"Happy new year!"
It's the single most joyous thing you can say about a new year.
And since 2016 is the Cubs' year, they should own those words.
Let's take today's New Year's Eve opportunity to sing 2016's joyful praises.
Because we are Cub Fans and we deserve it.
Look at this:
Never before has any Cubs.com artwork inspired such pure, not-a-specka-cereal joy.
We'll experience new joy the first time Jason Heyward hunts down a sinking liner, the first time Adam Warren k's a guy.
Ben Zobrist.
The Cubs went out and got Ben Zobrist to play 2nd.
Remember Brian Roberts? All the non-joy associated with not getting that guy?
This time, the Cubs got their man.
Joy!
Superman Jake Arrieta and his 2015 Cy Young.
That guy is a Cub?
Now add Jon Lester and John Lackey.
As Ren and Stimpy once sang, "Happy happy joy joy."
What fool is going to try to run on Jorge Soler?
What river is Kyle Schwarber gonna deposit home run balls in?
What will you feel the first time you see Kris Bryant put one over the scoreboard?
Joy.
That commercial they ran last year - the one with the opera sound track, the obvious "not over til the fat lady sings" joke and Bryant hitting the walkoff homer at Wrigley vs the Rockies - they could run that all joyous day long.
Anthony Rizzo and his rock steady, full steam ahead and lead by example game.
The first one brash enough to say how good his team is right out loud, the one to flip into the stands risking all kinds of priceless ankles and limbs just to catch a foul ball and amaze us all.
Addison Russell's crazy good play at short. The glove. The arm. And the bat.
He plays for your favorite team.
Jay.
Oh.
Why.
Go ahead and use the word "genius" when talking about Theo Epstien and Jed Hoyer.
Look at the team they've assembled.
Watch and learn from Joe Maddon as he gets to know his players, earn their trust and make them better.
And whatever it is that Chris Bosio does when he takes someone else's broken down non-factor and transforms them into a force to be reckoned with out on the mound.
Tom Ricketts.
Remember?
Not just fearlessly but rather as just a regular dude walking around Wrigley Field and talking with anybody who approached even as his team sucked horribly early on.
Then this year backing Theo and Jed's "creativity" with real cash money.
Even the freaking owner brings us joy.
So later tonight when you're toasting the new year, be sure to add the copyright.
I've been practicing.
Start with your basic, joyful "HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
Then just like any pro voice-over talent reading legal copy at the end of a radio commercial, add the "Copyright 2016 The Chicago Cubs."
I promise it'll bring you joy.