Put away your dreams, everyone. It's over.
Last night's 10-3 Cubs loss to the Dodgers, which felt like the score was 100-3, was the most embarrassing postseason loss I have seen by any Cubs team, in fact possibly the most embarrassing postseason loss I've seen by ANY team.
Yes, I know. In fact, Manny Ramirez said it in the postgame press conference, which I listened to with little enthusiasm on the drive home: it takes three wins, not two, to win, and there have been seven five-game series in the history of MLB postseason play in which a team went down 2-0 and came back to win. They are:
I guess this means it can be done. But not by this team, not the way it's playing. Embarrassing doesn't even begin to describe the disastrous second inning last night in which Carlos Zambrano got not one, not two, but three ground balls, the last two of which could have ended the inning as routine double play balls, and none of them were fielded. The first one by James Loney -- that glanced off Ryan Theriot's hand for a base hit into left field -- that one I can understand, because Theriot appeared to be shifting to cover second base on a hit & run. It happens. Teams execute hit & runs all the time, and even to get to that ball was good effort on Theriot's part.
But the easy grounders booted by Mark DeRosa and Derrek Lee -- wow. I just can't understand those at all. You can't give a major league team five outs in an inning, especially in a playoff game. Z did the best he could to get out of the inning and his defense failed him, and when Russell Martin cleared the bases with a double, the crowd, which was jazzed up like a playoff crowd ought to be before the game, was silenced. All of us in our section sat there -- I can't even describe the feeling of being stunned that I felt throughout the game. It didn't help matters that by the 9th inning, the bullpen had helped tack four more runs onto the Dodgers' lead, including Neal Cotts allowing a single that scored the seventh (third earned) and final run on Z's record, so that when the Cubs got the remains of the sellout of 42,136 (maybe about half stuck it out to the end) noisy again with a two-run rally, it didn't matter -- maybe if it had been 6-1 instead of 10-1, the Cubs might have pulled off a miracle, but they had dug themselves far too deep a hole. Mike got me to laugh, finally, in the 9th inning when he said, "Maybe we've all been dead for 40 years and this is hell." (Was the fact that each infielder wound up with an error by the end of the game a macabre way of making each one feel better about himself? Or just another cruel joke?)
Yeah, that's what it felt like. Hell. (Although, maybe this movie describes it better.) The Cub offense looked like the 2006 version -- swinging and missing at bad pitches, or bouncing into groundouts. The only walk before the ninth inning was drawn by Z -- and then the second walk was drawn by Felix Pie, who had walked 21 times in his 266 major league plate appearances before last night. It's as if impostors showed up at Wrigley Field last night and put on the pinstripe pants and the blue shirts that Z favors. These guys couldn't be the ones who won 97 games during the regular season. What do you say about this? Management spent a ton of money and virtually every single move that Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella made during the season seemed the right ones, were hailed by most of us here, and almost every day new heroes were made, things Cubs fans hadn't seen in decades happened... and now this?
I received an email from BCB reader mjk83 this morning which read, in its entirety:
I will see you on Tuesday for Game 5.
Rich Harden and Ted Lilly will get this back to Chicago and Ryan Dempster will redeem himself.
..hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.
And those of you who have read this site for a long time know that I am, in general, optimistic in nature, want to see the best of things, want to hope against hope (you know, if you are a "certain age", this is the way Jack Brickhouse always was on the air back in the hopeless early '60s, even when the Cubs were down several runs late in the game, always hoping they'd pull it out, even though they never did)... but this one's just about too much for me. I hope mjk83 is right. Really, I do. But that hope is much smaller this morning than it ought to be, and as I write this I'm 99% certain I'm cancelling my trip to Los Angeles... the game tickets I thought I had in hand fell through, and to go out there without tickets to see what feels like it's going to be a series sweep? Why bother?
I hope I'm wrong. If I am wrong and there's a game five on Tuesday, of course I'll be there. I know there are a ton of FanPosts today, far more than usual, and there may be some duplication in topics but at this point, I'm just going to let you guys vent. If this really is the end... yes, we're left with the wonderful memories of a great regular season, but it may be an extremely bitter taste from 2008 that will take a long time to wash away.
Let's hope that isn't the case. Go Cubs.
0 recs | 1008 comments
First
n/t
Damen Jackson - October 3, 2008
No seriously...
Awful, awful game.
I have to ask as an aside, how did you get your same seats for the playoffs?
Damen Jackson - October 3, 2008
I'll tell you some other time.
Right now, that just doesn’t feel very important.
Al Yellon - October 3, 2008
Rich Harden vs Hiroki Kuroda
I still have faith until the last out is recorded.
dr stabbingworth - October 3, 2008
That was a horrid display of baseball
This team looked like they had never played baseball before!
Really, really sad to see them collapse like that. the label of “CHOKERS” is going to be hard to shake for a long time to come.
Players are paid to play the game. The Cubs couldn’t execute when they had to (outside of DeRo and Edmonds) and this game is all about execution.
I feel so sad to be a Cub fan today.
CubFanSince1970 - October 3, 2008
+1
digitalbenjamin - October 3, 2008
What the hell did DeRo execute????
The season? That double play ball boot was as bad as I’ve ever seen and cost the Cubs 5 runs.
Itchy - October 3, 2008
I was referring to...
his offense the last two games!
CubFanSince1970 - October 3, 2008
I can understand not going to LA all things considered.
That’s a tough trip to take with no tix and a good chance of being punched in the stomach.
I still can’t believe that Z came through with a big game. He pitched well and kept his emotions in check while the defense behind him fubar’d the game.
The Dodgers are a good team. The Cubs losing last night was not the shock, it was the way they lost and the run differential. That game was never close and the other starting 8 owe Z an apology.
N Oakley - October 3, 2008
Agreed
Z did remarkably well considering the lack of help he received. For Z to hold it together like he did was quite the feat. When I got home from work and watched the “highlights”, I have never had an ache in my heart for a Cub as I did when they showed Z in the dugout holding the towel to his face with his eyes squeezed shut. Just a totally heart wrenching night all around.
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
Z did all he was expected to do
I am proud to have seen him pitch and hold the line as well as could. He brought his A game and the rest of the infield did NOT.
He was probably hot when he said he what he said at the postgame, but he was absolutely 100% RIGHT
cubnational - October 3, 2008
I didnt get to hear this
can you paraphrase for me
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
I saw that too
What a horrible night
southloop - October 3, 2008
Aw man
what a picture.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
+1
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
I honestly feel like crying.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
I did
Thankfully golden retrivers are completely understanding.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
sums it up
Emelie - October 3, 2008
I don't knon what Demp said
when he came over to talk to him, but he then put the towel over his head and leaned back. Completely killed me
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
I finally understand Yankees' fans feelings about A-Rod
JohnM - October 3, 2008
As crazy as it sounds,
I agree with mjk83. Lou has been in this situation before and won. (See the 1995 Seattle Mariners)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_Seattle_Mariners_season
Remember the Yankees historic collapse in 2004? Who was the manager?
Our best pitcher is going on Saturday. Lilly has been lights out 2 starts in a row.
I still say we win this thing.
Let the flaming begin.
Neifi Puppy - October 3, 2008
If you're right we will all have come from the depths to the mountains in four days.
I just don’t expect it.
Al Yellon - October 3, 2008
fifty fifty chance It's Gonna Happen
cubnational - October 3, 2008
Those are better odds than I would give right now.
I’ll take ’em, though.
daver - October 3, 2008
I wish I could be more like you
If anyone flames you, I’ll kick them in the shins.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
I'm glad you have faith....
but the season (for all intents and purposes) is over.
A team can’t play that kind of ball and expect to go anywhere in the Postseason. The Dodgers are executing flawlessly in every area (hitting, defense pitching) of the game, but the Cubs are failing in every area. That my friend is a recipe for a quick exit from the Playoffs
CubFanSince1970 - October 3, 2008
Even the voice of reason - Al- has succumed
so sad…..but now I am falling into believing this Curse thing is true…
the question is, where do you even start in trying to improve this thing? change attitudes? rid the pressure laden atmosphere?
this team on paper has some holes, but no more so than any other in this postseason, and arguably less than anyone else who is still playing…
LuisSalazar - October 3, 2008
the holes are not the reason...
the Cubs are failing.
It all comes down to EXECUTION!
The Dodgers are executing flawlessly, the Cubs…not so much.
CubFanSince1970 - October 3, 2008
No curses
Simply coming to the park ready to play…some teams are and some are not during the postseaon. Its what seperates the winners from the losers. As I’ve said before when your hot your hot, when your not your not.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
I agree completely
so where do you go from here? everybody in the starting lineup has no trade clauses. these are players who have not failed on other teams in playoff situations….but when they come here…it’s a different story
LuisSalazar - October 3, 2008
We're following the Braves
pattern from 2002 – 2005. We can win the division, just not much else, but its only 2 years in a row. At least we are beginning to consistently dominate in that area.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
That's easier to take
once you’ve got at least one WS ring.. Braves fans probably would not agree; they wanted to win it all every year during those glory years.
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
If the Cubs can emulate the Braves from 1992 through 2005 in
competing and post season appearances, that is a great start. You gotta get to the playoffs to advance.
All said, I’m not pleased with this season… yet.
N Oakley - October 3, 2008
Agreed
We’ll wait and see, sometimes its like a giant puzzle—need all the pieces.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
I'm at least thankful that
there’s no “Bartman” episode here. It’s simply execution and how the Cubs couldn’t execute.
Sobering synopsis Al. You hit the nail on the head with it.
jerry morales rules - October 3, 2008
For the first time ever this season
and for the first time since I can remember, I turned off the television and went to bed before the game was over. I just felt sick.
This is not the same team that we followed all year.
I haven’t given up on this team just yet, but I sure as hell gave up on last night’s game.
Blue W - October 3, 2008
I completely agree
About the 6th inning I just turned it off and went to bed. I couldn’t take it anymore.
VicVega - October 3, 2008
I can not turn off the TV...
I want to say it’s over but to many times this year they have proven they can bounce back. We know the games. I refuse to admit it’s over. I know it’s called denial but I still…..
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
The players looked rattled early on
and I guess it rattled me.
Blue W - October 3, 2008
I went to bed immediately after the game
But couldn’t get to sleep until quite a long time after that. I just couldn’t stop thinking about it.
I am not as downtrodden today as I thought I would be, but I think I am still in shock.
Making plans to watch Saturday night’s game feels like making plans to attend a funeral.
SuperContext - October 3, 2008
Oh God,
the nightmare won’t end.
slocs55 - October 3, 2008
Wake me up when October ends
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
Wake me up before you Go Go
digitalbenjamin - October 3, 2008
Don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
It feels like a wake
Emelie - October 3, 2008
This thread is a wake
the team wasn’t last night
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
How embarrassing.
This team is playing like they played right after the ASB.
That Theriot play was crap. All the tiny little guy had to do was glove the ball. Quit trying to barehand it and play fundamental baseball.
Bench Fukudome; he can’t hit and as a result shouldn’t be in the lineup. Even batting 8th.
kanderber - October 3, 2008
Hmmm
I agree with Al, Theriots was probably the only one that could be justified. Lee and Derosa had rocks for hands last night.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
Theriot's play wasn't "crap".
He was going the other way to cover second. He made a great effort even to put a hand on the ball.
The DeRosa and Lee errors — inexcusable.
Al Yellon - October 3, 2008
Disagree.
If he would’ve simply used his glove, he would’ve got the ball. It wouldn’t have been difficult at all to glove that ball.
Agreed on DeRo and Lee.
kanderber - October 3, 2008
Yeah
If not for Theriot everything would have been different. Drop it.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
That's a bit harsh
I’m not sure that he had a play at first, anyway — but he could have gloved it and kept the ball in the infield. Who knows what happens then?
I’m not blaming Theriot (and his AB in the first was crap), but it’s fair game to point it out.
Shanghai Badger - October 3, 2008
The point was made clear
If there were plays that were “crap” I think Theriots (far from good) was at the bottom of that list. kanderber chose to pick soley on Theriot, for which I think it was unjustified considering the other lousy plays the infield made.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
Drop it? LOL. No.
This is a place for discussion of the Chicago Cubs. If you don’t want to read discussion about a pivotal play from last night, I would suggest not reading here.
And I didn’t choose to pick solely on him… I took issue with Al’s original comment about him.
kanderber - October 3, 2008
And I took issue with your comment
For which you had no follow-up argument, hence the “drop-it” sorry if I offended you, at the time I am sure I intended that as you see today is not a good day for me. Glad you can laugh, I am sure I will regret my remark later…I hope you’ll understand.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
I must've missed your argument
What was it that you were expecting a follow up argument to?
kanderber - October 3, 2008
Look sorry
I will drop it.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
Arguments are in the next room;
this is animated discussions
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
I thought it was
How to Crush a Dream in Two Games 101
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
We've successfully merged Monty Pyton and Jeopardy
for our Cubs humor for the day. That’s probably all there will be.
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
No need to be sorry
We’re miscommunicating pretty badly here, it appears. Maybe it is best to drop it.
kanderber - October 3, 2008
Just emotion
getting the best of me, its easy to be snarky with text. No hard feelings I hope.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
No worries.
kanderber - October 3, 2008
Agree
That ball could have been gloved. Theriot must have thought he was Ozzie Smith for a moment.
He is not.
salparadise23 - October 3, 2008
Right
That was about as perfectly executed hit and run as you will see. The Dodgers have played good fundamental baseball and have executed; Cubs have not (Z excepted)
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
sorry Al, but gotta disagree (again) on Lee's
while errors, by their very nature, are incidents that should (and could) be avoided, the ground ball hit to Lee was a difficult play. Yes, he’d be the first (and you the second) to say he should have made the play, but the runner did cut in front of him right as the ball was getting there. This was no boneheaded play.
ballhawk - October 3, 2008
I've seen D Lee,
DeRosa, Theriot and everyone else make those plays.
That patented double play pivot from DLee (that we have watched countless times) is probably the best executed by any first-baseman I have ever witnessed.
Theriot is a sure handed glove and I really think he could have made that play on the hit and run (and i love Theriot). On the hit and run, I’m pretty sure that DeRo and Theriot both broke for the bag, that is mis-communication.
How else can you explain the statistical improbability of the second inning? I know anything can happen, but this was a tank job if I have ever seen it. i hate to say it but these guys looked like the Black Sox.
I also can’t believe I read an article from some sportswriter who obvs mailed it in on how Z didn’t step up. For a while it looked like Z was the only one who was trying to record an out.
Andre Fonseca - October 3, 2008
The text in parenthesis explains the lunacy of the rest of the statement.
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
Since you guys insist on making this a Theriot-bashing zone
Anything negative about Theriot normally has zero credibility, so I have to append the comment with some Theriot love to balance it out.
Suddenly our entire infield turns into Dan Uggla?
Andre Fonseca - October 3, 2008
I only say negative things when he does negative things...
and I say positve things when he does positive things. Now you know why I alwasy seem to be “basing” him.
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
Does that cost money or is it free?
N Oakley - October 3, 2008
You're basing him? Does he have a drug problem too?
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
LOL...free-basing Theriot...
Oh man…I can see colors that don’t exist!
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
actually sorry
you’re not really a Theriot basher.. i got you mixed up with the other people
Andre Fonseca - October 3, 2008
Denial?
And I am the lunatic? At least I can admit I am a Theriot fan. I have been getting high on dimebags of theRiot all year.
Do you think that play last night was beyond his ability?
Andre Fonseca - October 3, 2008
assuming there was no miscommunication...
…it was definitely beyond his ability – and most other shortstops as well. He broke to cover second, had to stop, reverse himself and run back and deep to get to the ball. IIRC, he got a bare hand partially on it and it flittered to the outfield.
I guess the [mostly] valid assumption one could make is if you are able to get a glove (or in this case, hand) on it, you should be able to make the play. So yes, I suppose you could say that he should have stopped it – but no way was he going to throw him out. Not even Shotgun Shawon would have been able to throw the runner out under those circumstances.
re: miscommunication… I forget who the batter is but Baseball 101 says if it was a lefty, then Theriot would cover second. If a righty, then DeRosa. But there’s all sorts of numbers within the numbers, and hit charts and tendencies, so maybe they did get their signals crossed.
I guess the only way to at least partly confirm this would be to go back and look at the video, but I have no stomach to do that and no way I’m going to ask anyone here to do that – although I suspect DaBard and Blue Mike probably already have their special “Manager’s Cut” DVD already in production for the holiday season… ;-)
ballhawk - October 3, 2008
we should be proud... life goes on
perhaps the pressure is gone, since all believe they will lose. Perhaps the pressure shifts to the Dodgers, and they wont execute. 1984 Cubs.
lets leave the team alone, turn off the tv, get rid of the newspapers and internet and let them play and have fun. perhaps that will work
BCB Vienna - October 3, 2008
HOLY TOLEDO...
…Here I was looking forward to the recap by our fearless leader for re-assurance and I have to read THIS!!
Way to give on your team there, AL.
I think there is a DeBard Diary for you floating out in cybar space somewhere.
We have Harden and Lilly going Sat & Sun. if we can get back to Wrigley the pressure goes back on the Dodgers. Keep the faith, people. I know it has not been pretty, but you, AL, of all people have been saying this is a special team all year and now you give up after 2 games. Fearless leader? or DeBard in disguise?
Seismic Stallion - October 3, 2008
harsh
Emelie - October 3, 2008
I have the strangest feeling
that this will not be the worst we hear today.
Blue W - October 3, 2008
Taking your anger out on Al will not help,
direct it towards who you are angry with, the CUBS!
We are all fans of the Cubs and fighting among ourselves will not make the situation any better.
The fact is, the team stunk it up last night and lost. Now, we will see if they can rally.
cowsarecool220 - October 3, 2008
a little, yes...
…just frustrated to see sooo many fans giving up on this team.
I will still believe until the last out is recorded and I way hoping that Al would share the same sentiment for his front page recap.
Re-reading this, yes, it does seem harsh. My apologies to those who are offended, but if you look at any of my posts, I am always looking on the bright side and just wanted some one to do the same this morning.
Seismic Stallion - October 3, 2008
+1
I’m sicking of reading the bile that spews out of certain fans’ keyboards.
dr stabbingworth - October 3, 2008
Me too
But I think it is perfectly fine to voice our frustration without sounding like ledge jumpers. We might as well brace ourselves for the highlight reels on ESPN, because win or lose this thing, the two games that have passed will go down in history as horrible.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
I'm with you man...
I refuse to say it over…
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
This might be for the better...
…the bandwagoners will be gone and the real fans can celebrate if we pull this out!!!
Seismic Stallion - October 3, 2008
Just because
some of us are realists and realize that this likely means that we are done, doesn’t mean that we aren’t “real fans.” I will be shocked and amazed and rejoicing with you if they do pull this out. However, all that Al is saying here is that it doesn’t look good. We should begin to temper our expectations.
Just relax. We are all disappointed and upset right now. Give a little grace and don’t call someone who is willing to say, “This is probably it,” a "bandwagoner. That’s a bit over the top.
Archie - October 3, 2008
I've been a fan of this team for 42 years and consider myself a die hard but let's be realistic here we're on life support.
alabebo - October 3, 2008
NO question about that...
…but life-support indicates there is life!!
Don’t put that dream away quite yet. If we implode again on
Sat., Sun. then we all can bury the dream, but until then I REFUSE to give up!Boy, I think I have bruised that horse.
Seismic Stallion - October 3, 2008
It ain't over ..
Keep Hope Alive!
cubnational - October 3, 2008
Cut him some slack
Al is as positive as any Cubs fan and to compare him to DaBard is over top. We all feed personally let down as if we knew these players personally and they failed us. Someone who has followed the Cubs as long as Al (same amount of time as me) and who watches every home and playoff game in forever will feel that personal connection even more. And I’m not saying you had to experience 1969 to be a “real” Cubs fan. Hell, the 16 year olds on the thread last night know how it feels now.
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
Yeah, Im glad Al put this in a realistic perspective.
There is a point where you have to say this just isn’t going to happen, and when a team plays like last night you can realistically say that aren’t going to come back. It is pretty obvious. Lilly may be good, but so was Z, but you can’t expect Z to have scored 11 runs and thats what it would have taken since he was the only one who remembered how to play baseball last night.
adam316 - October 3, 2008
It ain't gonna happen ..
IF the Cubs continue to play they way they have .. WE KNOW THEY’RE BETTER THAN THIS.
IF the infield again coughs up inexplicable errors .. Bizarre coincidences, NOTHING more
IF the bats sit quiet until the ninth inning after giving up 10 runs .. SHOWS WE CAN STILL HIT
IF the bullpen keeps offering HR’s up .. and that is probably going to be the hardest to endure
There ain’t no curse .. it’s the Cubs being way too uptight ..
cubnational - October 3, 2008
beyond harsh...
