We can do this.

by slcathena on Jun 20, 2008 10:20 AM CDT

I thought some other people might need to hear this/a place to comment after yesterday. I agree, yesterday was hard to watch, but still.

We are not those Cubs.

I've been a Cubs fan my whole cogent life. For the record, I'm currently 29, and have been watching the Cubs on WGN since I was at least 4.

I come from a baseball family, what can I say? My dad coached t-ball, little league, babe ruth and american legion. At 3 I was playing indoor wiffle ball with my dad and my brother. I was changing the numbers on the scoreboard at 8, I learned to keep the team book at 11. I did play by play locally (very rurally, locally) at 13. I recorded the Cubbies day games as soon as I was able to work the VCR. I saw the evil corn cob dress and cried when Ryno retired.

I sat through 1984 (barely cogent) 1989 (Watching the Hawk strike out to end the series hurt). In 1998, I was going through a horrible college angst break up. Sammy's run cheered me up, their loss in the post season broke my already shattered heart, as did our brief post season show. 2003--well, we all were there. I couldn't believe it. Last year, I was lucky enough to be in Chicago during the Diamondbacks series, but couldn't get to the field. I sat at the hotel bar and waited out the very last pitch as all the fans trickled home.

I get the heartache. I've seen the implosions. I remember getting my hopes up in late 2001 only to have them dashed.

This is not those teams.

It's just not. I'm not a baseball statistician (oddly, I'm a politics statistician, so I could probably run some numbers if needed, I have the equipment). I don't know why this isn't those teams. It just isn't.

Every time we let ourselves think this is the magical moment of implosion though, we set ourselves up for a self-fulfilling prophecy, and this is not the year to do that. We've come from behind too many times. We've won close games. Yes, the Rays series sucked, but so what? You win at home, you split on the road and you get to the playoffs. That's what my dad always said, anyway.

BTW, This is not those teams.

So screw superstitions and be gone doubters. They can do this. We came back 9 down against the Rockies for God's Sake. Yes a sweep hurts, but the season is 162 games long for a reason.

Grow some faith.

We'll need it in the post-season. ;)

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

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Comments

LSA!!!!!!

Couldn’t have said it better myself….it was a tough series that we were in every game!! Get your spirit back and whip some White Sox ass this weekend!! GO CUBS GO!!

All things great in 2008!!

by By Santo's Grace on Jun 20, 2008 10:28 AM CDT reply actions

Phenomenal post

I completely echo your sentiments.

by lswaidz on Jun 20, 2008 10:33 AM CDT reply actions

LSA!!

it was a sweep . . . on the road. IMO, this is key b/c the Rays have a tremendous home field advantage over teams like the Cubs who never play in Dome’s or on fake turf. Those are big changes, especially when it comes to trying to see the baseball and play defense since the ball moves faster on the ground.

It was a tough series to experience, in part because we were in every game and we are not used to losing games like this this season. This series sweep doesn’t change the facts that you express above. This is a different Cubs team, this is a different Cubs season.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jun 20, 2008 10:47 AM CDT reply actions

Those are really good points.

They definitely make things harder. And yep, a sweep on the road is just not one of those things to cry about. Thanks. :)

These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jun 20, 2008 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions

And lets face it..

That isn’t the same Rays teams we’ve watched the last few years. They are very legit this year and are even better at home. We have the same thing going for us. Sure we struggle on the road but at home no one has been able to touch us. The other thing that was a positive i think was it wasn’t like the Rays walked all over us (sure last night they beat us good but we were in it until the 7th) we played them right down to the end. We were bound to have a 3 game losing streak. Great win today and lets make it 2 in a row tomorrow.

"Go Cubs Go"

by mkcubs21 on Jun 20, 2008 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions

That's a great point.

The Rays are legit and had a lot of advantages that series. I also agree we had a chance every game.

These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jun 20, 2008 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions

LSA and...ATTACK!!!!

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by daver on Jun 20, 2008 10:48 AM CDT reply actions

LOL

Perfect picture for this Post!!

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jun 20, 2008 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Perfect picture for this team!

Thanks!!

These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jun 20, 2008 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Got it out of the way early

In 2003, I remember that all year we kept saying “we’ve never been swept, we’ve never lost three in a row”. The broadcasts (both Pat and Ron and Chip and Steve) repeated this ad nauseum down the stretch. I kept thinking that karma was going to get us for being so proud of that. In reference to the original post, we all know what happened in the end. That streak ended along with our season.
This was just a bump in the road against a good team. Now it is time to get right and sweep the Southsiders! That will make us forget all about this bad roadtrip…

Way back... outta here!!!

by Chubby Hugs on Jun 20, 2008 11:09 AM CDT reply actions

This is baseball, against other teams and players who are good too, and on the road

Hey, this is the first 3-game losing streak of the year. Marmol who has been almost flawless was way out of sorts and then BOOOOM…a very good player hit a gamer.

Now the Cubs have won over the last month and a half because they have played good, spirited baseball. Their pitching (outside two innings in TB) has been good. Injuries have piled up so they have to adjust and possibly make a trade or two.

Z is a concern, is he out? If so make a trade. They need to make adjustments and win some more, now beat the Pale Hose!

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jun 20, 2008 11:48 AM CDT reply actions

Yep.

Those are the breaks of the season. These Cubs will figure it out and be back on track. I have faith. :)

These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jun 20, 2008 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Great post!

by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 20, 2008 12:13 PM CDT reply actions

Im not worried either

I don’t know how to describe it but, I just have a great feeling about this team. LETS GO CUBS!

