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Cubs should learn from 2003 Red Sox
The Cubs are exactly where the Red Sox were in 2003, after Grady stuck too long with Pedro, after Aaron Boone went deep, after the Yankees stuck in yet another dagger.
Phantastic Phils
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Phillies win 4-1 |
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Rosenthal | Kriegel | Video | Photos |
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Rosenthal | Kriegel | Video | Photos |
Rosenthal | Kriegel | Video | Photos |
Rosenthal | Kriegel | Video | Photos |
More on the playoffs:
Of course, you could have said the same thing about the Cubs after their own collapse in '03, but the Red Sox weren't cursed and neither are the Cubs.
At some point, good teams eventually win championships, just as good hitters eventually produce in the clutch.
For the past century — and certainly in their most recent flop, an embarrassing first-round knockout by the Dodgers — the Cubs just haven't been good enough.
Such a statement might sound odd, considering that the Cubs won 97 games in the regular season, the most in the National League. But the postseason is a crapshoot, the best-of-five Division Series in particular. The Cubs are a good team that had a bad series. Nothing more, nothing less.
What do they do now? Very simple — try again.
Oh, the Cubs made six errors against the Dodgers, went 5-for-26 with runners in scoring position, played like chokers rather than champions. But they aren't the Mets, who gagged in the 2006 NLCS, gagged in '07, gagged in '08.
A year ago, the Cubs were an 85-win team that got beat by the 90-win Diamondbacks in the Division Series. This time, they got caught in a baseball never-land after clinching the division title early, then had to face a badly underrated Dodgers team.
Manager Lou Piniella will be second-guessed for not playing the final week differently. Baseball will be second-guessed for not making the Division Series a best-of-seven. Sorry, the Cubs understood the stakes, played by the same rules as every other club. They just got beat.
If you're looking for real-life goats, you won't need to search hard.
Left fielder Alfonso Soriano is 3-for-28 the past two postseasons, third baseman Aramis Ramirez 2-for-23. Right fielder Kosuke Fukudome turned out to be a disappointment. Right-handers Ryan Dempster and Rich Harden faltered at the worst possible times. Still, this group does not suffer from some deep character flaw. As the rest of the NL can attest, it's a reasonably tough-minded bunch.
The Cubs need to re-sign Dempster, a potential free agent. They need to obtain a left-handed slugger for their outfield, with Fukudome remaining in right or moving to center. They perhaps could use one more starting pitcher and one more spirited gamer — a Nate McLouth, perhaps, or an Orlando Hudson. But let's not forget what this team accomplished. And let's not turn this defeat into anything more than it is.
For the Red Sox to win the 2004 World Series, they needed to change their culture by trading Nomar Garciapparra at midseason, then rally from a three-games-to-none deficit against the Yankees in the ALCS.
Maybe the Cubs will need to undergo the same kind of catharsis to end their championship drought. Or maybe they just need to keep creating opportunities.
Cubs fans carry around signs saying, "It's Gonna Happen," as if the team is engaged in some type of mystical quest. Better the Cubs' motto should be "Make it Happen" or at least some other updated version of "Cowboy Up."
Ask the Red Sox, who after enduring the Bill Buckner miscue in 1986, suffered additional playoff defeats in '88, '90, '95, '98, '99 and, finally, '03.
It's always the darkest before the dawn.
Brewers may not win series, but this was big
The Brewers deserved this. So did their fans.
You don't wait 26 years to get back into the postseason, only to get knocked out in three straight games.
You don't make the brilliant CC Sabathia trade, fire your manager with 12 games remaining and squeeze through the tiniest of windows, only to get swept.
Make no mistake, the Brewers are still at a disadvantage after beating the Phillies, 4-1, on Saturday, trailing their best-of-five Division Series, two games to one.
What's more, the Brew Crew faces a near-certain breakup once their season ends; Sabathia and right-hander Ben Sheets are likely to depart as free agents, while shortstop J.J. Hardy and first baseman Prince Fielder are candidates to be traded.
Must-read:
Must-see:
Top headlines:
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Worth a thousand words:
Ah, but enough fretting over the future.
For Milwaukee, this is about enjoying the moment, enjoying a season that will last at least one more day.
Once again, Brewers fans can dare to dream.
Brewers right-hander Jeff Suppan vs. Phillies righty Joe Blanton in Game 4 is a tossup. Sabathia will face Phillies lefty Cole Hamels if Game 5 is necessary in Philadelphia — and Sabathia will be back on normal rest.
Doesn't sound so daunting, does it?
Not to a Brewers team that was 2 1/2 games out in the wild-card race with seven games left, then went 6-1 to pass the facing Mets.
The Phillies are better than the Mets, but as the Cubs have shown, even the best teams in the National League are flawed.
Two things bug me about the Phillies: The inconsistency of their offense and the underside of their bullpen.
Both were issues on Saturday.
The Phillies were 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position, and are now 2-for-20 since Shane Victorino's grand slam in Game 2.
Their middle relievers, meanwhile, allowed 10 baserunners over a span of three innings — but thanks to the Brewers' own offensive futility, gave up only two runs.
Chances are, the Phillies will crush Suppan on Sunday — they scored six runs in 3 2/3 innings against him in Philadelphia three weeks ago, and for all their difficulties with runners in scoring position, they've still produced 11 extra-base hits in the last two games.
