Pat Collins that’s funny but in recent memory they were swept when they won the Wild Card in 1998.
BTW, I read yesterday in Crain’s that the Tribune aren’t ready to sell the Cubs yet. They want to get as much money as they can out of them. New ownership can’t come soon enough to the Cubs.
Though who can explain 100 years of no World Series championships or 62 years without a NL pennant. I don’t believe in a curse though it does seem like one.
- keepin up with jones - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:09 am:
You feel sorry for the Cub fans except Blago. He had to be the reason they lost in 3 games.
“Indeed. As a Cub fan, I would have much rather had a year like the White Sox did. Far more entertaining and fun….It’s always more fun to finish last.”
You mean a year when we continue to savor our recent World Championship? Yeah, that is more fun.
Cub fans still have their 2007 divisional champ t-shirts and bumper stickers, if they want them. But getting blown out of the first round as they did is not encouraging. It seemed that they didn’t belong in such elite company, and it showed.
They didn’t choke - they just were terribly outclassed. Is that a good sign towards next year and beyond?
Oh well, they tried and got beat by the team that played superior. I refuse to acknowledge that a team that has Auggie Ojeda playing a lot can win, but what do I know.
The Cubs condition is good for us. It leads us to find other interests.
Instead of focusing on the Cubs loss, I was able to focus on another stunning win by Celtic last weekend, not to mention the fact that the world driving championship is going to come down to the final race (not to digress, but the most under-covered story in America is Lewis Hamilton’s stunning run for Mercedes. He can become the first black man ever to win a high profile racing championship, and the first rookie to ever win the F1 championship. For those of use who have seen him race, he’s the Real Deal. Seeing him qualify at Monoco was amazing. Truly the most gifted race car driver to come along since Ayrton Senna).
“It seemed that they didn’t belong in such elite company, and it showed.”
Then I guess none of the losing teams belonged in the “elite company” being that only one of the losing teams managed to salvage a game. Good analysis.
The over analizing begins. From a life time Cardinal fan, the Cubs are only one pitcher and one hitter away from being a real contender. I can only imagine how they are going to dismantle the team by next Spring. Panic will set in and bad trades will continue. Walt Jockety is on the market.
it’s interesting to note that the Cubs have NEVER
won on the northside, only south of Madison. and,
no, unlike that full page cartoon of cubland
in the paper a few days ago, the
cubs are not the team of the entire city. one
can only imagine the glee at Cork and Kerry on
saturday night…..
Go Sox, the original Sox, our beloved White Sox!
- He makes Ryan Look like a Saint - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:03 am:
Rich, the Cubs played 3 more games than the Sox did this year!!!
- South Side Mike - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:09 am:
I’m not too surprised that the Cubs rolled over for the Dbacks. People act as if the first 2.5 months of the season were an anomaly. They weren’t. All season long two things stood out: no one knew how to get a clutch hit, and the bullpen was lousy.
Making the playoffs in a weak division was the most the Cubs could hope for.
As a Cubs fan, may I express my deepest admiration for your blog, and the best-in-Illinois reporting on the tangled politics here, and the exceptionally wide range of topics intelligently covered.
And, just for today: Go to Hell.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:20 am:
The Cubs lost… with little pizzazz and fight. Got it!
Most Cubs fans have gotten over it. I think more bandwagoners and White Sox fans holding on to their “2005 dream” are enamored with the sweep than most Cubs fans.
Frankly, I’m going to miss going down to Wrigleyville and enjoying the game & nightlife that ensues afterward.
Sheesh!? The Cards fans haven’t even chimed in this hard!?
The Cubs did not show up for that series. But it looked as if the Angels, Yankees, and Phillies also didn’t show up. I hope to see the Rockies and Indians in the world series.
You can dwell on several years ago all you want. Fact of the matter is, the Cubs had a winning record and made the playoffs. They have a good team, and with a few adjustments can be a great team. I really can’t say that for the Cardinals, and am somewhat apprehensive about saying that for the White Sox. (I think this season had to be a freak accident with all the quality players they have, but you never know)
All the snide comments from depressed Sox and Cardinal fans do make me laugh. As I said above, when you look at the 3 teams rosters, the Cubs have the most to be excited about next year too. But feel free to keep living in 2005. That and 50 cents will get you a cup of coffee.
I love how the Cubs fans were upset with McNally’s marquee on Western Ave in Beverly. They should’ve worried more about their team not hitting into so many double plays! A friend of mine is a bartender up north and she is distraught on how bad the Cubs choked because she won’t be able to make any more money off the pathetic Cubs fans!!!
It could be worse. I could be a White Sox fan and keep obsessing with sheer hatred over the north side team.
