A Look Back...

by Morg98 on Aug 19, 2008 5:19 PM CDT

As the regular season is entering its final stages, I sit back and try to take stock of the season. I try and remember what I felt going into the season. What were my expectations? How did I feel about our team after the first two months? How did my outlook change by the All Star game? I have been taking Al's advice, and enjoying every moment. Regardless of how things turn out, this has been an amazing year so far. I look back, and try to relive the moments throughout the season and I can remember quite a few of them. I know, however, that I can not remember them all.

I don’t post much, I am not sure how my company would like it if I post, but I do read this site every day at work (Not sure if that is any better). And I, like all of you, have my preferences and biases on who should play and how much. I would like to put all of that aside and see what positives we remember about the season. When you look back, what sticks out in your mind? I am hoping for a list or description of what play, what game, or what event about this years Cubs team is the most memorable for you. I get excited to think about where we are headed, but I thought that maybe we could help each other remember what it is that got us to this point. And by reflecting on what got us here, it will make the future all that more enjoyable.

I will start. Its hard to narrow it down, but two plays stick out to me. Actually, one play and one game. First the play. With the Cubs up 1 game going into a 4 game set in Milwaukee, it was crucial that the Cubs come away with at least a split to maintain their lead in the division. On July 28th, in the bottom of the 6th Lilly just surrendered the lead making it Brewers 3 Cubs 2. As we move on to the top of the 7th the anxiety of Cubs fans everywhere begins to build. We get a single from ONEDEC and a single from Dome. Soriano then strikes out, but on strike 3, ONEDEC and Dome execute a double steal. Reed Johnson then draws a walk. With the bases loaded and 1 out, D. Lee is in the batters box with CC Sabathia on the mound. D Lee grounds to the left side and it has the makings of another double play. The throw goes to Rickie Weeks, he starts the turn and Reed Johnson blows him up! Reed was out, but with his hustle and good jump off first, he goes hard into second base cause an absolutely horrid throw from Weeks. ONEDEC scores, as does Dome on the error. This puts the Cubs back in front. I know the game gets tied later, before the Cubs eventually win. But its plays like what Reed did that accumulate over the season to give your team a few extra wins. I really appreciate plays like that.

And second, the game that is memorable for me. The reason, it was the one game I have attended all year. It was May 9th, of a chilly Friday afternoon. Being severely hung-over, I trudge to my seats in the left field bleachers. Its overcast, with a chance of rain. My day is not looking good so far. We get to our seats as Arizona is taking batting practice. After about 30 minutes, you could tell Arizona was getting ready to pack it in and get ready for the game. With 1 or 2 hitters left, I hear the crack of the bat and watch a ball come sailing out towards me. It seems to have radar lock on me because it is hooking right to me. I stand up and "THUD". Right off my right hand. Luckily the ball dropped straight down and I was able to recover it. First time I ever got a ball, so that was exciting for me. On to the game. This was the first game of the Arizona series. Lilly gives up a HR in the 1st to Chris Young and everyone around me groans, as if in unison we all think, "Here we go again". Ted then settles down and only gives up 2 more hits through 7 innings. But the best part was, down 0-1 in the bottom of the 5th, with 2 outs and no one on Derosa doubles. Haren then walks Reed Johnson to get to Ted. We all know that Ted should be hitting 5th (sarcasm). Ted steps up and ropes one to center. And by "ropes" I mean barely got it to the outfield grass. Dero scores. The Soriano doubles down the left field line to give the Cubs the lead for good. D Lee hits a solo shot for a little insurance and the Cubs win!

I know this is a long post, but please share your favorite memories from this year so we can all remember how we got here!

Thanks

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Look Forward!

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 19, 2008 5:24 PM CDT 0 recs

The Rockies come back game in late May

n/t

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Aug 19, 2008 6:14 PM CDT 0 recs

that's a good one

also the one where Marmol blew the save, and then we won in the bottom of the 11th on single that scored DeRosa.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 19, 2008 10:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

That was Harden's first start with the Cubs right?

