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Cubs on Sports Illustrated Cover

Theriot_tiny by Trey2317 on

No, I don't believe in curses, so I'm not worried about the Cubs being on the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated.

What I like more is that SI sent one of their best writers, Gary Smith, to cover the changes in the team in the 10 years since he was at Wrigley.  For this story, he was at Wrigley over Labor Day weekend.

Here's the story (link), along with a link to an interview the Tribune did with Smith (link).

A sampling from the Tribune Q & A:

Q: The caricature of bleacher fans is that they're brash, loud, drunk, obnoxious. Would you agree, disagree, or is this an oversimplification?

A: I think it's an oversimplification. I actually find Cub fans were much more welcoming of opposing fans. ... Every instance I saw, the Cub fans would give them a little crap right at the beginning, but a moment later they'd be having a nice conversation. Laughing together. Whereas that's a little hard to see happen in Philly or New York. There's a sense of humor about Cubs fans that sets them apart.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief (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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No no no...

Kosuke didn’t believe either and look what happened.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Sep 24, 2008 9:57 AM CDT   0 recs

Crikey, you're right.

I still have that issue at home somewhere. Maybe I should burn it.

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Sep 24, 2008 10:25 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Same.

Maybe I will Wednesday.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Sep 24, 2008 10:33 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

F

That is all

Your 2008 Missouri Tigers! #5 4-0 (0-0). Next up at Nebraska October 4th. Live on ESPN in primetime. Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin for Co-Heisman!

by nji232 on Sep 24, 2008 10:05 AM CDT   0 recs

Thanks for this posting...

You gotta believe that Van Kampen Investments got a ton of bang for their advertising buck with that cover.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Sep 24, 2008 10:15 AM CDT   0 recs

All the bleacher fans mentioned in that article are friends of mine...

… longtime season ticket holders. Great stuff.

I do wish they had left us off the cover, though.

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

by Al on Sep 24, 2008 10:22 AM CDT   0 recs

What's the precedent for teams actually winning in spite of the cover?

All I ever hear about are curses and such. I remember Michael Jordan being on the cover like a hundred times without it hurting his play.

The world is moving away from print media anyway. SI is so 1998.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Sep 24, 2008 10:35 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Michael Phelps did ok this summer

after winning 4 medals, he was on the cover. Finished strong.

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 Sep 24, 2008 10:36 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeahbut he was literally unstoppable.

A Terminator sent back in time with the sole mission of eliminating Phelps would’ve failed.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Sep 24, 2008 10:38 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

On the other hand...

…in the movies, those terminators have a 100% failure rate.

"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman

by hip2bsquare on Sep 24, 2008 10:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ha!

But Arnold in T2 came back to save John and that was a success.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Sep 24, 2008 10:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That was Terminator on Terminator, though

one of them has to win, and one had to lose.

The terminator attempting to kill John Conner always loses…

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 Sep 24, 2008 10:46 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So it's simple numbers.

Send a terminator back with the mission of not killing him. Boom. Done. Dead.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Sep 24, 2008 10:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

then what does it terminate?

Would the Terminator just take up a job at Starbucks, whipping up macchiatos with it’s multi-tooled arm?

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 Sep 24, 2008 10:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It sort of begs the question...

…if sending one terminator back in time to kill John Connor always fails, why not send a whole damn terminator army back in time? It’s not like they have a short supply of terminators, and time travel seems relatively easy for them. Whoever is in charge of the whole killing-John-Connor program must be an idiot.

"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman

by hip2bsquare on Sep 24, 2008 10:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Or, couldn't you just send them on successive days

once you realize he hasn’t been killed?

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 Sep 24, 2008 10:52 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

They can't send back more terminators!

They killed the idea for the Terminator after they melted the chips in the industrial vat of steel.

See… don’t make me go all Doc Brown on you here.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Sep 24, 2008 10:55 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

But then that girl one came back

and DDay occured didn’t it?

Oh, by the way, it’s official:

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Sep 24, 2008 10:57 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd forgotten about that.

But wait, if the idea was killed, how did they have a sequel? Wouldn’t those terminators have disappeared?

Or was it always fate that was going to start the robotic weapon revolution?

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 Sep 24, 2008 10:58 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yoshimi Battled the Pink Robots

…by being a black belt in karate. Working for the city she had to discipline her body by taking lots of vitamins, cuz she knows that it’s demanding to defeat those evil machines.

I know she can beat them.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Sep 24, 2008 11:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

some Flaming Lips?

very nice.

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 Sep 24, 2008 11:09 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+English Lady

"We are not equations with hats." -Dean Young

by Kegler on Sep 24, 2008 2:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

They had a sequel for the following reason...

$150,252,753 in box office reciepts for Warner Brothers.

"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman

by hip2bsquare on Sep 24, 2008 11:09 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Whoopie?

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Sep 24, 2008 11:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No.

Bruce Vilanch.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Sep 24, 2008 11:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

For the block!

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Sep 24, 2008 12:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Don't worry...

…you can still win by using Jim J. Bullock.

by Chadnudj on Sep 24, 2008 2:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

or Kermit the Frog

What a crazy show!

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Sep 25, 2008 10:26 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Skynet probably

had offsite backups of all their data. So destroying the building and chip only slowed them down but would not have necessarily stopped them.

"Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance"

by MerlinDog on Sep 24, 2008 12:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This is the problem with time travel movies.

Once you really start thinking about the premise, it usually falls apart in all sorts of ways.