Most Cub fans supported the Sox in 2005 (some good natured ribbing aside) and were HAPPY for them. BUT TOO MANY Sox fans lash out like junior high schoolers, snotty and bitter about the “popular kids.”
Good thing is, most Cub fans ignore the Sox complaining.
Time to grow up. Talk about the Chicago Marathon instead.
One thing you can’t take away from the Cubs - They have been more consistent than any other major league team for almost a century. That’s got to stand for something!
As a big Cubs fan, i’m not sure which is worse, the team losing the way it did, or getting crap from Sox fans/Cub haters with there “100 year curse” comments, and such.
What’s amazing is that so many Cubs fans now wax so hopeful about next year’s certain improvement -just as they did after the collapses in 1969, 1984, 1989, 2003, and 2004! In fact, history says the Cubs will finish worse in 2008 ; and a young Brewers team will be better in 2008.
The Cubs will never win a World Series again a long as they are still playing in Wrigley Field. The stadium is too small. The fill it with just under 40K every game i imagine, but imagine how much better they would be with a stadium that fits 60K and corporate boxseats,,,alot of the box seats - they wold sell out every game and be able to buy every single player in the league and then they could win since the othe teams have no players to compete with them. I am serious, they need to build a big modern stadium. Get with the times, compete,break the curse. Or dont, I am a Cardinals fan anyway!
When you play like crap and leave Lord knows how many base runners stranded on 2nd and 3rd, you lose ball games. I don’t know anything but a curse, but the D’Backs were the better team against the Cubs. I suspect we’re looking at a Rockies v. Red Sox Series.
- Captain America - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 12:46 pm:
Actually, I think the Tribune has made a genuine effort to turn the Cubs around by spending some money the last few years. I think the Cubs overachieved this year and did well just to get in the playoffs - their division was really bad.
I don’t the Cubs have had a really great team that could compete with elite teams since 1984 -the last time that they really should have won it all or at least made it to the World Series.
Looking forward to new owners who have deep pockets to invest in high priced free agents, as well as the development of new talent within. Winning starts at the top. I’d really like to see Mark Cuban as the new owner, but I know that’s not going to happen.
Cubs ownership rides on the mystique of Wrigley Field. Of all my friends and family who are Cubs fans - of which there are many - only three can actually functionally discuss the team, its players and some aspects of the farm. From talking to other “fans”, it appears as though a lot of them are merely concerned about the bar scene at “Wrigleyville” and going to Wrigley to drink. What is this, college?
Bad management for many years is to blame. With teams like the D-Backs and Marlins having nearly the same success in their short history as the Cubs have had in over a century, something just isn’t right. The Cubs are as bad - if not worse - as the Lions and Cardinals are in football.
If MLB had any semblance of good ownership and corporate citizenship, Bud Selig and the 31 lemmings would allow Mark Cuban to buy the team. But, since the other owners won’t allow that, the Cubs are doomed.
Look at what happened with my Red Sox: they were semi-moribund before John Henry and Larry Luccino took over the team, pumped money into the franchise and gave the city more hope than it had since the 1970s.
Everything was going pretty well until Blagojevich compared his failed governmental health care program to the Cub’s success! Then everything went South. The good news —Blago only has three years left on his term while the Cubs have forever!
Spfld makes a good point. In addition to Wrigley being an attendance factor, it’s too small for the size of the market in which the Cubs play. A 44,000 seat stadium for the Cardinals is fine, but St. Louis’ metro area is also 1/3 of the size of Chicago’s metro area. The Cubs need at least 50,000 seats and possible even a couple hundred luxury boxes. And since the Cubs would still sell out every game, I think that change is needed.
===And since the Cubs would still sell out every game===
I highly doubt that. The stadium is the real “star” of the Cubs. Bulldoze that decrepit relic into the lake and nobody will show up for the games. The Cubs will be just another losing team and would probably have to move out of the Chicago area within a decade after building a new stadium.
The Cubs don’t suffer from Wrigley, except they would probably benefit marginally if they could play more night games. Chicago day weather can wear you down, as we’ve all seen.
The biggest problem with the Cubs continues to be, they can’t develop a farm team. They keep buying high-priced talent to jury-rig their seasons, as too many internal prospects one by one fade to black or get traded or have their arms fall off. Some of the kids showed promise this fall; that was the saving grace of this season. Soriano and Ramirez won’t be getting any sprier.
Before the White Sox won the World Series, there would have been no sympathy from Sox fans for Cub fans, only contempt. Now it’s a little easier to be magnanimous.
