I don’t know if this is the place, or if MPSIMS is the proper forum. The Cubs have won 5 in a row! And are in 1st place in the Central Division, National League. If you are a Cub fan, cut out the standings in today’s paper, make copies, and post them in public places and in your scrapbook, for when they tumble down to the cellar again you will have fond memories.
To those eternally optimistic Cubbies who always believe they are for real on the rare occasions they get off to a good start, please explain to me why. I can use a few laughs.
I note that they have been winning many games by one run, a sign of a good team and good managing. I also note that they have had some good pitching and Kerry Wood appears to be strong. Now, I’ve given you a start on your explanations.
Understand that I live in Charleston, SC, so I don’t get detailed reports of their doings. All I know is what I read in the paper.
YAY! Cubbies! And yet, the sportscasters in Chicago just can’t seem to give them any credit. They regard the Cubs winning streak as a freak of nature, and meanwhile still praise the Sox up and down as being the greatest thing since sliced bread even though they…frankly, are not doing so well.
Kerry DID look good yesterday, except some of the wild pitches that resembled a Major League outtake reel. And is it just me or are his pants one or five sizes too big on him? Ol’ Baggy Pants Wood we used to call him…Plus, I think he could have gone another inning or two, but Mr. Baylor seems to rather risk the game than let him go over a hundred pitches.
Kyle Farnsworth came out of nowhere and Jeff Fassero, who looks like he should go home to the Retirement Community every night is FANTASTIC!
I don’t know what the hell is going on with Todd Hundley, but everything else looks really nice!
I just wish they’d let li’l augie ojeda play more…he’s so sweet and short.
As a diehard Cub fan, I happen to live about six hours away from Chicago. Louisville, KY. And, since Louisville owns the AAA affiliate for the Reds, the Cincy team is all I ever have stuffed down my throat. Anyway, to get to your point, I have to figure that the reason that Cubs are in first place is they typically hit first place for a game or two in a season, then start to fade away. I’ve been a Cub fan since 1984, and have seen this a few times. Now, eternal fans will say that this is their year, and I am no exception (I’ll choose to ignore the fact that I have said that numerous times over the years). Here are the reasons why:
Kerry Wood is back
The made a big splash in the free agent market, and via trades, without giveing up much on the farm teams.
Law of averages says that they HAVE to win sometime. And why not this year?
Superdude, I am a diehard…diehard…cried my eyes out in '84 AND '89 cub fan…but I don’t think this is our year. Probably just because I’ve been beaten into submission by reality…maybe because I’ve convinced myself that if I don’t expect much, I won’t be disappointed, but anyway:
He’s back…sometimes. Other times he gives up three runs in an inning. Yesterday he threw a wild pitch that went so far over Hundley’s head he didn’t even try to stop it. He still walks a lot of people…and Don Baylor is obviously scared that he can’t pitch for more than six innings, so he’s kind of an ‘eggshell’ pitcher…we have to be careful and delicate with him. I don’t like that.
I know it’s only April 16th, but it looks kind of shaky at 1st base already, with Coomer hurt but coming back, Stairs is no day at the beach…when Coomer returns someone has to go…and knowing the Cubs, I can just see them sending Zuleta down again…because keeping him would be smart. And I love him to death, he’s got a great attitude, but what the hell is up with Todd Hundley? He couldn’t hit a ball to save his LIFE, OR make a throw to second.
There’s a lot of good on this team…particularly Bill Mueller, Fassero and Tavares…but there’s still some kinks.
And I still don’t care for Sammy Sosa, who in the aftergame interview yesterday, actually uttered the words (and I’m begging someone to correct me if I’m wrong)
I LOVE ME
nothing like that cocky ass attitude on the ballfield.
Superdude and Jarbaby, you guys are babies when it comes to being Cub fans. I’ve been a fan since the last time they won a pennant. (1945 if I have to remind you.) One year, I forget which one, they were in 1st Place by about a dozen games going into September, and lost the pennant to the Giants. The Giants had a spectacular month, but the Cubs really faded in September. Hey, better late than never (I say sarcastically).
I only get the boxscores and maybe a line or two from the AP wire about the Cub games. When I read USA Today, I note that they will cover the game in a little more detail, sometimes; but often the local paper will even cut that down. So it’s good to hear what’s really going on up there.
(As Steve Martin) Well, excuuuuuuuuuuuuse me! I wasn’t born until '73, so I couldn’t worship them before that. Growing up in the Ohio Valley, I started as a Reds fan. I was, to paraphrase George Carlin, a Reds fan until I reached the age of reason…
You know what I’d love to do is to get a bunch of Doper Cub fans together and go to a Cubs game this season…we can cookout and tailgate at my house, jump on the el, get to the game and see out on the scoreboard:
WELCOME STRAIGHT DOPE!
And we could cheer like crazy and drink and eat nachos and you can help smuggle me into the club house so I can ravish Kerry Wood.
If you read a recent post, you know that I used to live walking distance from Wrigley. (The only thing that I’ve ever let my wife talk me out of was buying a 3-flat on Sheffield, across from the bleachers.) That said, there’s no greater disappointment than being a Cubs fan.
However, you guys are optimists. A cousin, who’s from Crystal Lake and coach of a European Olympic baseball team, told me this time last year that, “This is the year of the Cubs.”
In that spirit, my Cubs quiz. It’s really a community service to keep you guys from getting too optimistic. A real Cubs fan will get at least 50% of these:
What Cubs slugger dislocated his shoulder carrying his suitcase down to the hotel lobby?
Why was it bad that Cubs pitcher Bill Hands recorded 14 straight strikeouts?
What cubs batter holds the major league record for leaving the most runners stranded on base in a nine-inning game?
What Cubs right fielder, trying to throw a runner out at the plate, beaned the batboy?
Cubs catcher Cuno Barragan hit a homer in his first major league at bat. How many home runs did he hit in his career?
The Cubs once set a major league record by scoring five times in the bottom of the 11th inning. Who won?
The Cubs once blew a 13-2 lead and lost on a home run. Who hit it?
The Cubs scored 22 runs in a game, but lost on a home run. Who hit it?
What former Cub was the only player every traded for himself?
What did newspaper ads run for the Cubs in 1948 say?
Since 1949, what is the losingest team in baseball?
What team lost the World Series in 1906 to the Chicago White Sox team nicknamed “Hitless Wonders”?
I call Montrose and Wolcott home, a few blocks north and west of Wrigley. I used to live at Clark and Belmont, even closer. I usually get to five or six games a year and I always have a good time, unless I’m caught in the middle of a bunch of drunken idiots who just like to go to the game to say “They’ve been to Wrigley”. I like to go AND WATCH BASEBALL…for some people that’s hard to believe.
Re: the Sox, the Sox fans I know are pretty die-hard, to give 'em their props. They’ve continued to attend and support, even through sterile stadiums and lackluster performance.
Of course, lots of the Cubs “fans” I know don’t give a moist buttnugget about the game or the team, they mostly attend games at Wrigley for the atmosphere. (and to those people…shut up, I’m watching BASEBALL!) I wonder if this contributes to the tendency of Cubs management to continue their shitty acquisition and trade practices - they know they’ll have a steady contingent of people who buy tickets just for the scene. (Keep Sosa, he brings 'em in, even if he’s an anchor on the team…) Plus, with the reputation of the Cubs as lovable losers, Cubs management doesn’t really have to worry about losing fans as a result of the team’s poor performance. This idea bothers me, as someone who would love to see the Cubs be contenders.
As far as being a Cubs fan, I was born into it. Had no choice, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m in the process of indoctrinating my son. In fact, we’re going to the Cubs v Phillies game tomorrow. Neener neener neener!
I try every season to restrain myself from believing too much. Two seasons ago it was easy. But when they get off to a good start, I get a little, uh, too excited.
Except for the obvious answers to Mooney’s questions 2, 11 & 12 (Hands was a batter as to 2) I don’t know any of them. My guess on 3 is Hank Sauer, but it could have been Ralph Kiner or even Sammy Sosa. My guess on 5 is 1, and I’d bet on that. My guess on 8 is Hank Aaron. As to 6, I know who didn’t.
Yes, Gundy, Wrigley Field’s motto used to be “Bring a basket; have a picnic at beautiful Wrigly Field.”
Seeing as they have perhaps the worst manager in the game, I’m fairly sure they’ll get over this little lapse in Cublike baseball.
This isn’t to say that I don’t like Don Baylor, of course. He’s good at everything except choosing players, in-game decisions, bullpen management, and player relations…
My absolute favorite thing ever said about Baylor:
“He’s got the patience of Leo Durocher, the forward-planning ability of the College of Coaches, and the rugged good looks of Don Zimmer”
But, I digress. As usual. I’ll be excited for no good reason for now, and hope against hope that they can keep it up. So, chant with me…
Maybe Gary Matthews, Jr. really will turn into his old man…
Maybe Don will learn how to count to 105 and not let Kerry throw any more pitches than that…
Maybe the sun will shine on Jeff Fassero’s tired old left arm all summer…
Maybe Rondell White won’t do his impersonation of a china doll…
Maybe Corey Patterson and Hee Sop Choi will come up from AAA and look like major-league players immediately…
Maybe the bullpen won’t implode from overwork…
Maybe, just maybe, this really is the year…
Oh, and stop it about not liking Sammy already. He’s just the best player this franchise has seen since Ernie Banks. At least for the last three years. He sucked before that, but that doesn’t really matter anymore…
I will not. I’ve never encountered someone who is less of a team player than Sammy Sosa. His interests are solely in hitting home runs and being the BIG STAR, and this is evidenced by him every time he gets up to the plate and swings at absolute SHIT, and swings at it so hard he nearly falls down.
He tries to be the big story by doing STUPID CRAP like trying to steal second for absolutely no reason and then blaming it on everyone else the next day.
He says things like “I LOVE ME” on national television, and I went to three Cub games last year where he dropped three pop flies…for $18 million a year I want a little more than just home runs.
Yes, he’s a personality that sells tickets. Yes, he’s got a cute little catchphrase that he says at any opportunity, yes, the fans like how he runs out on the field.
He doesn’t care about the Cubs at all. He cares about Sammy, and no matter how you slice it, that’s bad for the team.