I am guessing this was one of the hardest recaps he has had to write. But when Bosox came back and the Yankees did neither of them had played THIS BAD during the games they lost.
Madison Cub Fan - October 3, 2008
Beyond Harsh??
Now I agree I went overboard a little comparing him to Debard, but when the first line is:
It seems a little over the top for me – an extreme optimist – when it comes to the Cubs. I don’t get that down after loses, cuz this is just a game that is played for entertainment purposes only. Yes it great when they win, but there is sooo many more important things in life than Baseball.
Seismic Stallion - October 3, 2008
Hey, I'm probably more of an extreme optimist than you are.
I have invested, however, a great deal of emotion in the Cubs, particularly this team, which has brought us higher than any Cub team in my lifetime.
They have crashed harder than we ever thought. That’s why that opening was perhaps a little over the top. It’s the way I feel this morning.
Al Yellon - October 3, 2008
Hey, AL...
…I just want to warn you to remember where you put that dream, cuz I think you might be needing to find it again before this season is all over with!!!
don’t say I never gave you anything:)
Lets play ‘2’ in LA and get back to Wrigley!
Seismic Stallion - October 3, 2008
All I can say is....
… I’ll be extremely happy if you’re right.
Al Yellon - October 3, 2008
...but not counting on it.
Archie - October 3, 2008
It guess a cliche sums it all up,
Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst.
cowsarecool220 - October 3, 2008
Exactly.
I recall an interview with Billy Corgan after the 03 collapse that, roughly, said, “I don’t follow the team as closely anymore. After that, I just couldn’t put myself through that anymore.”
That’s how I feel this morning. I know I’ll be there with bells on come April, but I feel like I’ve been dumped by the love of my life.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
+1
and all I’ll say this morning is, this sucks!
Fishbone2 - October 3, 2008
If I had a girlfriend repeatedly crush my dreams like this
I would kick her out of my house and have a bonfire in the front lawn with all of the furniture that she “helped” pick out.
Who am I kidding …I wish I could quit you.
Blue W - October 3, 2008
I feel like they owe us all an apology
Yes, I know they are just professionals who play for a salary, and that the better team does not always win every game or even every series. But for what we have endured over the last couple of games, it is warranted.
SuperContext - October 3, 2008
+1 or just give everyone who bought a ticket for the last two games a refund...lol
alabebo - October 3, 2008
I didn't see the Yankees comeback but I did watch every game
of the Bosox posteason miracle and they played solid the whole time. They did not embarrass themselves or their fans. Watching them, you really thought they could pull it out.
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
No one in Boston thought they would pull that series out.
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
As an impartial fan (meaning I didn't care who won)
just watching on TV I really thought they would. Maybe because I was completely disconnected from Boston team, fans, everything, emotionally, it was easier to just see what was happening. Can’t watch the Cubs in that same mindset.
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
Actually the Sox got destroyed in Game 3
to the point Wakefield volunteered to pitch in that game to save the bullpen, leaving Lowe (who had stunk all year) to start Game 4. Here’s the box
If the Cubs can win Game 3, pressure shifts to the Dodgers, because everyone will tell them they have to win and avoid going back to Wrigley. It just takes one game, just one to lift the weight off everyone’s shoulders.
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
+ 10 Million!
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
And it's "DaBard" not "DeBard".
daver - October 3, 2008
Not Giving Up On 2008 Dream Yet
The Cubs need one win to get on a roll. Maybe, the change of scenery will help the team.
Harden, Lilly, and Dempster are a good trio of pitchers. The Cubs have the ability to come back from this.
We can only hope that finally the Cubs will be the ones to make a miraculous comeback in postseason play. Keep hope alive!
memphiscub - October 3, 2008
Seems fitting
The lyrics to “Yesterday” by the Beatles:
Yesterday
All my troubles seemed so far away
Now it looks as though they’re here to stay
Oh, I believe
In yesterday
Suddenly
I’m not half the man I used to be
There’s a shadow hanging over me
Oh, yesterday
Came suddenly
Why she
Had to go I don’t know
She wouldn’t say
I said
Something wrong now I long
For yesterday
Yesterday
Love was such an easy game to play
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh, I believe
In yesterday
Why she
Had to go I don’t know
She wouldn’t say
I said
Something wrong now I long
For yesterday
Yesterday
Love was such an easy game to play
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh, I believe
In yesterday
Mordecai - October 3, 2008
first thing i did this morning
MJMars - October 3, 2008
play that on the piano
followed by let it be
MJMars - October 3, 2008
Personally, I just keep coming back to one line by the Boss
“Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true, or is it something worse?”
Right now, it feels like something much, much worse.
SuperContext - October 3, 2008
"That sends me down to the River"
where we all feel like jumping in right now.
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
Rush--The Pass
Proud swagger out of the schoolyard
Waiting for the worlds applause
Rebel without a conscience
Martyr without a cause
Static on your frequency
Electrical storm in your veins
Raging at unreachable glory
Straining at invisible chains
And now youre trembling on a rocky ledge
Staring down into a heartless sea
Cant face life on a razors edge
Nothings what you thought it would be
All of us get lost in the darkness
Dreamers learn to steer by the stars
All of us do time in the gutter
Dreamers turn to look at the cars
Turn around and turn around and turn around
Turn around and walk the razors edge
Dont turn your back
And slam the door on me
Its not as if this barricade
Blocks the only road
Its not as if youre all alone
In wanting to explode
Someone set a bad example
Made surrender seem all right
The act of a noble warrior
Who lost the will to fight
And now youre trembling on a rocky ledge
Staring down into a heartless sea
Done with life on a razors edge
Nothings what you thought it would be
No hero in your tragedy
No daring in your escape
No salutes for your surrender
Nothing noble in your fate
Christ, what have you done?
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
rush
-1
neifi - October 3, 2008
im just trying to find a way
to get myself excited about the game this weekend. I want so badly to believe that this isn’t the end of the road for this team and am doing everything I can to remain optimistic.
that being said, if Saturday starts like last night did I’ll be in the bar with a double jameson on the rocks by about 10:30
mjk83 - October 3, 2008
Take it easy on the man!
Al is a truly knowledgeable Cub/baseball fan (as many of us are here) and we have been around long enough to know “when to say when”!
It’s time.
CubFanSince1970 - October 3, 2008
Al, I feel bad for you
All the work you do here. All the effort. I also feel bad for all the fans that spent a ton on tickets for those two games to see a bloodbath.
Canadian Cubs Fan - October 3, 2008
I don't think its about giving up
Its just realizing that this team was not ready at this point in time to make it happen. Can they come back sure…I’m sure some Brewers fans think that they can too, but the odds are not in their favor. This Cubs team has surprised us before with stellar play, we’ll all be watching to see if it happens. But, I think most of us will not be shocked near as much as in the last two games if it doesn’t.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
This is like a funeral wake for someone who a few days ago was full of life, enthusiasm and great promise
The emotions are an assortment of shock, anger and sadness all at once. As in “poof,” what was is all gone.
As said before you could not conjure up more awful script if you were a St. Louis Cardinal or Chicago White Sox fan who had hatred raging through your veins for the Cubs.
MDBNIU - October 3, 2008
Great analogy
Curtain Jerker - October 3, 2008
+1
Truth.
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
Agree completely on the "poof" factor
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
totally agree
i was at game 1 with my dad, and right before the first pitch he turned to me and said, “remember this feeling of possibility, because in a few minutes something could go wrong and you’ll wish they could just start the whole thing over.”
how true.
neifi - October 3, 2008
I must admit...
…when Martin hit that double last night and the bases cleared, I thought, “So this is how it ends.”
daver - October 3, 2008
I had no thought
I just felt crushed.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
And even though Wrigley was packed
and there are hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide, and all you fine folks here…I felt so alone.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
I listened to P&R because I decided Dick Stockton might kill me
Ron’s voice was like my grief outloud.
It was horrible. I turned it off after Rami’s error. I couldn’t do anymore.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
I started that
but the radio was a good three seconds ahead of the TV.
Maybe I should’ve stuck with that and known the end was near all the sooner. There’s three seconds I’ll never get back.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Only thing that could make this nightmare worse would be the White Sox winning the WS this year
alabebo - October 3, 2008
Don't worry.
Rays are gonna see to that.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
for what it's worth...
the groundball hit to Derrek Lee was NOT an easy play. I had seats in 219 and had a nice view up the first base line. The runner crossed in front of Derrek at the worse possible time and I’m sure blocked his view of the ball. Then to pick it up again, especially as hard as it was hit… well that’s tough to do.
Agreed on the Theriot grounder – just bad timing (covering 2nd on a steal). As for DeRosa’s… ughhhhh……
ballhawk - October 3, 2008
I dunno.
Someone as experienced as D-Lee is, someone who’s made tons of tough plays — he should make that play.
Al Yellon - October 3, 2008
And I'm sure Lee would agree.
Blue W - October 3, 2008
If DeRo would have handled the routine grounder, that ball would have never been hit to Lee...
JB 23 - October 3, 2008
At least it was a great view from 'my' new seats
Guess the folks that were ripping on the team (that prompted the koolaid-sipping / Brady Bunch alternate game threads) were right on.
I almost feel like they just don’t know how to step it up in the playoffs. Unlike hockey were emotion and intensity increases (of course with some upper bound) can really elevate a team, baseball simply cannot be played that way and still come out on top.
The whole team is just lack of some sort of pizazz. I can’t even figure it out. Both D-Lee and DeRo heard me and others in my area after their gaffes. Suffice to say it was sobering but no one was vulgar or out of line.
So unless there’s some drastic turn-around, the only thing I can say is there’s 183 days to the season opener.
I feel more compelled now than just 48 hours ago to turn my focus nearly 100% to the Blackhawks. Hopefully they can improve this year like the Cubs have since 2006.
It’s going to be an interesting (and hopefully exciting) off-season.
blackhawk24 - October 3, 2008
I'm really tired of a group of us
being labled cheerleaders, koolaid-sipping, Brady Bunch, etc. We get just as disgusted with this team as any of you. We differ in how we handle that frustration and negativity. I don’t want to read 15 posts of mother f*$#ing Cubs. Don’t tell me to pass over them when that is printed in the headline. None of us should have to read that crap. It’s hard to have a conversation with others who feel the same way when all that other crap is being posted. It’s much easier for us to leave and discuss the game without calling the players names and all the negativity.
sue369 - October 3, 2008
Well if you're tired of it
think of how you can come across to others. If only positive thought is allowed in your world, what’s one to think? That action deems that label. I use the Brady Bunch label because in the end everything is always A-OK.
I’ve been on game threads at times and just ignore the crazy posts nearly all the time. And at the same time reply to others that have some thought put in to them, regardless of whether or not I agree.
So by doing this you essentially create a void where in by some comments that could have been read in the real game thread are then missed. Thanks…
blackhawk24 - October 4, 2008
You can't have it both ways.
You guys bitch when we complain when someone comes in here for the first time in the 5th inning to post that the game is over. Now you complain because we leave and you can’t comment on our posts.
Good for you to ignore the crazy posts. If they were just crazy it wouldn’t bother me. When they are filled with such hatered toward the players that’s not crazy. It’s ridiculous. Like I said everyone shows their disgust differently. We don’t have to put up with the ridiculous.
sue369 - October 4, 2008
I don't complain about that Sue
when someone comes in here and says the game is over. But when some do that, I have to ask myself (only) why on God’s green earth would they say that. I ignore it and based on a lot of your comments (which BTW, I do look for the Hawkeye symbol to read what you have to say) I can tell you’re way smart enough to just blow it off and move on.
I mean, come on who the hell cares if someone has hatred towards the players. You can’t stop it, I can’t stop it. I certainly don’t want to even try. But wouldn’t it be better for everyone if you (and others) were still part of the main thread?
I sometimes think its over early when they just look bad but usually I don’t post that. Just during Thursdays’ game when LA scored that 5-spot in the 2nd, I felt that way. But it was way too early to leave and I did pay $400 for our seats and didn’t want to just leave. But it was how I felt. Now, if I were home, and on the thread, I probably would not have posted that even though I felt, “here we go again!”
I just feel that you and some of the mainstayers could more than make up for the ledgejumpers but hey what do I know, eh?
blackhawk24 - October 4, 2008
Sorry, I can't stay
in here when it gets like it did on Thurs. night. Obviously there are several others who feel the same way too. For personal reasons I don’t handle verbal abuse well against me or others and that’s how those rantings feels to me. It’s better for me to move elsewhere.
I wish you could have seen a win Thurs. night but maybe they will get things going tonight.
sue369 - October 4, 2008
+1
alabebo - October 4, 2008
wow. keep your chin up al. it was an amazing season. 6 months of thrills, one week of crap. so it goes. the season is not quite over yet (even if it appears that it will be soon) – and there is still hope (even if only a small hope). i, for one, am still happy to be along for the ride……
anormal - October 3, 2008
At least...
.. the other Chicago team may be able to come through for our city.
ronsanto10 - October 3, 2008
Yeah, Go Blackhawks!
Blue W - October 3, 2008
heh heh ... very good indeed!
Oh, if I could ONLY be in town to get in Wrigley when the Hawks play!
cubnational - October 3, 2008
One forward away from being in the top 4 of the conference
They unloaded that soft Russian goalie (thought it could cost as much as $6.75M but not a cap hit to do it) and if the kids I’ve been watching in Rockford for the last two years (well 2 years ago in Norfolk, VA) this is going to be a good season; maybe upwards of 100 points.
blackhawk24 - October 4, 2008
They already did
It was called the 2005 World Series. They no longer have the same burden of expectations that the Cubs have.
MDBNIU - October 3, 2008
To any White Sox fans reading this,
I don’t care if your team wins or loses.
N Oakley - October 3, 2008
I am thinking the central division
teams in the playoffs as a whole will be wiped off the board in the next couple of days. Brewers and White Sox are both struggling, both tired and over worked. The Cubs were the only ones coming in as clear cut winners with days to prepare and rest and even that didn’t help. Too bad for all of us in the midwest.
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
Symbolism of the futility has been the repeated hesitation of Cub fielders on pop outs and fly balls...
They looked like pee wee league players not confident in their fielding ability and not sure of the protocol of the infield on who should take which pop up. This has happened 5 times in two games by my eyes. It’s something you don’t see 5 times in an entire 162 game season for a veteran infielder where the players have good familarity with one another.
MDBNIU - October 3, 2008
I wouldn't call it symbolic of futility but
I have to agree that they have looked like little leaguers on the pop flies. I even told my wife that on Derosa/Theriot ball last night; that’s exactly what it looked like. I think it was Sutcliffe on XM radio (which I think was an ESPN feed) said “It looked on that play like they had never met before.”
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
good post Al
This is what was needed today.
I just wouldn’t be able to stomach sunshine and rainbows today.
I just wouldn’t.
rgonzale - October 3, 2008
Another Failed Season...Maybe
I am not satisified with winning in the regular season…just like I know the players are not. I had some great memories from this regular season but those great memories don’t really mean much if in the end you fail.
I watched them for 6 months only to see them play their worst two games in a span of two days.
It is like having a courtship with the hot chick for 6 months…only to get dumped right before the prom. It was great during those 6 months but it sucked showing up at prom without her
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
A great regular season means nothing without FINALLY delivering a World Series Championship
I’m not giving up yet on 2008, but if pattern holds same then this will go down as the most awful season of my 31 years of being a diehard. More awful than 2003. At least in 2003 for the first and only time since 1945 the Cubs had some traction of playoff glory before it all came to halting end on that notorious night at Wrigley.
MDBNIU - October 3, 2008
I have to admit
This really is the worst I have felt about the Cubs in my life of 28 years. Like Shanghi I invested alot this season…heck I saw the Cubs more than my sister and parents.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
I just want them to win
Since I live in STL, I take my fair share of abuse. Just one time…preferably when I can still walk into a bar and I have drink, I want to be able to say to an arch rivarly…shout up, we finally won
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
So do I.
Everyone’s been rather sympathetic today, though. Like I have lepresy and they don’t wanna get too near.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Yeah weird huh?
I’ve got people coming into my office expressing “condolences” geez… Maybe I need to revaluate my priorites.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
Yeah.
My desk is adorned with Cubs figures, a stuffed bear with a Cub hat, my Cubs pen. Being a Cub fan is like breathing and, suddenly, I’m in the vacuum of space.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
My mother called me today
and asked if I was ok like she had heard I was gravely ill. I was still groggy and said why wouldn’t I be. She said well with the game and all….
I do kind of feel like I have a hangover, but didn’t drink a drop.
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
Working from home today
So far the two week old newborn is sympathetic :)
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
Hasn't spit up on your yet, huh?
cowsarecool220 - October 3, 2008
Yeah same here
as far as the newborn being sympathetic anyway. Strange enough, our newborn is exactly two weeks old today.
rambler19 - October 3, 2008
I live in StL also.
Its the same way here. I feel like the walking dead, who everyone is taking pity on.
storkysm - October 3, 2008
Cards fan here....
Really, though a part of me enjoys your downfall (so far…and you know you’d be enjoying it at least a bit if the shoe was on the other foot), I also don’t think you guys deserve this. You’re a better team than you’ve showed over the last two days. If you guys are indeed going to lose, I hope you do so with honor. And if you somehow pull it out, I extend my sincere congratulations.
This reminds me so very much of the playoff collapses my Cards underwent in the NLCS in 2000, 2002 and 2005-you know you’re a better team than your opponent and you still play badly. It never gets any easier, either.
Still-don’t lose the faith. Your passion is what makes this rivalry so much fun!
mattisnotfrench - October 3, 2008
thanks, man, for your perspective.
nice.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
We won't lose it.
And we’ve still got a game left.
But it feels like these baby bears need a loooooooong winter’s nap. See you in April.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
My bro the Cards fan
was beyond devastated when the Cards got swept in the WS. I thought the first couple of games were funny, And like you, I enjoyed them. But then I really felt bad for him. Swear he was almost in tears and he isnt the crying type. If being a Cubs fan has taught me anything, it’s how to handle bad situations, still be true to what you believe in, and always look forward to a better day.
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
+1
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
I gotta believe
my dad, a Cards fan, is giving me a buffer zone. He knows, as well as I do, that we play tomorrow night, and I’ll be there cheering my team on. But should it end, I know a few days later I’ll get a comforting phone call.
It’s odd, cos even though he’s been a Cards fan all his life, I think a little part of him wants the Cubs to win. His son is a fan, he’s watched a ton of games through WGN and when we lived in Highland Park for four years. He was in an airport bar when 2003 happened and he said he felt terrible.
But it ain’t over yet…
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
I *STILL* have nightmares about that series.
2006 will never kill that either, because it should have been the 2004 team that won it all. After that WS I have a tremendous amount of empathy for a collapsing team because I saw one of the worst, ever.
mattisnotfrench - October 3, 2008
Yes
You guys had a great team in 2004, and a crappy one in 2006. Only in baseball…
vonde6 - October 3, 2008
I'm so jealous of you being able to write that paragraph.
I’d love to be upset over which team won it all. :-(
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
Well said.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
The Cubs need to take page from the Cards book...
…and get into the postseason repeatedly. Because the playoffs are, indeed, a crapshoot, you stand a better chance of winning the more often you roll the dice.
daver - October 3, 2008
No question about that
And I think they’re on the right track to do that.
They’ve got to perform better than this when they get there, though. They just look completely outclassed. The stunning thing about this is, I thought that they had that “look” after last year’s disappointment. I guess we’ll find out if they do or not.
Shanghai Badger - October 3, 2008
This is 100% correct.
It’s the only way that teams really have a good shot of finally winning. Bad luck isn’t the root cause of the 100 year fiasco…it’s bad teams. The more we get in the playoffs, the more likely we win.
storkysm - October 3, 2008
Not as bad as '84 team
That team was up 2 – 0 and looked great doing it. Going into SD which was not the hot bed of baseball at that time. Droping the three games there was worse than anything you can fathom. This lay over and die team is just about average for the teams we have seen in past 10 years. Just dont feel the heart in a lot of these guys.
rmonday557 - October 3, 2008
With time I'll be able
to look back on tapes of highlights from this season and enjoy them, much like the 2006 Bears season.
Not right now, though.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
At least the 2006 Bears did not embarrass themselves
Even though they were clearly outmatched against the Colts in the Super Bowl, they maintained some semblance of competitiveness.
I could handle this much better if the Cubs had lost two well-fought one or two run ballgames to the Dodgers. But right now they are a complete and total embarrassment to their fans, the City of Chicago, and possibly the United States of America and the planet Earth.
