The League: 100 Years and Counting...

Chances are the last time the Chicago Cubs were crowned World Champions, your Grandaddy wasn't even born yet. And that's because the 2008 season will mark the 100th anniversary of the Cub's last World Series title.

So what a story it would turn out to be, if the Cubs happened to celebrate a Championship year for the first time since 1908. Their current 100 year drought without a World Series title is the longest in any professional sport. In 2003 the Cubs found themselves just five outs away from a National League Pennant and on their way to a Championship season. But in game 6 of the NLCS disaster struck in the top of the 8th inning, in what became known as the Bartman incident.

Although anyone with half a brain would know that a fan trying to catch a foul ball had no bearing on the shortcomings of the 2003 Cubs, the seasons following the incident were a complete downward spiral for the organization. The Cubs would eventually hit rock bottom in 2006, finishing their season as the worst team in the National League.

Then in 2007, things began to turn around for the Cubs. Dusty Baker was let go, and in came fiery Lou Pinella, along with with some free agent signings that showcased the organizations willingness to rebuild into a winning team. All Star converted outfielderAlfonso Soriano signed a multi million dollar deal, and the Cubs finally began to centralize their pitching staff around new pitching acquisitions instead of relying on injury prone Mark Prior and Kerry Wood.

The moves worked, and Lou Pinella took the Cubs from worst to first, clinching a National League Central Division title, although an early post season series loss to the underdog Arizona Diamondbacks left Cubs fans with a sour taste in their mouth after an impressive regular season.

2008 seems to be the year for the Cubs, and they've got the roster to prove it. Only one major acquisition was made during the off season, but it may prove to be the missing piece of the puzzle. Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome signed a $48 million dollar deal in early December, and he's got the potential for an All Star caliber season.

The Northsiders seem solidified in every single position for the start of the 2008 season, beginning with an impressive infield being led by 2 time All Star 1st Baseman Derek Lee and power hitting 3rd baseman Aramis Ramirez. Ryan Theriot and Mark DeRosa will complete the double play duo in the middle infield. It seems rookie catcher Giovanni Soto, who pratically stole the job from Jason Kendall towards the end of last season, will be doing the everyday catching. If his offensive performance in last year's post season is any indication, he should have an establishing rookie year in the Majors.

Soriano and Fukudome will be working the outfield corners at Wrigley, while the center field position will most likely be taken over by Felix Pie.

The Cubs' pitching rotation appears to be very solid as well, with pitching Ace Carlos Zambrano leading the way. If he is able to keep his emotions in check, both on and off the field, a Cy Young award at the end of the season is not out of the question. Completing the rotation are Ted Lilly, Rich Hill, Jon Lieber and Ryan Dempster, who will be making a return to the starting role after being the Cubs 9th inning man for the last couple of seasons.

With Dempster back in the rotation, the closer's role has been up for grabs this spring training, with Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol both becoming potential candidates.

Perhaps the most prevalent weakness for the Cubs this season will be their lack of depth in the bench. Daryl Ward can provide a nice offensive boost every now and then, but it will be crucial for the Cubs to remain relatively healthy for the duration of the season. This is especially true about the four big gunners, Soriano, Ramirez, Lee and Fukudome. A season ending injury to any of these players, and the Cubs post season hopes may be all too unrealistic.

The Cubs are poised to once again run away with the National League Central Division. A division that would appear to be one of the weaker in the entire League.

Anything short of a National League pennant will be deemed an unsuccessful season to what has already become an unsuccessful century to Cubs fans, both young and old.