Putting the Cubs' historic NL title victory in perspective

by Ted Escobar
| October 29, 2016 1:00 AM

My son Teddy called Saturday night. After we discussed his reason, I mentioned the Cubs had just made it the World Series.

“No, really?,” he said.

Yes, really. I’m watching the celebration right now.

“I can’t believe it. When was the last time?

1945.

“1945? That was the year you were born.”

Yup, it’s been 71 years.

That comment put the Cubs’ accomplishment in perspective. Whenever we play golf and I trash talk with my sons, Teddy’s favorite phrase is “old man.”

I’m not really old, I think. But regarding a Cub world series, I’ve said things like: Wow, that was a long time ago.

It’s been more than a century since the Cubs won the World Series – 1908. William Howard Taft was elected president that November. This country had not yet fought in World War I.

Since 1945, there have been 17 presidential elections. The major leagues have added 14 teams. Some teams, like the Seattle Pilots, have come and gone.

The 1945 major leagues included the St. Louis Browns, the Washington Senators, the Boston Braves, the Philadelphia Athletics, the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers.

I was watching the LSU-Ole Miss football game when I saw mention of the Cubs’ win on the ticker at the bottom of the screen. I turned back to watch the celebration.

I’ve seen lots of World Series-clinching celebrations. This one topped them all. The absolute joy on the faces of Cubs fans made me tear up.

A few names in Cubs history were mentioned. The players who stood out for me were shortstop Ernie Banks, first baseman Billy Williams, third baseman Ron Santo and pitcher Ferguson Jenkins.

Jenkins had seven 20-win seasons in the majors, six with the Cubs. Williams hit 396 of his 426 home runs for the Cubs. Santo, who was born in Seattle, hit 337 of his 342 for the Cubs. Over 19 seasons, Banks – Mr. Cub – hit 512 homers for the Cubs.

As I thought back through the years about the Cubs, I was reminded of baseball’s place in American culture. Its begrudging acceptance of black players in 1947 was pivotal in race relations.

Abner Doubleday, who was credited with inventing the game in 1839, was a Union General in the Civil War. He is credited with firing the first shot in defense of Ft. Sumter.

Baseball was a popular camp game during the war. It’s been reported there were occasional games between Yankee and Rebel sides.

The war ended in 1865. The Cincinnati Red Stockings Baseball Club was formed in 1866. It became the first all-professional team in 1869.

For many years, the baseball season started with a Reds game only on opening day. Baseball was played in daytime only, and men wore coats and ties to the ball park.

It’s been said that baseball’s golden era has passed. I’ll bet you can’t convince Cubs fans of that today.