Cubs World Series: It’s about so much more than baseball

Everyone loves an underdog, so it is not surprising that people all over the world are rooting for the Cubbies to win the 2016 World Series. But to true, longtime Cubs fans this is about so much more than hoping the lovable losers can clinch the big title. It's about the stories, the traditions, and the love.

Cub fans love repeating the passed-down stories of glorious players and games long since gone. Gabby Hartnett, Ernie Banks, Ron Santo. The arguments about which team had more talent - 1945 or 1984? Your dad telling you for the umpteenth time about the 1979 game at Wrigley with a combined 45 runs.

It's about family traditions. Like letting your high school student skip school on Opening Day. Hearing the voice of Jack Brickhouse streaming from radios all through the neighborhood on a spring Saturday. It's about four generations sitting in the upper deck chomping on hot dogs and singing Take Me Out to the Ballpark. Or, in my family, dads taking their sons to Chicago every summer on a road trip that was eagerly anticipated all year long.

When I think of the Cubs, I remember taking the CTA to games with my friends, learning how to keep official score, standing in lines on autograph days, convincing Fergie Jenkins to autograph my midriff, buying bleacher seats for $1, slurping on chocolate malt cups, and so many more special memories.

The Cubs were also a godsend when my oldest son had to stay home with his dad who was fighting brain cancer. They watched every game together that they could the summer of 2007. The Cubs finished first in their division that year after finishing last the year before. Our hopes were way up, but they were dashed by a sweep in the first postseason matchup with Arizona. We took my husband to a game that summer. It wasn't easy, but we all went and cherished the time together. Later in 08, when my husband lost his battle, I laid five things in his casket. A Cubs pennant was one of the treasured items.

You learn a lot when you follow a team that has had more downs than ups. You come to understand optimism, hope, gratitude, perseverance, perspective, and valuing the experience as much as the results. Being a Cubs fan is a part of my history, my family, my loves. I am thankful for what it has added to my life. Even if they don't win the series, this has been an incredibly joyful season. But let's win the series. Really, guys. Come on, LET'S GO CUBBIES!

' Linda Kuster has loved calling Cedar Rapids home since 1983 but grew up in the city of Chicago. She married a Cubs fan (a requirement) and raised three more. Linda works at Vernon Research Group. If the Cubs are playing for the trophy this Sunday, you'll find her in the streets of Wrigleyville. Comments: lbkoffers@gmail.com