Cubs Superfan Bob Newhart Is Ready to Fly the W One Last Time This Year

Bob Newhart was born September 5, 1929, a mere seven weeks before the stock market crashed, sending the country into the Great Depression. At 87, he's seen it all—well, all except for a World Series title for his beloved Chicago Cubs, the last of which came in 1908, a full generation before he was born in Oak Park, Illinois. In his early 30s, Newhart became a household name with one of the greatest comedy albums ever made (the first to reach No. 1 on the Billboard charts), The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart. The last track was crafted around his favorite sport: "Nobody Will Ever Play Baseball," a brilliant deadpan piece about trying to market Abner Doubleday's creation. Take a listen above.

"And what's fair, Mr. Doubleday?"

It's a fitting question for a man who has been rooting on Cubs baseball since the days of Dizzy Dean, but all it takes is one. It appears nobody has been enjoying the 2016 Cubs more than Bob Newhart. Yes, Bill Murray gets all the credit as Cubs Fan #1—and his Irished-up, Daffy Ducked anthem killed—but there's something heartwarming about the elderly comic statesman and his beloved "W" flag. As he told Steve Johnson of the Chicago Tribune (in an article that also includes a stellar John Belushi anecdote), "In my standup I always said that I'm a Cub fan and it kind of prepared you for life. You know, you're ahead now, but you're going to screw it up somehow. You don't know what it's going to be, but you know you're bound to screw it up."

We'll all know soon enough if his team screws it up. For now, let's take a Twitter stroll through Bob Newhart Loves the Cubs. We're starting with last night's win, celebrated by Newhart and his longtime pal and travel companion Don Rickles. Oh to be at that table, which we imagine is part of a decades-long roast.

The fella at the next table was nice enough to help me hold the flag after the Cubs won!!! Go Cubs and fly the W! #FlytheW #Game7 pic.twitter.com/QJVaPgOTDH
— Bob Newhart (@BobNewhart) November 2, 2016

Photos from the Dodgers / Cubs game with Jack White pic.twitter.com/SIYEjiECK7
— Bob Newhart (@BobNewhart) September 2, 2015

Holy Cow! Newhart got a smile, a legit friendly smile, out of Jack Freaking White! Miracles do happen.

Jump ahead to the 2016 playoffs, and here is the first of multiple shots of Bob and his "W," and growing sense of desperation.

Cubs, I am 87 and I am getting too old for this… #GoCubsGo #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/d4tnkgRCl0
— Bob Newhart (@BobNewhart) October 12, 2016

Bob took his grandson William to Dodger Stadium, which could only get any better if he gave him some driving instructions in the parking lot beforehand.

At the Cubs Dodgers game with grandson, William "it's not easy to smile right now" #cubs pic.twitter.com/Y9mGd7LB1b
— Bob Newhart (@BobNewhart) October 19, 2016

I thought I heard a billy goat nervously pacing!!!! #GoCubsGo #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/GSINrKByCU
— Bob Newhart (@BobNewhart) October 21, 2016

Bob is the G.O.A.T. Go to hell, Sianis.

Bob left his "W" at home on a trip to see the grandkids. They made a replacement and awww, just hug somebody right now, will ya?

I'm in Seattle with my grandkids. I forgot my W flag, so my grandkids made me one. Isn't it beautiful! #GoCubsGo #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/SyhTCz1de4
— Bob Newhart (@BobNewhart) October 23, 2016

One thing I've learned in 80 years of being a Cub fan ..you never count the Cubbies out! #FlytheW pic.twitter.com/rLtgJnKZtx
— Bob Newhart (@BobNewhart) October 31, 2016

In 80 years, Bob Newhart never counted the Cubbies out.

I love Bob Newhart—in a lot of ways, he reminds me of my dad.

Fly the W.