Historically the Cubs have never been able to sustain success — there’s almost invariably a collapse after a playoff wipeout (unlike the Yankees and Braves, who were able to wipe out in the playoffs year after year and keep coming back). The Cubs have a lot of good pieces right now; with a few strategic moves they could win 90 games next year and be a real threat. History surely does not suggest they will …
The solution is to keep what is so great about Wrigley Field: the urban, neighborhood location, and the outfield (vines, scoreboard, bleachers, etc.). The rest of the park is a reeking, crumbling dump, with too many terrible sight-lines and bad seats. Tear it down, and rebuild from first-to-third with wide, clean aisles, modern bathrooms, sky boxes, and no-pillar seats with steeped views of the field (like every other park except Wrigley). Cubs would have to play in Sox Park for a season (or Milwaukee), but would be worth it long-term. I hope the new owners will do this!
As a Cardinal fan, I root for the Cubs when they make it. Hate to see them lose so early, but that happens. The Cubs were much better this year than last. Lou Piniella did an adminrable job as coach, and ownership put out some money. Maybe they were simply trying to lure potential buyers with some success, but that’s OK.
The Cub rally at the Daley center was one of the silliest non-events that I ever witnissed. I don’t know what was worse, the Cub brass all complimenting each other, or goofy Blago ranting on, or, Daley not quite knowing what to say or do. The rally set the tone for the three game sweep. Hey Chicago what do you say, the Cubs were made to crawl away.
The one thing better than the Cubs being swept is this offseason ticket prices will increase and by the convention, these goofs (fans) will have paid to much and forgot the’07 season…must be the water!
===And since the Cubs would still sell out every game===
===I highly doubt that. The stadium is the real “star” of the Cubs. Bulldoze that decrepit relic into the lake and nobody will show up for the games. The Cubs will be just another losing team and would probably have to move out of the Chicago area within a decade after building a new stadium.===
Rich…stick to covering state government topics. You are quite possibly the best I’ve ever seen at doing your job there. However, you are starting to show your lack of knowledge for the history and semantics of the game of baseball…especially the Chicago Cubs. While you make a good point regarding Wrigley, tearing it down would not tear down their fan base which has been nationwide for many years due to many reasons (i.e. the Superstation which used to broadcast all games as just one of those reasons).
===tearing it down would not tear down their fan base which has been nationwide for many years===
I’m talking local. You know, the people who go to games. Although, lots of tourists come to Chicago to “experience” Wrigley, not necessarily to see a Cub game.
You kick us when were down? I’m not one to kick Sox fans when they are down. That just not cool. My mate is 100% White Sox - GO SOUTH SIDE!!!! I however am a Cubs fan at heart. I guess I’m for the underdog. My neighbor teases me for my loyalty to the Cubs. We’ve been known to pick up the phone and raz each other while watching the games. Its all in fun. Theres always next year, right? Rich, would you have been pleased if the Cubs won?
The difference between the Cubs and the DBacks was clearly the difference in the competition lvel between the two Divisions. Some gent point that out and it is correct.
Meanwhile we had a league champion in the Chicago Area, which you would only know if you read the smallest type at the bottom of the agate in the Tribune. Not one story, not one photo although all the reporters from every Chicago Arae paper were sending munltiple reporters to right hundreds of lines — more than necessary.
Down at the 3800 seat Adamson Field in the Class A Frontier League, the young lads of Crestwood’s Windy City Thunderbolts took three out of five. They won the regular league and the playoffs. Five players signed with Major League teams. They are independent (no Major league affiliation)
Kane County in another A League used to get tons of coverage, but I guess the sportswriters in Chicago are too busy covering the South bend Weisswursts with beaucoup lines about a bad team.
We should have booed Bloago louder at the last home game of the regular season. How do we make the curse of the the goat and Blago go away like the ball that Bartman tried to catch did? A 2 for 1 deal? GO CUBS GO in 2008!!
Rich, I would have to respectfully disagree. Even though I agree with you that the stadium is more of a draw than the team, the Cubs have a hugh fan base and play in a city of 3 million and a county of 5.5 million. You don’t think the Cubs would sell every seat and luxury box for each game with an area that large and an expansive fan base?
The Cubs, Red Sox and Yankees are the three MLB teams who have the largest national fanbases. With TV revenue, a new stadium, never-ending merchandise sales and a good product on the field, the Cubs would be a beast.
When you combine Daley’s love for projects with the added benefit a new stadium adds to a city, a new Wrigley Field would be a boon to Chicago.
We kidded with our pastor on church Sunday, many members are Cubs fans, the day after the Cubs final “performance”, that it was a cruel thing they did on the cover of the church bulletin for that day (It is preprinted early in the week, but the Lord works in mysterious ways).
This is the honest to God truth, the cover of the bulletin was a picture of a person, holding a broom, and the title was, “We are unworthy servants.” I didn’t even think about it at first, when my wife reminded me that the Cubs were swept.
This is a team that was 18 games better than last year. The Cub roster at the end of the season was considerably better than the one they started with, particularly at catcher.
