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Cubs Add Insult To Insult With Dreadful 10-3 Loss To Dodgers

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.

MLB Postseason on SB Nation

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No seriously...

Awful, awful game.

I have to ask as an aside, how did you get your same seats for the playoffs?

by Damen Jackson on Oct 3, 2008 9:18 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'll tell you some other time.

Right now, that just doesn’t feel very important.

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

by Al on Oct 3, 2008 9:25 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rich Harden vs Hiroki Kuroda

I still have faith until the last out is recorded.

by dr stabbingworth on Oct 3, 2008 9:20 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

If you think you've seen it all...just wait!

by CubFanSince1970 on Oct 3, 2008 9:21 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."

by Itchy on Oct 3, 2008 9:50 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was referring to...

his offense the last two games!

If you think you've seen it all...just wait!

by CubFanSince1970 on Oct 3, 2008 10:40 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

But the wind blew me back via Chicago, In the middle of the night

by N Oakley on Oct 3, 2008 9:23 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

It has to start some place. It has to start some time. What better place than here. What better time than now. ~Rage Against the Machine

by love the ivy on Oct 3, 2008 9:56 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Oct 3, 2008 11:21 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I didnt get to hear this

can you paraphrase for me

It has to start some place. It has to start some time. What better place than here. What better time than now. ~Rage Against the Machine

by love the ivy on Oct 3, 2008 11:40 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Aw man

what a picture.

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 3, 2008 3:00 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Oct 3, 2008 3:12 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I did

Thankfully golden retrivers are completely understanding.

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 3, 2008 3:13 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

sums it up

That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until the final out -- Lou

by Emelie on Oct 3, 2008 3:29 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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

It has to start some place. It has to start some time. What better place than here. What better time than now. ~Rage Against the Machine

by love the ivy on Oct 3, 2008 6:10 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I finally understand Yankees' fans feelings about A-Rod

My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.

by JohnM on Oct 3, 2008 9:23 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by Neifi Puppy on Oct 3, 2008 9:24 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If you're right we will all have come from the depths to the mountains in four days.

I just don’t expect it.

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

by Al on Oct 3, 2008 9:25 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

fifty fifty chance It's Gonna Happen

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Oct 3, 2008 11:22 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Those are better odds than I would give right now.

I’ll take ’em, though.

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 3, 2008 11:29 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I wish I could be more like you

If anyone flames you, I’ll kick them in the shins.

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 3, 2008 3:01 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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

If you think you've seen it all...just wait!

by CubFanSince1970 on Oct 3, 2008 9:26 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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…

by LuisSalazar on Oct 3, 2008 9:26 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

If you think you've seen it all...just wait!

by CubFanSince1970 on Oct 3, 2008 9:28 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by StevenABQ on Oct 3, 2008 9:28 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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

by LuisSalazar on Oct 3, 2008 9:31 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by StevenABQ on Oct 3, 2008 9:36 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Oct 3, 2008 9:38 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

But the wind blew me back via Chicago, In the middle of the night

by N Oakley on Oct 3, 2008 9:48 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agreed

We’ll wait and see, sometimes its like a giant puzzle—need all the pieces.

by StevenABQ on Oct 3, 2008 12:31 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Formerly NO100

by jerry morales rules on Oct 3, 2008 9:26 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Oct 3, 2008 9:26 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I completely agree

About the 6th inning I just turned it off and went to bed. I couldn’t take it anymore.

"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"

by VicVega on Oct 3, 2008 9:34 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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…..

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand. - Homer J Simpson

by MikeOxbyg on Oct 3, 2008 9:41 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The players looked rattled early on

and I guess it rattled me.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Oct 3, 2008 9:43 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by SuperContext on Oct 3, 2008 9:58 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh God,

the nightmare won’t end.

