The Cubs have maintained a traditional image throughout their history, they were the last franchise to construct lights around their stadium as well as institute advertisements around the baseball diamond. Now, they’re one of the last franchises to create a mascot.

This January, the Cubs became the 27th franchise to introduce an inaugural mascot: Clark the Cub. Clark was introduced as a “young, friendly cub” to bring a more family-oriented feel to Wrigley Field. Clark comes off to the normal person as friendly, innocent, and charismatic. Yet, in the baseball-sphere, the Cubs broke an unofficial rule by creating Clark.

Clark is everything the Cubs don’t need; a symbol of fear, or in other words, losing. There is nothing about the creation of Clark that makes me feel like the atmosphere surrounding the Cubs will change- Clark isn’t courageous and conceited like the other MLB mascots; instead he’s childish and adorable.

At best, Clark the Cub is a sad attempt to create a larger youth fan base, despite most Chicagoans adapting to the Cubs way of life from the carriage. Most Chicagoans have grown sick and tired of the Cubs act (which is simply choking in the playoffs every time they put a good team together).

The ultimate goal of an MLB franchise is to win the much-coveted World Series. Every player dreams of hoisting that precious silver trophy above him, with 40,000 of his fans and his teammates cheering alongside him. Unfortunately, for the Cubs, the notion of becoming world champions hasn’t even been imaginable (during most of our lifetimes, at least). This is prominently due to an uninspired coaching staff and a low quality farm system with a knack to produce subpar players. Theo Epstien, the Cubs General Manager, is beginning to acquire some hot commodities off the trade block/free agency, yet the willpower of the franchise itself is not there yet. There has to be a change for the better- something bold yet to the benefit of becoming a champion; Clark does not seem to categorize under either of those terms.

The one thing I know is this: Clark the Cub will not be respected by Cubs fans. Clark’s average day at the office will consist of aimlessly walking about Wrigley Field, posing for a picture with 100-something toddlers, and having beer thrown at him by drunk fans. He will resonate the losing ways of the Chicago Cubs so well, that he might become the most hated face in the history of the lovable losers (sorry, Steve Bartman).