The Cubs are indeed one player, at most two, away. I enjoyed the season, just not the ending.
If the Cubs move out of Wrigleyville, they will not sell out their stadium, unless they put out a good team. You mean to tell me people would go out to some suburb to watch a 70 win team? Get real! At least Bridgeport has some character.
I’m a Sox fan and none of my Cubbie friends were happy that my team won first. It’s the same way. I am happy when the Cubs do bad, it made the terrible Sox season a little easier to digest.
The Cubs didn’t draw at Wrigley until they started making an every fifth (or so) year playoff appearance after the Tribune purchase. The allure of Wrigley is greatly over-rated. Market size and winning are the major factors in sports attendance.
- Truthful James - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 10:58 am:
Happy Toaster —
For a long time the Cubs drew great in the summer with ladies days and the influx of kids getting off at the Addison El — north shore baby sitting. After labor day the crowds dwindled.
Then they changed their marketing and sold season tickets to the corporate suits, trippled the beer sales and although many didn’t watch the game it was like going to a tavern without instant replay. Then with a few good years, the Cubs started to sell more and more — still marketing the personalities and not the team.
After the drowsy days of Toothpick Dusty Baker, Lou Pinella has been an eye opener. He will play anyone who gives him a chance to win — and he knows that it is the players who deserve the spotlight.
This year they were good enough to win in a bad division, but in the post season, quality told. They are going to have to get a couple more arms and some better position players, but they are on the way.
The big threat in the Disvision next year will be the still young and improving Brewers who are going to be the Oakland A’s, or perhaps the Twins of the national league — smaller market, limited payroll, have to do it on farm team development.
But what is it about Chicago that there can’t be any more — across all sports — than one Championship team at a time?
- MTP - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:05 am:
Indeed. As a Cub fan, I would have much rather had a year like the White Sox did. Far more entertaining and fun….It’s always more fun to finish last.
- Pat collins - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:05 am:
It was shocking. Shocking that they didn’t win one or two, and THEN choke. As always.
- Levois - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:09 am:
Hey that’s not a question.
Pat Collins that’s funny but in recent memory they were swept when they won the Wild Card in 1998.
BTW, I read yesterday in Crain’s that the Tribune aren’t ready to sell the Cubs yet. They want to get as much money as they can out of them. New ownership can’t come soon enough to the Cubs.
Though who can explain 100 years of no World Series championships or 62 years without a NL pennant. I don’t believe in a curse though it does seem like one.
- keepin up with jones - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:09 am:
You feel sorry for the Cub fans except Blago. He had to be the reason they lost in 3 games.
- Boone Logan Square - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:12 am:
“Indeed. As a Cub fan, I would have much rather had a year like the White Sox did. Far more entertaining and fun….It’s always more fun to finish last.”
You mean a year when we continue to savor our recent World Championship? Yeah, that is more fun.
- capitol view - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:14 am:
Cub fans still have their 2007 divisional champ t-shirts and bumper stickers, if they want them. But getting blown out of the first round as they did is not encouraging. It seemed that they didn’t belong in such elite company, and it showed.
They didn’t choke - they just were terribly outclassed. Is that a good sign towards next year and beyond?
- Ben - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:17 am:
Were the Cubs actually in the playoff?
- Ryno - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:20 am:
Sometimes, the better team wins. In this case the D-backs.
Sometimes, the better team loses, because the other team cheats. See 2005 ALCS White Sox vs. Angels.
http://media.washingt
onpost.com/wp-dyn/co
ntent/photo/2005/10/13/PH20
05101300123.jpg
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:25 am:
==the other team cheats===
The Sox won. Fair and square. But, since you want to talk about cheating, does this refresh your memory?
- Wumpus - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:26 am:
Oh well, they tried and got beat by the team that played superior. I refuse to acknowledge that a team that has Auggie Ojeda playing a lot can win, but what do I know.
- Skeeter - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:28 am:
Why should you feel sorry for us?
The Cubs condition is good for us. It leads us to find other interests.
Instead of focusing on the Cubs loss, I was able to focus on another stunning win by Celtic last weekend, not to mention the fact that the world driving championship is going to come down to the final race (not to digress, but the most under-covered story in America is Lewis Hamilton’s stunning run for Mercedes. He can become the first black man ever to win a high profile racing championship, and the first rookie to ever win the F1 championship. For those of use who have seen him race, he’s the Real Deal. Seeing him qualify at Monoco was amazing. Truly the most gifted race car driver to come along since Ayrton Senna).
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:29 am:
“It seemed that they didn’t belong in such elite company, and it showed.”