Svelte

by ryanbrixenivy on Jun 20, 2008 1:21 PM CDT reply actions

2008 world series champs

im cocky about the cubs this is the best team the north or west side of chicago have EVER seen

by BelieveinBlue2314 on Jun 20, 2008 5:11 PM CDT reply actions

Let's not go that far.

Take a look at the sidebar of this site to compare this team through 74 games with others in Cub history.

The 2008 version is good… but there have been others better.

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 20, 2008 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions

That's good perspective.

Also, I personally think this team will get even BETTER. By July we should be healed up, maybe we pick up another starter before the trade deadline, maybe we get to see the Shark in the bullpen (I love that dude, had a crush on him when he was at ND—and there’s nothing like seeing your favorite teams in college on your favorite sports team, even if it is cross-over).

I have one question re: the “best starts” thing, have you looked at home record and starts? Our home record seems historic this year, but I don’t know where to go to find that info.

These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jun 20, 2008 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions

I remember hearing...

... during the last homestand when the Cubs went to 27-8, that had been the best home start since 1907.

30-8 might be the best ever, but I have no way of checking.

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 20, 2008 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks.

I may see if I can dig it up later…I’m on baseball overload right now. :P >Very fun article on the Cubs Uniform Quirks

These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jun 20, 2008 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions

We did it today.

Hope we have two more of this kind of day coming.

by sue369 on Jun 20, 2008 5:29 PM CDT reply actions

I'm sure that we do.

Today was perfect. Just what we needed to get rid of the bad taste Tampa left in our mouths. The back to back homers in the 7th were amazing, and the walk-off?! It felt like a movie script. Plus we got good news about Sori and Z!

link

I totally believe.

Let’s take it to the Sox again tomorrow. ;)

These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jun 20, 2008 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes, let's do.

by sue369 on Jun 20, 2008 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Another nice comeback win today

I still have faith.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jun 20, 2008 5:46 PM CDT reply actions

rays

hard to believe we lost that 3rd game but even with a sweep we still kept the sam,e lead on the cards.with all these injuries piling up this could really hurt us big time. we,re losing some key players here.

by NOMAR on Jun 20, 2008 8:50 PM CDT reply actions

Dude.

Seriously? Did you watch the game today? Did you hear that Soriano is healing quickly and that Z doesn’t have any major damage and is missing maybe 2 starts on the cautious end? This thread is the place to believe, not doubt. It’s going to be hard, and it’s going to be long, but these dudes are going to get it done, I just know it.

Quote from Lilly after today’s game:
””After we tied it, it was hard for me to believe we weren’t going to get it done, we have a pretty strong belief that we are going to win those types of games. It’s our confidence.”

D*mn straight.

These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jun 20, 2008 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Lilly's quote

I was watching the game and my friend (huge Sox fan but has other redeamable qualities) called in the top of the 7th to gloat. He even made the comment that he thought that the Sox had the “best bullpen in the league.” After Lee and Aramis tied it, he said “I got to get off the phone with you, you’re bad luck.” As I was saying good bye and the Cubs were getting outs, he said “Please don’t call back to gloat, I know how this will end.” Even the Sox fans know this is a different team than in years past! Cubs in ‘08, Yes We Can!!!!

PS—I definitely called back to gloat.

by TheHawk5 on Jun 21, 2008 12:02 AM CDT up reply actions

Two things

First, of course you called back to gloat. There was one time EVER that I didn’t call back to gloat, and it was when my grandparents (yes you read that right) called me to trash talk before the NCAA Elite Eight. See, I was at the University of Utah and they root for the University of Arizona. They were sure the Utes were posers. We won by a few—and made it to the championship game. Out of deference for my grandparents I did not call back to gloat. But that was the only time.

/tangent.

Second. Cubs in ‘08 YES WE CAN is the best slogan EVER. OMG. I mean, I can’t even deal with how incredibly awesome that is. Nice. :)

These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jun 21, 2008 12:12 AM CDT up reply actions

all teams slump...

and that our longest loosing streak is only 3 games is amazing if you ask me. Like many others I sure was dismayed at the Cubs terrible series at Tampa Bay. However, we’ve seen this before. Good teams rebound and come back, bad teams don’t. This team has rebounded from losses each time in amazing ways. Today was a perfect example. This is a very good team. Have faith everyone…. Lets focus on crushing the Sux! Go Cubs Go!

"My favorite umpire is a dead one."
-Johnny Evers

by MiCubsFan on Jun 20, 2008 9:54 PM CDT reply actions

Exactly!

CRUSH THE SUX!!!!! GO CUBS GO!!!!

Second best slogan ever (see above) ;)

These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jun 21, 2008 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Woo!

By the way, I have friends from Murray who went to Westminster and also Utah State. I visited back in the summer of 2005. Loved SLC. There’s some lookout point that’s north of the city that I went up to with this one girl and we looked out over all the lights and everything. If I remember, there was a train switch yard down to our right. Do you know the spot I’m talking about? When we got back to the car, there was a parking ticket…

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jun 22, 2008 1:21 AM CDT reply actions

Oh and we had to drive to the right of the capitol to get there.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jun 22, 2008 1:23 AM CDT up reply actions

I know exactly where you are talking about.

They’ll ticket you there for sure. It’s a beautiful view though. :)

The area is at the top of City Creek which is GORGEOUS. They didn’t ticket there until the last few years when a new posh residential area went up there. That area is to die for. Based on the capitol comment you made, I’d guess it was there. :)

These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jun 22, 2008 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions