When Jason Kipnis was a young boy, he used to dream of coming up in the bottom of the ninth and being the hero that ended nearly a century of agony for Chicago Cubs fans. Now, the Cleveland Indians infielder has to try and extend the suffering for at least another year.
Kipnis grew up roughly 30 minutes from Wrigley Field, and his family is filled with diehard Cubs fans. For someone who can remember Sammie Sosa and Mark McGwire battling for the home run record and Steve Bartman infamously interfering with a ball like it was just yesterday, Kipnis has a ton of mixed emotions heading into the World Series.
“The 10-year-old boy in me is saying, ‘Why does it have to be the Cubs?’ he told Zack Meisel of Cleveland.com. “I even teared up because I didn’t know how to handle it. I didn’t know what to think.”
Kipnis has three siblings, all of whom are Cubs fans. Many of his friends are Cubs season-ticket holders. Despite that, his family and friends have vowed to support their son, brother and friend as he tries to end Cleveland’s own title drought, which at 68 years is 40 years younger than Chicago’s.
“It’s intimidating a little bit, the idea,” Kipnis admitted. “You dream about it and you’re always excited, but then when it comes to fruition, you’re like, ‘Holy crap, this is actually going to happen. Everybody is going to be there watching.
“Without me having to say anything they reaffirmed that, ‘Hey, we’re on the Indians’ side. The curse can wait one more year.'”
Conflicts like the one Kipnis is dealing with happen all the time. Professional athletes were all fans of a team like the rest of us at one point, and it’s hard to erase those allegiances — just ask this NFL linebacker. Beating the Cubs would be the ultimate bittersweet moment for Kipnis and those close to him.