Then I guess none of the losing teams belonged in the “elite company” being that only one of the losing teams managed to salvage a game. Good analysis.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:33 am:
===Then I guess none of the losing teams belonged in the “elite company” being that only one of the losing teams managed to salvage a game. ===
No. Just the Cubs.
- Traveler - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:33 am:
I missed it … what time did the White Sox play last Saturday?
- Enough said - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:37 am:
Governor Blagojevich can be the new Steve Bartman!
- Southern Right - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:44 am:
The over analizing begins. From a life time Cardinal fan, the Cubs are only one pitcher and one hitter away from being a real contender. I can only imagine how they are going to dismantle the team by next Spring. Panic will set in and bad trades will continue. Walt Jockety is on the market.
- RightGirl - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:50 am:
Love my Cubs, but…er…uh…Hey, how about those Bears!
- Bill - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:54 am:
Nice Broom!
- Amy - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:57 am:
oh, Rich Miller, awesome little sweeping image!
it’s interesting to note that the Cubs have NEVER
won on the northside, only south of Madison. and,
no, unlike that full page cartoon of cubland
in the paper a few days ago, the
cubs are not the team of the entire city. one
can only imagine the glee at Cork and Kerry on
saturday night…..
Go Sox, the original Sox, our beloved White Sox!
- He makes Ryan Look like a Saint - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:03 am:
Rich, the Cubs played 3 more games than the Sox did this year!!!
- South Side Mike - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:09 am:
I’m not too surprised that the Cubs rolled over for the Dbacks. People act as if the first 2.5 months of the season were an anomaly. They weren’t. All season long two things stood out: no one knew how to get a clutch hit, and the bullpen was lousy.
Making the playoffs in a weak division was the most the Cubs could hope for.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:12 am:
===Rich, the Cubs played 3 more games than the Sox did this year!!!===
And lost all three. Badly.
- ZC - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:14 am:
Rich,
As a Cubs fan, may I express my deepest admiration for your blog, and the best-in-Illinois reporting on the tangled politics here, and the exceptionally wide range of topics intelligently covered.
And, just for today: Go to Hell.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:20 am:
Next Year! Go Cubs Go!
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:26 am:
ZC: LOL. Thanks.
- YouNeverSawMe - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:28 am:
The Cubs lost… with little pizzazz and fight. Got it!
Most Cubs fans have gotten over it. I think more bandwagoners and White Sox fans holding on to their “2005 dream” are enamored with the sweep than most Cubs fans.
Frankly, I’m going to miss going down to Wrigleyville and enjoying the game & nightlife that ensues afterward.
Sheesh!? The Cards fans haven’t even chimed in this hard!?
- Robbie - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:28 am:
The Cubs did not show up for that series. But it looked as if the Angels, Yankees, and Phillies also didn’t show up. I hope to see the Rockies and Indians in the world series.
You can dwell on several years ago all you want. Fact of the matter is, the Cubs had a winning record and made the playoffs. They have a good team, and with a few adjustments can be a great team. I really can’t say that for the Cardinals, and am somewhat apprehensive about saying that for the White Sox. (I think this season had to be a freak accident with all the quality players they have, but you never know)
All the snide comments from depressed Sox and Cardinal fans do make me laugh. As I said above, when you look at the 3 teams rosters, the Cubs have the most to be excited about next year too. But feel free to keep living in 2005. That and 50 cents will get you a cup of coffee.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:30 am:
I love how the Cubs fans were upset with McNally’s marquee on Western Ave in Beverly. They should’ve worried more about their team not hitting into so many double plays! A friend of mine is a bartender up north and she is distraught on how bad the Cubs choked because she won’t be able to make any more money off the pathetic Cubs fans!!!
- Skeeter - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:33 am:
Ultimately, does it really matter?
Let’s be real here: Given a choice, would a rational person rather live on the north side of Chicago, the south side, or, even worse, St. Louis?
Sure their baseball teams might be better, but it is about the only joy they have. Enjoy your baseball teams, Sox and Cards fans!
By the way: Celtics v. Ranger, October 20. Should be a great game.
- Leigh - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:40 am:
I thought I was a better person than I am. I was thrilled the Cubs got swept.
- cool hand - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:48 am:
171 days until opening day.
- 312 - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:53 am:
It could be worse. I could be a White Sox fan and keep obsessing with sheer hatred over the north side team.
Most Cub fans supported the Sox in 2005 (some good natured ribbing aside) and were HAPPY for them. BUT TOO MANY Sox fans lash out like junior high schoolers, snotty and bitter about the “popular kids.”
Good thing is, most Cub fans ignore the Sox complaining.
Time to grow up. Talk about the Chicago Marathon instead.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 11:55 am:
===Good thing is, most Cub fans ignore the Sox complaining.===
Except you, apparently.
