If you read my earlier post this week, I wrote about how the Hawaiian Islands were so magical when following the Chicago Cubs. Unfortunately, the winning magic that I experienced on a previous trip had turned sour on the first few days of this adventure to Maui.  After losing three straight games to the Pirates and game one of the Brewers series, all a Wrigley Field, I vowed not to leave the Islands until they won.  Fortunately, they won the next two games against the Brewers and maintained their home field dignity, so I can leave now.

Once the Cubs broke the curse, expectations for me were high this year – probably unrealistic.  Admittedly, I’ve expected at least a couple of sweeps early in the season, and that has yet to happen.  They lost to the Cardinals on opening day, before taking the next two games at Busch. They then lost game one to the Brewers before winning the next two;  and beat the Dodgers on opening day at Wrigley before dropping the final two at home.  The Brewers took the first two in Milwaukee before the Cubs could salvage game 3, followed by the shocking four-game losing streak at home, that ended happily with the Cubbies coming through to win the series.

Maybe Maui can provide the powerful magic to get that first Cubs sweep of the year.  I’m currently monitoring the first game at Cincinnati, where they were “struggling,” to the point that Anthony Rizzo needed three-run homer heroics  in the bottom of the ninth to get to extra innings.  Kris Bryant put them ahead in the 11th with a sacrifice fly and Davis got the save.  They are off to a good start against the first place Reds.  I’d like to come back again, and I’d like to think that when I do make the trip here, the Cubs will always win!  Fly the Pacific “W” I’m coming home!