SuperContext - October 3, 2008
hear hear
Emelie - October 3, 2008
...and to the Milky Way Galaxy and the Known Universe as well....
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Even the Gallifreyans....
Shanghai Badger - October 3, 2008
I'm not arguing against that.
I’m just saying that, with time, these games (don’t games require two teams?) won’t erase the rest of the season I enjoyed.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Erase?
no I’m sure eventually I’ll remember it, but right now I feel like someone kicked me in the gut.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
I feel the same only slightly lower.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
It's like someone pulled the rug out, then decided to kick there.
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
and that rug really tied the room together.
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
the offense of the Bears
was embarrassing- all they needed was one drive and the Bears would have won. Not even a scoring drive, just a drive where they didn’t cough up an interception or a fumble.
the game was close in score only
Andre Fonseca - October 3, 2008
Outmatched? Hardly
they were not outmatched, Lovie was outmanaged due to 1 play: the first TD on broken coverage. He spent the rest of the game trying to make sure his team didn’t get burned on the same play and Manning took advantage of a Defense being stuck on deep coverage constantly. He stubbornly refused to change his defense again, lord only knows why.
VegasCubFan - October 3, 2008
+1
alabebo - October 3, 2008
The Next game
There was some debate on this site about what is a “Must Win” game. Last night was not a must win. The Next game will be. Hopefully, we’ll have two more “Must Win” games after that.
I’m thinking of the 2004 Red Sox. I thought they were done…
I will not be sad until it is truly over. Go Cubs – we all know what this team is able to do. They will do it.
MolineCubsFan - October 3, 2008
It may not have been a "must win" literally (or mathematically)...
…but it was a must win in every other sense. The Dodgers now have three opportunities to eliminate the Cubs and, the way LA is playing, that’s more than enough.
daver - October 3, 2008
Call me crazy
but I’m a Cub fan, first and foremost. And I still have faith that we are going to win the next three games and move on to the next round. Maybe I’m naive, and maybe I’m too optimistic. On opening day I am convinced that we are going to win it all, and even today, I see no reason to think we won’t.
And if we don’t, it’s not the end of the world. I’m not going to say “I’m through rooting for the Cubs” because being a Cubs fan is in my blood. Losing sucks, and it’s hard watching them play poorly, but I think the team we watched the last 6 months is going to reappear and salvage this postseason.
But if they don’t, it’s okay. I’ll get over it and be cheering them on next year, because if it doesn’t happen this year, I am sure it will next year.
DWChaney - October 3, 2008
What a disappointment
I’ve had other things happen in real life this week/year that are worse, but I sure as hell could have used the distraction. It’s not about any of us as individuals, but it sure feels like piling on…
I invested a lot in this team this year — maybe more so than in the last 25. I’m not sure that I can do that again. I’ll never stop being a fan, but I don’t think it can be at the level that it was this year.
When I needed them the most in June, they turned to crap. When I need them in October, same thing.
Ugh.
Shanghai Badger - October 3, 2008
I don't know if I've ever agreed w/ you more
and I cant even find a snarky comment to end it with,,, a sure sign of my disappointment :(
Madison Cub Fan - October 3, 2008
What you’re dealing with this week is worse, but you heard from me on what I’m dealing with….I’m not ready to post that in a forum like this just yet.
Shanghai Badger - October 3, 2008
****Hugs*****
I only know the Cub, but as a fellow Badger sounds like you needed a hug.
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
my thoughts are with you, Shanghai
hang in there
Emelie - October 3, 2008
I know but still wanted you to know that you put into words what I totally am feeling today :)
Madison Cub Fan - October 3, 2008
Thanks....and thanks to Mike and Em
We’ll both get through our issues…and I’ll be better off for mine in the long run. But damn, a better showing from the Cubs would have helped at least a little bit.
Shanghai Badger - October 3, 2008
Shanghai
Forgive me if I am out of line, but wanted to pass along my best to you. I know what it is like to have that feeling of things “piling on.”
Hang in there. Before you know it the sun will be shining, hope will spring eternal and it will be time to begin anew.
Tangled Up In Blue - October 3, 2008
Not out of line at all
Kind words seldom are. I appreciate the sentiment — thank you.
Shanghai Badger - October 3, 2008
I have no idea
what’s going on in your life right now but know you have my best thoughts. Hang in there.
sue369 - October 3, 2008
Thanks, Sue
Shanghai Badger - October 3, 2008
+1 nice job, exactly how I feel, what a waste of time , I've got 42 years invested in these losers, unfortunanetly I'm like a crack whore that just can't kick the habit.
alabebo - October 3, 2008
I know
the one time I really commit and go all in emotionally and everything, THIS is what happens?
And people wonder why I have commitment issues…
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
C'mon, baby, I'll make it up to you.
daver - October 3, 2008
I'd laugh
but it just feels wrong.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
Careful, you'll make the Golden Retriever nervous.
N Oakley - October 3, 2008
Eh
She’s completely unfazzed. Plus the end of baseball means we’ll stop watching people play ball on tv and hopefully do more on our own. :-)
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
LA Games
I do have to keep reminding myself that Rich Harden has been amazing in almost every start for the Cubs this year (with only one hiccup I can recall). Ted Lilly is a pitcher designed for Dodger Stadium. As far as pitching matchups go, the Cubs have to be the favorites in the next two games. The issue is with the hitting and defense, one that is not going to be simple to solve at this point. I wish that Lou had thrown a tantrum a few weeks ago as that may have sparked a few of the slumping hitters.
Qixotl - October 3, 2008
Interesting footnote.
Ted Lilly was originally drafted by the Dodgers, in the 23rd round in 1996.
Al Yellon - October 3, 2008
He did...in STL
The O writting was on the wall. They really struggled in September. They got lucky in a few games in Sept. They really only had a couple of games in Septmber where I would say they dominated….
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
Harden is good, and the Cubs may win the next game.
And there is still a chance that they may come back to win the series. I’m still hopeful. Hope is good.
Of course, I am also realistic…..
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
I hope so,
I have tickets to game 5 and I want to cheer in person!
cowsarecool220 - October 3, 2008
If the Cubs can win Game 3
pressure shifts to LA to close it out before having to go back to Wrigley.
Just take one game – at least that’s what I keep telling myself to keep from breaking down.
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
To quote a Chicago-filmed movie:
“The night is always darkest just before the dawn.” – Harvey Dent (Aaron Ekhart) in “The Dark Knight”
I’m a Cubs fan, but I’m also a Northwestern Wildcat football fan. More times than I can even remember at this point, opposing teams have had their fat lady warming up to sing about a loss for the Cats….just to have the Cats improbably, impossibly clutch victory away at the last minute.
In 2000, I was in the stands when Northwestern was playing Michigan, with first place in the Big Ten on the line in a nationally televised game on ABC. It was an offensive shootout — the Cats could not stop Michigan, but Michigan could not stop the Cats either. In the waning minutes of the 4th quarter with Northwestern trailing 51-46, the Cats drove down deep into Michigan territory but stalled. On fourth down with blitzing linemen in his face, Zak Kustok lofted a ball into the end zone towards Damien Anderson (who had rushed for over 200 yards that day and a bunch of TDs) wide open in the end zone….and he dropped it.
I’ve never been more dejected and disappointed in my entire life. Michigan had the ball, and just needed one first down to run out the clock, and they had Anthony Thomas at running back — who had not fumbled the entire season.
As Cats fans, we did not give up. We cheered harder. We screamed. We prayed and hoped for a miracle.
On 2nd and 3 with 50 seconds left, Michigan gave the ball to Anthony Thomas, who broke through the Wildcats defensive line with NOTHING but daylight ahead of him. I felt my heart sink to my feet….he saw a sure touchdown ahead of him, and swung his arm back ever so slightly….
When Sean Wieber reached out, touched the ball, and forced Thomas’ first fumble all season at the Michigan 30 yard line, with NU recovering.
NU marched down and on a slant pattern to Sam Simmons took the lead and victory, snatched LITERALLY from the jaws of defeat, by the final score of 54-51.
I don’t know why I wrote all this, except to say believe. Root louder. Have faith. Know that something won thru adversity is SOOOO much sweeter than something won with ease. Believe in Rich Harden and Ted Lilly on the mound, the bats of Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Jim Edmonds, Geovany Soto and Mark DeRosa. Trust in Lou. Enjoy the hustle of Theriot, Fontenot, and Fukudome. Prepare yourself for Marmol and Wood shutting down the end of games.
Just believe. It CAN happen. And I think it WILL happen.
Chadnudj - October 3, 2008
"don't talk like one of them, you're not..."
“even if you’d like to be.”
MJMars - October 3, 2008
I was at that NU-Michigan game
What an emotional roller coaster! I heard it was immediately replayed on ESPN Classic or something like that. And you didn’t even mention the Cats’ “first” touchdown that put them ahead 52-46—if I recall, it was called back, and they had to do it AGAIN. What a game!!
Can the Cubs pull off something similar? Well, honestly, I think they can, but I’m not expecting it. Just forget the last couple of days, and imagine having them sweep the Dodgers in a 3-game series. Not hugely likely, but certainly not impossible. I honestly expect them to win Saturday…I mean, look at the stats on the Dodgers’ #3 pitcher.
jdb-44 - October 3, 2008
So confused
I feel like having home field has worked against the Cubs. Derosa and Lee both looked so tense trying to field those balls, hoping not to mess up
So many issues, why haven’t we seen Reed Johnson yet? Reed’s been one of the best guys all year with base runners. Fukudome again? Seriously if I have to see one more spinarama this year I’m going to puke. Leaving Demp in way too long in game one.
All I’m looking for is a chance, just win game 3 and let’s take our chances. When the Cubs finally do win it all, they won’t just walk to the World Series. It’s going to have to be very difficult and improbable, but to overcome this start, seems like too much.
slocs55 - October 3, 2008
Advanced Scouting
I know that I keep going back to the 2007 playoffs, but this team, which by in large is the same line-up, is playing the same way. I know that advanced scouting was done but either it was ineffective for the second year straight or the team has no clue how to put that scouting report to good use, whereas the Dbacks and Dodgers have done so against the Cubs.
I contrast this to 2003 where the Cubs faced a very dangerous line-up in Atlanta that included Chipper Jones, Gary Sheffield, Javy Lopez, Andruw Jones, Rafael Furcal and Vinny Castilla. It was a dominant line-up with seemingly little holes. Cubs pitchers had a spectacular gameplan and executed it masterfully.
Over this current playoff series and last year’s playoff series it just seems as though the Cubs have no advanced scouting. It might be there and perhaps the players are not executing it in the least. It just seems to me that when the dust settles, regardless of when the Cubs exit the playoffs, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered, ones that didn’t get answered last year after a quick exit.
dmlichte - October 3, 2008
The Cubs do have advance scouting.
The problem is, it doesn’t seem to make any difference. Does any of the info actually get used?
Al Yellon - October 3, 2008
ya...
… I know they have advance scouing. I’m sure plenty of it. It just seems like when the Cubs took the field (both last year and this year), they had no idea how to take on their opponent.
dmlichte - October 3, 2008
Well...
I am not sure their is advancing scouting report that says this is how you get around 2 freaking errors that should have ended an inning.
That was the game period…The only blemish on Z record is the Manny Homerun. W/O those errors he pitches at least 7 innings. Marmol and Wood probably pitch differently and we probably win the freaking game..
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
the offensive approach is just that
I was stunned when Billingsley threw Soriano a first pitch strike. Once he got to second, he HAD to score.
I was surprised that Theriot wasn’t asked to bunt him over.
Shanghai Badger - October 3, 2008
I thought the same thing.
After Wednesday, the Cubs needed a 1 run lead to start pressure on LA.
N Oakley - October 3, 2008
agree, we were all dumbfounded that Theriot didnt bunt there....
JB 23 - October 3, 2008
not only that
but the riot moves runners… he makes contact
it was bizarro wrigley
Andre Fonseca - October 3, 2008
he picked a bad time to have his worst strikeout ever.
that run would’ve been nice..
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
Even if it does get used...
…information doesn’t win baseball games, execution does. They could know every pitch to throw to every Dodgers hitter and know every tendency of every Dodgers pitcher, but if they can’t score runs and they give Torre’s team extra outs (and extra bases), all the scouting in the world doesn’t matter.
daver - October 3, 2008
It's all about
THE EXECUTION! When players don’t execute on defense, offense, pitching, they lose.
Plain and simple.
In other words, the coaches, scouts, etc did their jobs, the players just didn’t execute very well.
CubFanSince1970 - October 3, 2008
Al, are you giving us permission this morning
to give into the tempation to say " Here we go again!" Yesterday you didn’t allow it.
SonnyJ9 - October 3, 2008
Do it if you want.
But this isn’t a “here we go again”. This is a “this is worse than we could have imagined”.
Al Yellon - October 3, 2008
A Cub of a certain age
I had to chuckle a little in the midst of the doom and gloom when Al talked about fans “of a certain age” that remember Jack Bickhouse and the “hopeless early 60’s” since I fall into that category.
That is probably why I am probably a little less depressed than some of the other BCB’ers that have posted so far. I think that one becomes more philosophical about the Cubs after watching them year after year. I still watch the Cubs on TV or radio during the season but we only get to Wrigley several times a year since we now live in California. My wife and I were at Wrigley on October 14, 2003 when Bartman reached out for the foul ball. I thought we still had a chance but when when Gonzalez booted the grounder several plays later, I turned to my wife and said “We are toast again this year.” And that is exactly what I told her last night whiile watching game 2. When Derosa and Lee made their errors I knew we were toast again. I didn’t get mad. I didn’t put my foot through the TV. (I learned my lesson). I only repeated the time worn phrase known to Cub fans over the world: Wait until next year.
And Al, your site is important to all us regardless of whether the Cubs lose game 3 or never ever make the WS. You provide an opportunity for all us to vent and give our opinions on our wonderful Cubs. So thanks and keep your head up.
wccubfan - October 3, 2008
Thanks for the recap. I was waiting for this to have closure on this loss.
Given the Cubs’ organization’s focus on the “Fans” and the lack of noise at Wrigley Stadium, maybe they will play better away from home?
Maybe all that silence in the stands is what is messing up the timing of our top 5 hitters in the lineup?
In any event, if we do win the next two, is possible for the Cubs to change game 5 to be played in LA? Maybe we can make up an excuse like more falling cement chunks at Wrigley?
DudeVf11 - October 3, 2008
Did you say "Wrigley Stadium" on purpose?
Al Yellon - October 3, 2008
Yes.
DudeVf11 - October 3, 2008
Just part of expressing my overall disgust with the performance.
DudeVf11 - October 3, 2008
Mike Royko always said it was Cubs Park
cubnational - October 3, 2008
How about a Frank TV ad quote to make us all cringe
“Take me out to the ball park”
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
That guy could give me a million dollars and I still wouldn't watch his show.
In fact, the only way I would watch his show is if he found some way to ensure the Cubs would win their next three games.
daver - October 3, 2008
I'm with you there, daver
who on earth decided that man had any talent? I mean, seriously.
Emelie - October 3, 2008
His impressions are quite good....
…But get old. I liked him when he would only occasionally be on TV or radio programs as a guest, but this is over-exposure…And annoying.
PurpleLineToWrigley - October 3, 2008
A good example of how we accept less than mediocre as watchable TV.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
Playoff Cubs...
A good example of how we accept less than mediocre as watchable
TVbaseball.santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
+10000000
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
I'll admit his Dubya is pretty good.
The others don’t really impress me that much. Then again, impressions as a whole usually don’t do much for me. Once you get over that initial “Hey! He sounds just like ________”, there usually isn’t much substance to the humor.
daver - October 3, 2008
+1
Has home field advantage ever worked so hard against a team?
slocs55 - October 3, 2008
Please
no one blame for the fans for the lack of noise the last couple nights. I heard enough of it and it’s total bullshit!! Cubs don’t cheer just to hear themselves be loud, they cheer when the Cubs are doing something good, which over the last two nights, didn’t happen too often.
Itchy - October 3, 2008
I was referring to
how it has seemed to make the team tense. I think we would have been better off if we started in LA.
I was there last night and I think the crowd was great despite the terrible game.
slocs55 - October 3, 2008
Since they played tight last year when they started the series in Arizona,
I don’t think where they played the games made any difference.
cowsarecool220 - October 3, 2008
They weren't nearly as good last year.
They needed to get off to a good start, beyond Derosa’s hr, nothing has been good. I think it would have been easier to overcome the Loney grand slam on the road then at a silent Wrigley. I’m not saying it’s right they have this problem, but something is there.
slocs55 - October 3, 2008
Hey Jeff
Stick to racing.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
I feel good about Harden and Lilly
But I also sense that the Dodgers know they have a dagger at the throat of the dragon and aren’t about to pass up opportunity to end it quickly. Joe Torre and the Dodgers have clear and realistic understanding of who they are and what their weaknesses are. They know on paper they aren’t as strong as the other teams, to include the Cubs. Therefore there is zero chance of arrogance entering the picture for them. I think they will approach game 3 with a ruthlessness to get the job done before the bully on the ground is able to get back up.
Plus, the stage is set for Manny to be a rock star of rock stars in Chavez Ravine. You just know he is going to rise to the ocassion to stamp his name in the Dodger history books now that they have gotten to this point. Plus he is playing for his next mega-contract and would like nothing more to stay with the Dodgers.
MDBNIU - October 3, 2008
Nice mention in SI
Cracked me up when I saw that this morning!
Itchy - October 3, 2008
I tend to agree...
…I sense the Dodgers are going to finish this thing off in 3 and Manny is just the guy (who doesn’t feel pressure) who will go off if you let him.
I will say this, if the Cubs could somehow win game 3, I think it puts pressure on the Dodgers in game 4, because they won’t want to come back here for game 5, after being up 2-0.
MPH73 - October 3, 2008
LOL
Never before has a greater contradiction been put into words than “Manny” and “zero chance of arrogance entering the picture.” The arrogance is already in the picture - that’s why the Dodgers are winning. They’re riding Torre’s experience, Manny’s ego (well-deserved as it may be) and devastating starting pitching right into the NLCS. They aren’t playing humbly; they’re playing cocky – because they have the results to back it up.
I love the line “they have a dagger at the throat of the dragon,” too. All due respect to my beloved Cubs, this dragon looks more like a salamander to me.
daver - October 3, 2008
He may be an ass. He may be a preening fawning show off
He’s Broadway Joe Meets Mr. October with dreads ..
but all three men went to unbelievable lengths to make good their braggadocio .. If you flaunt it, you’d better be able to deliver .. and Manny, to our horror, did just that.
It’s time for the Cubs bats’ to do likewise .. The pitching hasn’t been the exclusively main problem ..
cubnational - October 3, 2008
The usual Cubs' response after getting pounded for a couple games
They’ll win tomorrow 11-2 or something outlandish like that. But then lose the next game in a close one.
Arbusto - October 3, 2008
Cubs Lost 2 in a Row 17 Times This Season
Seriously, did anyone expect to go 11-0 this postseason? As bad as we feel as a fan base, how do we think the Cubs feel after the way they muddled around the last two games? If they are professionals, and I believe they are, they will get angry and step up for the next 2 games. I don’t believe that game 3 and game 4 will be close, Cubs win easy.
vegasjs - October 3, 2008
They didn't lose two in a row like those two.
Those are about the worst games I have ever seen ANY Cubs team play.
Al Yellon - October 3, 2008
That felt like 1965 or something during the "college of coaches" years
Billy Williams last night was even quoted as saying “pitiful”
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
The only players that have looked like a professional out there the last two days
Edmonds (The Ex Card) and Zambrano (the Part time head case). The Character Guys (Lee, Dero and Aram) have wilted yet again.
If they don’t pull this plane out of this noise dive…can they ever think that they will do it with these core guys
Talk to Me Goose….Talk to me damn it.
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
The @#$%^&* plane has crashed in to the mountain!
DudeVf11 - October 3, 2008
Other than DeRo's booted ball
he’s been great this postseason. Easily our most productive on offense.
neverAcquiesce - October 4, 2008
Exactly.
It’s not that they’re losing, it’s how they’re losing.
daver - October 3, 2008
That Tampa series felt pretty bad.
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
Only two sets of those 17 games were they outscored by +10 runs combined
June 26 vs. BAL
June 27 vs. CWS
was the worst, but the offense was not so inept, the defense not as bad.
IllinoisCubs - October 3, 2008
Cubs Batting Averages During Playoffs.
Soriano, .111
Theriot, .250
Lee, .429
Ramirez, .250
DeRosa, .500
Edmonds, .286
Soto, .143
Fukudome, .000
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
How about number of runners in scoring position and success in driving in runners in scoring position...
