A Vision?
Okay. A quick review.

2004 World Series goes to the Red Sox breaking a long-standing curse from 1918.

2005 World Series goes to the White Sox breaking a long-standing curse from 1917. In so doing they beat the Houston Astros who were in their first World Series in their 44-year history.

Now, I am not a prophet or one prone to visions. But this one came to me. There are only two teams who have been without a World Series appearance, let alone a win, for longer than the White Sox.

The Texas Rangers since, I believe, 1960.

and, of course,

The Chicago Cubs, without a win since 1908 and have not been in a World Series since 1945.

Told his friends "You know the law of averages says:
Anything will happen that can."
That's what it says.
"But the year the Cubs last won a national league pennant
Was the year we dropped the bomb on Japan"
--Steve Goodman, A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request

So, it is October, 2006. Merely a year away. Al the odds have been beaten. All the curses overcome. It is the 7th game of the most incredible World Series in history. The Texas Rangers and the Chicago Cubs have battled. They are in Texas for this last game. Each team has won three games.

It is the bottom of the ninth inning. The Cubs lead by two runs. There are two outs, no one on base, Rangers batting.

The count goes to 3 balls and two strikes. Chicago fans are amazed. It could actually happen.

The pitcher wishes this were football. Take a knee, run out the clock, whatever. No such luck. This is baseball. Sooner or later you have to deliver the pitch. And nearly 100 years of waiting will be over.

The wind-up.

The pitch.

Then, in the twinkling of an eye, the first moment of a breath....

The heavens open and Jesus returns.

Do they still play the blues in Chicago
When baseball season rolls around
When the snow melts away,
Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy covered burial ground
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
But now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave
The land of the free
And the doormat of the national league
--Steve Goodman, A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request