Look at these bright, hopeful faces. The year was 1969, and the Bleacher Bums* were at the pinnacle of their notoriety. If the eight youngsters in this photo had known that, 43 years later, they would still not have seen a Cubs World Series appearance, would they have resigned their fandom right then and there?

*Understanding that actual Bleacher Bums were adults. The kids in this Sun-Times photo might better be described as a Bleacher Bums junior auxiliary.