Why the Cubs will come back

by Champ Summers on Oct 3, 2008 4:45 PM CDT Comment 45 comments

Cub Fans - we've just seen two miserable performances by our team. The pitching is failing, the fielding has been uncharacteristically terrible, and the hitting has been virtually nonexistent.

These are the anti-Cubs of 2008.

Is the Cub curse upon us? Will the Cubs fold this weekend in LA? I don't think so. It doesn't make sense.

This is the best Cub team in my lifetime. Its the best Cub team in my father's lifetime. Its the best team in my late grandfather's lifetime, who started watching Cub games in 1919 from his apartment near Wrigley.

They are destined for more than this. And a regular easy sweep of the NLDS can not be in the cards for a team like this - it will be, it MUST be a spectacular, come from behind win to overcome adversity - like the 2004 Boston Red Sox - who's own World Series drought came to an end only after a dramatic come from behind win in the ALCS. Remember Curt Schilling pitching the final ALCS game with a bloody ankle after the Sox came back after losing the first three games of the series? And remember - the Red Sox lost the first game something like 19-5! THAT'S the kind of drama we would expect after a 100 year drought gets broken.

Its the reverse of 1984 - where we turn out to be the good guys. Or the reverse of 2003 - but this time we are the Marlins.

We also have Harden and Lilly going the next two games in a pitcher's park. These pitchers have been pitching better than their Dodger counterparts - this is where the Cubs pitching depth will pay off.

On the other hand. I personally am uncomfortable with the concept of winning a World Series. I just think it would take something out of my Eternal Cubness- whatever that is.

Either way, I remain stubbornly and reluctantly optimistic.

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.

0 recs | Comment 45 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

this line....kills me

“I personally am uncomfortable with the concept of winning a World Series.”

i have no idea how you could really feel that

by DartmouthCubsFan on Oct 3, 2008 4:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Have you ever heard of the phrase "The Journey IS the Destination"?

The older I get, the more I realize this is a valuable piece of wisdom.

by Champ Summers on Oct 3, 2008 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"How come you don't care where you're going?"

“Cos how you get there’s the worthier part.”

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Oct 3, 2008 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, how about reaching that particular destination...

…and starting a new journey? Because that’s what I would like to see the Cubs do.

I'm open to a miracle.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 3, 2008 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you are correct...

… it could be one of the most spectacular postseasons ever.

So far — and not just for the Cub series — it’s been one-sided and boring.

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

by Al on Oct 3, 2008 4:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Al, are you flying out here for game 3?

n/t

"I never drink water because of the disgusting things fish do in it" -W.C. Fields

by calicubfan on Oct 3, 2008 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No.

Cancelled partly because tickets weren’t available to me and partly for other reasons. I’ll wait to see game 5 at home.

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

by Al on Oct 3, 2008 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That sucks!

had I known earlier, i probably could have gotten you at least 1 ticket. I got lots of friends w/ season tix.

Sorry you had to witness that my friend! We, more so you, deserve better. Hang in there!

"I never drink water because of the disgusting things fish do in it" -W.C. Fields

by calicubfan on Oct 3, 2008 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm feeling better now than I was at this time last night.

You go and bring us a couple of wins. That’d make me feel a LOT better.

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

by Al on Oct 3, 2008 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll do my best!

I’m feeling better too! In fact, I almost sold off my tix for tomorrow out of frustration but now I’m glad I didn’t.

It’s still not going to be easy being laughed at and mocked tomorrow night, but I’m wearing my Cubs gear anyway!

"I never drink water because of the disgusting things fish do in it" -W.C. Fields

by calicubfan on Oct 3, 2008 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was actually worse than you remember for the Sox in 2004

they lost Game 3, 19-8. Their scheduled pitcher for Game 4, Tim Wakefield, volunteered to eat innings in the bullpen that game, forcing the Sox to start Derek Lowe, who wasn’t used as a starter in the ALDS that year. Of course, he won Game 4 and Game 7.

But you’re right, it starts with a single well-played game. One win can shift the nature of this series. Let’s hope it happens and continues this historic year.