Lets do it Cubbies

by slocs55 on Oct 3, 2008 9:26 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wake me up when October ends

It has to start some place. It has to start some time. What better place than here. What better time than now. ~Rage Against the Machine

by love the ivy on Oct 3, 2008 10:26 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It feels like a wake

That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until the final out -- Lou

by Emelie on Oct 3, 2008 9:27 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This thread is a wake

the team wasn’t last night

Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Oct 3, 2008 9:28 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by kanderber on Oct 3, 2008 9:28 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hmmm

I agree with Al, Theriots was probably the only one that could be justified. Lee and Derosa had rocks for hands last night.

by StevenABQ on Oct 3, 2008 9:29 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

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

by Al on Oct 3, 2008 9:33 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by kanderber on Oct 3, 2008 9:35 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah

If not for Theriot everything would have been different. Drop it.

by StevenABQ on Oct 3, 2008 9:43 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 3, 2008 9:46 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by StevenABQ on Oct 3, 2008 9:52 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by kanderber on Oct 3, 2008 9:57 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by StevenABQ on Oct 3, 2008 9:59 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I must've missed your argument

What was it that you were expecting a follow up argument to?

by kanderber on Oct 3, 2008 10:06 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Arguments are in the next room;

this is animated discussions

Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Oct 3, 2008 10:13 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I thought it was

How to Crush a Dream in Two Games 101

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Oct 3, 2008 10:14 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We've successfully merged Monty Pyton and Jeopardy

for our Cubs humor for the day. That’s probably all there will be.

Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Oct 3, 2008 10:16 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No need to be sorry

We’re miscommunicating pretty badly here, it appears. Maybe it is best to drop it.

by kanderber on Oct 3, 2008 10:14 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just emotion

getting the best of me, its easy to be snarky with text. No hard feelings I hope.

by StevenABQ on Oct 3, 2008 10:17 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agree

That ball could have been gloved. Theriot must have thought he was Ozzie Smith for a moment.

He is not.

by salparadise23 on Oct 3, 2008 10:26 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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)

Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Oct 3, 2008 9:35 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 3, 2008 10:02 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Cubs Karma: Don't take anything for granted.....

by Andre Fonseca on Oct 3, 2008 12:36 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The text in parenthesis explains the lunacy of the rest of the statement.
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).

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 3, 2008 12:40 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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?

Cubs Karma: Don't take anything for granted.....

by Andre Fonseca on Oct 3, 2008 2:09 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 3, 2008 2:11 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Does that cost money or is it free?

But the wind blew me back via Chicago, In the middle of the night

by N Oakley on Oct 3, 2008 2:12 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You're basing him? Does he have a drug problem too?

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Oct 3, 2008 2:12 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LOL...free-basing Theriot...

Oh man…I can see colors that don’t exist!

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 3, 2008 2:14 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

actually sorry

you’re not really a Theriot basher.. i got you mixed up with the other people

Cubs Karma: Don't take anything for granted.....

by Andre Fonseca on Oct 3, 2008 2:23 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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?

Cubs Karma: Don't take anything for granted.....

by Andre Fonseca on Oct 3, 2008 2:19 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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… ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 3, 2008 8:11 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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

by BCB Vienna on Oct 3, 2008 9:28 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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?

by Seismic Stallion on Oct 3, 2008 9:29 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

harsh

That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until the final out -- Lou

by Emelie on Oct 3, 2008 9:30 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I have the strangest feeling

 that this will not be the worst we hear today.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Oct 3, 2008 9:32 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Oct 3, 2008 9:58 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by Seismic Stallion on Oct 3, 2008 9:36 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1

I’m sicking of reading the bile that spews out of certain fans’ keyboards.

by dr stabbingworth on Oct 3, 2008 9:37 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by StevenABQ on Oct 3, 2008 9:40 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm with you man...

I refuse to say it over…

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand. - Homer J Simpson

by MikeOxbyg on Oct 3, 2008 9:45 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This might be for the better...

…the bandwagoners will be gone and the real fans can celebrate if we pull this out!!!

by Seismic Stallion on Oct 3, 2008 9:49 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Oct 3, 2008 9:53 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by Seismic Stallion on Oct 3, 2008 10:12 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It ain't over ..

Keep Hope Alive!

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Oct 3, 2008 11:24 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Oct 3, 2008 9:33 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by adam316 on Oct 3, 2008 9:48 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 ..

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Oct 3, 2008 11:28 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

"A catchers biggest concern behind the plate is to make his pitcher pitch a little better than he can" Roy Campanella

by Madison Cub Fan on Oct 3, 2008 9:42 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Beyond Harsh??

