Archive for September, 2008
September 24th, 2008
I fired off this text message Tuesday night to assorted Cubs fans on my cell phone: “So would it be too cruel to bring the Brewers back into the playoff race by beating the hell out of the Mets, only for the Cubs to KO the Brew Crew themselves?”
Their replies: “No, that is the beauty of rivalry.” “I would love every minute of it.” “I hate the Mets. I remember ‘69, so let the Brewers back in and we beat ‘em in Wrigley North.” “Look out for the Phillies, though. I want none of them.” “Oh the irony.”
Analyzing this immense data, I have come to this conclusion: Cubs fans not only want to win, but they want blood.
September 23rd, 2008
The Brewers faithful are cheering for the Cubs for most of this week. The Mets faithful are cringing about another potential collapse. The Rays will play after Sunday, and the Yankees won’t.
Robin Williams said it best … reality, what a concept.
September 22nd, 2008
Put Jason Marquis on the postseason roster … as the first left-handed bat off the bench.
September 22nd, 2008
I was fortunate enough to be at the clincher Saturday. If I hadn’t gone with Cardinal fans, I still might be at Wrigley celebrating.
When I watch baseball highlights on ESPN, I’m amazed at the number of empty seats in parks where teams still have a shot at wild-card berths. At Wrigley, very few people left after the Cubs won. The crowd waited for players to come out and celebrate with them. And the fans were rewarded as players came out and sprayed champagne as far into the seats as possible.
As we made out way out of Wrigley, I don’t think I’ve ever high-fived that many strangers in my life.
As happy as fans were, I got the sense that they knew the REALLY big celebration is a few weeks away. I’m glad I got to be a part of that one.
BTW: Bike check is the way to go.
September 20th, 2008
It’s been 100 years since the NL Central Champion Cubs last clinched the playoffs in consecutive seasons. It’s also been 100 years for something else…something the Cubs had problems with last year.
Geovany Soto said it best after the division clincher:
“We’re not going to talk about it. We’re just going to go ahead and play.”
September 19th, 2008
“Mr. Zambrano, I rooted for Johnny Vander Meer. I knew Johnny Vander Meer. Johnny Vander Meer was a friend of mine. Sir, you’re no Johnny Vander Meer.”
September 18th, 2008
Between Hall of Fame manager Leo Durocher (1966-72) and current plucky, gritty, gutty fan favorite Ryan Theriot saw a truckload of coaches wearing the Deuce, but a few notable players include Vance Law (1988-89), Rick Wilkins (1991-95) and Felix Fermin (1996).
I gain no joy in the Cubs beating the Brewers in the fashion they did Thursday. I do, however, expect to enjoy the Cubs clinching the division in front of Tony “Oh-I’ll-bat-the-pitcher-eighth-the-whole-year-because-I’m-a-genius” La Russa and the St. Louis Cardinals.
September 18th, 2008
It’s been a busy day here at the newspaper factory. I turned the game on and saw the Cubs behind 6-2. I went back to writing an editorial and when I came up for air, I turned around and saw Carlos Marmol pitching in the 10th. What!? Score was tied 6-6. Later I found out that Rookie-of-the-Year lock Geovany Soto hit a three-run homer to tie the game with two outs. WOW.
Most catchers would have had the day off after working a night game, but Soto’s been in the lineup almost every day. He deserves a few days off when the team clinches, which could be as early as tomorrow. I hope it’s Saturday because I’ll be there. (I need to practice my singing the next couple of days.)
Back to the game, D-Lee comes through to win it in the bottom of the 12th. Lee looks rejuvenated after the extra days off because of Hurricane Ike.
One goal nearly complete. A couple more hurdles before the 100-year thing is history.
September 18th, 2008
So I was all set to say that with the win, the Brewers will have won all three series they played against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in 2008. And that they’re still seven out and on their second manager. …
… and then the Brewers bullpen implodes again!
September 16th, 2008
For the second time this season, the Cubs’ offense has made the National League’s new “best” pitcher feel like this. And in 14 NL starts this season, it’s probably only the second time CC Sabathia has had to bury his face/empty his stomach in his glove.
You do the math…or just see it for yourself:
Sabathia vs. NL: 9 wins, 0 losses in 12 starts with a 1.42 ERA (15 earned runs in 95 1/3 innings).
Sabathia vs. Cubs: 0 wins, 1 loss in 2 starts with a 4.77 ERA (7 earned runs in 13 2/3 innings).
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