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 12:18 pm:
One thing you can’t take away from the Cubs - They have been more consistent than any other major league team for almost a century. That’s got to stand for something!
- pickles!! - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 12:34 pm:
As a big Cubs fan, i’m not sure which is worse, the team losing the way it did, or getting crap from Sox fans/Cub haters with there “100 year curse” comments, and such.
- Legaleagle - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 12:38 pm:
What’s amazing is that so many Cubs fans now wax so hopeful about next year’s certain improvement -just as they did after the collapses in 1969, 1984, 1989, 2003, and 2004! In fact, history says the Cubs will finish worse in 2008 ; and a young Brewers team will be better in 2008.
- SpfldPolitico - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 12:42 pm:
The Cubs will never win a World Series again a long as they are still playing in Wrigley Field. The stadium is too small. The fill it with just under 40K every game i imagine, but imagine how much better they would be with a stadium that fits 60K and corporate boxseats,,,alot of the box seats - they wold sell out every game and be able to buy every single player in the league and then they could win since the othe teams have no players to compete with them. I am serious, they need to build a big modern stadium. Get with the times, compete,break the curse. Or dont, I am a Cardinals fan anyway!
- Pat collins - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 12:43 pm:
I was thinking of 1984, Levois. I do like your blog, though
And as for snide Cards fans, I would say
“2006, 1982″.
Or, since for Cub fans merely making is it ok,
“1985, 1987, 2004″
- jwscott72 - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 12:46 pm:
When you play like crap and leave Lord knows how many base runners stranded on 2nd and 3rd, you lose ball games. I don’t know anything but a curse, but the D’Backs were the better team against the Cubs. I suspect we’re looking at a Rockies v. Red Sox Series.
- Captain America - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 12:46 pm:
Actually, I think the Tribune has made a genuine effort to turn the Cubs around by spending some money the last few years. I think the Cubs overachieved this year and did well just to get in the playoffs - their division was really bad.
I don’t the Cubs have had a really great team that could compete with elite teams since 1984 -the last time that they really should have won it all or at least made it to the World Series.
Looking forward to new owners who have deep pockets to invest in high priced free agents, as well as the development of new talent within. Winning starts at the top. I’d really like to see Mark Cuban as the new owner, but I know that’s not going to happen.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 12:47 pm:
Cubs ownership rides on the mystique of Wrigley Field. Of all my friends and family who are Cubs fans - of which there are many - only three can actually functionally discuss the team, its players and some aspects of the farm. From talking to other “fans”, it appears as though a lot of them are merely concerned about the bar scene at “Wrigleyville” and going to Wrigley to drink. What is this, college?
Bad management for many years is to blame. With teams like the D-Backs and Marlins having nearly the same success in their short history as the Cubs have had in over a century, something just isn’t right. The Cubs are as bad - if not worse - as the Lions and Cardinals are in football.
If MLB had any semblance of good ownership and corporate citizenship, Bud Selig and the 31 lemmings would allow Mark Cuban to buy the team. But, since the other owners won’t allow that, the Cubs are doomed.
Look at what happened with my Red Sox: they were semi-moribund before John Henry and Larry Luccino took over the team, pumped money into the franchise and gave the city more hope than it had since the 1970s.
- Lefty - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 12:50 pm:
Everything was going pretty well until Blagojevich compared his failed governmental health care program to the Cub’s success! Then everything went South. The good news —Blago only has three years left on his term while the Cubs have forever!
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 12:51 pm:
Spfld makes a good point. In addition to Wrigley being an attendance factor, it’s too small for the size of the market in which the Cubs play. A 44,000 seat stadium for the Cardinals is fine, but St. Louis’ metro area is also 1/3 of the size of Chicago’s metro area. The Cubs need at least 50,000 seats and possible even a couple hundred luxury boxes. And since the Cubs would still sell out every game, I think that change is needed.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 12:56 pm:
===And since the Cubs would still sell out every game===
I highly doubt that. The stadium is the real “star” of the Cubs. Bulldoze that decrepit relic into the lake and nobody will show up for the games. The Cubs will be just another losing team and would probably have to move out of the Chicago area within a decade after building a new stadium.
- 312 - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 1:04 pm:
Bulldoze Wrigley? PERISH THE THOUGHT!
But what they SHOULD consider is raising the roof a little and adding another row of luxury boxes above the 400/500 seats.
Hopefully that wouldn’t mess with the landmark + character.
Of course, the NIMBY neighbors (NONE that lived there B4 Wrigley was built) will fight it…
- Writing on the Wall - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 1:10 pm:
Chicago can’t even get a little marathon right, so they want to host the Olympics.
Good job Richey!
- ZC - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 1:13 pm:
The Cubs don’t suffer from Wrigley, except they would probably benefit marginally if they could play more night games. Chicago day weather can wear you down, as we’ve all seen.