Before last night’s 9th inning burp by the Cubs they were 2 for 34 with runners in scoring position if you count last year’s Arizona series and the first two games against the Dodgers.
MDBNIU - October 3, 2008
How about Sori?
Correct me if I am wrong, but is he the most expensive position player on the team?
I think his defense is fine lately, but he does not have a history of being a performer in the playoffs.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
I just heard on the radio...
…that Piniella went off on Soriano after the game – “to show more guts”.
Well, its probably something Lou should have done a while ago, and I’m not sure this is the right thing to do at this point. Lou is emotional and you take the good with the bad, but I don’t know about this one.
MPH73 - October 3, 2008
Sori is very poor in the postseason historically.
Good for Lou.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
didn't he have a couple of good playoffs with the Yankees?
I seem to remember Soriano coming through big for them a few times, including a couple of walk-off hits…
bobby h - October 3, 2008
He hit a homerun off Schilling that put NY up 2-1 in Game 7
but, unfortunately, we haven’t seen that one around here so far.
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
Soriano
I believe he hit the last World Series homerun at Yankee Stadium
VegasCubFan - October 3, 2008
We need something
Michael Barrett posters taped to Z’s locker?
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
In 5 playoff games they have a total of 11 runs
I don’t know what AVG w/RISP is, but that stat says it all.
IllinoisCubs - October 3, 2008
That Lee stat is bogus
when they come in meaningless situations.
CubFaninNY - October 3, 2008
The Lee stat is not bogus. That's his BA.
I agree with you though that his ABs are pretty pathetic. Not a #3 hitter anymore. Too bad.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Of course it is his BA but what does it tell us?
Lee got a BB, 2 singles and a 2b, in 2 games. The 2b was in the 8th inning last night.
Lee has not been a complete zero but he has been disappointing. I appreciate that he’ll take BBs, he still has value but not as a No. 3 hitter. For whatever reason his power is MIA.
It isn’t all Lee’s fault either, Soriano has done far, far less, and Aramis has been bad, too.
DudeVf11 - October 3, 2008
A-Rod has lots of Homers, too.
But most of the time they mean very little, because they come when they make little impact.
CubFaninNY - October 3, 2008
more than the batting averages... it's the RBI's that's pathetic...
digitalbenjamin - October 3, 2008
or his GiDP stat
really pathetic
His wrist injury from 2006 prevents him from turning his wrist and hitting with any power. He’s effectively finished as a power hitter.
VegasCubFan - October 3, 2008
Al, I would appreciate your direct take on Jim Hendry's criticism of the Wrigley crowd last night
As you know he stooped to lowest form of excuse making by taking a swipe at the crowd. I’m still stunned by what Hendry said to the point that if we had a real owner in place I would think right course of action would be to terminate Hendry on the spot.
MDBNIU - October 3, 2008
Hopefully we'll get a new owner....
and I like the “Maverick” as our new owner (not the one running for Prez, the other one).
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Thats pretty much dust in the wind
n/t
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
Hopefully the one running for prez
shows a little more fight than this team on Nov. 4
MJMars - October 3, 2008
Probably
Would have made a better infielder for them last night — all 72 years and screwed up arms of him.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
Larry, Moe, Curly and Shemp...
would have made better infielders last night.
hokie316 - October 3, 2008
Are they free agents next year?
:)
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
What did Jim Hendry say?
cowsarecool220 - October 3, 2008
Sign on the dotted line.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
He said
that because of the way the team played the fans seemed to be waiting for doom and gloom.
Wow he should not only be fired but shot.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Agree 100% I thought I was reading Dusty quote. See ya, Jim!
DudeVf11 - October 3, 2008
The crowd nothing to do with anything of this crap
anyone who thinks it did is a complete moron. Cub fan cheer when the Cubs do something good not just to hear themselves yell.
Itchy - October 3, 2008
I thought the crowd was actually very supportive.
Chanting “Go Cubs Go” even in the late innings when their insides had been kicked in by the horrible plays.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
And "Let's Go Z!"
That was pretty cool, actually.
daver - October 3, 2008
it almost sounded louder
in the 9th after everyone left…I have never seen the stadium so empty during a game this year- losing or not
Andre Fonseca - October 3, 2008
And neither was Hendry
And only an idiot thinks Hendry’s comments blamed the fans. In fact he was saying the teams play caused the fans to feel the way they did not the fans causing the teams play.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Where can I find this article?
slocs55 - October 3, 2008
I don't know about Al's response, but...
my response is that Hendry’s comments were LAME and real shot below the belt to all the Cub fans who have been more than loyal over the years!
CubFanSince1970 - October 3, 2008
Agree, not sure what Hendry was thinking there. I'm also interested in what Al has to say about this...
Al?
Ilan - October 3, 2008
It was a SoriDomeockery
BTW, I think Torre’s move to bring in Broxton in the 9th shows what a great post-season manager he is. The Cubs weren’t going to score 9 runs, but Torre knew that if the offense gained any momentum or confidence by putting up a 4-5 spot it could have carried into next game. That, my friends, is how you manage.
BeltwayCubsFan - October 3, 2008
It ain't over til it's over.
The fat lady ain’t sung yet (though she’s had one hell of a tuneup).
Yes, that’s my attempt at a wee bit of levity and maybe get a laugh or two today. It’s a somber day indeed, only slightly upped by the fact that it was a blowout. If we blew a lead late, or lost by one I’d have been even more crushed. As it was, I’d kinda come to terms with this by the time Manny hit his bomb.
But you take it one game at a time. If we win tomorrow, that’s one game. Play Sunday. Win then, it’s tied, back to Wrigley. Longshot, I know, but hey, we’re Cub fans. We should be used to it.
Hope springs eternal. And remember, Cub fans…there’s always next year.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Remind me to break out my singing voice on Saturday
Ya know, just incase they can’t make it happen.
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
I am a Cub fan. I have a high toleration for pain.
I just can’t shake the feeling that we are going to see them regroup.
cubnational - October 3, 2008
I want them to win so bad on Saturday.
I have never wanted anything more in all my 30 yrs on earth!
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
I felt like that yesterday
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
I felt like that Wednesday.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
I felt like that both days...although getting to date Erin Andrews is a close second.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
At least today wasn't a total loss. I do like that picture.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
I think we have good SP matchups, too...
and the park plays to pitchers, so I still have a little bit of hope, but the offense and the D have been so bad that I can’t picture it happening. Plus, this teams seems mentally weak. They make excuses for everything. If Soriano is supposed to be our Manny, he’s just not even in the same galaxy (not saying Soriano makes excuses), he’s an undisciplined hitter that good pitchers seem to have no problem getting out.
DudeVf11 - October 3, 2008
The Fat Lady is even watching the Cubs series, she's pigging out at Old Country Buffett, even
she knows it doesn’t matter.
DudeVf11 - October 3, 2008
How did you know I have
dinner plans at OCB on Saturday???
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
isn't
DudeVf11 - October 3, 2008
we are on
a two game losing streak. How many three game winning streaks did we have this year? PLENTY of them!
GO CUBS GO!
brian custer - October 3, 2008
First time I've actually believed in 'The Curse'
On a positive note, NOTHING can ‘kill’ me Cub-wise since 2003. That was the worst. I can deal with this – not like I…or we have a choice, but what can we do? We are TOTALLY choking… and at the worst possible time.
malicedoom - October 3, 2008
I might believe, too.
True story:
My dad called me minutes after DeRo’s homer in game one. He just wanted to tell me to enjoy the playoffs and that he had just gotten home and saw the blast. However, my first thought, my VERY FIRST THOUGHT was, “Oh my god, Dad called me moments after Hester returned the opening kick in the Super Bowl. Shit…”
Seriously. That was my first thought. Wow.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
ha ha. it's deja vu all over again....
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
I have no words to describe my feelings right now...
this has been possibly the most pathetic display of baseball I have ever seen in my entire life. I hope mjk83 is right…i’m out.
crw89 - October 3, 2008
History is being made
The best team in the NL has not lost this bad since the Division Series expanded.
I’m sure you would have to go even farther back to find a team that outworsed what the Cubs just did these past two days after being the best team all year long.
I like Harden, I like Lilly, I like Dempster for 3, 4, 5 but to win they would have to allow just one run for this offense to win.
IllinoisCubs - October 3, 2008
03 Giants
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
The Giants lost the series
but they stared with a 2-0 victory, lost the next game by 5, lost the next two games by 1 run each.
That’s hardly an embarrassing performance.
Also, the Giants weren’t the best team in the regular season. The Braves were.
IllinoisCubs - October 3, 2008
They still won almost 100 games...right
They still lost to a supposed inferior team. The choked away a late lead and lost at a play in the plate in the final game…right. The scores don’t always tell the whole story.
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
They won a game
Something this team has failed to do in five postseason games now.
They also outscored the 07-08 Cubs five game run total in just two games, Game 2 & Game 4.
I’d kill for their offense at this point.
IllinoisCubs - October 3, 2008
Thanks. But t paraphrase the lead singer from SpinalTap commenting on the sudden explosion of their drummer...
“It’s too much $#@#$ perspective.”
DudeVf11 - October 3, 2008
"Our other drummer died in a bizarre gardening accident."
daver - October 3, 2008
The authorities never really did say what happened.
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
The review for "Shark Sandwich" was merely a two word review
which simply read “Shit Sandwich”.
Blue W - October 3, 2008
LOL! That describes the Cubs playoff performance!
DudeVf11 - October 3, 2008
They have to HIT!!
Itchy - October 3, 2008
For those who want to try and muster up some hope...
Check out this song on YouTube… fast forward to the 3:25 mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od1-hXZ1zUQ
digitalbenjamin - October 3, 2008
I love that song
I have it on repeat any time I feel down. That and Straight Lines by Silverchair.
mkacer - October 3, 2008
May this work for you ...
… like it worked for my favorite team when they needed to win 3 straight.
“Over? NOTHING IS OVER…”
Watch it here (unedited). http://tinyurl.com/4pb9hn
Listen here (ok for kids). http://tinyurl.com/3sj8kb
DrCrawdad - October 3, 2008
Looks like I picked the wrong week to give up therapy
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
Ha!
This may be the week I have to start it!
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
Say it Ain't So Cubbies
Remember they went through…….. seems like a 7 – 10 game losing streak when they looked real bad back in early Sept or end of Aug……….. now is not the time to repeat it .. they looked like the pressure got to them and they played High School Baseball.
nimblenikelfoos - October 3, 2008
Compliments to most
Except for the morons calling for the team to be dismantled and the fire Hendry posts the posts here have been great.
The only hope I have is that this team has shown resillency all season.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Come Saturday
you may need a new name :)
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
I gotta put this series on Lou
A manager’s job is to motivate and Lou has turned into Dusty in one respect- he’s slunk into his seat in the dugout, hands in pocket, an occasional remark to Rothschild. How about some encouragement, how about clapping your hands, how about putting some faith into your team.
I stopped watching in the 6th innning.
I do not plan to watch either of the next two games. I’m not even sure I could stand to watch game 5, if we were lucky enough to get it.
This team is playing scared. Playing like they know they should lose.
I really and truly thought this might be “the year.” It’s one thing to get beat when you play well. It’s another thing to go out there and humiliate yourself with terrible play and terribel at-bats.
The callous gets thicker every year, and at this rate I’m not sure I’ll be able to get emotional about this team until the Cubs actually make it to the world series.
SouthsideCub - October 3, 2008
Lou doesn't hit, field, or pitch.
How do you tell Sori to hit above .150 in the playoffs? How do you tell Dome not to corkscrew? How can you field for DLee, or throw for Theriot?
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
But from whom does a team take its cues?
SouthsideCub - October 3, 2008
But Lou should've been there for the whole team
after Theriot missed the grounder (that, for the record, wasn’t his fault). Z flailed his arm like a child (not an insult, cos I did, too) and Lou needed to gather the entire team and calm em down. It’s the Bartman situation all over again.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
-1
Cubs player are not executing. Period.
digitalbenjamin - October 3, 2008
Those "win one for the Gipper" speeches only work in the movies
While Piniella has made a couple of bad tactical moves (playing Kosuke for two game while clutch hitting Johnson and Fontenot rot on the bench) I can’t pin much blame on him. This is a failure of the players on the field. And that failure has been total and complete in every phase of the game. As Lou said last night the last two games have been THE poorest played games of the season by this ballclub.
MDBNIU - October 3, 2008
I wish Lou DID behave like Dusty
The one truly great thing about Dusty is that he DID motivate players and made every single player feel like an important member of the team. He made guys like Karros & Simon as important as Sosa. Both Lou and Dusty are BAD in game managers but in a post season I actually prefer Dusty. Lou has coddled Sori, continued to play Howry even including two TERRIBLE losses in the final week.
This is not a way to “inspire” a team. Yes he had great success in the past but I think his style of managing by intimidation is a thing of the past. When did you ever really hear a player talk about Lou in reverental terms. Most everyone seemed to think having a hard ass manager was a great thing but I prefer the even keeled guys like Francona, Sciosa (sic) etc.
Doggie Stalker - October 3, 2008
I hate to say it
But am I the only one if they’;re not going to come back and win would almost rather have it just be over with Saturday night.
Guys I did see Al last night. He really was dejected. I decided not to approach him. I waved not sure if he saw me or knew who I was.
Of course we are starting the Fire Lou idiots.
I have to check for sure but when the Mariners came back to beat the Yankees weren’t Lou and Torre the managers.
And again these are good players having a bad 2 games. They picked a horrible 2 games to be bad in.
calling them terrible players is one thing. Calling them bad players for a game is another.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
one win would be nice just to know that they won
nji232 - October 3, 2008
Agreed
atleast one win will somehow in a small way make this disaster still better than last year.
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
For me if...
If they are not going to at least win the Pennant, the sooner the lose the better. I don’t need the stress. However, I would at least like for them to compete. They have failed to do that.
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
It seems like you've "almost" met Al about 10 times this season.
daver - October 3, 2008
Hopefully this ownership situation gets solved fast
We need a new owner in place quickly so that we know how much money we can spend this offseason.
If we get Cuban, I fully expect money to be throw around left and right.
Sign Sabathia, sign Furcal, sign everyone.
nji232 - October 3, 2008
Cuban
Cuban would listen to the fans who are stupid enough to say trade everyone now and dismantle a 97 win team because the morons wanted it.
They had a 110 millionish payroll this season. Obviously money was not the problem.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Money isn't the problem and neither is most of the team
I just want more money thrown around. Outspend the Yankees if possible.
nji232 - October 3, 2008
The great Sabathia
The great Sabathia didn’t do any better than Zambrano yesterday it should be also pointed out.
In fact Sabathia did worse. He didn’t have to make 5 outs in an inning.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Sabathia isn't the answer to our playoff problems and I realize that
Doesn’t mean he can’t help.
nji232 - October 3, 2008
Our rotation
The rotation isn’t the problem. we may need a new #5 but resigning Dempster and we’re fine in 2009.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
I think we should go to a 6-man rotation
That way we protect Harden over a full season. Z and Marquis being decent hitters makes that a possibility.
nji232 - October 3, 2008
marquis is a rock solid
brian custer - October 3, 2008
Spending
Spending money to spend money does not solve problems.
Where would we spend it? Furcal for SS would be the only one people mention that might be a good idea.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Trying not to beat on the current roster too much
but just cause they spend money that does not mean that spent the money wisely. They really need to find that professional hitter..ala grace…who can compliment their power guys. I thought Dome was that guy….alas he is not.
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
I Thought
the Cuban thing was pretty much out of the picture.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
Then whoever else is the owner better be willing to spend a ton
nji232 - October 3, 2008
Money is not the real issue, is it?
Seems to me that the Cubs have spent and spent alot the last couple off-seasons. I don’t know how someone could criticize the Cubs for NOT spending.
The Yankees and Boston spend too, and it just doesn’t always work. But the Cubs did win 97 games and they’re in the post-season and it’s not over, yet.
DrCrawdad - October 3, 2008
I want more money spent
Offer stupid contracts to every free agent. I’m not saying they aren’t spending, im saying I would like to see some more spending, fully expecting that it comes off as an obnoxious comment.
nji232 - October 3, 2008
Quit breaking my heart!
……wake up Cubs, we watched you all season long, hanging on every pitch and this is how you repay the fans… THIS?
If this team continues to play with no heart, they will lose mine….
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
Got along
They got along with you before you came bandwagon jumper will get along without you now that you’re a Brewers fan.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Thats awful presumptious...
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
And pretty uncalled for
This isn’t the time to “prove” how hopelessly devoted a fan a person is, we all are (or at least should) be disapointed.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
ANYONE
Anyone that would stop being a fan after this is not a real fan.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Do we really need to fight now?
Who needs a hug?
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
I'll arm-wrestle you for a chance to hug Lynda Carter.
Blue W - October 3, 2008
Can't arm wrestle.
Not since I saw a video of a dude’s elbow popping. Scares me to death.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Elbow popping? (shudder)
…Wait, does that mean I win by default?
ready to commence the Lynda-huggin’
Blue W - October 3, 2008
Why not.
The video’s pretty intense. The dude’s arm goes full down like he lost, but his elbow stays put. He has an ungodly look of horror on his face as the ref stabilizes his arm and the opponent backs off in shock. I cannot shake that image when I think of arm wrestling.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
And
Anyone who would jump all over the frustrated comments made by a real fan is a jerk. I can say this because I am guilty of it too. Let people vent a little…who died and made you hall monitor?
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
Listen
I’ve been a die hard cub fan since I was 7, the game I watched last night made me sick. I’m not literally going to switch teams. I’m just like everyone else…..irritated.
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
And
And I overreacted to your comments. At least you’re not calling for the entire team to be traded and every person in the office down to Jim Hendry’s second assistant to be fired.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Def. not a ledge jumper
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
Hmmm
I’m thinking jumping to that ship is worse…I’d go for something exciting and Blue.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
LA??
: D
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
Hear they got quite a team
n/t
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
LOL
Klassic KOW sentence structure.
daver - October 3, 2008
I'm not one for internet memes...
But I just have one thing to say about this cubs team (they don’t deserve capitalization):
FAIL.
NightPutting - October 3, 2008
let's hope this series doesn't end up as an...
EPIC FAIL
digitalbenjamin - October 3, 2008
Isn't this just an unbelievable nightmare?
I’ve read everything so far and jeezsh this is bad. Al, we’ve talked a few times, cheer up, this is not like you but I completely understand why. I’ve said before it’s never easy. This team has been a complete team all year, we’re just completely sucking together right now. We don’t have a real stud to rally around like a Manny, and we need one. I’m thinking this team needs to learn how to win. Lou got it turned around last year. This year, up until September 30, has been awesome. We have another step to go. We’re not a lucky team like say the Marlins have been where it just happens for us all at once. We’re going to have to learn the hard way how to win and have playoff toughness. It will take some tweaking, but realize we’ve taken two steps forward since 2006 and no one can take that away. It’s just the way we are trying to take this last step is so disgusting. Talk about turnoffs.
I know your are realistic Al, I’m with ya. But cheer up, there are things in life worse than the Cubs losing.
mrcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Perhaps I'm hyperbolizing somewhat...
But from where I stand, those last two games were the worst baseball games I’ve ever subjected myself to. Ever. Worse than game 6 in 2003, seeing as these were a pair of crap factory games.
Nightmare doesn’t even begin to describe it.
NightPutting - October 3, 2008
Agreed 100%
For punishment they will make prison convicts watch those games.
mrcubsfan - October 3, 2008
you brought my first smile of the thread
Emelie - October 3, 2008
Funny youtube video
you have to liste to the whole thing but it’s hilarious, George Brett telling a story…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqDWeQkL-HY
There are swear words so if that’s a problem, don’t watch it.
slocs55 - October 3, 2008
Lou
I didn’t like him when they hired him, I like him even less now. All the little things that got glossed over during the regular season are coming back to haunt us now.
Not counting his first season with the Reds his playoff record is 15-24. Yikes! For a manager with “experience?”
goddess - October 3, 2008
I think Michael Scott said it best:
It feels like somebody took my heart and dropped it into a bucket of boiling tears… and at the same time, somebody else is hitting my soul in the crotch with a frozen sledgehammer… and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone… and I’m crying, and nobody can hear me, because I am terribly, terribly… terribly alone.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
+1
NightPutting - October 3, 2008
nice.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Love it.
My grief bone is more like in mushy greif shards now.
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
Yeah, that about sums it up.
daver - October 3, 2008
just reposted on Facebook...
digitalbenjamin - October 3, 2008
Thats a great idea
think that belongs on my facebook and myspace
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
Heres something
Manny Ramirez are all his postseason homeruns as meaningless as the last 2 nights?
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
They're not meaningless until after the game is over.
