By Brendan O’Connell

After years of misery and virtual irrelevance, the Chicago Cubs may finally be turning their franchise around for the long haul.
Then again, they are the Cubs, so do not hold your breath.
107 years into their World Series title drought, the Cubs have suffered through pain and agony only a Red Sox fan could remotely understand. In 2004, the Sox won their first title in 86 seasons, lifting the infamous “Curse of the Bambino,” and the Sox have won two more championships since.
The Cubs will likely have a chance this postseason to raise their own trophy, as the team is currently in position to play in the National League Wild Card game. Regardless of how far the team can advance in the postseason, this season represents a new era of hope and possibility for Cubs fans.
In 2011, general manager Theo Epstein, who helped bring Boston its 2004 and 2007 championships, was hired as the team’s President of Baseball Operations.
In their first three seasons with Epstein at the helm, the Cubs finished in last place in the National League Central, with a combined 86 games under .500. So far this season, the Cubs are 21 games over .500 and comfortably lead the race for the National League’s second wildcard spot.
So what is behind their resurgence? A couple of key factors come into play.
It all starts with the skipper. This offseason, the Cubs signed former Tampa Bay Rays skipper Joe Maddon as the team manager. Maddon is a vivacious personality with a unique approach and has been quite successful in recent years, earning Manager of the Year honors twice in his decade-long career.
Maddon has brought a winning attitude and a fun, free and fearless spirit to the team. Famous for bringing strange animals and DJs into the locker room to keep a loose and light atmosphere, as well as shifting unconventionally in the field, his philosophies are refreshing and different.
Maddon is not affected by the pressure or challenges that he and the team are faced with. Instead, he has approached the situation with optimism.
When he was introduced as manager, Maddon said, “The challenge is so outstanding, how could you not want be in this? I do not know all the circumstances surrounding the last 107 years…but I’m way too optimistic to worry about things like that… Why would you not want to accept this challenge in this city, in that ballpark, under these circumstances, with this talent?”
The talent Maddon speaks of has delivered encouraging results. An emergence of talented youngsters has propelled the team to success this season, and veteran pitching has provided a solid foundation for the operation as a whole.
Boasting four of the NL’s top rookies (Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Soler), the Cubs have hit a jackpot in their farm system, which has fed the major league team in recent years. This jackpot was part of Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer’s plan to develop their youth and revive the franchise through a slow and steady progression.
These talented up-and-comers join 25-year-old Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro, also 25, and Dexter Fowler, 29, as part of a budding core in Chicago. This season, Rizzo ranks 4th in the NL in OPS and WAR, and 5th in Home Runs and RBIs and Fowler ranks 3rd in Runs.
The big-splash signing in free agency this offseason was Jon Lester. He has been solid for most of the season, possessing a 9-10 record with a 3.59 ERA. Jake Arrieta has had the hot hand, making a case for the Cy Young Award with a stellar 19-6 record and 1.99 ERA and ranking second in both categories in the National League this season.
A strong bullpen led by closer Hector Rondon and veteran Jason Motte has provided reliable support for the starters throughout the year.
The Cubs have established a high-powered, yet balanced offensive attack, with a dependable pitching staff to complement it. The groundswell of prospects will continue to emerge and bolster the ballclub, making success finally on the horizon for the Cubs.
For a franchise tormented by memories of the Steve Bartman incident and the “Billy Goat Curse,” this fresh management style and revitalized roster bring promise. If this type of progress continues, Wrigley Field may soon be home to the World Champions for the first time in the Cubs’ 99 year history with the ballpark.