by Editor’s Note: I wrote this a while ago, just now getting around to posting it
I recently heard someone muse that the Chicago Cubs bring in a huge revenue stream, win or lose, and so it doesn’t really matter if they win, or if they show any class. Conversely, the Saint Louis Cardinals have to win to keep their fans happy and continue bringing in money. If money is all baseball is to the Cubs and their fans, then they’re worse than I thought.
Let’s talk about the numbers. First, we can discuss attendance. The Cardinals have achieved an attendance over 3 million 9 out of the last 10 seasons, with the off year being 2003 when they had an attendance of 2.9 million. Two seasons, 2005 and 2007, they hit over 3.5 million in paid attendance. For the cubs, they have only seen attendance of 3 million since 2004 (Cards first 3 million year was 1989). Average attendance from 1998 through 2008 was 3.2 million per season for the Saint Louis Cardinals, and 2.9 million per season for the Chicago Cubs[1]. That being said, the Chicago Cubs only post a slightly higher revenue than the Cardinals, probably due to blind merchandise purchases from rabid fans, and have only slightly higher operating cash [2].
I will agree it’s amazing that such a shitty choke-fest of a team with such crappy fans can make that much cash.
My dislike of the Cubs has little to do with the team itself anyway. I like Chicago. I’ve liked several players for Chicago. I love Harry Caray (BTW, the Cardinals had him first). I really take issue with the fans. Here are a few reasons:
1. I’ve been physically assaulted by several Cubs fans completely unprovoked. Just for wearing Cardinals clothing. One of these times is when I was 7 and had beer thrown on me by an adult Cubs fan at Busch Stadium.
2. Carlos Zambrano. Only player from the Cubs I’ve ever *really* disliked. He’s a whiney hothead. I don’t care how good of a pitcher he is. Punching your catcher is never called for unless that dude is trying to assault you himself. And the fans still support him, after he assaulted another player.
3. Hurricane Ike. A hurricane hits Houston. I can handle that. Stupid commissioner moves series to Wrigley North (Milwaukee). Bullshit, but I can handle it. When the Astros get there, they are booed every time they take the field. People are holding signs that say “I Like Ike” and “Rock You Like a Hurricane”. I guess you fuckers thought that was funny, but come down here and live through a hurricane and tell me if it’s fucking funny.
Cubs fans have shown me time and time again that they are some of the most classless people on the planet. I’ve never disliked a sports organization this much (The Utah Jazz might come close, though). I mean, it’s sports, who cares, right? That shows exactly the level of vitriol that Cubs fans put out. I don’t understand the negativity towards other teams, guys. Especially since your team hasn’t won shit in 100 years, and hasn’t even had the chance to win anything for 63.
Stay classy, Chicago. You have another 100 years of frustration to take out on 7-year olds and hurricane victims.
References:
1. ballparksofbaseball.com – http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/attendance.htm
2. Forbes – The Business of Baseball http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/33/biz_baseball08_The-Business-Of-Baseball_Revenue.html