The Cubs Need To Relax

by Mr W on Jul 23, 2008 12:49 PM CDT

thanks Al for removing those vile threads from last night. To say that guy “illini” whatever, was over the top is putting it mildly.
Now, on another note, if I was Lou, and I had the time, I would gather the players for a “special meeting,” then tell them we are going to watch a movie that portrays a man who really knows how to handle adversity, to come through when the chips were down … then I would play “National Lampoons Vacation!” That movie absolutely puts me on the floor every time I see it, and if it could get those guys to laugh again, and hopefully relax, then I’ve done my job. Those players are wound so tight right now that nothing they do comes out right.
I recall in 1966 when the Orioles were on their pennant and WS run, they set up a “Kangaroo Court” with Frank Robinson the judge. I don’t remember exactly what he did – he fined people for silly things and whatnot – but the results were a loose and relaxed group of players, and the rest is history.

I hear Ryan Dempster is quite the comedian, I would like to see him step up and suggest something he could do to lighten things up. I also hear he does a great Harry Cary. I would love to hear that!

Anyway, if there is one thing I have seen from my 44 years of being a Cubs fan during our times when we were a winning team, was our habit of making the big error, or giving up the big hit. I believe that happens because of anxiety or tightness. They are afraid of making a mistake - after all these are the Cubs they always blow it. I think Lou needs to do something to get an atmosphere of looseness in that clubhouse, now, and for the future.

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 was four rows behind the Cubs dugout last night

and I could definitely tell the team feels some tightness. I think Lou mentioned something about it being kind of ridiculous to be pressing since we’re only in July. There’s a long way to go and they need to just relax and play baseball. As Crash Davis would say, “it’s supposed to be fun, damnit” or something like that.

DLee and ARam in particular look very tense and frustrated.

by paulucla on Jul 23, 2008 1:10 PM CDT reply actions

This kind of thing feeds on itself.

You have one bad game and start to press. Then another, and the pressure gets larger. By the fifth game (where we were last night), they all must go up there thinking they have to hit a 9-run homer with every swing.

Win tonight and the pressure eases up, what with coming home tomorrow.

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

by Al Yellon on Jul 23, 2008 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Ted Williams

once recalled that, as he was stepping in to the batter’s box on the last day of the 1941 season desperate to protect his .400 batting average, the umpire leaned down to brush off home plate and as he did said out loud, “In order to hit .400, you GOTTA be loose”. Williams realized he was right, relaxed and stroked a double.
I know relaxing during a bad stretch like this is easier said than done, but you’re exactly right W; I’ve thought for a long time now that the Cubs biggest problem is that they let the pressure (constantly being reminded of years of frustrations, etc) get to them too much. Now the big question is, how do they get past that?

by bluekoolaide on Jul 23, 2008 1:23 PM CDT reply actions

I agree...

...and like I said in another thread, they all need to go out and have a few beers (or maybe more) and just let it all hang out.

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

by MPH73 on Jul 23, 2008 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions

I like it-so simple it just might work!

by bluekoolaide on Jul 23, 2008 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd almost guarantee...

...it was quite common during Lou’s playing days.

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

by MPH73 on Jul 23, 2008 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions

that brings up some scary mental imagry

and just let it all hang out.

by tootle on Jul 23, 2008 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions

The hard work is there, but the fun factor does indeed to be fading ..

The team is definitely showing signs of becoming anal about things .. at least indications. DLee’s struggled all year with it, I think .. and A-Ram is showing real signs of it. They are starting to look like the same Cubs that faced those blasted snakes last year.

Will the second coming of Soriano be the shot in the arm? Lou suspects so. Time will tell.

You are right, they just need to relax a bit .. step back and let the old stroke come back .. they really do look like they are trying to do too much, think too much and second guess too much.

Leaving Cubs on base won’t win games ..

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

by cubnational on Jul 23, 2008 1:30 PM CDT reply actions

Double the pressure, double the tightness...

What’s tough as both a player and a fan is that this isn’t just a normal case of “playing not to lose rather than playing to have fun and win”. It’s the elephant in the room that makes it even worse, the pressure that comes from “playing not to lose the hopes and dreams of entire city.” This is about more than one season, one pennant race, it’s about redemption for years of close calls, near misses, and complete collapses. So when you add that extra weight on it, you can see how it might cause some guys to tighten up, especially since some of them have seen it fall apart before. With that said, though, you guys are absolutely right that this pressure, however intense, needs to be alleviated before we can get rolling again. That’s up to Lou, as well as our leaders, to make the guys forget about everything that’s riding on this season, and just start playing baseball for fun again.

"The dude abides."

by DJWCubbie on Jul 23, 2008 2:09 PM CDT reply actions

I agree

I’ve said it before but for whatever reason the majority of the public feel that athletes are immune to pressure. They don’t live in a bubble and even though they haven’t been apart of the teams that have lost in the past there is added pressure trying to break "the curse". They are the front runner in the NL and media and fans are always gong to jump to the “wait till next year” bandwagon much quicker here than in other cities.

That being said I’m not panicking at all, in my opinion the Cubs are the best team in the NL by quite a bit. If they don’t win the Central I’ll be very disappointed but I won’t let it ruin the now of enjoying a great year.

Lets do it Cubbies

by slocs55 on Jul 23, 2008 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Good points from both of you.

I can’t begin to understand the pressure they must feel. At the same time, maybe it would help if they could actually step outside themselves for a minute and realize, no matter what happens, good or bad, the world isn’t going to come to an end. If the Cubs blow it this year, sure, most of us are going to be seriously bummed out but then we’ll get over it and let the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls or whoever distract us for the next few months.
I agree that people here tend to climb onto the ledge sooner than in other cities (I’m as guilty as anybody of this) but, to be fair, we have had more disappointments than most other places too. I know it’s probably not the most popular thing to say, but for some of us, as lifelong Cubs fans, use cynicism and ledge jumping as almost a survival mechanism-a way to kind of prepare for the worst and thus soften the blow.
I cried when they lost in ‘84 (I was a lot younger then), I was in the fetal position after they blew game 6 in ‘03…but I got over it and a few months later I was back and excited as always.
It would be nice if we could somehow let the Cubs know that, as much as they mean to us and to the city, we’ll all survive one way or another.
No pressure guys-relax and enjoy the ride.

by bluekoolaide on Jul 23, 2008 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Pressure Great As A Cub

You can say all you want how each season is different. As a Cub, you have to bombarded with the questions about the title drought. I hope these players don’t think they have to win to avenge the deaths of previous clubs’ title hope dreams. The Cubs have a tremendous fan base that stretches across the country, which adds to the pressure. Some pressure is good. You want to know that people care. No one wants a Kansas City Royals situation with low attendance and few fans outside of a 200-mile radius of the KC area. I want this club to win for themselves in 2008.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jul 23, 2008 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

by bluekoolaide on Jul 23, 2008 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions

TIght

no question. To much nonsense about the 100 year garbage etc…. I think Sori will help, guy is always smiling looks like having fun.
Hey 62 games to go, have fun, PLAY ball and see what happens.
No question the central is the best division in the NL, the race will be tight to the final day. Can’t be tight now fellas, wait till September when the race will be really on.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Jul 23, 2008 4:51 PM CDT reply actions