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 5:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Dude.

Don’t get me wrong— I hope they do come back— but I wouldn’t get too emotionally attached to that notion.

Right now, they are just a bunch of chokers. The saddest part is that, of all the playoff teams, the Dodgers are by far the weakest. If we can’t beat them, then we really have no business being in the playoffs.

by nickler on Oct 3, 2008 5:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd say the Brewers are the weakest, actually.

On paper, of course. The Cubs have looked pretty weak on the field thus far.

I'm open to a miracle.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 3, 2008 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The whole concept of the Cubs is getting emotinally attached to that notion.

by Champ Summers on Oct 3, 2008 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

it’s like guys who get their hearts broken by a lady but keep going back.

"I never drink water because of the disgusting things fish do in it" -W.C. Fields

by calicubfan on Oct 3, 2008 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

more like an abusive boyfriend that we refuse to leave....

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 3, 2008 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah..

you get my point. It’s a 2 way street. This team is a very abusive relationship

"I never drink water because of the disgusting things fish do in it" -W.C. Fields

by calicubfan on Oct 3, 2008 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is absolutley up to the team now.

They are the ones who are on the line. We are going to learn a lot about their character tomorrow night, by watching how they conduct themselves. I still have hope, but game 3 is going to be very revealing.

by Carolina Cubbie on Oct 3, 2008 5:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1 exactly it's all up to the team now , it doesn't matter what we do on a internet web board

or if we burn all of our cubs gear out of protest.
During the playoff this team has done nothing but choke , give me a reason to believe why that won’t continue and I’ll jump aboard your train.
I’ve been a fan for 42 years and have come to expect this , but honestly this year I expected more.
I really hope I’m wrong and that I’ll be eating crow after they win game five but that’s out of my control , it’s all up to the guys on the field.

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

by alabebo on Oct 3, 2008 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I completely agree with this

game 3 is going to tell you a lot about the makeup of this club. The fact they have two quality pitchers slated to go (the next two games), gives me a bit of hope, but my mind keeps going back to how they haven’t competed the first two games and it really bothers me.

It’s time to seperate the men from the boys.

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

by MPH73 on Oct 3, 2008 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

HOPE YOU ARE RIGHT.......

The game in L.A. isn’t over nor has it even started…..Like HARRY would say " Anything can happen .." I myself am still numb after 2 lost games …..A UPS package arrived for me today…A gift from my sister ..It contains a Cub Playoff shirt and hat . I have not wanted to open it nor go near it . Maybe in time I will,,,,,Lets give the team a chance to prove us all wrong on Saturday night ….

by cubs north on Oct 3, 2008 5:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hope

I want to tell myself to quit now and give up. But I have followed this team for to long to quit. They still need to play and who knows harden might throw the game of his life and our bats might wake up.

by Spartan07 on Oct 3, 2008 6:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

about that red sox team

i was thinkin bout it and how do u feel their fan felt after game 3 loss of 19-8 and they were also on a world series drought…down 0-3 as well not 0-2….they must of been feeling it was over and there was no chance in hell that they wud come back

but sumhow some way they came back and won…so who knows…lets just win one tomorrow night and see where that takes us in game 4 with lilly vs either maddux or kershaw

by cubbiepride on Oct 3, 2008 6:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Im thinking game 4

will be Lowe again

And,

There WILL be a game 4

by PieFan08 on Oct 3, 2008 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

good

id rather take my chances with him on 3 days rest then him in game 5 with extra rest…lets just win game 3 and hope we can see him on short rest for game 4

by cubbiepride on Oct 3, 2008 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That would be a tough...

…call for Torre on whether to run Lowe out there on short rest or save him for a potential game 5. With Lowe being a sinker ball pitcher, my bet would be he goes with Lowe.

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

by MPH73 on Oct 3, 2008 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a die hard Cubs fan...

I never quit, I never stop believing, I never give up. Even in the face of this terrible situation, when everything I see, everything I hear; tells me that I’m a fool to believe… I still believe.

I believe for those who have no faith, I believe for those have no hope, I believe for those who have given up. I believe because I want to believe it will happen, and I’m praying & believing that it will be willed into existence.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Oct 3, 2008 6:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

nice job, jimmy.

"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 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes, you must be a fool, you're right about that much........

i told you earlier in the season that this was essentially the same team that wet its pants against the likes of livan hernandez and doug davis last year. this team stinks. alfonso soriano, in particular, stinks. that’s why joe torre benched him in the playoffs when he played for the yankees. he’s a fool, and he stinks. this team is full of players that lack mettle.

by horace tarbox on Oct 3, 2008 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's the spirit!

Seriously though, if this team gives you so much agnst, why do you watch?

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

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

Its not crazy to think...

Harden and Lilly can get two W’s in two days. Who knows. All day I have been depressed about this team and this season. I am sick of it, so I am starting to think positive. I think we will come out strong in LA, it may just be too little, too late.

Harden will own Kuroda

Lilly wil own tired Lowe

The Bats just need to come alive.

by PieFan08 on Oct 3, 2008 6:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I can honestly say that...

there is not a pitcher I would rather have on the bump that Harden. Now that everyone has written them off, I think there will be less pressure, along with the fact that they won’t be playing at Wrigley, where I’m sure they feel added pressure. Lets just win game 3.

by WUSTLCubsFan on Oct 3, 2008 6:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

**than

by WUSTLCubsFan on Oct 3, 2008 6:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I believe.......

thats all I will say!!!!

from the mouth of Uecker:

"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."

by cubsluver22 on Oct 3, 2008 6:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Is a 3 game win streak impossible??

by PieFan08 on Oct 3, 2008 6:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

how about a 7 or 11 game streak?

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 3, 2008 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The best baseball team in Chicago in over three generations will not roll over and die

Nuff said.

by Champ Summers on Oct 3, 2008 6:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Boy I hope you're right

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

by alabebo on Oct 3, 2008 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Think of it it like this.

Take 1 game at a time. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Each of these are must wins.

Some of these guys maybe gone next year, and I’m sure they will play their hearts out.

Devin Hester, you are ridiculous! -Jeff Joniak

by ARAM FOR MVP on Oct 3, 2008 7:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey didn't...

The White Sox win 3 must win games in a row?

by hmlee on Oct 3, 2008 7:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Pinella

I luv Lou, but he has to get these guys calmed down. Get Fuko out of the line up, put in Reed, he is the sparkplug. WE ARE NOT DEAD.

by player101 on Oct 3, 2008 7:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm strangely confident this series

I still think the Cubs can win Game 3 and 4. The bats will come alive. Don’t ask me why. I just think the change of venue and the off-day will clear everyone’s head.

Over a 162 game season, you are what your record says you are. I believe this club is closer to the 97 win team we’ve seen all year than the 0-2 team we’ve seen this month. They’ll snap out of it.

I also get the feeling the Bears will somehow lose Sunday. Can’t really explain that one either.

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

by Curtain Jerker on Oct 3, 2008 9:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Three straight is not that tough

really it’s not. One game at a time. I’m confident we can do it. It all starts with a win saturday and go from there. We can do it

2008 National League Central Division Champs!!!!!

by BradB311 on Oct 3, 2008 9:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I have a strange feeling too...

it was 8 playoff losses ago that the Cubs scored 8 runs to beat the Marlins 8-3 behind a 1st inning Ramirez grand slam. The Marlins would score 8 runs in the 8th inning of Game Six when Alex Gonzalez (#8) muffed a sure DP grounder.

I’m telling you, if we win 8-3 tomorrow night, I’m going to freak out a little bit…

"They played the best all year, so they're the winners." ~Tony LaRussa on the 2008 Cubs

by Goodie1969 on Oct 3, 2008 9:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ya know

If this is really the team we all thought it was, they will come from behind and win 3 in a row. Thats the kind of amazing performace that I would expect out of the cubs team that finally wins it all. I mean, how many of you expected the “curse” to be broken easily.

"Chicago Cubs fans are ninety percent scar tissue" - George F. Will

by tizzle on Oct 3, 2008 11:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs