Fansided

Each state’s nominee for America’s Team

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
13 of 50
Next
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Indians in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Indians in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Illinois

Chicago Cubs

Despite building the longest World Series championship drought in MLB history, the Chicago Cubs developed a national allegiance decades ago. Part of that reach came from nationally televised games on the WGN network (and doubly so since Chicago hosted more day games than the average major league club), and part was the unofficial branding of the club as “lovable losers.”

Many fans flock to underdogs, and those fans found a perfect match in the Cubs. However, the team picked up steam under curse killer Theo Epstein and a revamped front office in 2012, first bottoming out with 101 losses and building the best farm system in baseball. After plucking everyone’s favorite manager, Joe Maddon, from the Tampa Bay Rays after the 2014 season, and jumping from 73 wins to 97 in 2015, the opposite end of the fan spectrum (those of the fair weather variety), also took notice.

The Cubs were swept in the 2015 National League Championship Series, but after beating the Cleveland Indians (the franchise that now owns the longest title drought in baseball) in a dramatic extra-inning Game 7, there’s now talk of a dynasty.

Fans have long flocked to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field for the novelty of the ivy on the brick outfield wall and the fact the structure is one of the oldest of its type in America. Fans across the country have often had a soft spot in their hearts for the Cubbies. But now that the franchise is on firm footing with a roster stocked with young talent, the sky’s the limit – and America is watching more than ever.

Home/College Football