Man, I am so ready.

by californiachicagoan on Sep 14, 2007 11:52 AM CDT

With Marmol getting us out of tight jams, and Howry and Eyre pitching great as setup guys, and Dempster converting save chances ... I mean what a 'pen.

Then you have Lilly and Hill going good, if Z can have another good outing ... man what a staff!

The hitters have been average with people taking turns getting hot. Floyd and Fonzie are hot now, with Kendall and Theriot cold. A month ago it was the other way around.

In April it was Lee, Ramirez, and DeRosa who were hot. Cedeno, Izturis, and Murton were cold.

In May it was Soriano who heated up and Pagan pitching in from the bench, while Barrett and JJ sucked.

In June Aramis, Fonzie, and little known Fonty were blazingly hot. JJ stayed cold, and was joined by Theriot.

In July, The RIOT earned his nickname with his great play, but his LSU counterpart fell apart along with whoever we had catching.

That turned around in August for Kendall. JJ and Mattie turned it around as well. Both the LSU'ers hit the wall.

And now in September? Only half the month is gone, but if they finish half as good as they started, Aramis, Derek, and Fonzie will have their best months of the year. In limited ABs, Floyd, Fonty, and Mattie are all looking good too. Theriot and Kendall have been slumping, and so has Monroe in limited ABs.

Up. Down. All around. Different hitters, different heroes.

Man, I am so psyched for the rest of this year. Can you tell?

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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Comments

Ha

This coming from the most negative in game thread guy around.

GO CUBS

Hey.....Cubs win!!!

by Hammer on Sep 14, 2007 11:56 AM CDT reply actions

I'm right there witcha...

...though I'm confused about your thoughts regarding Cedeno, Izturis and Murton. That sentence appears unfinished.

Carlos Marmol, you complete me.

by daver on Sep 14, 2007 12:11 PM CDT reply actions

My bad

The rest of that sentance was about Cedeno, Izturis, and Murton being ice cold in April. Don't know how that got cut off there.

by californiachicagoan on Sep 14, 2007 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Nice try

But you can't bring me down with your negativity. :)

Keep it going!

by californiachicagoan on Sep 14, 2007 12:14 PM CDT reply actions

I liked this diary...

... because it says exactly what I've been feeling all year. When one or more players start faltering, someone else picks them up. This has truly become a TEAM, not just a collection of individuals.

They're easy to root for because of that.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Sep 14, 2007 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Hey Al...

in all your years of following the Cubs as closely as you have, where would you rank this year's team as a collective team effort? In the past few years, it's always seemed like there was a superstar or two that had the "me, me, me" attitude. This year's team seems to really grasp the novel concept of playing as TEAMMATES. What do you think?

Missing Da Cubbies from NYC!

by dacubsfan76 on Sep 14, 2007 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd say...

... this one has to rank very, very high. The 2003 team was sort of like this as well, except, of course, for that certain "all about me" player.

I like teams like this. Makes it all the sweeter when they win.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Sep 14, 2007 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks!

I have to agree with you there. This year's team makes each win a very sweet win (no matter how ugly or pretty it might've been). Hopefully we'll see more teams like this in the years to come!

Missing Da Cubbies from NYC!

by dacubsfan76 on Sep 14, 2007 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Good observation except for a few points

Mattie....I ate seeing what others try make other see...He has two big hits here of late, 8/30 HR and 9/02 HR...September he is 4/16 (.250), and while in August he was 21/66. One friggin RBI in spot duty down in the order in Sept for his 83 games. 16 extra base hits, 29 runs and Hard sophomore year.

Relatively the same AB's Fontenot has 19 extra base hits 32 RBI's and 28 runs.

As for the review of how different players have stepped up and contributed I look at it in this sense; June 2nd everything changed. Piniella got control of this club emotionally and firmly established certain roles. Performance backed up who got certain roles but in reality once Piniella started getting the bullpen in order the team really jelled.

This team is predicated on pitching and defense, the offense is average (ranked 9th) but the defense is near the top and pitching is 3rd or 2nd.

Milw-09-23-98--Brown in for defense--bases loaded--flyball--HE DROPPED THE BALL!!!NO NO NO, cubs lose 8-7

by Ivy Walls on Sep 14, 2007 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions