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(AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

The Chicago Cubs came into 2008 season, expected to bring a 100-year World Series drought to a glorious end. With a bullpen equaled by no other, a bench deeper than A-Rods pocket and a batting order with virtually no weaknesses, even many Cubs fans began to say, "This is the year."

Lead by the always-exciting Skipper Lou Pinella the Cubs looked sharp, and on their way to fulfill the prophecy; sporting 97 wins for the National League's best regular season record; the Northsiders never looked back to worry about the usual NL Central Opponents. Truly, it seemed to be fairy tale season with seven Cubs named to the All-star Team, including rookie standout, catcher Giovanni Soto and Japanese sensation Kosuke Fukadome. A strong bullpen got stronger with the acquisition of Rich Harden, as well as solid performances from Dempster, Marmol, and Wood. Not to mention, the first no-no in 36 years by the dominating Cubby ace known as Carlos Zambrano.

Matched against the Los Angeles Dodgers who hired legendary manager, Joe Torre, and acquired the always-controversial Manny Ramirez, the post season Dodgers were quite different from the team the Cubs went 5-2 against during the regular season. Winning home field advantage, the Cubs failed to capitalize on this opportunity, and never generated a consistent offense whatsoever. The most painful game was the Cubs 10-3 debacle in game two; a game in which all four starting infielders committed errors. Down 2-0 the series moved away from the Friendly Confines where the Dodgers completed the first round sweep of the magical centennial season. In the words of Yogi Berra it was, "deja vu all over again" as the Chicago Cubs lost there second straight Division League Series.

Fundamental mistakes, sub-par pitching, and the absence of any sign of life at the plate, made this one more long cold winter for the Chicago faithful to hope for a better day; a day to see our beloved Cubs break the curse of the Billy Goat, the Bartman, and now the recurring first round collapse.

As painful as it was, the Cubs gave it a good run, and when the tears dry up, and the hopes and heartaches of the 2008 season fade, all true Cubs fans with a smirk and a sigh will speak those infamous words... "There's always next year."

Personal Note: My father passed his love for the Cubs on to me. My first sports memory was a trip to the hallowed grounds of Wrigley Field, and there, for better or for worse, I was baptized into the Cubs faithful family. Growing up in North Carolina, rooting against the Braves was always taboo, yet I'm proud to say I grew up sporting Ryne Sandberg's number in T-Ball, and hoping Slammin' Sammy would pass up Mark McGuire. I personally cursed Bartman via my television set, and had my money on Z in the Zambrano vs. Barrett showdown. Being a Cubs fan has made life interesting, sometimes painful, but always fun.