The biggest problem with the Cubs continues to be, they can’t develop a farm team. They keep buying high-priced talent to jury-rig their seasons, as too many internal prospects one by one fade to black or get traded or have their arms fall off. Some of the kids showed promise this fall; that was the saving grace of this season. Soriano and Ramirez won’t be getting any sprier.
- Gus Frerotte's Clipboard - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 1:16 pm:
Before the White Sox won the World Series, there would have been no sympathy from Sox fans for Cub fans, only contempt. Now it’s a little easier to be magnanimous.
Historically the Cubs have never been able to sustain success — there’s almost invariably a collapse after a playoff wipeout (unlike the Yankees and Braves, who were able to wipe out in the playoffs year after year and keep coming back). The Cubs have a lot of good pieces right now; with a few strategic moves they could win 90 games next year and be a real threat. History surely does not suggest they will …
- jerry 101 - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 1:40 pm:
100 years. Ahhh…such a wonderful thing.
Quit looking for excuses cub fans. It’s not the day games. It’s not the ballpark. It’s not having too few seats.
Its the team. The team stinks. You won a weak division, sneaking in when the Brewers collapsed. The Phillies snuck in, too. Where did they end up?
Your team just stinks. No way around it. 100 years of futility.
- Legaleagle - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 1:56 pm:
The solution is to keep what is so great about Wrigley Field: the urban, neighborhood location, and the outfield (vines, scoreboard, bleachers, etc.). The rest of the park is a reeking, crumbling dump, with too many terrible sight-lines and bad seats. Tear it down, and rebuild from first-to-third with wide, clean aisles, modern bathrooms, sky boxes, and no-pillar seats with steeped views of the field (like every other park except Wrigley). Cubs would have to play in Sox Park for a season (or Milwaukee), but would be worth it long-term. I hope the new owners will do this!
- Bill - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 2:04 pm:
No way the flubs are ever playing their season at the cell!!!
- Fan of the Game - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 2:16 pm:
As a Cardinal fan, I root for the Cubs when they make it. Hate to see them lose so early, but that happens. The Cubs were much better this year than last. Lou Piniella did an adminrable job as coach, and ownership put out some money. Maybe they were simply trying to lure potential buyers with some success, but that’s OK.
- wallace - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 2:19 pm:
The Cub rally at the Daley center was one of the silliest non-events that I ever witnissed. I don’t know what was worse, the Cub brass all complimenting each other, or goofy Blago ranting on, or, Daley not quite knowing what to say or do. The rally set the tone for the three game sweep. Hey Chicago what do you say, the Cubs were made to crawl away.
- HappyToaster - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 2:26 pm:
If they’re serious about blackballing Cuban then a new stadium is going to have to happen to get like money out of reality based investors.
- Ivote - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 2:31 pm:
Well, the Cardinals and Cubs DO have at least ONE thing in common this year. . . they both won the same number of post-season games! Go figure!
- dis-connected - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 2:33 pm:
The one thing better than the Cubs being swept is this offseason ticket prices will increase and by the convention, these goofs (fans) will have paid to much and forgot the’07 season…must be the water!
- REJ Jr. - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 2:36 pm:
Sox fans are despicable.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 2:38 pm:
===And since the Cubs would still sell out every game===
===I highly doubt that. The stadium is the real “star” of the Cubs. Bulldoze that decrepit relic into the lake and nobody will show up for the games. The Cubs will be just another losing team and would probably have to move out of the Chicago area within a decade after building a new stadium.===
Rich…stick to covering state government topics. You are quite possibly the best I’ve ever seen at doing your job there. However, you are starting to show your lack of knowledge for the history and semantics of the game of baseball…especially the Chicago Cubs. While you make a good point regarding Wrigley, tearing it down would not tear down their fan base which has been nationwide for many years due to many reasons (i.e. the Superstation which used to broadcast all games as just one of those reasons).
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 2:41 pm:
===tearing it down would not tear down their fan base which has been nationwide for many years===
I’m talking local. You know, the people who go to games. Although, lots of tourists come to Chicago to “experience” Wrigley, not necessarily to see a Cub game.
- Say WHAT? - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 3:02 pm:
Rich,
You kick us when were down? I’m not one to kick Sox fans when they are down. That just not cool. My mate is 100% White Sox - GO SOUTH SIDE!!!! I however am a Cubs fan at heart. I guess I’m for the underdog. My neighbor teases me for my loyalty to the Cubs. We’ve been known to pick up the phone and raz each other while watching the games. Its all in fun. Theres always next year, right? Rich, would you have been pleased if the Cubs won?
- n9ds - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 3:36 pm:
Hey, I have an idea, how about putting renovation and/or replacing Wrigley Field into a capital expenditures bill?