Vs the Giants here? They had the 5 run lead and blew it…

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Aug 20, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up 0 recs

yep

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 20, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up 0 recs

All 5 games I went to on my honeymoon

Starts off with two 3-1 wins over the Dodgers, in gems thrown by Dempster and Gallagher. The next day Zambrano throws a terrific game, and we win in the 10th after a Fontenot PH double and a Soriano GW single. Thursday brings a comeback 8-4 win with Marquis on the mound. The last day we are wet from the rain on the front row of the bleachers, but trudge through the weather and a 1-9 deficit, seeing us come back and win 10-9 – by FAR the best game I’ve ever seen at Wrigley (out of 23 total). I’m an outstanding 6-0 at Wrigley this year, so I treasure each of those.

Other highlights for me include Reed Johnson’s game winning HBP, Aramis’s walk-off against the White Sox, Ward’s HR in Florida, Blanco’s walk-off against St. Louis, and sweeping Milwaukee up north.

I’ll be leaving for Holland in 3 weeks and I’ll be over there until Thanksgiving, so it’ll be an even crazier end of the season for me. I’ll be watching online via MLB TV at like 4am over there. Hopefully I’ll be up at 4am well into October.

by sparky39762 on Aug 19, 2008 6:18 PM CDT 0 recs

Reeds HBP

Totally forgot about that one. Good call. Thats the type of stuff I was looking for. I forget so much of whats happened since I am focused on today.

by Morg98 on Aug 19, 2008 11:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

Rich Harden's Debut at Wrigley

I view it as kind of a microcosm of the Cubs’ season so far. The game started off very exciting and full of hope and promise. Harden was electric and the ballpark was buzzing all around me. The Cubs jumped all over the Giants and Harden left with a big lead. (Kind of like APRIL—JUNE)

Enter the bullpen. Kevin Hart coughed up a couple runs in the 8th, but then our previously shut-down slider specialist Carlos Marmol melted down in the 9th, allowing 5 runs and erasing the W opportunity for Harden. Cub fans feared the worst. (Like JULY)

Then came Mr. Sean Marshall. A quiet, unassuming role-player, asked by Lou to do many jobs as a pitcher for his team, shut down the Giants bats through the 10th & 11th, and even got a hit to lead off the bottom of the 11th. The two men responsible for the game-winning run: Mark DeRosa and Reed Johnson. (Like AUGUST)

We have seen a team start out great, falter, lose key members and key games for a stretch, then establish its winning ways again with the help of our returning leadoff hitter and a bunch of selfless role-players. Can’t wait to see where the story leads next…

"Why does that man drop his club before he runs? I would bring it with me." ~Stewie Griffin

by Goodie1969 on Aug 19, 2008 6:49 PM CDT 0 recs

I was at the game when Reed Johnson

IMO made the Catch of the Year at Washington, diving in the outfield wall with his hat flipped up. The best play I have seen, but the Cubs did lose that game.

I wish it were winter so we could freeze it into ice blocks and skate on it and melt it in the spring time and drink it!

by brownbuddha on Aug 19, 2008 6:55 PM CDT 0 recs

Still....

One of the best catches of the year. Shows the determination and hustle. Something that I really like about Reed.

by Morg98 on Aug 19, 2008 11:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

Heck

I’ll go so far as to say one of the best catches that you will ever see. I’ve been watching baseball for 32 years and that has to be in the top 5 catches that I have EVER seen.

by Archie on Aug 20, 2008 1:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

My stock

A season has many subplots: This year it was figuring out CF, (Johnson and Edmonds are basically blood brothers now), hanging in there with Soriano down now the Cubs are 12-3 with him in this stretch, watching Dempster and Wood switch roles for the better of both and the team, seeing Piniella develop roles with secondary players who are key and now the rotation being completed with Harden.

The end of the season subplot is now seeing the Cubs play pull away from a good Brewers team who have to watch over their shoulder.

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

by Ivy Walls on Aug 19, 2008 9:39 PM CDT 0 recs

After tonights win

And the Brewers loss, we are 1 step closer. I am enjoying every minute! I cant wait to see what happens next.

by Morg98 on Aug 19, 2008 11:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

This team has no soap operas......

….. which is a good thing and promotes cohesiveness and chemistry. We’re not waiting around for Wood to get better or Prior to finally graduate from towel drills, for example. No one is fighting in the dugout. Guys actaully apologize when called out about hustle. This year, it’s all about the highlights as in the things mentioned above. The season has had a positive vibe all year, which is not something we can say about most Cub seasons.

