Saturday, October 02, 2004
A spectacular failure: I was thinking I would write about the Presidential debates, or maybe Indiana's pathetic effort against Michigan. But how can I resist the amazing, yet expected, collapse by the Cubs.
In the interest of full disclosure, I must mention I am a White Sox fan. That having been said, I must admit I felt a little bad last year during the Bartman ball incident and subsequent NLCS loss. I even was following the Cubs drive to get into the playoffs again this season, at least during the last couple weeks. So I have a little heart.
But after I saw the Cubs lose again today (Saturday) 8-6 to the Braves, I just had to laugh. And I think even the most loyal Cub fans knew it was over, probably last week. Even the broadcast of the game today showed the wind was out of their sails.
The Cubs had one glaring weakness this year: relief pitching. They have not had a closer all year and the last two weeks are proof. Mark Prior pitched a complete game this week, gave up one run, got no help and the Cubs lost in extra innings. Last weekend another outstanding starting effort was ruining with one strike to go when the bullpen could not finish the game.
Nomar helped the defensive cause, but the Cubs needed a closer, and still need a closer. They may have already clinched the wild card if they even had an average closer.
But alas, it's just not in the cards... again. Sometimes you have to wonder whether Cubs fans will finally get fed up with their team coming close and losing or never being competitive. At least with us Sox fans we expected mediocrity or failure pretty much since the end of June and the injuries piled up.
It's just not going to happen any time soon and not with this group of players. And once the first "blockbuster" trade is made, let the rebuilding decade begin. It may be another 10 years before the Cubs are in the hunt again. But it was a good run while it lasted...
In the interest of full disclosure, I must mention I am a White Sox fan. That having been said, I must admit I felt a little bad last year during the Bartman ball incident and subsequent NLCS loss. I even was following the Cubs drive to get into the playoffs again this season, at least during the last couple weeks. So I have a little heart.
But after I saw the Cubs lose again today (Saturday) 8-6 to the Braves, I just had to laugh. And I think even the most loyal Cub fans knew it was over, probably last week. Even the broadcast of the game today showed the wind was out of their sails.
The Cubs had one glaring weakness this year: relief pitching. They have not had a closer all year and the last two weeks are proof. Mark Prior pitched a complete game this week, gave up one run, got no help and the Cubs lost in extra innings. Last weekend another outstanding starting effort was ruining with one strike to go when the bullpen could not finish the game.
Nomar helped the defensive cause, but the Cubs needed a closer, and still need a closer. They may have already clinched the wild card if they even had an average closer.
But alas, it's just not in the cards... again. Sometimes you have to wonder whether Cubs fans will finally get fed up with their team coming close and losing or never being competitive. At least with us Sox fans we expected mediocrity or failure pretty much since the end of June and the injuries piled up.
It's just not going to happen any time soon and not with this group of players. And once the first "blockbuster" trade is made, let the rebuilding decade begin. It may be another 10 years before the Cubs are in the hunt again. But it was a good run while it lasted...
