With the season approaching, everybody has begun to make season predictions. And what come along with the predictions are World Series predictions as well. Some people make them off of last year’s results, off season additions or losses and many just base it on their favourite team.

Okay, so it seems as if analysts have agreed that the World Series will be the Phillies and Red Sox. Well many people don’t really care what the analysts say because there is someone to advocate for every team that they’ll make it to the Series. Is there much to support some of these predictions? Not really, but that’s what being a fan is all about. Nobody is going to flat out think that their favourite team is going to come last in their division.

Every year I decide to claim the pennant before the season even begins and make my opinion known. It’s part of being a stereotyped die-hard fan around here. Unfortunately at the end of every season I have to eat my words. But then the next season comes around and I’ll claim it again. People tell me they’ll come in last but obviously I’m not going to predict that my favourite team will come in last.

Take the Orioles for example. They are in tough company over in the AL East. Many fans are going to claim the Orioles are going to win the pennant. Kind of a tough prediction with the fellow competitors in the division. But of course they won’t come in last again because this is their year, say Oriole fans. Hey they might, but I wouldn’t make a definite prediction amongst the Yankees, Red Sox, Jays and Rays. It’ll be a tough one over there.

And how about the Cubs? Why can’t the Cubs break their World Series-less streak this year? Fans have said “next year will be our year” for a while now. I’d say the Cubs have some of the most loyal fans out of every team.  They prove my point because despite their drought of winning the World Series, every year will apparently be there year. But hey! That’s what being a fan is about.

It’s part of the beauty of the game. Does it mean that analysts’ predictions are always wrong? Well no, but it’s just their prediction. Maybe the Phillies and the Red Sox will meet in the October Classic. But being a fan is more about team loyalty because eventually your favourite team will win the World Series. Might as well claim the pennant because why can’t it be this year?

“Realizing that if you dream hard enough, you really are part of the team.”

-Sydney

Question of the day: What is the most memorable season-opener you have seen?