An early World Series prediction: Cubs will break the curse

I'll admit it: I'm delusional.

Every spring, for as long as I can remember, I've had a dream. Sure, friends told me I was insane and that it would never happen. But no matter — I believed.

You see, I'm a diehard Chicago Cubs fan. So, like the rest of my excessively optimistic brethren, each year I am completely convinced the Cubbies will win the World Series for the first time since 1908.

Before you assume that I was dropped on my head as an infant, let me explain. As a three-year old, my mother bought me a tiny Cubs uniform because she thought it was cute. Although she is a Chicago native, she hates baseball and was by no means trying to turn me into a fan. Little could she know the ramifications of her purchase.

How my father let this occur is still somewhat beyond me. He grew up a Yankees fan on Long Island, attending games at Yankee Stadium during the Mantle-Maris era. Yet, when my mother dressed me in a Cubs uniform, he did not object.

What he was thinking, I'll never know. After all, as a Yankees fan, my life would be far less stressful. Of course, I would be arrogant, spoiled and generally evil, but that's not the point.

Nonetheless, I was destined to love the Cubs. Since the day that I first donned my tiny Cubs jersey, my interest in the team has gradually grown, transforming from an innocent hobby into a pathological obsession.

For instance, as a kid, I wore various Cubs uniforms for Halloween for roughly a decade straight. In 1994, during the strike, I walked around with a sign reading, "On Strike: Need Candy."

Yes, I really am that pathetic.

In fact, it gets worse. During bicker, I was asked several times where in the world I would most like to spend a day. While my friends named scenic locales like Hawaii or the Bahamas, I invariably replied Wrigley Field. You see, I can think of no more relaxing activity than watching the Cubs, even though I generally end up screaming in disgust for the majority of the game.

But back to the point. I admit that my eternal belief that this year will finally be the Cubs' year is rather foolish. Because — let's face it, folks — it's long been common knowledge that cows will fly before the Cubs win the World Series. So, while Cubs fans salivate to visions of a championship, sane individuals rationally predict that the Cubs will finish near the bottom of the league.

Until this year, that is.

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In its annual baseball preview, hitting newstands this week, Sports Illustrated boldly proclaims "Hell Freezes Over: The Cubs Will Win The World Series." The venerable publication is not alone — the Cubs have become the trendy pick.

It's about damn time.

Actually, if not for the hands of Lady Fate, and her friend Steve Bartman, the Cubs might very well have reached the mountain top last October. They had the eventual champion Florida Marlins on the ropes. At the very least, it seemed certain that Wrigley Field would see its first Fall Classic since 1945.

Of course, disaster struck, sending the entire Cubs nation into a month-long depression. It was simply too painful to talk about — nothing could be said to ease the pain of another winter of discontent. One fellow Cubs fan kicked an actual hole in his dorm room wall — that's passion.

But there's no sense in harping on the past, so I digress. This year is different. Simply put, all the necessary elements are in place. No longer will the Cubs be relegated to the unenviable status of lovable losers.

Let's talk pitching. For years a weakness, the Cubs now lay claim to the top rotation in baseball. Yes, I know, Mark Prior is currently hobbled by a sore Achilles' heel. But he'll return soon enough, back on the fast track to the Hall of Fame. When healthy, he's the most talented pitcher anywhere in the world.

Besides, the staff is far too deep to be ruined by the loss of one starter. Kerry Wood, a young Roger Clemens, is just entering his prime. One day, he too will have a plaque in Cooperstown. There, he will join Greg Maddux, who will spend the year dripping pearls of wisdom upon the eager young staff — not to mention winning 15 games. The fourth and fifth starters, Carlos Zambrano and Matt Clement, would be the ace of many a staff. If that wasn't enough, the bullpen was bolstered over the winter.

There's plenty of firepower on offense too. Everyone knows about Sammy Sosa. But Corey Patterson, not Sosa, will be the Cubs' best hitter this year. Before he was injured last July, he was a lock for the All-Star team. Fully healed, he'll be there this year. And the rest of the lineup — Moises Alou, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and friends — ain't too shabby either.

Clearly, I could write an entire senior thesis on the reasons the Cubs are lock this year, but I'll spare you. Yes, I know all about the Sports Illustrated jinx. Yes, I know all about the curse of the Billy Goat.

But this is the year that those curses, not to mention 95 years of history, will finally be reversed.

I believe.