During the game, they’re valuable tack-on runs and invaluable psychological grenades thrown into the opposing dugout.
daver - October 3, 2008
A few things
1) I wrote this elsewhere, so briefly – Most analysts always thought this was going 5 and the first two matchups didn’t look good for the Cubs. Let this thing play out. We may get swept; we may sweep the next three. As a fan, our job is to keep cheering till they’re done playing. They’re not done yet.
2) Al wrote, “Virtually every single move that Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella made during the season seemed the right ones, were hailed by most of us here.” Yes, most hailed most of the moves. There was a solid minority, however, an excoriated minority, that said Lou was not managing to win in the post-season. Now is not the time to rehash the old debate or begin the post-post-season debate, but there were warnings.
DGU - October 3, 2008
I think Lou is a fine manager. Not perfect, but who else would you choose?
He can’t force Sori to hit better than .150, he can’t swing for Dome, or throw for Theriot. He can’t field for DLee.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Anybody
Anybody else would have kept Zambrano in longer last year and taken Dempster out earlier this year. Or not have a hitter who’s become a head case batting 2nd in the first game of the playoffs.
goddess - October 3, 2008
fair enough. but do you really think that it is Lou's fault that the team played like a pathetic
bunch? Trust me, Lou is pissed royally now, and he’s gonna be screaming at those guys for the next two days. He’s lost it.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Come on
Come on zev Lou is the magic morphing man,
He morphs into his players and makes the bad pitches and plays.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Absolutely. People need someone to blame, so they blame Lou.
Lou isn’t perfect, but sheesh, those guys couldn’t hit or field last night.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Let me be clear.
I’m not blaming anyone. I’m trying not to play that game. I’m noting something in response to Al’s claim that implied there was little questioning of Lou’s management decisions all season long.
DGU - October 3, 2008
I'm not saying it's just him
But, he gets a full share. How about Lou saying he knew Dempster didn’t have when he gave up the double. Right after the grand slam. After he walked the bases loaded. Everybody here knew Demp was done in the second inning. He just didn’t have i and that’s on him. But, Lou needs to see and correct that before the grannie.
goddess - October 3, 2008
how is saturday's matchup better?
Kuroda shut us out. I remember that game and our offense looked inept. Harden is a 5 inning pitcher and then we have to get 4 innings out of a bullpen that looks absolutely wretched.
BeltwayCubsFan - October 3, 2008
Kuroda has injury questions.
Harden will go longer in what may be his last start of the season.
DGU - October 3, 2008
he owned the Cubs that game
The Cubs had better sit in the clubhouse and figure out how they’re going to bat against this guy. He had their numbers and they’d better get his ..
cubnational - October 3, 2008
When some of us point out the warts during the regular season we are torched around here
Exhibit A — the guess hitting hack who goes by the name Alfonso Soriano. He goes on wondrous hot streaks where he hits the living piss out of bad pitching and drives those sexy personal statistics on the back of his bubblegum card, but what does he EVER do when it most counts or against good pitching???
Exhibit B — as much as I like Ryan Dempster we all knew deep down he was having a career year and had good dose of luck on his side. Last year at this time Dempster was public enemy number one but to his credit he turned into a fine starter. But throughout the season he was prone to walking people and gave up lots of “loud outs” around his otherwise effective pitching. But to raise these points was to be classified as asshole.
Exhibit C — Kerry Wood
Exhibit D — the middle relief
Exhibit E — Felix Pie
The list goes on and on.
MDBNIU - October 3, 2008
Amazing
Amazing people who called Dempster and Wood crap now just love that they are down 2-0 in the postseason.
Now you claim you were right both suck because of the last 2 games.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
I didn't say Dempster or Wood was crap
Rather I said that throughout the season the warning signs and flaws of each player was pointed out to generaly scathing response. Because during the regular season by gosh Cub fans don’t want to hear ANYTHING contrarian to the viewpoint that key players are anything less that Greek Gods.
MDBNIU - October 3, 2008
Wood didn't even pitch in a meaningful situation the past two days.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
And you didn't want to hear
that Lou had done anything wrong. Whatever.
The season’s not over for us yet. 22 other teams’ fans have nothing left of the season. We’re still going. There will be plenty of time to review and say who was right and who was wrong. We still have at least 1 more game to watch, cheer, and thank God for post-season ball.
I’m not afraid to predict that we’ve got more than one more game to watch.
DGU - October 3, 2008
+1
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Hey, genius, people get to disagree with you.
That’s kind of what a blog like this is all about. Just FYI.
daver - October 3, 2008
Go pound sand.
PurpleLineToWrigley - October 3, 2008
I did. About three times last night.
I’m not sure what’s more sore, my arm or my….uh, nevermind.
daver - October 3, 2008
LOL, what the hell have Kerry Wood and Felix Pie done wrong?
Hell, Pie drew a walk – AGAINST A MAJOR LEAGUE PITCHER – last night.
daver - October 3, 2008
Right, he walked
because he can’t hit ML pitching.
DGU - October 3, 2008
Ohhhhhhhhhhh, now I get it.
daver - October 3, 2008
In answer to your question in Exhibit A
Exhibit A — the guess hitting hack who goes by the name Alfonso Soriano. He goes on wondrous hot streaks where he hits the living piss out of bad pitching and drives those sexy personal statistics on the back of his bubblegum card, but what does he EVER do when it most counts or against good pitching???
CC Sabathia – Al was wonderful in those games against CC.
vonde6 - October 3, 2008
One worry I had
One worry I had was clinching with 11 days before the playoffs started might take some of the fight out of them. I think sadly this is the case.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Well...
Clinching the last week did not help much in 07 either…
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
Yep, there must some truth in that
because there’s absolutely no fight in this bunch, none. One thing is for sure, they all quit after that second inning.
Itchy - October 3, 2008
You guys are a bunch of pansies
Why are you bitching so much? It’s 2 damn losses, it happens.
The Cubs have Harden tomorrow. You know, the guy who has a 11.01 K/9, .187 BAA, and 2.95 FIP. I’m not saying they’re going to win without a doubt on Saturday; I’m going to say they put a fight.
And they put him up against Kuroda. And then hopefully on Sunday the Cubs put on Lilly, who has a 3.35 ERA in August, and a 3.30 ERA in Sept/Oct.
Put my dreams away? No thank you, sir. This is first game I’ll be able to see from top to bottom, since there’s no class to attend.
In short, credo quia absurdum est
NittanyCub - October 3, 2008
Harden hasn't been pitching good
over his last few starts. Too many damn walks!! If he stays away from the walks, we’ll have a chance.
Itchy - October 3, 2008
Ergo bibamus.
I’ll have a scotch please.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
I was told there would be no Latin.
daver - October 3, 2008
Losing fight is a garbage argument
I remember watching one of their wins they had the last week against the Mets (the 9-5 win) where they crushed them and recall thinking “if the Cubs can play this loose in the playoffs we are set.” But I knew it would never happen and that we would never see the team that loose when it mattered. And Pinella benching Dome now – 2 games in the hole – is kind of like Rocky throwing in the white towel after Drago had knocked Apollo Creed to the mat. The fatal blow has already been struck Lou – taking a hard stance against Dome NOW is two games too late
BeltwayCubsFan - October 3, 2008
The 90s Braves
the 90s Braves often would clinch early and not make it even to the series even though they were the best team in the NL at least every year.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
5 WS and 1 WS Victory
Except for that yeah.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
2000-2005
The Braves only won one postseason series (2001 vs. Houston) during those six seasons. They are the only team to lose a postseason series against the Cubs (2003) since 1908.
memphiscub - October 3, 2008
Fundamental Flaws
At the end of the day, the Cubs are fundamentally flawed. Derrek Lee, typically stellar defensively, is WAY too patient at the plate. He routinely takes first pitch strikes on balls he could be driving into his favorite territory, the gap in right-center field. Manny Ramirez could have hit 20 home runs this year on pitches that Derrek Lee looked at for strike one — or strike three, for that matter. If I were a betting man, I’d say he’s hit less than .200 with the bases loaded, and he grounds into double plays in clutch situations with alarming regularity.
Alfonso Soriano, on the other hand, is unable to resist the opportunity to dig himself into an 0-1 hole, or worse. With two strikes, there’s not a pitcher in Welles Park baseball that could fail to set him down swinging with a 58-foot breaking ball. And my fingernails curl back every time I seem him make that ridiculous hop catching fly balls. He may be able to carry a time for short periods of time, but, at the end of the day, he’s not a lead-off hitter, and his baseball IQ is just too low for him to lead a team to a championship.
Fukudome is history. I don’t know WHAT happened there. Word of how to strike him out by flailing at a pitch right through the heart of the strike zone either spread like wildfire around the league sometime in June, or he was riding a crest of sheer luck for the first half of the season. It’s mind-blowing to think that this was the same guy whose three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth prolonged the season opener against the Brewers. (By the way, I believe that one of the TBS announcers last night erroneously described that as a “walk-off” home run. Either that, or he hit a walk-off homer some time, and I missed it.)
Jim Edmonds had a fantastic career and a decent, but fleeting, run as a Cub. If fielding were more highly prized, he’d be a Hall-Of-Famer in my book. But despite his 20 homers this season, he has clearly lost a step. He gets slow jumps on balls that either bounce on the warning track or fall in Texas League territory. Indeed, both these things happened in Game One, and also happened a number of times during the regular season. He also swings just a little late, or swings and misses, on pitches that, as a Cardinal, he would have deposited into the right-center field seats. The Cubs need a center field solution next year. Considering that Reed Johnson made the greatest catch I’ve ever seen against the Nationals and seems to be gritty as a player (not to mention being the nicest and most down-to-Earth guy in the world), perhaps he should be given a shot to play in a non-platoon situation.
In the meantime, Micah Hoffpauir needs to go to Arizona to work on playing right field. He caught a ball during the final series in Milwaukee that he turned around three times on before he tracked down. Ugly, but he definitely has potential. And I like his bat.
As for the pitching staff, let’s not make any changes. I love them all.
But at this point, curses are calling, and AC0063101 is just around the corner.
Zooty Zoot - October 3, 2008
there is no
way this team gets swept….
cozmotaylor123 - October 3, 2008
wake up buddy
bc odds are Its gonna happen
nji232 - October 3, 2008
At least Mizzou plays Saturday night...
PurpleLineToWrigley - October 3, 2008
Crap...
That could be its own fiasco for me…a Nebraska fan!
storkysm - October 3, 2008
Should be a good game...
You guys own us in Lincoln….
PurpleLineToWrigley - October 3, 2008
I hope its a good game.
I don’t know how I’ll react if the Cubs and the Huskers BOTH get smoked in the same week. I may just sit and cry! LOL (kind of)
storkysm - October 3, 2008
Yeah, they will win Game 3
but lose Game 4 in some strange heartbreaking fashion
PhillyCub - October 3, 2008
No, I fear
they will win games 3 and 4 and then lose game 5 in some strange heartbreaking fashion.
tucsoncubsfan - October 3, 2008
LOL.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
ewwwwwwwwwww
cubnational - October 3, 2008
This would be a twist far worse than what has all ready happened
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
From your keyboard to the mountaintop...
…then in and out of DeRosa’s glove and…well…three runs score.
daver - October 3, 2008
only 3?
Shanghai Badger - October 3, 2008
Odd
I predicted the Cubs would have one series in the postseason like the 04 Red Sox. Hopefully this is their version of the 04 AL championship series.
And who was the manager of that choking Yankees team?
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
This strapping young gentleman
Man— nevermind, Joe Torre is one ugly son of a bitch. I can’t even joke about that one.
NittanyCub - October 3, 2008
Guessin' the Steinbrenner boys are a wee bit pissed they got rid of Joe Torre, eh??
MDBNIU - October 3, 2008
He does look like a character from the Sopranoes
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
Ehhh...whaddya talkin about?
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
yada yada yada..bada bing
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
He played Joe the butcher at Satriales
MDBNIU - October 3, 2008
Oh, yeah
try the veal
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
Siragusa (sp?) played a Soprano crew enforcer.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
It's funny how his nose has grown so much bigger relative to his face.
that’ll probably happen to me too unfortunately.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Hey, he's the rapist in the artists' impression sketch
from the post a few days ago; maybe yesterday
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
Just heard
that Rich Little was signed to play Joe Torre in a Lifeteime original movie
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
What are they going to play?
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
Submitted for your approval.
daver - October 3, 2008
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
NittanyCub - October 3, 2008
"Jazz hands! Lots of jazz hands!"
daver - October 3, 2008
winner!
digitalbenjamin - October 6, 2008
Faith
I am usually the MOST PESSIMISTIC of cubs fans. They lost opening day and I think the seasons over. I never think they will come back. I had no faith in game three last year in the NLDS at all. Still, I really feel like the cards are in their favor for this one. Tonight, they have their most talented and dominant pitcher on the mound. I know that we all love Z and he has been our guy, but there is no question that when healthy (I know, im as sick of those two words as anyone), he is the best pitcher on our team and probably one of the best 5 in the league…certainly better than Huroda.If we can get through tonight, we have the our best pitcher of the past month in Lilly. He took a no hitter into the 6th at least twice last month and once in august against the reds. If we can win these games, as we should, and bring it back here to chicago, there is no doubt in my mind that Dempster will redeem himself. He wasnt that bad all year and theres no way it would happen twice.
I refuse to give up. I haven’t seen Al that pessimistic and must say that I didnt expect it. After the 2nd last night I just sat on my porch without watching the game. I could still hear the cheers a block from the stadium and wondered, what the hell do they have to be cheering about. But then I remembered this is what its all about. And none of us should be giving up. It wouldn’t be as fun if we werent down 0-2 to come back. And if we don’t hey, you know what we say…wait till next year. But i don’t think we will have to say that this year.
"i, hate to see you cry
lying there in that position,
there’s things you need to hear,
so turn of your tears, and listen
pain throws your heart to the ground
love turns the whole thing around
no it won’t all go the way it should
but I know the heart of life is good…"
KButler - October 3, 2008
me, today >>>
nervousCUBlover - October 3, 2008
LOL
"I’m expressing my inner anguish THROUGH THE MAJESTY OF SONG! "
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
No, No, we'll have none of that here.
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
Milk was a baaaaaad choice.
hokie316 - October 3, 2008
Milk is a good choice to start with
before the whiskey
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
I already said to my officemates,
I’m in a glass case of emotion.
slocs55 - October 3, 2008
When Colin Cowherd can fill out the lineup card better than your own manager (i.e. he would go with the hot bats) you know you're cooked.
Jerry Mumphrey - October 3, 2008
This almost feels like '84 in reverse...
if we can win Game 3, maybe the “pressure” all shifts to L.A. – maybe we’re the Padres and they are the Cubs?
DKT - October 3, 2008
Do you think Harden is on a pitch count tomorrow night?
If he is pitching well, and the Cubs are in the game, will Lou leave him out there? I mean, at some point, the best interests of next year need to be in the back of the mind, right?
PurpleLineToWrigley - October 3, 2008
I would like to say that Lou will keep Harden on a pitch count
and that he will have Ted Lilly warming up in the bullpen if Harden gets in any kind of jam smelling anything like the debacles the past two days
I say then that Demp will start on Sunday if we survive this round and Z warming up in the bullpen at the same time.
And that Marquis will pitch if we come back to Wrigley
Course, if things go the way they are, Bob Howry will pitch relief in every darn situation and give the games right back to LA ..
cubnational - October 3, 2008
We should just start Howry.
PurpleLineToWrigley - October 3, 2008
uuuggghhhh!
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
TBS briefly showed Howry warming up in the bullpen last night...
…and I swear I heard a fan in the crowd yell, “SAVE US, HOWRY!”
Fortunately, the network did not censor his sarcasm.
daver - October 3, 2008
Maybe by some cosmic twist of fate
Howry would’ve been awesome and saved the fledgling team.
God, I’m so depressed I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
You guys are killing me. I haven't laughed this much in months. I guess
misery really does love company.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
Haha, he comes to bat
and homers
PurpleLineToWrigley - October 3, 2008
It worked for the Spiders game...
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
we'll always have the Spiders game...
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
I want to thank Al
for allowing divergent points of view to post at his blog.
We ALL want the same thing, when it comes down to it.
While many of you were putting your World Series lineups together, and talking about who we’d play in the NLCS, three weeks ago I posted that we’d make the Playoffs and be
One and Done" once more.
Why?
The pressure.
Honestly, after this flop, I do not know if any Cubs team can perform under the pressure of the “100 year drought” (soon to be 101) that they hear about at every turn.
The best team in the NL has been out-pitched, outhit, out-MANAGED, out-fielded, for two games and Al said it best. Its over as far as I can see.
The E-Man - October 3, 2008
And
And you are so happy you might be right. So you aren’t a Cubs fan.
A
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Bullshit!
You cannot tell another person what “being a fan” is to them!
I am a Season Ticket holder and SAW THEM LOSE in ’69, ’84, ’89, ’98, ’03, ’07, and ’08
Bitch.
The E-Man - October 3, 2008
Amen brother
MDBNIU - October 3, 2008
A litter saltier
than my comment but probably more effective.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
+1
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Damn right.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
OH - I left out
2004 – when we SHOULD have been the NL Wild Card Rep.
The E-Man - October 3, 2008
I hate when 1 person tells another they aren't a fan.
That is the dumbest shit, heard last night at the game when two fans were arguing.
slocs55 - October 3, 2008
A fan
A real fan isn’t happy his team loses because he predicted it.
And only someone happy about his prediction would be crowing about it.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
I don't care why,
I just thing it’s stupid to tell someone they aren’t a fan.
slocs55 - October 3, 2008
You chastise him for "acting superior"...
…but, then, isn’t that what you’re doing? Because you are a TRUE fan and are pointing out those who aren’t? Give me a fucking break.
carmen_fanzone - October 3, 2008
You wanted to be right
You wanted to be right more than you are a Cubs fan.
You couldn’t wait to crow how you predicted this.\
Okay you’re a Cubs fan but you are so happy you might have been right,.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Do you know E-Man personally?
Because, otherwise, you’re making some huge assumptions…
carmen_fanzone - October 3, 2008
If he wasn't happy
If he wasn’t happy he wouldn’t be crowing about it and telling us how much better he is than us.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
From the above post? Really? Didn't really come across that way to me...
Methinks you’re a bit sensitive. Or have an ax to grind with Eman.
carmen_fanzone - October 3, 2008
+1
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - October 4, 2008
Hey
Can you stop trying to strip people of their Cubs fans “stripes”? We all love the Cubs but we also should be able to temper that with an ability to see the faults and rightfully be upset with them. It doesn’t change our feelings for the team. I try to keep blind faith with no questions for religion and political stuff — not baseball.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
Agreed.
The E-Man - October 3, 2008
Thank you
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
+1
alabebo - October 3, 2008
Fans
I don’t think real fans are happy they might be right that their team probably will lose the series because they predicted it.
He’s crowing about predicting we’d lose and coldn’t be happier.
It seems like we only hear from him when the Cubs lose too.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
I detected no joy in the post that you're referring to
I detect frustration, anger, disappointment.
Not joy.
Shanghai Badger - October 3, 2008
It was crowing
It was crowing how right he was. Crowing is usually joy. And he also didn’t type he was hoping he was wrong.
He thinks he’s superior to us because he predicted they’d lose.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Now that you've officially repremanded him Sheriff
can we move on?
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
I disagree
On the contrary, you appear to think you are superior to us because you fail to recognize the faults and utter lack of skill presented by those players on the field. Look, they get paid to perform, they may all be great guys or whatever but that does not change the expectation. I enjoy getting to know the lighter side of players and sure you develop emotional attachments to your favorites…but at the end of the day whether or not I think DLee is a cool cat, it doesn’t change his horrible lack of offense or defense shudder displayed.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
Anyone that would crow about it
My only worry is that theeman might have stumbled and broken his leg in his hurry to crow about the loss.
If he had said he was sorry he was right it would be different but he couldn’t wait to rub it in our faces.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Eman
Eman is happy they might lose the series because he can come here and crow about being right.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
You don't have to listen to my suggestion
But it appears you made your view known and people didn’t agree with it — now all this is doing is making people upset. Let it go.
Shanghai Badger - October 3, 2008
Thanks guys -
He obviously did not read my opening thanking Al for allowing the divergent viewpoints, which is what makes this Country awesome.
And, I stick to my guns that no one has the right to tell another how to be a “fan”.
We all have our own way – and believe me – I feel I have certainly earned my way, financially and emotionally, since 1968.
The E-Man - October 3, 2008
Deez guyz MIGHT!
PurpleLineToWrigley - October 3, 2008
Hope
Hope you didn’t hurt yourself running to your computer to brag and crow that you were right.
Maybe I overreacted to your post but you didn’t seem to be sad at all to be shown to be right.
And you also showed what kind of person you are by calling me the b word. That is a word no decent person ever uses.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
You would have been useful
in yesterdays VP debate, you’ve said “crow” about as many times as Palin said “Maverick”.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
Nice.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Now gosh darn it Joe, there you go again..........
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
There were points during the game
when I was waiting for the middle of an inning so I could switch back.
Then I just started switching back whenever I damn well felt like it.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Maybe we should have started Sarah Palin at ss. Couldn't have been any worse.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
No thanks.
I think the Cubs are already on the Bridge to Nowhere.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Dont forget to tip your waitress!
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
Or maybe
Or maybe we need hope and change to lead us!
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Me too
At least I was spared the Frank TV commercials.
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
+1
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - October 4, 2008
I think it is a reaction on his part...
to all the “Flower Power” going on around here!
Nobody is HAPPY at the latest CHOKE JOB we have just witnessed!
CubFanSince1970 - October 3, 2008
Yes
None of us are happy besides the one who predicted it.
If he didn’t come here to crow and then proved what kind of person he is by using the word of the scumbag the bword I’d feel different.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
LOL - and the KOW is out of the barn.
daver - October 3, 2008
heh
Emelie - October 3, 2008
Hendry's comments
since the Score isn’t hashing and rehashing it all morning I knew the bozos were overreacting to Hendry’s comments.
He said the fans seemed to be expecting doom and gloom. And pointed out the teams play was the reason they might have been!
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
In an odd way
I think the pressure is somewhat off for the Cubs now. Everyone now expects them to lose and just cash it in. So, the power of low expectations takes the weight off their shoulders, they play looser like they have all season and all of a sudden we win a game and the pressure starts to shift even more. I really think this could happen.
epcub - October 3, 2008
Never underestimate
the soft bigotry of low expectations…
Curtain Jerker - October 3, 2008
Intersting perspective!
I like it!
CubFanSince1970 - October 3, 2008
AMEN brother
cubnational - October 3, 2008
I still believe
I believe in Rich Harden against this Dodger team
I believe in this team playing loose away from Wrigley
I believe in the therapy of an off-day and road trip
I believe in a 97 win team, not the last 2 games
I believe in Ted Lilly over any forth starter
I believe in playing with no pressure
I believe in this team, and I will regardless of what happens Saturday.
Let’s go out, win Game 3, and see what happens.
Go Cubs.
Curtain Jerker - October 3, 2008
THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO HEAR THIS AFTERNOON
NittanyCub - October 3, 2008
Thanks
I trust this team to win game 3. To paraphrase what my good buddy in AA says: One game at a time.
Curtain Jerker - October 3, 2008
It's as if people don't understand that it's only a 2-game deficit
Many 3-1 series have come back. Don’t many off the top of my head, except for that silly one with the Marlins in ’03
NittanyCub - October 3, 2008
Many?
in a 5-game series?
Think again.
And, its the Cubs not playing the Pirates.
The E-Man - October 3, 2008
Let's mark the words where I said "5-game series"
and I’ll give you 3,000 dollars. So reread what I wrote, and then respond.
Think again.
NittanyCub - October 3, 2008
Hmmm...
So – perhaps your choice of words, to not mislead the readers, could have been – “other teams down 2 in SEVEN game series have come back, so the odds in a FIVE game series while nearly astronomical, and it has been done a couple times, the Cubs could do it.”
The E-Man - October 3, 2008
That "3-1 series" part was very misleading
Because in a 5 game set, they always play again just for shits and giggles.
NittanyCub - October 3, 2008
Will be back around noon-ish
to anguish more with everyone and regroup before Saturday’s game. Oh, and to get on Cubs.com for my NLCS ticket opportunity. Hardy har har
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
You really can't count all of the mistakes
There is so much blame to go around, you would run out of paper. This is a total melt down. you really can find blame for all of the starters.
Had to bowl last night, Cub gear on, just finishing up and the infamous second inning occurs and I wanted to just get sick. People dogging me, and you know that crap is really getting old, the say old garbage that we all hear, black cat etc….. Just bullshit.
Just so disappointed in the resolve of this team. Just lost for words.
I will be pushing hard for the Cubs to get that one win that will give them some drive, some energy, So Harden take the ball, and Cubs bust your ass, and get some life.
Grockcubs - October 3, 2008
A lady in my office that is about 65,
very sweet lady, knows nothing about baseball comes in at about 11. She always wants to talk about the Cubs, I might punch her in the face today. I don’t want to but I don’t know if I’m going to be able to control myself.
slocs55 - October 3, 2008
Post of the day!
Thank you for the laugh on a tough morning
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
It didn't happen unless we see the pics. :-)
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
I withstood the urge,
she was nice as normal but I became very itchy, with a slight twitch when she came in the office to talk Cubs.
slocs55 - October 3, 2008
I had this feeling last night and will likely face it again today.
Some of the cops are Cards fans. They figured out how to page the whole phone system in the PD and yell annoyingly, “Cubs win! Cubs win! Cubs win!”. Then there was evil laughter. Too bad the have guns, tasers, and pepper spray….
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
I feel like Coach John McKay when he coached the
Tampa Bay Bucs in the earlier years. A reported asked coach McKay what he thought about his teams execution. Coach McKay replied “I’m all for it.”.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
And McKay was a great coach
at least at USC he was.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
There is no curse
The only curse is the weight the players feel of 100 years of expectations. They were clearly tight in each game. Momentum is a funny thing. Red Sox were cursed right up until Dave Roberts stole that base. The Super Bowl is often a blow out. Not becuase one team is 40 points better than the other but because they play loose and have momentum.
Al it a great writer and he has put down on paper what many of us feel. its over we tell ourselves because it is less painful. but deep down, we hope. hope, that Harden lasts more than 5 innings. Hope that ARam sees just one mistake fastball with runners on. Hope that Soriano can stop swinging at every slider. Hope the bullpen stops throwing cockshot fastballs to mediocre hitters. Hope there is a moment that gives the Cubs momentum.
Its over…..see you for game 5.
RTGrules - October 3, 2008
Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things...
…and no good thing ever dies.
Curtain Jerker - October 3, 2008
What a set up this could be
I’ve sat behind my keyboard all season long and read Al’s posts about “just when you think you’ve seen it all” and “magical season this and that.” Taking two games in LA would be about par for the season. I’m getting past the sadness and going to believe. Harden and Lilly are still not a bad way to go. Lets take it 1 game at a time.
Keep your heads up!
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
At this point... even if they took both games in L.A. and LOST game 5...
…I’d consider that a ‘victory’ compared to what I’ve seen the last 2 days.
malicedoom - October 3, 2008
I painfully agree.
Blue W - October 3, 2008
I just want the postseason losses to stop,
that is 8 in a row dating back to 03’
slocs55 - October 3, 2008
+1
But I have a ticket to game #3
vonde6 - October 3, 2008
Agreed.
It would be great to at least get a game.
The E-Man - October 3, 2008
like pity sex from an ex-girlfriend.
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
Still, it's my favorite type of pity.
Blue W - October 3, 2008
LOL
That is a FANTASTIC analogy. HAHA!
No photo needed!
The E-Man - October 3, 2008
Sorry but I have to
BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness - October 4, 2008
That is about the best analogy I have heard today. That
is one sick feeling you never forget. That sick feeling in your stomach when you are searching around for your underwear. GOD I HATE THAT FEELING!!!!!
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
Can I have one more, please?
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Not as good as conjugal visit sex, but close.
daver - October 3, 2008
The official order is -
1. Conjugal visit sex
2. Makeup sex
3. Pity sex
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
Approved.
daver - October 3, 2008
Conjugal visit sex...
That is happening.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
"I'll be right here waiting for you."
“Oh, I know you will.”
daver - October 3, 2008
Hey Peter, watch out for your cornhole bub.
N Oakley - October 3, 2008
On the brightside....
I just saved a bunch of money by switching to Geico.
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
Playoff win...so easy a Manny could do it.
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
But have you dyed your hair, and played Viva Viagra?
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
If I see one more goddamn Viagra commercial...
…I just might lose my – ah, forget it.
daver - October 3, 2008
If it lasts for 4 or more hours, consult your doctor.
Blue W - October 3, 2008
Just so long as you aren't watching Frank TV.
DGU - October 3, 2008
Saturday
What would be good is a dramatic win Saturday.
Momentum building kind of win.
Why does it have to be a 9 pm start? 34 hours away.
I wish I was working today. Would make the day go quicker.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
Santo is supposed to be on ESPN 1000 pretty soon
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
5-1 Odds
he drops and F bomb!
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
Len was on XRT this morning....
…he sounded pretty perplexed about the last 2 games, had no explanation or thoughts on what needed to be done to turn it around.
carmen_fanzone - October 3, 2008
This team needs and enema!
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
LOL
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
I guess not, they said he wont be on and that Dan Plesac is coming up.
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
Groundhog Day, eh, Al?
Seems fitting.
(So… if I change my life and get someone to fall in love with me before Saturday night, the Cubs will win? Is that how this works?)
hip2bsquare - October 3, 2008
I take comfort in the fact that this pain I'm feeling means I'm still alive.
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
Cubs will win a game
All streaks come to an end!
Cubs win on Saturday. We squeek one out on Sunday – come home for a game 5. You heard it here!
Cub Fan Mike - October 3, 2008
It's time to bust out Rally Paulie, pre-34 hours.
This guarantees at least one victory. Just one.
NittanyCub - October 3, 2008
I've decided to drown my sorrows...
in one of these. Anyone else care to join me?
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
Does that cone with a portable de-fib machine?
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
No..but you do get a discount on a round of sonic colon therapy.
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
For the man (or woman) who has everything.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
After pounding all this sand...
…I need one of those.
daver - October 3, 2008
Ha ha!
Hey but did you notice BM was actually pretty engaging today – even responsive?
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
Yeah, that's because he's happier when the Cubs lose.
It makes him look smart and he gets more attention that way.
daver - October 3, 2008
True
It was weird though…so used to him just spouting off and ignoring people posts. Well here’s to getting the old Blue Mike back!
StevenABQ - October 3, 2008
You've got that right.
sue369 - October 3, 2008
He and the e man
He and the e man should get together and party.
puckishcubsfan - October 3, 2008
that sounds glorious
im going to have to try one.
mjk83 - October 3, 2008
That looks amazing.
PurpleLineToWrigley - October 3, 2008
I really wish I could cook right now
that thing looks delicious, but I know that if I tried to make it I’d butcher it
hip2bsquare - October 3, 2008
just got my chloresterol readings... sorry, have to pass
Emelie - October 3, 2008
Wow, a blog about burgers.
Brillant.
daver - October 3, 2008
Not as good as
this one.
DGU - October 3, 2008
The horror.
The horror.
daver - October 3, 2008
Dude
It’s the greatest thing in the history of mankind. Seriously, if you have no heart issues, try one.
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
I would, actually.
daver - October 3, 2008
Try one and develop heart issues.
wow!
Blue W - October 3, 2008
The Suicide Burger.
Kill yourself with a smile.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
If SOMEHOW they COULD actually WIN on Saturday...
… and get that damn monkey off their backs, I’d say the last 2 games are truly “anything can happen”. But they’re so snakebit right now, I can’t see anything but a sweep. Sure hope to hell I’m 100% DEAD WRONG.
malicedoom - October 3, 2008
Maybe the next time....
they should skip blessing the dugout with holy water (sheesh) and bring in a sports psychologist who could advise them on what it takes to win, ie: do what they did all year long.
tigerperson - October 3, 2008
Losing is a disease. As contagious as syphyllus.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
The batting helmet broke.
daver - October 3, 2008
The Natural
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
DING, DING, DING, DING!!!!!
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
you know it's bad when that picture doesnt cheer me up :(
Madison Cub Fan - October 3, 2008
Bring me the head of Mack Newton!
n/t
rgonzale - October 3, 2008
I'm sad
tony412 - October 3, 2008
Since everyone is giving up, can I have someone's password for NLCS tickets?
I still have faith.
I have tickets for NLDS Game 5 and hope to use them.
Go Cubs Go!
flachimesa - October 3, 2008
ooooooooooooo .. very astute move young grasshopper
embrace your pain .. wear your rally jersey .. and get the tix as cheap as you can
man, you’re good!
cubnational - October 3, 2008
LOL
http://www.worldoffail.com/2008/10/03/flukudome/
rckstrscott - October 3, 2008
He hasn't looked very happy recently. Kind of like someone in psychological trauma.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Maybe he saw all the hubub over Z's no-hitter
he’d go for one of his own.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
I am actually finding several reasons to smile as I read through everything today :-D
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
They just recently played "All The Way" on the radio
How could they do that? Sunk me even lower than I already am.
AndHart120 - October 3, 2008
Pounding salt.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
right after the sand
and directions say repeat steps one and two
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
Oooh, that sounds worse than sand.
daver - October 3, 2008
now I know why I don't like that song ..
cubnational - October 3, 2008
We know the words....
“Do they still play the blues in Chicago/When baseball season rolls around/When the snow blows away/Do the Cubbies still play/In their ivy-covered burial ground/When I was a boy/They were my pride and joy/But now they only bring fatigue/To the home of the brave/The land of the free/And the doormat of the National League.”
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
That hurts to read...
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Still have faith.
I do have to agree though that it is looking pretty grim. I can’t even put it into words how horrible I felt last night/this morning thinking about the game last night.
I do like the Harden and Lilly in Dodger Stadium. God willing, Dempster will get another shot at home. I hope Lou lit a fire under everyone last night and today. There is at least one more game of the ’08 season and I will be yelling and cheering just as loud as I would have been if we were up 2-0. Anything can happen, I guess.
Tangled Up In Blue - October 3, 2008
I'm not sure it would be honest of me to say I "have faith."
All I can muster at the moment is: “I’m open to a miracle.” In fact, I think I’ll make that my sig line.
daver - October 3, 2008
LOL!
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
That is pretty freaking funny...Daver
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
Sadly, the truth usually is.
daver - October 3, 2008
After further review...
I have to agree with you Daver. In fact, I might put a sign on my door reading “Now Accepting Miracles.”
Tangled Up In Blue - October 3, 2008
I can't believe that I am thinking about this, but
If, by a miracle, the Cubs win #3 and #4, I would pitch Z in game #5. He pitched well, Dempster did not.
vonde6 - October 3, 2008
the prospect of getting on the cubs site in 15 minutes to order NLCS tickets is laughable
I feel like entering my password is kind of like paying paying to have my credit monitored after someone steals my identity.
BeltwayCubsFan - October 3, 2008
Agreed
Gotta do it anyways
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
i hear you...but
my wife and I decided that we still have to do it.
anybody know if you get credit toward tix next year or anything if the tix are ‘unused’?
JCD - October 3, 2008
I was under the impression you get a refund
Seems that Al had to wait a long time to get money back last year, but that was also from the Rockies club I think. Hard tellin how it will go with the Cubs site.
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
yeah, it aint about the money
it is more about how dampened the excitement would be of getting tickets if they were up 2-0 or even if it was 1-1
BeltwayCubsFan - October 3, 2008
Your credit card is credited back the cost of tickets
You may not get back service fees
flachimesa - October 3, 2008
It's not the money.
It’s like buying shoes knowing your legs were about to be cut off.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
That's not funny to me.
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
I believe ron is a shoe wearer
JCD - October 3, 2008
They certainly have a
tough hill to climb now but I’m not giving up on them. The losses are devastating but this team has surprised us too many times this season. If I don’t have faith I have nothing.
sue369 - October 3, 2008
My favorite song
Proud swagger out of the schoolyard
Waiting for the worlds applause
Rebel without a conscience
Martyr without a cause
Static on your frequency
Electrical storm in your veins
Raging at unreachable glory
Straining at invisible chains
And now you’re trembling on a rocky ledge
Staring down into a heartless sea
Can’t face life on a razor’s edge
Nothing’s what you thought it would be
All of us get lost in the darkness
Dreamers learn to steer by the stars
All of us do time in the gutter
Dreamers turn to look at the cars
Turn around and turn around and turn around
Turn around and walk the razor’s edge
Don’t turn your back
And slam the door on me
It’s not as if this barricade
Blocks the only road
It’s not as if youre all alone
In wanting to explode
Someone set a bad example
Made surrender seem alright
The act of a noble warrior
Who lost the will to fight
And now you’re trembling on a rocky ledge
Staring down into a heartless sea
Done with life on a razors edge
Nothing’s what you thought it would be
No hero in your tragedy
No daring in your escape
No salutes for your surrender
Nothing noble in your fate
Christ, what have you done?
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
Artist?
daver - October 3, 2008
Rush
The Pass
From 1989 “Presto”
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
Wow. That's an obscure Rush reference if I've ever heard one.
Today’s Tom Sawyer he gets high on you
and the Spacey Invaders get by on you
daver - October 3, 2008
Nah
Obscure would be quoting “The Necromancer” or “Cinderella Man.”
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
Yeah, I only know the more well-known songs from back in the day.
I’m old enough to remember “Temple of the Syrinx.”
daver - October 3, 2008
We are the priests...
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Our great computers
fill our hallowed halls.
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
Looks like we have a Canadian on the board today.
;)
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
I don't think
I’ve heard that before.
sue369 - October 3, 2008
One of my favorite songs also
This also gets at it:
“Hes got to make his own mistakes
And learn to mend the mess he makes
Hes old enough to know whats right
But young enough not to choose it
Hes noble enough to win the world
But weak enough to lose it —-
Hes a new world man…”
epcub - October 3, 2008
Amen.
Knew I could count on you Sue!!
Tangled Up In Blue - October 3, 2008
Losing 3-1, 4-3... OK fine. But these last 2 games?
They should take the lineup card down in the dugout and replace it with a “First Aid For Choking” poster.
malicedoom - October 3, 2008
Well, hello VWR
lets see how this goes
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
right there with ya....anyone have tips/advice?
JCD - October 3, 2008
Make sure they have a refund policy.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Don't drink the virtual coffee.
It’s three days old.
daver - October 3, 2008
copy and paste the web address into a new
browser window but change the room id on the end. I started out in room 5 but also was in 2, 3, and 4. Got through pretty easily on the first game. best seats still avail were sec 206. not too bad for $60 each
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
link, please
flachimesa - October 3, 2008
Won't help without a password
http://frontline.protected.tickets.com/buy/MLBOnsale?agency=MLB&orgid=21570&poid=12437&roomid=4
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
just bought 2 bleachers for game 2
why the hell not
JCD - October 3, 2008
True
And to think how excited I was about the prospect of buying tickets today. I was jumping around like a moron at work yesterday screeching when I got the e mail. It feels like a hollow victory at this point though.
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
i too was thrilled yesterday
and my wife was figuring how we could get babysitter for our 3 month old so we could go.
24 hours later, I’m figuring that I’m paying 20 bucks for a printout that says I would have gone to a game if it had occurred.
But, Ernie may inspire me to keep the chin up.
JCD - October 3, 2008
At least you got to cheer!
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
absolutely. go for it.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
as did I
havn’t bought the plane ticket yet, don’t think id get my money back from them
Wad - October 3, 2008
I know. It brings back memories of February
when I stayed home to buy tickets.
flachimesa - October 3, 2008
probably plenty of elbow room there today...and no screaming kids
carmen_fanzone - October 3, 2008
Please post a link to the VRW
I want to play along
flachimesa - October 3, 2008
* VWR
flachimesa - October 3, 2008
Time to switch out the Geo photos in the pregame thread
But who shall we substitute him for?
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
Ronnie Woo Woo
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
Soriano's BFF?
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Ah, reverse psychology.
So ghastly and contradictory, it just might work.
daver - October 3, 2008
+1
n/t
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
I'm willing to try anything at this point.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
I like the idea. Lets get a poll going for Woo Woo
Although I think Al will shoot it down…
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
Who cares what he thinks. It's like he runs this place or something.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
Especially since I run things around here.
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
Yeah in that case
no words, or matchups, just a string of Pics. Add in there TLR, Daley, Ozzie, Joe Morgan, the Brennamans…… any others?
tony412 - October 3, 2008
Ted Lilly
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
Ted bowling thru Molina
tony412 - October 3, 2008
If we can get Ted into the series
His stare would make Manny’s dreads fall out.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
I think that would
be a great picture to put up in the pregame thread. Show we are not going down without a fight. I like it.
sue369 - October 3, 2008
tony412 - October 3, 2008
I was at that game!
Gotta figure a way to get that as my cellphone wallpaper.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
I like that idea.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
I uploaded it to myxer.
Go to http://m.myxer.com/dl/12498932/204348490/ on your phone and you can download it.
Makes me smile a little today.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
related
realizing yesterday that I’m hoping for SBN to get a better mobile phone interface. Was out running errands for work in the afternoon yesterday and I wanted to check BCB. My blackberry didn’t likey
JCD - October 3, 2008
it's not the greatest
but what browser were you using? I do ok using Opera Mini. If you haven’t yet tried it out, it’s definitely worth having something other than the original browser that comes with the phone.
tony412 - October 3, 2008
Awesome!!!!!
Thanks!
sue369 - October 3, 2008
Fontenot
carmen_fanzone - October 3, 2008
Pre bloodshot eyes
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
Pre-Puberty, too, it seems
This looks like his little league photo
carmen_fanzone - October 3, 2008
he looks funny without a mullet
Emelie - October 3, 2008
Or a fleshbeard.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Kind of has that Opie Taylor look, doesn't he?
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
He looks likes he muttered
“Ready to go fishin, pa?” more than once.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
last night some DeRo pics
were suggested. He has done better than just about everyone else thus far in the post season. I thought that sounded like an all right idea.
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
actually, i like that idea.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
but we need someone ELSE to step up.....
carmen_fanzone - October 3, 2008
Agreed
Get Johnson in the game…..
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
TWSS
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
Till he choked and cost them the game, great idea!
Itchy - October 3, 2008
time for another bizarro pre-game thread tomorrow?
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
You betcha
adrawkcab!
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
drah oot
Weeghman Park - October 3, 2008
!SSWT
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
LOL
yes that is spelled backwards…
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
no..that would be...
ti.
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
gah...
taht.
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
(:
t/n
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
.ereht did uoy tahw ees I
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Not necessarily.
Demetri Martin’s 224 word long palindrome:
Dammit I’m mad.
Evil is a deed as I live.
God, am I reviled? I rise, my bed on a sun, I melt.
To be not one man emanating is sad. I piss.
Alas, it is so late. Who stops to help?
Man, it is hot. I’m in it. I tell.
I am not a devil. I level “Mad Dog”.
Ah, say burning is, as a deified gulp,
In my halo of a mired rum tin.
I erase many men. Oh, to be man, a sin.
Is evil in a clam? In a trap?
No. It is open. On it I was stuck.
Rats peed on hope. Elsewhere dips a web.
Be still if I fill its ebb.
Ew, a spider… eh?
We sleep. Oh no!
Deep, stark cuts saw it in one position.
Part animal, can I live? Sin is a name.
Both, one… my names are in it.
Murder? I’m a fool.
A hymn I plug, deified as a sign in ruby ash,
A Goddam level I lived at.
On mail let it in. I’m it.
Oh, sit in ample hot spots. Oh wet!
A loss it is alas (sip). I’d assign it a name.
Name not one bottle minus an ode by me:
“Sir, I deliver. I’m a dog”
Evil is a deed as I live.
Dammit I’m mad.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Wow, that's quite an achievement.
daver - October 3, 2008
It kinda blew my mind.
The whole set “If I” is on youtube.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
that is really cool
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
What happened between Lou and Soriano?
I heard Lou said something in Spanish? What was that all about?
malicedoom - October 3, 2008
Translated from Spanish:
“Look, they’re breaking balls. They’re not going to land over the plate. You can swing at them all you want, it won’t do you a damn bit of good. Now get your mind off your Hummer and that skank with the Facebook page and start being more selective!”
daver - October 3, 2008
+1
Exactly
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
Ha!
Note to Dodgers:
Please stop throwing low and outside. We’d really appreciate it.
Signed, Every Cub Batter
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Note to Cubs:
Please stop swinging at pitches low and outside.
Especially when everyone in the stadium knows a pitch low and outside is coming.
Thanks!
DKT - October 3, 2008
+1,000,000
digitalbenjamin - October 3, 2008
You would think the never saw a freakin' slider before.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
Haven't seen anything
and I can’t read lips when Spanish is probably being mangled. But I know what I would’ve said…
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
So...I think we should re-sign Howry
and put him in the rotation next year. ANy takers?
PurpleLineToWrigley - October 3, 2008
Oof Wah
just got my email from Ernie. Signed it “Let’s win three”.
not sure if this will work
JCD - October 3, 2008
nice.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
That's really cool!
Thanks!
PurpleLineToWrigley - October 3, 2008
Salt meet wound...
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
Big cheers for that!
Ernie says it, it’s gonna happen.
Go Cubs.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Very cool!
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
Just got the same email.
Oof Wah indeed!
Blue W - October 3, 2008
We Can do it we can win three..I would much rather see them go to L.A. down 2 and win three than go to LA up two and lose three. Its not the Cubs if they dont make it exciting and I think that would be a perfect way to make this very exciting.
texascubfan - October 3, 2008
They should add chat room to the playoff tickets virtual waiting room
at least that way we could all talk about how much time we are wasting sitting here
BeltwayCubsFan - October 3, 2008
Dayne Perry is an idiot...
Evidently Zambrano was missing his spots last night….did he even watch the damn game. He actually blames Zambrano for last night’s mess. I am not a huge fan of Z but I can at least tell when it was not his fault
The Idiot Manifesto
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
Jeez.
Z got a standing ovation for a reason.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
According to my foggy, sadness-laden recollection...
…the only two really bad pitches Z made last night were the bases-clearing double to Russell Martin and the solo home run to Manny. And giving up a solo home run to Manny Ramirez, under any circumstances, is completely forgivable. The pitch to Martin? Well, that was just a damn shame.
daver - October 3, 2008
And that pitch to Martin is never thrown
if the Cubs get the double play one of the two times they could have.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Exactamundo.
Or maybe it’s thrown the following inning and does little or no damage.
daver - October 3, 2008
Coulda, shoulda, woulda.
It can’t got 101 years can it?
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
*go
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Hell, it may have come 2 innings later if the orginal DP ball was fielded cleanly.
would have been 8-9-1 coming up the next inning for LA.
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
or if he throws strikes and doesnt get to 3-1.
But I agree Z earned his money last night.
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
he wrote that before the game
even started- revisionist history!
Andre Fonseca - October 3, 2008
as billingsley said in the post game interview
You pitch different when you are staked to a 5 run lead. He said he could be more aggressive and go after hitters. Our fortunes will not change until the offense take the pressure off our pitchers and lets them stop feeling like any mistake will cost us the game
BeltwayCubsFan - October 3, 2008
OT: House just passed fiscal rescue bill 263-171
Emelie - October 3, 2008
Yeah! Can I stop paying my mortgage now too?
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
700 billion dollars shot to hell.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
the bill or the tickets being purchased right now?
JCD - October 3, 2008
both
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
actually more than 700 billion dollars
there was a sh*t load of pork-barrel stuff that was added to the bill, like that rum factory in the Virgin Islands (or was it in Puerto Rico?).
I like rum, so wtf….
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Pork barrel. Sound really tasty. doesn't it?
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
Especially when you're drinking Rum!
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
Puerto Rico
Get your pork barrell spending right. There is also the wood for the children’s bow maker in Oregon.
Doggie Stalker - October 3, 2008
When I heard that
this morning I thought “what the hell?”
sue369 - October 3, 2008
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
Now we'll see if Bush follows McCain's advice
and vetoes it. Even after McCain himself voted for it.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
ALTO!
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
President George W. Bush
“The great thing about America is everybody should vote.”
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
how about a Cubs rescue bill?
Is that on the docket?
BeltwayCubsFan - October 3, 2008
ESPN is submitting a bill this afternoon about that.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
i'm sure tbs is just hoping for one competitive game
other than BOS-LAA the games have been pretty one sided. Ugly for ratings
BeltwayCubsFan - October 3, 2008
Them and Fox
Trust me when I say this…MLB and TV executives fear a Dodgers/Rays WS. They want the Cubs in at least the NLCS.
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
Unfortunately, the Cubs never got that memo.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
But the took them to call a Greek Orthodox Priest...
Sort of OT…but what the hell was that. The Chairman of the team made that decision. That is like building an airplane and right before you sell it off, ask a priest to put holy water on the enginee, wings, tail, to route out any curses.
No wonder people outside of the Cubs Legion think we are the village idiots
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
Wow...I just made about 4 grammer errors there..
Damn team is rubbing off on me
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
lol
Five. It’s spelled “grammar.”
:D
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Damn it...
I have sausages for fingers
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
That reminds me.. I haven't had lunch yet.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
hhhmm
I forsee a pic of this being posted shorthly….
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
Thats funny
n/t
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
Hot Dog Fingers can be very serious.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Technically
a spelling error, bringing that back down to 4….
Judges?
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
Yes
n/t
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
Somantiks.
But yeah, you’re right.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
We have met the enemy...and we are him.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
With that kinda money...
…maybe the Cubs could pick up Barry Bonds for Game 3 and bribe Bud Selig to let him play. Not that I’m suggesting that. Because I would never do such a thing.
daver - October 3, 2008
Faith and Despair
We believe in something. Something that matters very little in the grand scheme of things. And yet when our friends and neighbors, our coworkers and family tell us that it is "just a game" we look at them as if they are crazy. I am sick to my stomach right now. Literally sick. Yesterday I listened to "Go Cubs Go" as I walked towards the bar to watch the game. This morning I played it again and cried, just a bit. There is a gaping hole in the soul of Cubdom today. No balm can truly salve it except…well, I believe the term miracle applies.
I, however, do not believe in miracles. But I do believe in resilience. I have seen it many times in my life. And these Cubs have it. Do I think it will happen? Honestly, I do not. Do I think it can? Obviously. This is baseball and just about anything is possible.
And right now all I am trying to do is find that little wellspring of hope that resides somewhere deep inside my soul. I don’t want too much, just enough.
Go Cubs!
brokenland - October 3, 2008
It really is just a game....a sick, sick, twisted game...but a game nonetheless...
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
Sports Talk Radio
Whats everyone hearing out there in Chicago on sports talk? I’m in Denver and only get brief snippets of info.
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
I'd rather poke my eye out
than listen to sports radio here right now, or for the next few days for that matter. Sorry.
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
Can't blame you for that...
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
there is a lot of talk about the cubs on the score. check out the score
it streams….
http://www.670thescore.com/
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Listen at your own risk. There's a maximum IQ.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
Steve Stone is the guest now....I once liked the guy....
and of course he says that he was always thinking that the Cubs would have trouble with the Dodgers….and the Cubs are big boys and should know how to play in the postseason.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Someone needs to introduce him to LBR
Big boys my ass….
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
TWSS
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
She speaks like Yoda.
Big boys, my ass.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Big? Boy's my ass.
Emelie - October 3, 2008
TWHSIP
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
He just said that LBR has as many HRs as Dome....
and LBR is much cheaper…..
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Who/what the hell is LBR?
IllinoisCubs - October 3, 2008
Premium beer.
Good stuff. Very refreshing.
daver - October 3, 2008
That's 'Original" LBR
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
For the last time Fontenot=Little Babe Ruth
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
In Stone's defense, he did say that the other day. But he also said they would make
the WS, so he covered his bases as always.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
Don't you mean he covered his ass?
Oh, crap…now someone’s going to post that picture.
daver - October 3, 2008
My IT dept.
frowns on streaming media on my computer. :( But thanks!
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
On 96.5 ESPN in Peoria, IL
They were reading off e mails. There was one that was a follow up to a top ten list the emailer apparently sent a few days ago. Very dramatic about washing the losses down with an Old Style, folding up the W flag, and the last one was checking in on how the Bears are doing. ha. ha.
There were some from hate filled Indians fans to Brewers fans about how happy are they now that they got stuck with CC. Totally stupid. I gaurantee they are still thrilled to have him. No post season at all without him. Just a lot of spoutin off. Really annoying.
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
...for it's root root root for the Cubbies--everybody--
if they don’t win it’s a shame…
chr15 - October 3, 2008
Breaking News.....it's a shame.
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
Cos it's 1, 2, 3 games you're out...
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
and mighty Casey has struck out.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
At dodger stadium......
where you are given a full body cavity search before entering.
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
no, no, no.....
Cause it’s 1,2,3,4 errors you lose….
in the second….playoff….gaaaaaaaammmmme!
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
My sister called from Boise and wanted to know how my trip was
" besides than the Cub games" . I responded " other than that Mrs. Lincoln how did you enjoy the play ?"
Doggie Stalker - October 3, 2008
I need to see these games like I need a hole in the head.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
rim shot anyone???
http://www.instantrimshot.com/
Have fun with this one!
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
twss
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Or sand in my ass.
daver - October 3, 2008
followed by salt
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
Folks
Thanks for some of the comic relief today. It has helped to cleanse my baseball soul. I don’t have a lot of faith that they will turn this train around…but in the words of Daver “I am open to a miracle”
Off to eat my hot pocket and actually get some work done today…
TheRiot Police - October 3, 2008
careful
Gaffigan
JCD - October 3, 2008
HOT POCKET...
Hot pocket inside of a hot pocket…
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
Sig line...changed.
daver - October 3, 2008
Your sig line...TWSS.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
ughhhhh, this is a sad day my friends
Btown - October 3, 2008
Just gotta keep chugging.
I’ll keep my Believe bracelet throughout the weekend. I’ll be up in Green Bay so chances are I won’t be in front of the TV. If the Cubs win these games with out me, then my summer of Cubs is over. It was defintely a summer to remember, but if I have to miss out on the greatest comebacks in playoff history because the Cubs won without me close to a TV, so be it. I’m known to be a superstitious fan. I don’t play as the Cubs on MLB 2k8 on gamedays, dont wear cubs stuff within 2 hours of game time, victory laps after runs, K Dance after strikeouts, have not worked. I really hope the Cubs can do it just because of people like that 104 year old, my grandma, my dad, and all of you guys. It’s been a rough 2nd half of the year with my dog dying while I was in Madison for a job interview, losing my job, etc. For some reason though, I keep hope because barring anymore death, I can’t see it getting worse.
Go Cubs Go.
TkGoUWGB - October 3, 2008
TWSS
gocubsgo22 - October 3, 2008
Why do I feel the need to listen to sad, broken-hearted songs?
Waiting for tomorrow night feels like waiting for the executioner right now.
That said, hopefully Governor Harden will grant the Cubs a stay.
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
Atleast you get a good dinner before your execution
I will be at work, so more likely a hot pocket for me while I listen to the game!
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
i'll be working, too.
watching collegiate volleyball and hoping someone saves me a seat at the bar for later that night
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
The team is now flying over Missouri
I hope they get in, relax and try to be loose. United Flight 9907
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
Maybe do some '86 Mets style damage to the plane
that ought to loosen them up.
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
Lou should tell them...
…they have an opportunity to redeem themselves after their hoseshit performance so far and you have a choice of rolling over and playing dead, or showing what you are all about. Then, let them know their is a mandatory team meeting at the hotel bar and no one leaves until he says they can.
MPH73 - October 3, 2008
for those that are taking their distress out on each other today...
Guys, guys, guys!
Don’t you see this is just
what the terrorists want us to do?
The war is out there, man. Out there.
Now, pull it together.
billmurrayforowner - October 3, 2008
Reading your screenname
reminds me I happened to see Bill Murray briefly on the Today show when I was getting ready for work. No mention of the Cubs but he looked depressed and didn’t talk a whole lot.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
he was at the game last night as well
saw him on tv around the 5th or so…it did seem as though he was trying to lighten the mood of those around him.
billmurrayforowner - October 3, 2008
Yeah, I saw him, too.
He was goofing around and smiling late in the game. He’s been through it before…
daver - October 3, 2008
anyone know...
where you can get a clip of bill murray subbing for harry in ’88 or so? it used to be on you tube, but i imagine mlb pulled it due to licensing
billmurrayforowner - October 3, 2008
Not sure.
I remember seeing those clips on YouTube, though. They were awesome.
daver - October 3, 2008
lets hope they perform some type of exorcism on the plane ride to L.A.
Btown - October 3, 2008
Soriano wants a live chicken....
Tangled Up In Blue - October 3, 2008
Well
it kinda didn’t work Wednesday…
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
the Cubs need to sacrafice a goat...
Btown - October 3, 2008
Been done.
This team and its fans have killed more goats than an Indian restaurant.
daver - October 3, 2008
I knew we should have gotten a live chicken.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
do gyros count?
Andre Fonseca - October 3, 2008
Ya know what the Cubs need?
One of those 5-run innings they are so famous for…
DKT - October 4, 2008
I heard on the radio this morning that supposedely Lou and Soriano got into a shouting match in the locker room after the game
Btown - October 3, 2008
Lou called him gutless
Btown - October 3, 2008
In spanish?
Hilary Lee - October 3, 2008
Puto
And I can type synonyms all afternoon…
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
Puto
Suddenly I’m back in High School….LOL.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Single Greatest Swing Moment in the Game
Was Theriot not laying down a bunt in the first inning. I don’t care if they haven’t done that this season…the call should have been made from the dugout or by theriot himself. He was obviously just trying to hit a grounder to the right side. Why not lay down a bunt and make it a sure thing. They score first it’s a completely different game.
IvyOnTheWall - October 3, 2008
As it was
Lee and Ramirez still didn’t even advance Soriano, much less score him.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
You're right
But instead of trying to get a base hit…Lee would have simply been looking to make contact. The dodgers probably wouldn’t play in in the first inning so a grounder would’ve scored soriano. or a fly ball.
IvyOnTheWall - October 3, 2008
Coulda, shoulda, woulda.
We had a chance to make a statement in the first and we failed.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
From the latest Sports Illustrated:
“Cubs fans, who, let’s face it, have a right to be edgy about these things, were equally irked when they saw their third baseman, Aramis Ramirez, gracing the cover of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED last week, bringing the supposed SI jinx into play. MDBNIU wrote on bleedcubbieblue.com, "Thanks jackass New York—based editorial board of Sports Illustrated.” Sorry about that, MDBNIU. How about we send you a fleece and call it even?"
Full article
Itchy - October 3, 2008
Blue Mike is famous! Good job, MDBNIU!
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Yeah, someone also posted this...
…in one of the 10,000 fanposts that have popped up in the last three hours. My only response is: In case you were wondering, there is no justice in the world.
daver - October 3, 2008
I'll be
He’s bad, he’s nationwide.
chilango2 - October 3, 2008
Let me check...
Yup. Don’t care.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
I know, of all people!
Itchy - October 3, 2008
Lou Piniella: "From now on I don't want to hear about Fukudome anymore"
“I’m gonna play Fontenot or Reed Johnson or somebody else….”
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
think lou's lack of trust will continue into next year?
he seems to hold a grudge for quite some time (a la eyre)
billmurrayforowner - October 3, 2008
Yes
I think it will.
The real question is, what will his offseason be like? Clearly he needs to find the best hitting coach he can and try to get it back. Hell, I know stars don’t play winter ball…but maybe he needs it.
chitownhawkeye - October 3, 2008
I think he's going to do everything possible to turn it around
he strikes me as a humble man who loves the game and who knows he’s better than this season.
Emelie - October 3, 2008
I think so too Em.
sue369 - October 3, 2008
As do I
I just don’t know what he’ll need to do. But he’ll work hard at it, that I have no doubt.
chitownhawkeye - October 3, 2008
.... he shouted, opening the door to starting Bobby Howry in game 3.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
Damn. Kosuke's journey this season has been an epic tragedy.
daver - October 3, 2008
Yeah, from opening day to this. The mighty have really fallen. Next thing
you know, he’ll be outside of Wrigley selling tasteless T-shirts.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
When I see those shirts
I no longer think, “That’s offensive, take that off!” Now I think, “A Dome shirt? Really?”
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Kosuke heckled at O'Hare
From the Trib:
Kosuke Fukudome’s downfall has led to booing at Wrigley Field, and now he’s getting no respect.
Passengers at O’Hare Airport were surprised to hear his name being paged over the public address system in Terminal B on Friday morning.
But it turned out that it was all a joke.
“Paging Kosuke Fukudome, paging Kosuke Fukudome … Please report to the Cincinnati Reds. You have been traded for a player to be named later.”
Some of the passengers waiting for flights laughed, while others cringed.
Either way, it looks like Chicago’s love affair with the Japanese star is officially over.
southloop - October 3, 2008
wow. interesting....
I wonder if a Japanese ballclub can buy back his contract….no, Japanese clubs don’t pay that much for their players.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Ouch.
That’s a bit harsh. He’s just as disappointed with himself as we are.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Exactly.
I feel bad for him.
sue369 - October 3, 2008
He also said,
“The guy is really struggling” in between the two statements you have quoted.
sue369 - October 3, 2008
Dont lose heart Cubbie fans!!!!
Look I am a Cardinal fan and proud of it, but I am rooting for the Cubs to do well!
I am sick of the way the media always bad mouths the Central and I am rooting for Central teams to kick some butt!