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Sep 24, 2008 12:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think I wasted most of my morning at work

wondering about this.

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 Sep 24, 2008 12:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Too bad you can't go back in time and take it back.

For those interested, check out the film Primer. Will blow your mind and make it ache.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Sep 24, 2008 12:23 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Great movie!

What a mind fuck..

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun

by Bump Bailey on Sep 26, 2008 3:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

12 Monkeys/La Jetee

Also highly recommended.

Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.

by CaliCub on Sep 26, 2008 4:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

12 Monkeys was awsome...

Never heard of La Jetee…will have to check that one out.

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun

by Bump Bailey on Sep 27, 2008 12:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

12 Monkeys Was Based on La Jetee

A couple plot updates but essentially the same story.

Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.

by CaliCub on Sep 27, 2008 12:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

wasnt it 8 medals?

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

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Sep 25, 2008 12:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, but he was on the cover after winning 4

then he closed strong and won the last 4, leading to another cover

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 Sep 25, 2008 12:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Back to this question:

Going back to 1991, 7 teams who won the World Series were featured on the SI cover during/leading up to the playoffs prior to winning the World Series.

They are:
1991 Twins (ALCS)
1992 Blue Jays (ALCS)
1996 Yankees (prior to World Series)
2001 Diamonbacks (middle of WS)
2004 Red Sox (middle of WS)
2005 south side club (middle of WS)
2007 Red Sox (leading into WS)

So there is some precedent.

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 Sep 24, 2008 11:07 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I have no problem with the Cubs being on the SI cover

If they’d been on the cover of Madden NFL 2009, then I’d be worried.

"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman

by hip2bsquare on Sep 24, 2008 11:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

does that mean Lou would retire,

then come back in a Nationals jersey or something like that?

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 Sep 24, 2008 11:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

only after a lot of drama surrounding

whether he would take over the Brewers first though.

There's magic in the ivy...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Sep 24, 2008 2:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

ha.

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 Sep 24, 2008 2:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

ooooooh curse

i’m sooooooooooooooooooooooo scared….nice post trey

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Sep 24, 2008 12:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's what happens when you get bored at work

you start looking stuff up and forming conclusions…

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 Sep 24, 2008 12:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

magazines will be around until

people stop taking shits.

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Sep 24, 2008 11:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Seriously?

That’s sad.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Sep 24, 2008 11:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Gross

It’s not that serious.

Join the BCB Flickr Group: http://flickr.com/groups/bleedcubbieblue

by tony412 on Sep 24, 2008 11:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's where my Dome SI cover issue is.

Maybe I should move it back out to my lobby now that he is doing better.

by 100yearitch on Sep 24, 2008 2:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Print is dead

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on Sep 24, 2008 3:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I cringed when

I saw the Cubs were going to be on the cover.

by sue369 on Sep 24, 2008 10:31 AM CDT   0 recs

Don't need that jinx

Whatever anyone wants to believe is fine. For me, I’d rather the Cubs be put on the SI cover say for the Nov 3rd issue, if everyone gets what I mean by that.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Sep 24, 2008 10:31 AM CDT   0 recs

That's a distinct possibility.

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 Sep 24, 2008 10:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes I see what you mean...

Ronnie Cedeno on the cover.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Sep 24, 2008 10:36 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

November 3rd?! But that would be...

…ohhhhhhhh, I get it.

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Sep 24, 2008 10:38 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The cover curse is very real

Thanks jackass New York-based editorial board of Sports Illustrated.

by MDBNIU on Sep 24, 2008 11:21 AM CDT   0 recs

Is he a Witch Doctor?

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Sep 24, 2008 11:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Your baseball acumen just decreased by 20 points.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 24, 2008 11:57 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Is that really possible to be lower than zero?

… does the measure go into the negative?

In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband

by Ross on Sep 24, 2008 1:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

it's already negative

this just makes it more negative.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Sep 24, 2008 2:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah... Like Jeopardy

Blue Mike will Def not make it to Final Jeopardy.

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on Sep 24, 2008 3:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

ok, i'll post this again:

Going back to 1991, 7 teams who won the World Series were featured on the SI cover during/leading up to the playoffs prior to winning the World Series.

They are:
1991 Twins (ALCS)
1992 Blue Jays (ALCS)
1996 Yankees (prior to World Series)
2001 Diamonbacks (middle of WS)
2004 Red Sox (middle of WS)
2005 south side club (middle of WS)
2007 Red Sox (leading into WS)

So there is some precedent.

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 Sep 24, 2008 12:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

OK, so to recap...

Sabremetrics: False.

SI Cover Curse: Real.

Update your BlueMike scorecards, everyone.

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Sep 24, 2008 12:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

n/t

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Sep 24, 2008 12:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I lend more credence to the SI cover curse than I do sabermagicians....way more in fact

Statistics have a definite role to play in baseball. Geeks who have self-labeled themselves sabermagicians having no concept of how to throw, hit or catch a baseball themselves do not.

by MDBNIU on Sep 24, 2008 1:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

allow me....

so in other words, pound some mother effin sand in your mother effin ass

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Sep 24, 2008 1:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!

Only people who have actual experience in a field of endeavor are qualified to have a valid opinion of , or are able to justifiably comment on the endeavor in question.

So by your logic (yes, I know MDBNIU logic is an oxymoron)….all male obstetricians should be fired or change fields of specialization. Brilliance. I think you spent too much time at NIU in the batting cages and not enough time in an actual classroom learning to think.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 24, 2008 1:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

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