Now I agree I went overboard a little comparing him to Debard, but when the first line is:

Put away your dreams, everyone. It’s over.

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.

by Seismic Stallion on Oct 3, 2008 9:47 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

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

by Al on Oct 3, 2008 9:49 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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!

by Seismic Stallion on Oct 3, 2008 9:53 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

All I can say is....

… I’ll be extremely happy if you’re right.

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

by Al on Oct 3, 2008 9:54 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

...but not counting on it.

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Oct 3, 2008 9:54 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It guess a cliche sums it all up,

Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Oct 3, 2008 10:10 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Oct 3, 2008 10:00 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1

and all I’ll say this morning is, this sucks!

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark

by Fishbone2 on Oct 3, 2008 10:04 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Oct 3, 2008 10:10 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by SuperContext on Oct 3, 2008 10:02 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Oct 3, 2008 9:47 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No one in Boston thought they would pull that series out.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Oct 3, 2008 9:48 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Oct 3, 2008 9:50 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Oct 3, 2008 9:47 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+ 10 Million!

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand. - Homer J Simpson

by MikeOxbyg on Oct 3, 2008 9:43 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And it's "DaBard" not "DeBard".

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 3, 2008 10:42 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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!

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Oct 3, 2008 9:30 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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

Old Style is the nectar of life.

by Mordecai on Oct 3, 2008 9:31 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by SuperContext on Oct 3, 2008 10:04 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"That sends me down to the River"

where we all feel like jumping in right now.

Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Oct 3, 2008 10:05 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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?

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space. That day appears to be near.

by chilango2 on Oct 3, 2008 11:33 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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

---AC 00 00 00 - Believe

by mjk83 on Oct 3, 2008 9:31 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

If you think you've seen it all...just wait!

by CubFanSince1970 on Oct 3, 2008 9:31 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Demp and Rich: proof that people that live in igloos and say "eh" can contibute!

by Canadian Cubs Fan on Oct 3, 2008 9:32 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by StevenABQ on Oct 3, 2008 9:33 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

There are no more excuses, rationalizations, analysis on paper, extrapolation of regular season performance, examination of the statute of limitations on certain curses, whatever...

by MDBNIU on Oct 3, 2008 9:33 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Great analogy

"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...

by Curtain Jerker on Oct 3, 2008 10:29 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1

Truth.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space. That day appears to be near.

by chilango2 on Oct 3, 2008 11:35 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agree completely on the "poof" factor

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 3, 2008 3:07 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by neifi on Oct 3, 2008 4:09 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I must admit...

…when Martin hit that double last night and the bases cleared, I thought, “So this is how it ends.”

I'm open to a miracle.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 3, 2008 4:33 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I had no thought

I just felt crushed.

Sometimes even hope isn't enough...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 3, 2008 4:54 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Oct 3, 2008 4:55 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Sometimes even hope isn't enough...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 3, 2008 4:58 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Oct 3, 2008 5:00 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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……

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 3, 2008 9:33 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I dunno.

Someone as experienced as D-Lee is, someone who’s made tons of tough plays — he should make that play.

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

by Al on Oct 3, 2008 9:35 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And I'm sure Lee would agree.

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Oct 3, 2008 9:36 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If DeRo would have handled the routine grounder, that ball would have never been hit to Lee...

"When I got to Chicago, fans came to Wrigley Field just to have fun, now they come to see us win. The expectations have changed, for the players and for the fans. It’s about winning." Kerry Wood, 7/14/08

by JB 23 on Oct 3, 2008 10:44 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Oct 3, 2008 9:33 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by sue369 on Oct 3, 2008 8:20 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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…

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Oct 4, 2008 9:57 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by sue369 on Oct 4, 2008 11:06 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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?

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Oct 4, 2008 4:22 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Let's take three...starting today!!

by sue369 on Oct 4, 2008 5:20 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1

Fat , drunk , and ,stupid is no way to go through life son.

by alabebo on Oct 4, 2008 1:54 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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……

"I'd rather win ugly than lose pretty," -- Lou Pinella

by anormal on Oct 3, 2008 9:38 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

At least...

.. the other Chicago team may be able to come through for our city.

"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse

by ronsanto10 on Oct 3, 2008 9:39 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, Go Blackhawks!

The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel

by Blue W on Oct 3, 2008 9:40 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

heh heh ... very good indeed!

Oh, if I could ONLY be in town to get in Wrigley when the Hawks play!

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Oct 3, 2008 11:30 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Oct 4, 2008 10:02 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They already did

It was called the 2005 World Series. They no longer have the same burden of expectations that the Cubs have.

There are no more excuses, rationalizations, analysis on paper, extrapolation of regular season performance, examination of the statute of limitations on certain curses, whatever...

by MDBNIU on Oct 3, 2008 9:42 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

To any White Sox fans reading this,

I don’t care if your team wins or loses.

But the wind blew me back via Chicago, In the middle of the night

by N Oakley on Oct 3, 2008 9:49 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

It has to start some place. It has to start some time. What better place than here. What better time than now. ~Rage Against the Machine

by love the ivy on Oct 3, 2008 10:05 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

There are no more excuses, rationalizations, analysis on paper, extrapolation of regular season performance, examination of the statute of limitations on certain curses, whatever...

by MDBNIU on Oct 3, 2008 9:40 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.”

Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Oct 3, 2008 9:44 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by rgonzale on Oct 3, 2008 9:42 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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

"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey

by TheRiot Police on Oct 3, 2008 9:42 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

There are no more excuses, rationalizations, analysis on paper, extrapolation of regular season performance, examination of the statute of limitations on certain curses, whatever...

by MDBNIU on Oct 3, 2008 9:45 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by StevenABQ on Oct 3, 2008 9:47 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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

"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey

by TheRiot Police on Oct 3, 2008 9:50 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

So do I.

Everyone’s been rather sympathetic today, though. Like I have lepresy and they don’t wanna get too near.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Oct 3, 2008 10:03 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah weird huh?

I’ve got people coming into my office expressing “condolences” geez… Maybe I need to revaluate my priorites.

by StevenABQ on Oct 3, 2008 10:04 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Oct 3, 2008 10:07 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

It has to start some place. It has to start some time. What better place than here. What better time than now. ~Rage Against the Machine

by love the ivy on Oct 3, 2008 10:07 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Working from home today

So far the two week old newborn is sympathetic :)

"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey

by TheRiot Police on Oct 3, 2008 10:06 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah same here

as far as the newborn being sympathetic anyway. Strange enough, our newborn is exactly two weeks old today.

by rambler19 on Oct 3, 2008 10:56 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I live in StL also.

Its the same way here. I feel like the walking dead, who everyone is taking pity on.

by storkysm on Oct 3, 2008 10:15 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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!

by mattisnotfrench on Oct 3, 2008 10:26 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

thanks, man, for your perspective.

nice.

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Oct 3, 2008 10:27 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Oct 3, 2008 10:29 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

It has to start some place. It has to start some time. What better place than here. What better time than now. ~Rage Against the Machine

by love the ivy on Oct 3, 2008 10:30 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Oct 3, 2008 10:31 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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…

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Oct 3, 2008 10:33 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by mattisnotfrench on Oct 3, 2008 10:33 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes

You guys had a great team in 2004, and a crappy one in 2006. Only in baseball…

by vonde6 on Oct 3, 2008 11:50 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm so jealous of you being able to write that paragraph.

I’d love to be upset over which team won it all. :-(

Sometimes even hope isn't enough...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 3, 2008 4:51 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 3, 2008 10:47 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 3, 2008 10:53 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by storkysm on Oct 3, 2008 11:12 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by rmonday557 on Oct 3, 2008 3:11 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Oct 3, 2008 10:05 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by SuperContext on Oct 3, 2008 10:09 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

hear hear

That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until the final out -- Lou

by Emelie on Oct 3, 2008 11:18 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

...and to the Milky Way Galaxy and the Known Universe as well....

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Oct 3, 2008 11:19 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Even the Gallifreyans....

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 3, 2008 11:23 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Oct 3, 2008 11:23 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Erase?

no I’m sure eventually I’ll remember it, but right now I feel like someone kicked me in the gut.

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 3, 2008 3:10 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I feel the same only slightly lower.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 3, 2008 3:11 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's like someone pulled the rug out, then decided to kick there.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Oct 3, 2008 3:12 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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

Cubs Karma: Don't take anything for granted.....

by Andre Fonseca on Oct 3, 2008 12:43 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Check out my Cubs shrine: http://picasaweb.google.com/vegascubfan/CubsRooms#

by VegasCubFan on Oct 3, 2008 5:18 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1

Fat , drunk , and ,stupid is no way to go through life son.

by alabebo on Oct 3, 2008 9:54 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by MolineCubsFan on Oct 3, 2008 9:43 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 3, 2008 10:49 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by DWChaney on Oct 3, 2008 9:43 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 3, 2008 9:44 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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 :(

"A catchers biggest concern behind the plate is to make his pitcher pitch a little better than he can" Roy Campanella

by Madison Cub Fan on Oct 3, 2008 9:49 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 3, 2008 9:50 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

****Hugs*****

I only know the Cub, but as a fellow Badger sounds like you needed a hug.

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand. - Homer J Simpson

by MikeOxbyg on Oct 3, 2008 9:55 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

my thoughts are with you, Shanghai

hang in there

That's the beauty of baseball. You never know what's going to happen until the final out -- Lou

by Emelie on Oct 3, 2008 9:58 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I know but still wanted you to know that you put into words what I totally am feeling today :)

"A catchers biggest concern behind the plate is to make his pitcher pitch a little better than he can" Roy Campanella

by Madison Cub Fan on Oct 3, 2008 10:06 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 3, 2008 10:25 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Oct 3, 2008 10:57 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not out of line at all

Kind words seldom are. I appreciate the sentiment — thank you.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 3, 2008 11:01 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I have no idea

what’s going on in your life right now but know you have my best thoughts. Hang in there.

by sue369 on Oct 3, 2008 11:32 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thanks, Sue

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 3, 2008 11:34 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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…

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 3, 2008 3:19 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'd laugh

but it just feels wrong.

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 3, 2008 3:28 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Careful, you'll make the Golden Retriever nervous.

But the wind blew me back via Chicago, In the middle of the night

by N Oakley on Oct 3, 2008 3:25 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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. :-)

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 3, 2008 3:27 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by Qixotl on Oct 3, 2008 9:46 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Interesting footnote.

Ted Lilly was originally drafted by the Dodgers, in the 23rd round in 1996.

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

by Al on Oct 3, 2008 9:47 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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….

"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey

by TheRiot Police on Oct 3, 2008 9:48 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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…..

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Oct 3, 2008 9:49 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I hope so,

I have tickets to game 5 and I want to cheer in person!

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Oct 3, 2008 10:14 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Oct 3, 2008 10:19 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by Chadnudj on Oct 3, 2008 9:49 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by jdb-44 on Oct 3, 2008 10:13 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Lets do it Cubbies

by slocs55 on Oct 3, 2008 9:49 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by dmlichte on Oct 3, 2008 9:50 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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?

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

by Al on Oct 3, 2008 9:51 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

by dmlichte on Oct 3, 2008 9:55 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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..

"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey

by TheRiot Police on Oct 3, 2008 10:02 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 3, 2008 10:27 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I thought the same thing.

After Wednesday, the Cubs needed a 1 run lead to start pressure on LA.

But the wind blew me back via Chicago, In the middle of the night

by N Oakley on Oct 3, 2008 10:47 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

agree, we were all dumbfounded that Theriot didnt bunt there....

"When I got to Chicago, fans came to Wrigley Field just to have fun, now they come to see us win. The expectations have changed, for the players and for the fans. It’s about winning." Kerry Wood, 7/14/08

by JB 23 on Oct 3, 2008 10:48 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

not only that

but the riot moves runners… he makes contact
it was bizarro wrigley

Cubs Karma: Don't take anything for granted.....

by Andre Fonseca on Oct 3, 2008 12:46 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

he picked a bad time to have his worst strikeout ever.

that run would’ve been nice..

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 3, 2008 4:47 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 3, 2008 10:52 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

If you think you've seen it all...just wait!

by CubFanSince1970 on Oct 3, 2008 10:15 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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.

Dallas Green!

by SonnyJ9 on Oct 3, 2008 9:50 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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”.

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

by Al on Oct 3, 2008 9:51 AM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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

by wccubfan on Oct 3, 2008 4:44 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs