Levine: These Cubs Are Making Their Own History

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- With the first World Series games being played at Wrigley Field this weekend since 1945, Cubs players have been questioned for months about black cats, goats and curses.

These Cubs have been respectful of the franchise's great teams of the past. They're keenly aware of the rich tradition that had brought 10 National League pennants and two World Series winners home from 1906 to 1945.

All of that said, the present-day Cubs want people to understand they're writing their own history into the record books and franchise lore.

"When we were trying to win with the Angels for the first time, we wanted to do it for (Gene Autry the first owner of the franchise)," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "At the same time, you wanted to do it for everyone in the organization and your own group. You want to create your own history. We are very much aware of what has gone on in the past. We have to live in the present. If you don't, you would never be able to get to this juncture of the season."

Shortstop Addison Russell was just 9 the last time the Cubs even sniffed a trip to the World Series, in 2003. His perspective of the team and its history was remote when he was traded to Chicago in July 2014. Like his teammates, Russell now must answer questions about what has occurred in the past 108 years ago.

"This is a new age," Russell said. "We have a chance to not only do something great this year but do some great things in the years to come. With the group we have established, we can only get stronger."

"Building a new tradition" was the theme of Dallas Green's front office when he took over the Cubs as the top baseball executive in 1982. This marketing phrase annoyed and insulted many fans who loved the heritage of Chicago Cubs baseball. They were offended by the campaign despite the 37-year postseason drought that the franchise had experienced at the time.

This group has been more sensitive to the history of the team. Behind the Ricketts family ownership and the Theo Epstein-led baseball department, the Cubs are slowly carving in their own important Chicago footprint in the record books.

"This has been a fun process here, understanding what it means to be a Cub," said Epstein, the architect of Red Sox championships in 2004 and 2007. "I did not have to go through that process in Boston, because I grew up rooting for the team. I feel I now understand and like being here quiet a bit."

The theme is the same for these history-making Cub players of 2016.

"There is no need to talk about the past for us," third baseman Kris Bryant said. "It is a cool story. We have bigger things to worry about. We live in the now."

Outfielder Dexter Fowler had a profound take on the Cubs mystique.

"You all talk about history," Fowler said. "We are just trying to make it."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.