An open plea to the Cubs: Don't win!

Yes, of course, you say. Just the sort of thing you'd expect from a Cub-hating White Sox fan.

But no! I'm thinking of the Cubs' place in history.

In 2004 the Red Sox broke the so-called "Curse of the Bambino" and won the World Serious for the first time in 86 years.

The White Sox broke an 88-year drought in 2005.

Long intervals between championships have been done. Right now, the Cub futility meter is merely 99 years. If they did win it all this year, it would be just another long streak come to an end.

But... if they blow it... if they lose... next year will be the 100th Anniversary of their last World Championship. That's when the opportunity will come for true immortality.

We put a fourth star in the Chicago flag for the Century of Progress Exposition of 1933. The City Fathers might be moved to add a fifth star to commemorate the Cub Century of Futility -- but 99 years just won't do it.

The Cubs need that third digit to become forever memorable.

Decades from now -- centuries from now -- when people reach for a metaphor of ultimate futility and frustration -- they can cite the Cubs. That's a lot easier to spell than Sisyphus anyway.

Oh, sure, winning now will make a lot of people in Chicago happy. Probably about two-thirds of all the baseball fans in Chicago. (Even Sox fans are forced to acknowledge there are more Cub than White Sox fans in Chicago -- there are several reasons why -- none of which are relevant to today's plea.)

But that number of happy people will include all sorts of bandwagon jumpers and true Cub fans surely don't want them riding along. They'll want the triumph for themselves.

But winning a World Series is just a moment. A fleeting thing. Cub fans: Just ask your White Sox fan neighbors.

You have a chance for a truly memorable achievement here. So, join with me Cub fans, and root against your team.

Destiny awaits.