a few rough spots? Chip Caray laughed, before saying over the phone from Chicago, “Fans panic here when the first pitch of the game is ball one.”
Caray laughed some more, because he’s an expert on those who follow the Cubs and the Braves. He spent seven seasons through 2004 as a play-by-play announcer for the Cubs, who once featured the famous voice of his grandfather Harry. And he’s in his fourth season as a play-by-play man for the Braves, who still feature the famous voice of his father, Skip.
Added Chip, laughing some more, “In Chicago, every game is a microcosm of, not just a season, but of a Cubs fan’s life. There are people who live and die — literally — with the way that this team plays.”
Not so much in Atlanta. If the Braves disappoint the local masses just a little during a season, there always are the Bulldogs and Larry Munson — at least, that’s the way the feeling goes. That’s also partly why you had all those empty seats during home playoff games at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and later Turner Field despite the Braves managing 14 consecutive division titles.
In contrast, the Cubs haven’t won much worth mentioning in decades. They last took the National League pennant in 1945, and maybe you’ve heard: Courtesy of a billy goat curse or just shaky players, they haven’t grabbed a world championship in exactly 100 years. Still, they are hugged everywhere. They even are doing the outrageous at the moment by playing before home crowds that are nothing less than 97 percent of capacity.
It’s like this: The majority of the choppers and the chanters like the Braves, especially when they flash signs of possibly winning it all again, but those in the Cub Nation love the Cubbies no matter what.
The choke of ‘69.
Leon Durham becoming Bill Buckner before Bill Buckner.
That Steve Bartman thing.
Cubs fans are there mentally, physically and spiritually within reach of the flowing ivy, but they are fretting all the way, wondering when — not if — a choke, a Durham or a Bartman is coming.
Here’s another difference between Cubs and Braves fans: the timing of their panics. “Often times the Braves start slowly and turn it on, and they just seemingly have found a way to win,” Caray said. “In Chicago, the Cubs are noted for their fast starts, and they call it the June swoon. … So, for lack of a better way to put it, to be a Cub fan, you have to be fatalistic. The metaphor would be summer up here. It’s very short. It’s very sweet. It’s very wonderful. But you always know it’s going to come to a bitter end.”
Caray said the Cubs will go farther this time. How much farther? Holy cow, only that billy goat knows.
Permalink | Comments (13) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves/MLB
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By Jim Quinby
June 10, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
Here’s another difference between Cubs and Braves fans, Cubs fans aren’t front runners.
By Brill
June 10, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
This 10 game road trip will make or break the season. I can’t help but feel Kelly Johnson dropping out #3 was the equivalent of the hanging curve to Leyritz. An actual play you can put your finger on that was the beginning of the end. That being said, I can’t stand the Cubs, GO BRAVES !!!
By Kyle
June 10, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
seems like most braves fans just don’t get it. They jump on the band wagon when it’s going well, and hop off as soon as they lose a few. It makes me sick. I have been a Braves fan since I was a boy. They are the only team I have ever called my own. I’ll give Atlanta this though… Friday night Vs. the Phils there was a ton of people, and they were LOUD.
By Brill
June 10, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Actually the fans are very similar…Cubs games are like Braves games, 50% family outing, 40% yuppie hookup spot and 10% people who watch the game.
But we do have the awesome atmosphere outside the stadium here… A KFC/Taco Bell and the Bullpen bar and grill. And Aramark food service hot dogs in the stadium, YUM!!! Take that Chicago !!!!
By atlpaddy
June 10, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
As a Braves fan, I really like it when the “writers” of the Atlanta newspaper and the local sports radio “personalities” are constantly telling Atlanta fans how much they s#ck.
How hard is it to get someone from Atlanta, Georgia or the South in general to write and comment about ATLANTA #$*! sports!
By bravedawg
June 10, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately I have to agree with part of your article. My family and I live on every pitch of the braves. However, I think we are in the minority and braves fan on a whole aren’t near as vocal as cubs fans. I went to game 5 of the NLDS a few years back and it was louder for the cubbies at the Ted then for the braves and they are absolutely obnoxious. In a wierd way though I wish Atlanta fans had that same kind of fire. But it can be boring to be a braves fan at times. I still say go Braves no matter what and I hope that they can turn this around soon, because right now it hurts to be a braves fan.
By vic
June 10, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Braves may win one if they’re lucky. Cubs have a Mgr. with some balls that demands his player give 100%. Braves living in the past on the great Cox good old boys show. I hope the Braves win despite of Bobby.
By D-Cider
June 10, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
Terrie, there is another difference between braves’ fans and cubs’ fans. the braves choke in the postseason
By Terence Moore
June 10, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
Bravedawg,
I remember that playoff series you’re talking about quite well. It was embarrassing if you were an Atlanta sports fan.
Then again, for some perspective, the Cubs produce something close to that type of reaction in many opposing ballparks. The same goes for the Yankees and the Red Sox. They all are baseball’s version of America’s Team.
It’s just that such a reaction for a popular opposing team becomes even more pronounced in Atlanta, because the fans here aren’t as consistently fervent.
And that’s an understatement.
By sokak6
June 10, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
Brill, you are absolutely correct nothing like a luke warm stadium steak from some mega supplier. I wonder why Chicago doesn’t have flashing lights and screaming music to tell you when to cheer.
By juli Pena
June 10, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
I’ve lived in Georgia 13 years. I am one those Crazy die hard Cub fans. My parents lived bocks from Wrigley. It is in my blood and I am brain washing all my nephews and nieces to be cub fans as well. The Braves are my second team-even over the Chicago White Sox. But they are so quiet and never give the Braves credit for being a good team-Heck they won 14 division titles. And they Use their Farm league instead of paying fat head stars.
By Bravos
June 10, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
When the weather gets hot in July and August, so do the Braves. The Cubbies will wilt like the ivy.
By JD
June 10, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
Like i told everybody at the first of the season the Braves are a third place team.