I’m not a Cleveland Indians fan or a Chicago Cubs fan.

 

But I’m glad both teams made it to the World Series this year.

 

It’s been a long time coming for the Cubs. The last time they made it to the series was 1945 when they lost to the Detroit Tigers. The last time they won the World Series was 1908.

 

Being a New York Mets fan, I’m usually rooting against the Cubs. That’s what happened last year when the Mets swept the Cubs in four games in the National League Championship Series.

 

I was also rooting for the Cubs to lose back in 1969. That year, the Cubs held a 9 1/2 game lead over the Mets in mid-August. Over the next few weeks of the season, the Cubs fell apart, posting a record of 18-27. 

 

Over that same period, the Mets went on an amazing surge, winning 38 of their last 49 games to pull away. They made it to the World Series that year and beat the heavily-favored Baltimore Orioles in five games.

 

It took a long time for the Cubs to get over that fateful year. It was 15 years before they reached the playoffs, and they’ve played in the post-season just seven times in the past 47 years.

 

When the Mets made the playoffs this year  as a wildcard team, I thought maybe they’d be playing the Cubs again. But the Mets lost to the San Francisco Giants and were eliminated.

 

That’s when I started rooting for the Cubs. Some might say there was a little guilt involved because of all the times I wanted them to lose. But I think it was more a case of appreciation for their patience. No team deserves a chance more than they do. Plus, they had the best record in baseball this season.

 

It’s the same with the Indians. Their last World Championship was in 1948. They’ve had a few good years since then. They’ve made the post-season 15 times and made it to the World Series (and lost) in 1954, 1995 and 1997. 

 

They’ve never gotten the recognition other American League teams like the Yankees, Orioles and Red Sox have gotten over the years. 

 

Maybe that will change, now that baseball fans across the country can see just how good they really are.

 

I think it’s good for baseball when two teams with such a long drought finally get to share the limelight.

 

I don’t care who comes out on top. I’d be happy with either team as the champion. 

 

It’s just too bad one of them isn’t going to win.

 

There’s always next year.