By the way, how’s that ingenious Prior signing going, San Diego?

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Aug 20, 2008 7:34 AM CDT 0 recs

How much did they pay The Employee, again?

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

by Al on Aug 20, 2008 8:43 AM CDT up 0 recs

$1M?

n/t

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Aug 20, 2008 10:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

I thought it was more than that.

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

by Al on Aug 20, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up 0 recs

$1m

is what I recall too.

by Archie on Aug 20, 2008 2:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

90 Wins Was My Prediction

The Cubs are going to surpass 90 wins. The Brewers should do the same thing. I have been very surprised with the strength of the NL Central this season.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Aug 20, 2008 7:58 AM CDT 0 recs

I think everyone has been.

I think we all figured the Cubs and Brewers could both improve on their 2007 seasons. The Cardinals’ good year so far has surprised me.

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

by Al on Aug 20, 2008 8:43 AM CDT up 0 recs

even though we lost...

….my most memorable highlight was dome hitting the homerun in the 9th to send opening day into extras

going into the season i thought we’d be the second best team in the nl, behind the mets….now we are again tied for the best record in the majors! ONWARD

by cubswynn on Aug 20, 2008 8:05 AM CDT 0 recs

Morg98

I think I was behind you at that game when the ball hit your hand.

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Aug 20, 2008 8:21 AM CDT 0 recs

Ah, nice...

We had a group of 8 or so. Nothing like a Cubs win to help turn the day around. And nothing like sitting in the bleachers. i hope to make it back there before the year is out. The last two times the Cubs have made the play offs, I have gotten lucky enough to get tickets. Hopefully this year will be the same.

by Morg98 on Aug 20, 2008 4:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

For me...

… the best moment of the year was A-Ram’s walkoff vs. the White Sox.

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

by Al on Aug 20, 2008 8:44 AM CDT 0 recs

ditto

by Archie on Aug 20, 2008 2:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

just 'cause it was the White Sox...

by Archie on Aug 20, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

Double

Double ditto

ernie81

by ernie81 on Aug 21, 2008 3:03 AM CDT up 0 recs

Mine is probably the Colorado comeback game

Followed closely by the four-game sweep of the Brewers. That was just a slow build of excitement, day by day, which peaked for me with the Edmonds grand slam.

The Colorado game was more a quick rush of “I can’t believe this is happening!”

As far as a single play, that Daryle Ward home run last Friday to break the Miami “curse” was pretty sweet….

by SuperContext on Aug 20, 2008 12:13 PM CDT 0 recs

Several games/plays come to mind

IN no particular order
*Reed Johnson’s amazing diving, hat bill bending catch (FIRMLY establishing him as a gamer/fan favorite)
*Dome’s opening day shot
*The Comeback
*Johnson’s walk-off HBP, especially after hearing the interview in which he disclosed that he watched the guy warming up in the pen and noticed he was missing low and inside.
*Ramirez walk off vs. the Sox
*D-Ward’s walk off

With Cubs legend Ron Santo...

by PatHughesFan on Aug 20, 2008 4:06 PM CDT 0 recs

Nitpick

Ward’s wasn’t a walkoff, as it was hit in the top of the 9th.

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

by Al on Aug 21, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up 0 recs

So many highlights already

but if I had to pick, I’d definitely point to the insane comeback win over the Rockies along with the aforementioned walk off by A-Ram over the Sox.
My favorite SINGLE play so far though would be Reed Johnson taking out Ricky Weeks on a sure DP against the Brewers and allowing the Cubs to retake the lead that night. It was a classic, hard-nosed (but clean) play that immediately turned the series around and set the stage for the Cubs sweep.
That’s the kind of play that sticks with you.

by bluekoolaide on Aug 20, 2008 4:43 PM CDT 0 recs

The most recent....

I was at Yogis bar and grill in Bloomington, IN and my mom came to town for the first time in a while. Me the gf, my mom and a buddy of mine were watching the game. We got a little upset since it looked like we were going to lose, but BOOM HR by Daryl Ward… gotta love it

"This balls got a chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannce, GONE!" - Pat Hughes

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Aug 21, 2008 12:07 PM CDT 0 recs