It would take strong men to win us a WS

by reedjohnson on Oct 4, 2008 9:19 AM CDT

I hope for the best tonight, I really do. The statistics aren't all that bad: of 54 best of 5 division series where a team went up 2-0, 35 ended up in sweeps, but 7 of those series were won by the team who was originally down in the series. What does that tell you? Most teams fold up their tents and go home after going down 2-0. But for those who fight back and win game 3, there's a 37% chance that they come back to win the series. IF we can win tonight, this thing ain't over by a longshot.

Here's the thing though: only a group of men marked by incredible intestinal fortitude could come back and win this series. Is that this team? Truthfullly, I don't know. I sure hope so. But I have my doubts. If we lose tonight, the answer is clear- this team don't have the guts.

And this has been the problem throughout this team's entire history, in my opinion- when the pressure cooker of the postseason begins, the Cubs panic, boot double play balls and make inexplicable errors. You saw it the other night- sheer panic by the boys in blue, playing tighter than a snare drum. And this has happened year after year after year. It seems like all the other teams are just free to play baseball- the Cubs, however, have all this 100 years of psychological baggage to overcome, and I wonder if that psychological baggage isn't harder to overcome than the actual game itself. It isn't a curse; it's a self-fulfilling prophecy- the Cubs fear screwing it up again, ensuring that they once again screw it up again.

One thing is sure: only a group of very mentally strong men could break this cycle. I hope that is this year's team. If not? I say blow it up and start over, seeking a new group of men who can handle the pressure. Find guys who played in New York, Boston, who have won world series and have been there before. Guys who will spit in the eye of the devil and fear nothing. This is the only type of team that can break the never ending cycle of playoff chokes. We shall see if that is this year's team.

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

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I thought this team was a group of mentally very strong men.

They showed it for 161 games… then something happened.

They need to get that mental toughness back tonight.

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

by Al Yellon on Oct 4, 2008 9:30 AM CDT reply actions

I think

they showed mental toughness for 162 game because their backs were never completely against the wall. You can go out and play like you have nothing to lose because no matter what their will be the next days game. In the post season, they just wrapped up way to tight, and as soon as the first problem hit, they snapped.

Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.

by TCobb1911 on Oct 4, 2008 9:57 AM CDT reply actions

I know

others have said this before, but how exactly do you intend to determine if players have the ability to deal with the pressure of postseason play? Like this:

HENDRY: So, Player X, we’d really like to have you on board for another magical run at history, but first we need to ask you a few questions. First off, can you handle the pressure of 100 years of history, a nation of title-starved and Cub-crazed fans, and the intense scrutiny and extreme urgency of win-or-go-home October baseball?

PLAYER X: Of course I can.

HENDRY: Well, that’s all I need to hear. Welcome aboard.

It’s a can’t-miss strategy!

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

by Goodie1969 on Oct 4, 2008 10:02 AM CDT reply actions

For player's with experience, look at their record in the postseason.

For new ones, it’s a hunch. You keep getting rid of those who prove they don’t have that mental toghness until you assemble a team that does.

The good thing is that young players learn that toughness from the experienced players. We need those kind of mentors in this team and then we’ll develop a real tough bunch of players.

To me, the big lesson from these two years is that not any talented player can play for the Cubs. A Cub player needs to be mentally strong. It’s the only way to manage the enormous pressure of the postseason in Chicago.

by Fraggin Judge on Oct 4, 2008 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions

I tend to agree...

…former players have been interviewed and they say there is no additional pressure being with the Cubs, and that is what I would expect them to say because players don’t like to admit they may have been a victim of pressure. I have talked to a former Cubs player that says there is always additional pressure when you play on a club with high expectations, and it may not always be conscious, but it certainly has to effect your sub-conscious.

Anyway, pressure is real and certain teams have a higher level of that than others and it is also true that some players respond to that better than others – not unlike how Tiger Woods responds to preesure situations on the golf course.

IMO, tonight will show a lot about the character of this team. They certainly have the talent to send a loud message to the Dodgers and really take back control of the series and put the pressure on them. Harden will need to pitch a good game, the defense will need to back him up and some of your better players need to do something with the bat.

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

by MPH73 on Oct 4, 2008 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions

agreed -

the players need to overcome the circus of defeat that surrounds them and drowns them.

we’ll see what this team is made of tonight – it’s not defeat that defines your character, but how you respond to defeat.

let’s go cubs……seriously.

LET PIE PLAY.....

by southerncubbie on Oct 4, 2008 10:48 AM CDT reply actions

Yep. When the going gets rough, the tough get going!

Is there enough toughness in this team to get going? We’ll find out tonight!

by Fraggin Judge on Oct 4, 2008 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions

It's time for them just to play ball

Period. The Now is at hand .. they just need to focus and execute and do what we know they can do. There is no time left for anything else. With the horrors from last year and last week fresh in mind, they just need to focus and PLAY BALL. That’s why I said getting out of Wrigley may be the best thing for them.

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

by cubnational on Oct 4, 2008 11:32 AM CDT reply actions

Intestinal Fortitude

It gets to be complicated when you have to have intestinal fortitude and all of the other goodies for a whole team.

I’m under the impression the Cubs have quite a few players who have intestinal fortitude. For example, we need the team’s leftfielder and lead-off hitter to hack a few fair balls out of the park tonight. Same goes for Edmonds. None of those errors the other night were charged to the team’s leftfielder and he needs to keep up the good work in that department.

by AboutTheCubs on Oct 4, 2008 2:40 PM CDT reply actions