The "Turning Point" game?

by Matt Allison on Jul 8, 2007 7:08 PM CDT

I wanted to write this immediately after the to-be-mentioned game ended, but decided to wait until the ASB and see how things played out. On June 25th when the Cubs came back to win in the bottom of the ninth after giving up 6 in the top half, my mind instantly flashed back to July 25th, 2003. While it happened in a different month and was won in a different way, that game was what I believed to be the turning point for the '03 Cubs. Carlos Zambrano was on the mound that day, and gave up 3 runs in the first to immediately put the Cubs in a hole. He bore down after that, but the rest of the team looked flat against the then-still-good Wade Miller, and appeared headed for a loss that would put them 2 games under .500. Then in the 7th, Zambrano, seemingly sensing the team's listlessness, decided to carry the team on his own shoulders and hit a 2-run homer to tie the game. In the very next inning, Moises Alou followed that cue with a 2-run blast to put the Cubbies up by 2. Zambrano pitched into the 9th inning, and lunch-pail Joe Borowski got the final two batters for the save. Starting with that game, the Cubs then went 38-23 and won the division.

Will we see another turning point game this season? Maybe/probably? I don't know. But so far, 6/25 is it for me. The Cubs had won 3 in a row, but had done that before this season, only to then lose and prevent them from going on a real streak. Which they continued after this game, winning 7 in a row, and 10 of 11.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I think the turning point was

Derrek Lee's Pinch Hit Grand Slam.

PIE!!!

by LilLPLancer23 on Jul 8, 2007 7:38 PM CDT reply actions

That was a nice day.

n/t

'07 Postseason: Bears, Bulls... Cubs?

by stelmodad on Jul 8, 2007 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions

I think a strong argument

can be made that the turning point was trading Barrett, which solved a lot of chemistry issues and improved the defense immensely. They've been winning fairly consistently since he was sent packing.

BTW, nice to see you've become more optimistic about this season. Your posts after the Barrett trade were pretty bleak.

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/comments/2007/6/20/74340/8877/69#69

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/comments/2007/6/21/173142/126/98#98

by cubsbak on Jul 8, 2007 8:08 PM CDT reply actions

In 03 the turning point was

actually two days later when the Cubs won 5-3, it was a fairly easy victory. It was my first ever Cub game and I take all the credit for them getting to the playoffs. lol

Thats the game you would have to pick if you had to pick a turning point game but the trade for Lofton and Ramirez a few days earlier was also a huge factor.

This year you could pick the Rockies game or the Brewer game but I think it was the whole streak itself that could lead us to some beautiful things in the fall.

Everybody on the count of three kick karma in the ass, maybe that will wake her up.

by Me and Lou WS 07 on Jul 8, 2007 8:17 PM CDT reply actions

Yep

The trade for Lofton and Ramirez was a turning point in 2003. So was the day Prior returned from the DL.

by cubsbak on Jul 8, 2007 8:20 PM CDT up reply actions

I am not a big believer

in turning point games. The season is so long, it is very difficult to be launched by one game. If this was the NFL, that has a role, but it is different with baseball.

I will say this; it was a major point when they dealt Barrett. That sent a strong message to the entire club, that Piniella was running the show and it was time to jump on board.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jul 8, 2007 11:01 PM CDT reply actions

As much as I like June 25th My B-Day

I believe the turning point was June 1st. Z and Barrett's "Rumble in the Tunnel". I believe that polarized this team. The very next day Piniella blew a gasket and kicked dirt everywhere. Since those 2 rock bottom games the Cubs team has played some fun baseball. The game on the 25th was one for sure and the game vs. the Brewers with Am Ram hitting one in the ninth is another.

I hope to hell the Cubs continue to have "pivotal" games so us Cub fans can argue which one meant more. either way I just home they win more then they lose and keep things interesting until October.

The last couple loses have been on the pitching staff. I hope they get rested up and Piniella gets his 12th guy.

6-01-2007 the Cubs begin to rise. They will never look back.

by Scott G F on Jul 9, 2007 6:58 AM CDT reply actions

And...

>I hope to hell the Cubs continue to have "pivotal" >games so us Cub fans can argue which one meant >more.

Just so they keep winning those pivotal games!

by MN exile on Jul 9, 2007 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Agree

Completely!

I guess "pivotal" could mean both.

Like "The Hawkins game" vs the Mets in 2004. That was pivotal too.

6-01-2007 the Cubs begin to rise. They will never look back.

by Scott G F on Jul 9, 2007 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Usually

those pivotal games develop from a change in your roster or an existing weakness that is not addressed.

In 04, the Met's loss was pivotal, but you could see something like that happening because of how bad Hawkin's was at closing games. If it didn't happen that game, it would have happened in another game, because he was bad.

This year is the same thing, the lineup was very unbalanced at the start of 07. Piniella has pushed for several changes, and that has made the club better, which means winning important games that appear to be pivotal.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jul 9, 2007 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree with this

completely. You could argue the most pivotal game in 2003 was the game at Wrigley against the Cardinals where Corey Patterson injured his knee. That forced Hendry to get Lofton, who was the catalyst down the stretch that year. Similarly, in my mind the most pivotal event this season was the dumping of Barrett.

by cubsbak on Jul 9, 2007 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Absolutely

getting the right players, manager and coaches is what is pivotal. If you have the right guys, you will win big games that people point to to say "that was the pivotal game"

Bottom line; over 162, the best teams will win enough games to make the playoffs, and the mediocre/bad teams won't. That doesn't happen because of 1 or 2 games, it happens because of what kind of team you have.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jul 9, 2007 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Pivotal?

One that I haven't heard is Dempster's injury. He last pitched in that horrific Rangers series. While I keep hearing early June, the Cubs really started to cook once Dempster was shelved. Probably NOT cause and affect, but I like the Howry/Marmol two-headed closer.

PERRY!!!!

by Goat Whisperer on Jul 9, 2007 12:05 PM CDT reply actions