Ernie Banks has envisioned the scene before, but this year it feels more realistic than it has in 100 years – a World Series parade for the Cubs through the streets of Chicago.
“It will be the biggest thing since the World’s Fair in 1933,” Banks said of the event that drew 48 million visitors when he was 2 years old. “It will be a town that [evangelist] Billy Sunday couldn’t shut down.”
As the baseball season takes its annual midseason break, the Cubs are the story of the National League. The team has the best record in the NL and seems to have all the ingredients to keep winning right through October.
The loyal Cubs fans who have suffered through a century of black cats, billy goats and Bartman are not the only ones holding out hope that this might be, could be, has to be, finally, THE YEAR.
The Post talked to three of the most beloved players in Cubs history – Banks, Ryne Sandberg and Ron Santo – about this year’s Cubs and whether this could be the year the curses and misfortune end.
“It sure feels like it,” said Sandberg, who now manages the Peoria Chiefs, a Cubs Single-A affiliate. “They seem to be headed in the right direction. I would say their chances are greater this year than in years past.”
Lou Piniella’s crew has done it by winning every way possible. They’ve had great offense, great pitching, speed on the bases and solid defense.
At Wrigley Field, they’ve been unstoppable. They are 34-10 this season playing at home. There has been a better reason to go to the ballpark this season than the ivy, cold beer and seventh-inning stretch sing-a-long.
“There’s not a better place to be,” Santo, now a broadcaster for the team, said.
The three players played a combined 48 seasons for the Cubs, and only Sandberg ever saw the playoffs. The Cubs’ last World Series appearance came eight years before Banks made his debut in 1953.
The former players have lived through plenty of losing, that’s why watching these Cubs gives them such a thrill.
“Ronny, Fergie [Jenkins], Billy [Williams], Sandberg, we’re just sitting there watching and overjoyed by the way the team is playing,” said Banks, a Hall of Famer who was selected to the All-Star team 14 times.
All three are fans of rookie Kosuke Fukudome, who has been a huge part of the team’s success this year.
“This guy plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played,” Santo said. “He’s sparked the club.”
Fukudome is one of seven All-Stars for the Cubs. Joining him will be fellow rookie Geovany Soto, Alfonso Soriano, Kerry Wood, Ryan Dempster, Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano.
The success across the board has everyone dreaming.
“This is the year,” Banks said. “The team is real sound. Power, pitching, defense, everything. We’ve got it really together for the first time since I’ve been around.”
All of which has former Cubs from all generations dreaming of a celebration for the ages.
“This place would go nuts,” Santo said. “It wouldn’t just be a parade. It would go on all year.”
Sandberg nearly went to the World Series in 1984 before the Padres broke Chicago’s hearts. He’s ready to see what it would be like if it’s finally the Cubs’ turn to wear the ring.
“I don’t know if Chicago can handle that,” the Hall of Famer said. “It would be fun to find out, though.”