Try as they may, the Cubs still haven’t made me an atheist

A friend told me that after the Cubs went down meekly in Game 2 of the NLDS, he peeked into the bedroom of his 11 year old son and his kid’s eyes were red from crying. I can only imagine how that child feels right now. After this season of promise. After so much expectation. After investing so much emotional capital.

This one really hurts.

That’s the thing about sports. People care so damn deeply. And that’s why it’s such an effective tool to use in marketing.

There’s politics and there’s religion, each of which engenders some pretty strong beliefs and adherence. But I’d bet you that other than folks who work day to day to get their guy elected, there are very few people who suffer through sleepless nights after their candidate loses. And that’s when the decision affect four years! We get another chance next year to try to win again. Then again, us Cubs fans have been saying that for…well, 100 years now.

And religion? Many would tell you that the Cubs/Celtics/Red Wings/Redskins/Arsenal IS their religion.

The emotions involved in sports are wonderful and magical and horrible. So when you can harness those emotions and leverage an insight into them, you can create something powerful.

If I were a marketer right now, I’d think about using Manny Ramirez. I know he has his shtick. But he’s on top of the world, for now.

The Cubs sure could have used him.