this is, for me, the greatest baseball song ever written. for one thing, every baseball fan knows the tale of woe that is the Chicago Cubs; most of us have seen many Cub games over the years, thanks to WGN being on national cable. but more, the Cubs' failures over the years have become a great American myth, a tale that is larger than the mere facts and beyond the ken of mere mortals to comprehend.

and as a Steve Goodman fan, this song has tremendous poignancy. From his Wikipedia entry:

On September 20, 1984, Goodman died at University of Washington Hospital in Seattle, Washington, his life finally taken by the leukemia from which he had anointed himself with the tongue-in-cheek nickname “Cool Hand Leuk” (other nicknames included “Chicago Shorty” and “The Little Prince”). He was only 36. Just four days after Goodman's death, his beloved Chicago Cubs clinched the Eastern Division title in the National League for the first time ever, earning them their first post-season appearance since 1945, three years before Goodman's birth. Eight days later, on October 2, the Cubs played their first post-season game since the 1945 World Series. Goodman had been asked to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" before it; Jimmy Buffett filled in, and dedicated the song to Goodman. Echoing a line from "Dying Cub Fan", some of Goodman's ashes were scattered at Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicago Cubs.

Spring Training is in full swing. although i still celebrate the Dodgers' thrashing of the Cubs last fall, and would welcome the same come this autumn, i'll begin every baseball season with Steve's great song, dedicated to the love millions of us share for our teams, win or lose.