- Truthful James - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 3:41 pm:
The difference between the Cubs and the DBacks was clearly the difference in the competition lvel between the two Divisions. Some gent point that out and it is correct.
Meanwhile we had a league champion in the Chicago Area, which you would only know if you read the smallest type at the bottom of the agate in the Tribune. Not one story, not one photo although all the reporters from every Chicago Arae paper were sending munltiple reporters to right hundreds of lines — more than necessary.
Down at the 3800 seat Adamson Field in the Class A Frontier League, the young lads of Crestwood’s Windy City Thunderbolts took three out of five. They won the regular league and the playoffs. Five players signed with Major League teams. They are independent (no Major league affiliation)
Kane County in another A League used to get tons of coverage, but I guess the sportswriters in Chicago are too busy covering the South bend Weisswursts with beaucoup lines about a bad team.
Sorry you missed it.
- Dan, a Voter - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 3:49 pm:
We should have booed Bloago louder at the last home game of the regular season. How do we make the curse of the the goat and Blago go away like the ball that Bartman tried to catch did? A 2 for 1 deal? GO CUBS GO in 2008!!
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 3:50 pm:
Maybe the Cubs could change their name to the Oberweiss’ - might eliminate the old curse. Of course it might bring on a new one.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 3:59 pm:
Rich, I would have to respectfully disagree. Even though I agree with you that the stadium is more of a draw than the team, the Cubs have a hugh fan base and play in a city of 3 million and a county of 5.5 million. You don’t think the Cubs would sell every seat and luxury box for each game with an area that large and an expansive fan base?
The Cubs, Red Sox and Yankees are the three MLB teams who have the largest national fanbases. With TV revenue, a new stadium, never-ending merchandise sales and a good product on the field, the Cubs would be a beast.
When you combine Daley’s love for projects with the added benefit a new stadium adds to a city, a new Wrigley Field would be a boon to Chicago.
- Concerned Voter - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 4:13 pm:
We kidded with our pastor on church Sunday, many members are Cubs fans, the day after the Cubs final “performance”, that it was a cruel thing they did on the cover of the church bulletin for that day (It is preprinted early in the week, but the Lord works in mysterious ways).
This is the honest to God truth, the cover of the bulletin was a picture of a person, holding a broom, and the title was, “We are unworthy servants.” I didn’t even think about it at first, when my wife reminded me that the Cubs were swept.
Go White Sox in 2008!
- Concerned Voter - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 4:40 pm:
Link to a scan of the actual bulletin cover
http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/6686/october0720071vm0.jpg
- Anon - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 5:31 pm:
This is a team that was 18 games better than last year. The Cub roster at the end of the season was considerably better than the one they started with, particularly at catcher.
The Cubs are indeed one player, at most two, away. I enjoyed the season, just not the ending.
- Way Northsider - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 6:22 pm:
Go Cubs!
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 7:00 pm:
If the Cubs move out of Wrigleyville, they will not sell out their stadium, unless they put out a good team. You mean to tell me people would go out to some suburb to watch a 70 win team? Get real! At least Bridgeport has some character.
I’m a Sox fan and none of my Cubbie friends were happy that my team won first. It’s the same way. I am happy when the Cubs do bad, it made the terrible Sox season a little easier to digest.
Go Bears!
- HappyToaster - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:39 pm:
The Cubs didn’t draw at Wrigley until they started making an every fifth (or so) year playoff appearance after the Tribune purchase. The allure of Wrigley is greatly over-rated. Market size and winning are the major factors in sports attendance.
- baseball watcher - Tuesday, Oct 9, 07 @ 10:43 pm:
Is Carlos pitching today?
- Truthful James - Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 10:58 am:
Happy Toaster —
For a long time the Cubs drew great in the summer with ladies days and the influx of kids getting off at the Addison El — north shore baby sitting. After labor day the crowds dwindled.
Then they changed their marketing and sold season tickets to the corporate suits, trippled the beer sales and although many didn’t watch the game it was like going to a tavern without instant replay. Then with a few good years, the Cubs started to sell more and more — still marketing the personalities and not the team.
After the drowsy days of Toothpick Dusty Baker, Lou Pinella has been an eye opener. He will play anyone who gives him a chance to win — and he knows that it is the players who deserve the spotlight.
This year they were good enough to win in a bad division, but in the post season, quality told. They are going to have to get a couple more arms and some better position players, but they are on the way.
The big threat in the Disvision next year will be the still young and improving Brewers who are going to be the Oakland A’s, or perhaps the Twins of the national league — smaller market, limited payroll, have to do it on farm team development.
But what is it about Chicago that there can’t be any more — across all sports — than one Championship team at a time?