Dont lose heart! when you have a good team sometimes it takes quite a few years of losing in the playoffs to get your team to the championship.
Cards lost in 00, 01, 02, 04, 05 before winning in 06 so keep the faith! You may not make it this year but as your players get playoff experience they will have less and less pressure on them and they should win!
Calhoun - October 3, 2008
A pep talk from a cardinal fan. The last vestige of a scoundrel.
willie mays hayes' gloves - October 3, 2008
Thanks, man, much appreciated.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Thanks for the kind words.
It’s lookin’ like the Cubs and Brewers are about to make a mockery of the NL Central.
daver - October 3, 2008
Cheers.
Your shoulder is comforting.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Thank you.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
I actually heard...
The most inspiring words last night in a bar from one of the waitresses, who happened to be a Cards fan. She was really nice to me in the midst of my sadness….
She said that even though she was from near St. Louis, when the Cards are out and the Cubs are in the playoffs she always cheers for them because she makes more money if they do well…
Hilary Lee - October 3, 2008
I am sad to say
that I too think this thing is over. The resemblence to last years series against the Dbacks is eerie. I hope I’m wrong, and I’ll be watching and rooting Saturday night. I don’t hold out much hope though. The team looks completely lost.
qccub - October 3, 2008
This is worse than last year against the D-Backs
This year the Cubs look like a AAA club (and a poor one at that).
SuperContext - October 3, 2008
Hanging Tight Here In The Holy City .. Believing, Bracelet And All
Mi familia ain’t giving up .. GO CUBS!
cubnational - October 3, 2008
That's cool
Not sure how much I’m believing but I will be in Wrigleyville on Sat night, because that’s where I feel I have to be.
tony412 - October 3, 2008
OT - My Car Was STOLEN!
Jesus, what is the deal. Just finished filling out paperwork with the police. Cubs down 0-2, and then my car gets jacked…. GRRRRR! Talk about adding insult to insult.
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
sorry to hear that
hopefully, that’s rock bottom.
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
now that just stinks
sorry about that, Lou
Emelie - October 3, 2008
Oh, man. Really sorry to hear about that. Best of luck.
It didn’t look like this, did it….? (cue blues brothers)
ps: didn’t mean to joke, but….just gotta laugh sometimes…
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Agreed
There are worse things in life ie. Al’s most recent post.
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
Wow!! Sorry to hear that.
sue369 - October 3, 2008
Wow, Cubs fans are dying, cars are being stolen.
Isn’t there a superhero we can call or something?
daver - October 3, 2008
locusts will start swarming...
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
Aw man.
That is awful.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
From Derosa's Blog last night @ 1:37 AM
Game 2 wrap
You’ve got to let this flow over you and consume you for a couple hours. You have to. “Z” was pitching a great game, he’s feeling good, the double play gets turned, we go back into the dugout and the whole game is different. Our offense is able to relax and it’s different.
But when you find yourself down 5-0, a team that has a 1-0 lead in the series, they’re able to relax, Billingsley is able to pound the strike zone, their hitters are a lot more patient, a lot more calm. They’re trying to have good at-bats and tack on runs. We’re trying to press to get the score tied and take the lead. For me, this is terrible. I don’t know — I’ll be up for awhile tonight.
tony412 - October 3, 2008
Confession.
Up to this year, I didn’t really appreciate DeRo sufficiently.
This year, I’ve come to realize what a class act the guy is, both on and off the field.
zevkalman - October 3, 2008
Agreed
MikeOxbyg - October 3, 2008
I'll see you all Sunday in LA!
I am going to the USS Midway in SD with my Cub Scout Pack to spend the night tomorrow, Saturday, so I will miss Rich Harden’s gem beating the Dodgers in front of their loopy posuer fans, but I will be there Sunday night to watch Teddy Ballgame go for the tie and then my brother Mike (Milton) and John will have to bring them home Tuesday night so I can make my plans to see the Angels (they need to get going) and Cubs play out here on 10/22, 23 and then to Wrigley for 10/25-27 to finish them off at home. This is a special delivery for all the Cub fans, past, present and future and the hope that we all have for our beloved Cubbies. Hey, anybody can have a bad Century, but those two games were the worse games I have seen the Cubs play all year…it won’t happen again!
Cub's Paperboy - October 3, 2008
And "Jump" comes on 80's on 8 on XM
and I’m ready for another game. Let’s get one back tomorrow.
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
Oddly enough
I havent heard them take the field with that song all season
AndHart120 - October 3, 2008
They did at the beginning of the year, then crossed into the Bon Jovi "I Love this Town"
I maintain Jump is a better song. And much better for baseball.
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
from SportsNation
Nick (Chicago, IL): Jerry, tell me why I should continue to be a baseball fan? I’m a die-hard Cub fan who spent the past 6 months following them and then in the matter of about 30 hours it’s all going to be over? Is this fair?!
SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: Nick, Hey, if it makes you feel any better, I’ve been a Cleveland Browns fan since I was a kid, even though I grew up in New England. I feel your pain, and this has to be tough to watch for a Cubs fan, but don’t give up yet. Maybe it’ll take some pressure off for them to leave Chicago and go to the West Coast. And if Harden can win Game 3, they’ve got Ted Lilly going in Game 4. He’s been awfully good lately.
brian custer - October 3, 2008
Memo to Cubs
re: Crappy azz play
Derek Lee: For God’s sake, please stop swinging at balls a foot off the plate. What are you thinking? And then you let strikes right down the center of the dish go by. And most importantly,…relaaaaaax. Seriously.
Soriano: Oh man..where do I start. Look, the highest level of baseball I played was Little League. And I can tell you can’t hit a slider or a breaking ball to save your life. LAY OFF THOSE PITCHES UNTIL THEY THROW YOU A STRIKE. How difficult is that?
ARam: You’re out of sync like your teammates. Relax. I can see you gripping so hard when you’re at the plate. Think hard hits,…not home runs.
DeRosa: Wow…shades of Alex Gonzalez all over again. Alligator. Right hand meets the left hand. Gather the ball…make the play.
I truly believe that the players saying the ‘curse’ or all of the crap doesn’t enter their mind….is entering their mind. How do you explain the errors? They need to relaaaaaaaaaaaaax. All at once now…RELAAAAX.
If “It’s gonna happen”…like I see the signs at Wrigley say, then it will happen.
I still think if Harden is on tomorrow, we win that game. Lilly gives us a decent 7 innings..we hit, it’s back at Wrigley. Big ‘ifs’…btu what else do we have?
MaTheMeatloaf - October 3, 2008
They are big 'ifs' but they're not crazy
The pitching is lined up to start a comeback and get this series back to Chicago. If the bats follow, it could happen…
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
Great name...
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
Thanks, Ma.
daver - October 3, 2008
maybe they'll be so bloody ashamed of themselves
they come back with a vengeance.
Maybe.
Emelie - October 3, 2008
I was going to write this is a fanpost but so many fanpost are already up so..
This is my take and recap of the game… too long for the fanpost probably: Ignited Thoughts
SouthsideCUBSfan - October 3, 2008
CHANGE`
Raise Wrigley Field. Change (transform) uniforms. Kill this curse.
questdoc - October 3, 2008
not to be a smartass
but it’s raze
CyberCyclist - October 3, 2008
I'm so confident
that I went ahead and told my boss last night that I need off Tuesday night, bc this is going to Game 5. I saw some hope last night in the 9th and I think we’ll carry that over to L.A. with us on Saturday and Sunday. Go Cubs!
cvan84 - October 3, 2008
u saw hope????? what, that didnt mean anything
Btown - October 3, 2008
Isn't there an Amber Alert out on Hope?
If you see it again, please detain it!
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
CHANGE
I’M so upset I spelled it wrong “RAZE”. Tear it down. New uniforms. No more cute Cubbies! Play as dirty and pissed as possible on Saturday
questdoc - October 3, 2008
sorry
ignore my above post
CyberCyclist - October 3, 2008
Don't ya hate when being a smartass backfires?
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
it's one of the smartass ramifications :D
Emelie - October 3, 2008
OT - Nintendo resurrecting Punch-Out! for Wii
yet another reason to buy a Wii, if you haven’t already. linky
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
sweet!
well, that is something exciting for this old school nintendo game lover
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
In 2004 I told a friend of mine that "IF the Red Sox win game 4
they were going to beat the Yankees in 4 straight" (we were in NYC at the time in a taxi). I thought this was a pretty bold call since it had never been done before.
I have that same feeling now: IF the Cubs wake up and win game 3, we will win the next two after that. The big question is, can the Cub put this crap-tastic play behind them. So far this year, the answer has always been YES! The Cubs have always followed a beat down with some of their best play.
I do think the Dodgers will tense up with each passing inning IF the Cubs win game 3. The same thing happened to the Yankees in 2004. The pressure switches as soon as the Cubs win one.
I think it is great that Lou let them sleep in their own beds last night and they will have normal sleep/rest for this next game. It is good that they didn’t spend the whole night on an airplane dwelling on the losses. We will see what these guys are really made of Saturday night. This special season resumes…
LAcarl519 - October 3, 2008
As much as it pains me...
the truly Cub thing to do will be win games 3 and 4 and then lose game 5 with a lead in the late innings.
We’ve been jilted more times than
http://endtimepilgrim.org/runaway28.jpg
cubfever7 - October 3, 2008
durn it
cubfever7 - October 3, 2008
Well, I always felt that like the RedSox
we would face major despair and “cliff-jumping” at some point in the year we finally break through. So this type of start doesn’t surprise me. Now we just need the comeback finish.
Let’s see what our boyz are made of…
LAcarl519 - October 3, 2008
I don't know what they're made of
but its obvious our IF has rocks for hands.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
no, they were wearing boxing gloves instead of mitts, didn't you notice? :-(
Lou told them to come out fighting and they took him literally.
LAcarl519 - October 3, 2008
Part of me wishes Ted were going tomorrow
You know he’s gonna come out and roll up his shirt & kick some ass.
Gotta see it from Richie.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
he will pitch Sunday!
LAcarl519 - October 3, 2008
Keep the faith.
Or maybe a Jedi mind trick.
He will pitch Sunday.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Been a hard day on the job today
It’s all quizzes, all day, but I feel like I am sleepwalking through it. A few students mention the Cubs, and I just say ’The less said, the better," and thankfully, they understand.
It’s just been depressing today, knowing we should be up 2-0 or even tied, and aren’t.
I said after ‘03 that I was through, that I was no longer a Cub fan. Of course, I stayed on. And I’ll continue to stay on. But, damn, after 25+ years, it gets harder to endure.
What say we have another 1984, this time, our way?
/vent
spoiledcubbage - October 3, 2008
Milton?
I’m not comfortable with the fact we might not get another Milton sighting. Maybe Milton should make a pregame picture!
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
...appearance
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
He did in the game thread
last night and look where that got us.
sue369 - October 3, 2008
Really???
Someone posted him early huh? I missed last nights discussion…
Lou In Blue - October 3, 2008
Sadly yes....
sue369 - October 3, 2008
I miss Milton
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
Hopefully we'll get
to see him tomorrow night. :D
sue369 - October 3, 2008
Late to this Post
But I have to say I read this at the airport on the way home this morning, and it was like a second punch in the gut to read Al’s assessment, which I always (and still) respect as a straight shot. It was honest and I can’t factually disagree with very much of it. But although there is no denying the spot that we’re in, I’m still holding out hope that things can be turned around. If not, there will be all winter to dissect what we’ve just witnessed.
08Cubs - October 3, 2008
This is the best Cub team in mine, my father and my grandfather's lifetime.
I refuse to believe its over.
Champ Summers - October 3, 2008
That's good...
because it’s not over….they still have to lose one more game.
santoswoodenlegs - October 3, 2008
I second that
This team realizes it can either lay down and die or come out mad as hell. I go with my gut. And my gut says they bring this series back to Wrigley.
MaTheMeatloaf - October 3, 2008
I've started typing
3 times…and each time, I don’t know what to say. I’m not mad. I’m not depressed. I’m just, I don’t know, disappointed?
I don’t believe in curses, but I do believe in teams that wilt under pressure. I didn’t think this was one of those teams, but so far, it has been.
So I’m done. The towel went in in the 2nd yesterday. I know they can’t win the next 3, but I’m also aware that I knew they would win game 1 once we took the lead. I’ve been wrong before, and I hope I’m wrong here. But my heart and brain say we’re finished.
Thanks for the great year folks.
chitownhawkeye - October 3, 2008
I continue to believe that if we win one, we win three.
Saturday is the big hill to climb, obviously. This team has to believe in itself again. But I really do believe that if it wins one, it wins three.
I do think the pressure totally switches to the Dodgers if they have to play Sunday. As I said above, we will learn what this team is made of on Saturday. I continue to believe that this is the team that came back against Colorado and beat Milwaukee with two out in the 9th.
I won’t believe otherwise until I see which team shows up on Saturday.
LAcarl519 - October 3, 2008
We've won 3 in a row before.
We’ve won 3 in a row against the dodgers before!
3 has never looked so daunting before.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
It is daunting.
Which is why you gotta take one game at a time. Focus on winning Saturday and only that. Should that happen, move on to Sunday.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Plus
a team with nothing to lose can be very dangerous.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
How about 3 outs on defense with no dramatics?
That’d be a nice 3.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
I forgot what that's like.
It’s something like “3 up, 3…” but it’s been so long I can’t recall.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
3 & out?
No wait. Thats the Bears offense.
What a great weekend to look forward too!
::grumpy::
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
Weee
Don’t remind me. At least I have…um…looks around
well, how about…
Crap. All outta sports teams I care about :-(
chitownhawkeye - October 3, 2008
Blackhawks are in training camp.
If you care about hockey.
I don’t really. Great games to watch in person, hell to watch on tv.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
No thanks
I’ve got arena football, but that’s not till Feb.
chitownhawkeye - October 3, 2008
24 comes back in January
I’m excited about that.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
Jack is back!!
Hey HBCG!
Jimmyeatworld - October 3, 2008
Hey Jimmy!
How you doing?
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
I'm preparing myself for tomorrow and Sunday's games.
All Cubs fans have now been confronted with the ultimate test of faith in our team. Is is possible for them to win three in row? If they do, then the momentum that will be generated will likely be enough to push them into the World Series. Just like everyone else, I’m looking at Sat. as the key. Gotta win just one, then put the pressure squarely on the Dodgers. If we can just get this back to Wrigley, then the Dodgers are toast- I promise you.
Jimmyeatworld - October 3, 2008
At least someone still believes.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
I'm a die hard Cubs fan...
I never quit, I never stop believing, I never give up. Even in the face of this terrible situation, when everything I see, everything I hear; tells me that I’m a fool to believe… I still believe.
I believe for those who have no faith, I believe for those have no hope, I believe for those who have given up. I believe because I want to believe it will happen, and I’m praying that it will be willed into existence.
Jimmyeatworld - October 3, 2008
I'll be right there with ya.
Solidarity, brother.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
I'm gonna try
But right now, my faith-o-meter is running on empty.
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
Start believing cutie pie.
Jimmyeatworld - October 3, 2008
I hope to god you're right.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
I agree with Jimmy
I believe the Cubs win both LA games.
VegasCubFan - October 3, 2008
No thanks
I’ve got arena football, but that’s not till Feb.
chitownhawkeye - October 3, 2008
No thanks
I’ve got arena football, but that’s not till Feb.
chitownhawkeye - October 3, 2008
No thanks
I’ve got arena football, but that’s not till Feb.
chitownhawkeye - October 3, 2008
Let me get this straight...
You got arena football…but it’s not til Feb?
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Really?
Why didn’t you tell us you liked Arena Football in Feb?
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
I was totally unaware
of arena football starting up. But not til Feb.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Ok, so it doesn't start till probably early March
chitownhawkeye - October 3, 2008
Well played.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Bears are tied for first.
That’s something.
But, yeah, my weekend looks pretty shit right now. I’ll spend tomorrow trying not to get my hopes too high and completely fail that as I put everything on the line come 9pm.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
Yep
That all sounds very familiar.
Football’s on tomorrow. At least I’ll have something to keep my attention. :-P
halfblindcubbiegirl - October 3, 2008
I got an apartment to clean
that prolly won’t be cleaned.
neverAcquiesce - October 3, 2008
We've won three in a row....
alot more than we’ve lost three in a row this year.
tigerperson - October 3, 2008
Three is my
lucky number. :-)
sue369 - October 3, 2008
Maybe Lou has to rent the 40 Year Old Virgin tonight
because getting his first play-off victory probably feels similar to Steve Correll’s journey.
If that doesn’t work, he can try Spank-travision, But Lou needs to get his first play-off victory with this team and NOW. We are not going through another 12 months of getting the best record in the NL for this type of let down.
Find your inspiration Lou…
LAcarl519 - October 3, 2008
Spanktravision
that’s a pretty girl in the pool there……sinner…..
VegasCubFan - October 3, 2008
Who's your favorite little rascal?
love the ivy - October 3, 2008
who's your favorite baseball team?
VegasCubFan - October 3, 2008
is it alfalfa?
or is it spanky?
Bill Potter - October 3, 2008
six outs in an inning.
that’s a sin!
LAcarl519 - October 3, 2008
The Cubs had their share of 3+ game winning streaks all year
and this would be a helluva time for another one. Then 8 out the next 14. That’s all I ask. They’ve done it before.
ChipSet - October 3, 2008
I don't know if this will get read
because of the late hour. My wife and I got home a few hours ago from a trip to Europe. I read the USA Today at the airport and talked to my brother on the phone this evening, along with reading this thread tonight.
Initially, after reading the paper, I felt sick. This is (so far) the worse I have ever felt as a Cubs fan. To play as well as we had in the season to totally forget what got us to the post season is maddening. This team is just like the Braves’ teams in their glory years, great at winning the division, can’t seal the deal in October. At least the Braves had such a long run that they did win a WS. If we get swept again this year, now what? I was happy as hell we wouldn’t be playing the Snakes again. I don’t care how lousy the D Backs were this year, they have OWNED us since their inception.
IMHO, the Dodgers are not all that great. If they were in any other division in both leagues, they aren’t even here. The only reason they won the division is that AZ gave it to them, not that the D Backs were the juggernaut they were last year, but the division was theirs to lose after The Rox and Pads started off so shitty and never recovered.
The one positive about the Cubs is that they can rattle off 3, 4, 5 wins in a row like nobody’s business once they get going. They have to get going today (as it is 3:26 in the morning as I am typing this).
If they bring their normally good fielding with them and get good AB’s going, they can do it. 3 in a row or more for this team has been their MO all year. I want to watch them next year here at HoHoKam with a good feeling, not with this rock in my gut that will last all winter.
BigJohnAZ - October 4, 2008
welcome home, and sorry you didn't arrive to better news
but yes, momentum starts with one good game, and if the Cubs can get that ball rolling, pressure shifts to LA, and anything can happen…
Bill Potter - October 4, 2008
Thanks
and to quote the immortal words of Bluto…you know the rest.
GO CUBS! You are better than this!!!!!!!!!!
BigJohnAZ - October 4, 2008
LA weather...a sign?
we are having light rain in LA this morning. Chicago weather? Certainly not LA weather in early October.
A sign that change is coming! In the end, the Cubs have to make their own “luck” tonight, but I do like the changing weather.
GO CUBS!!!
LAcarl519 - October 4, 2008
+1
sue369 - October 4, 2008
I have had a blast this summer, thanks to this team.
I said I loved them a week ago. That has not changed because of a couple of clunkers. The Cubs will win this series. Continue to “enjoy the ride”.
Rick B - October 4, 2008
My new slogan is,
“Let’s take three”.
sue369 - October 4, 2008
Couldn't agree more
I said repeatedly during the season regardless of the outcome it was worth the ride. I still think so, although I had hoped against hope that we’d be far more competitive in the end game. Who knows? Maybe this really is the miracle Cubs. It ain’t over until the last out, as Lou likes to say.
Emelie - October 4, 2008
NYTimes does feature on Ron Santo today...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/04/sports/baseball/04santo.html?ref=sports
LAcarl519 - October 4, 2008
kind of a tired retread, though, wasn't it?
black cats, blah blah blah… although reading it I hoped those blasted HOF voters would take notice and finally give the man his due.
Emelie - October 4, 2008
I think the rest of the country doesn't appreciate the great
career that Santo had in spite of his handicap. I wish the article would have focused more on that. But I do think the article highlighted how Ron is not shy about living and dying every pitch of every game, and how the is emblematic of Cub fans everywhere. For that, I put up with the rest of the NY media crap.
LAcarl519 - October 4, 2008
Fair enough
he’s an inspiration and a remarkable story. Any way it’s told is better than not telling it at all.
Emelie - October 4, 2008
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Bleed Cubbie Blue to post a comment.