Suddenly, though, the Brewers can see an opening. The smallest of openings. The opening that a franchise going for broke deserves.
Member Comments
Team (Cubs) are dealing with an upcoming ownership change, until that happens I don't think anything talked about, wished for,or actual moves made will be nothing but fantasy league.
fatchef01010/7/2008 7:48:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
OK, I am one of the last people that ever throws down the whole spelling and grammar (mainly because I myself cannot type). I can't help myself, though with d.ouche.bag MightyMoe. It is one thing if you can't handle them there so-called edumicated words, but if you blow every insult word in your post you are just retarded. Come on man, then you make reference to how stupid posters are? I certainly commend you on not proving your IQ on a consistant basis by proving you do not know how to lay down smack. I'm surprised you spelled enough words correct to get them edited. Come on dude, if them there 4 letter words are trippin' ya up, you may want troll for 5 year olds on there my space pages. You don't want to let this beast loose--I mean lose-wait I mean loose--on your azz.
braun8urlunch10/6/2008 16:46:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Ahh, it's a beautiful day today isn't it, Cubs fans? I take so much pleasure watching the Cubs lose AGAIN! After 100 years of patheticness, you'd think that Cubs fans would shut up and keep their mouths quite, but they had to go and start claiming they're going to win the world series (at the beginning of the season, no doubt) only to get SWEPT in the 1st round...the first round! Life certainly is good... Hey Cubs, maybe next year will be you're year, huh? Haha.
10RINGS10/6/2008 7:04:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
The Cubs need pitching! Zambrano is not a big game pitcher. They should try to sign CC if they can afford him. If not, maybe they could make a deal with the Angels? Ramirez for Ervin Santana and Reggie Willits? Cubs could put Derosa at third, and try to sign Orlando Hudson and put him at second. The Cubs no have maybe the best oitching staffs in the NL with Zambrano, Santana, Dempster, Lilly and co. The Angels finally get a real third basemen with some power, and have to find a spot for Figgins. This way the Angels can let Texiera go, because he is going to want 200 million. The Cubs could also need a center fielder with Edmonds age. The Angels don't lose much with Willits, considering he couldn't find playing time. Either way, both of these teams will be back in the playoffs next year looking to finish their unfinished business.
10/5/2008 23:47:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
mightmoe1-Looks like the ElectroShock Therapy has worked real well for you. Now, just remember to take your other meds, and save us from your blatherings, you incoherent moron..
puna_kid10/5/2008 22:21:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
At least the Red Sox lost a couple World Series before finally getting it done. The Cubs can't even make it to the World Series! Go White Sox!
Cadboy99310/5/2008 21:40:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
mayor i'm a cubs fan and i'll admit they were thoroughly outplayed by the dodgers in every phase of the game. i do think they will be back in the mix next year though.
catfisher0710/5/2008 21:03:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
two quick things here:<br />mentalmidgetmoe- learn to spellcheck before you start talking smack sunshine, you spelling is worse than the idiotic points you are so woefully trying to make.<br /><br />stljimi- It's only the weak minded who blame a goat, horse, flying saucer whatever. I have stated since the series ended the Cubs were outplayed by the dodgers.
mayor9010/5/2008 18:00:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=quKraecWnTs&feat...
mayordaley10/5/2008 17:16:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
well it looks like dabears are the only hope for chicago now this year. i don't think the white sox will do much better than the cubs did. and i still can't believe my cubs got swept but s*** happens. the dodgers are a good team. but there's no goat or bartman excuses from me just bad baseball by the cubs.
catfisher0710/5/2008 16:20:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I just wanted to leave a few words of wisdom for all you ****.I.N loosers. I used to read from every teams posts that was uttered by all you idiots. I think anyone that comes here to call names and "my team is better than your team..wa..wa..wa..wa..wa are bigger loosers than ant of the teams in MLB. The swill that flows outta your gulletts smells of shet and fukin wine. You people are the real loosers. If this is all you have then just go kill yourselfs you stupid whinners. So you won...so they lost.....you had nothing to do with it so shut your pie holes all you little suck-a-tits. You all have candy-a s s attitudes and would love to just BitCH- slap the **** outta all you. All your Mothers Whack-oof winos. Your Dads had an **** transplant and it rejected them. You don't deserve any more than you have gotten so far.....this stupid chat hole. It was entertaining at first but now you just sicken me. and I know....."Well you are here reading and writing this" well congrats for having enough brain cells to realize that. But go back and count how mant time I have posted anything......not even in the same ball park than you rump-rangers. Get a life and maybe the great sport of baseball won't leave you all so devistated when your team looses. None of you are worth a dried-apple fart. eat shet and die you a s s h o l e s.
MightyMoe110/5/2008 15:57:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Hay mayor the cardinals did overachieve. And so did the Cubs the last 6 playoff games. invite bart over and go feed the goat. Go Southside. Chicago's real team.
stljimi10/5/2008 15:31:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
First off, it's kind of refreshing that good ol' Rosenthal only mentioned the Yankees and BoSox like twice...bravo big guy you're getting better..maybe one day you may learn to refrain from mentioning them at all...we can only dream...anyways, back to the cubbies...i am a chicago born Yankees fan, and i can't help but laughing everytime the cubs blunder....i know cubs fans (the true ones and the fakes) and let me tell you, they are probably some of the weakest fans in the country (i have visited almost every major league stadium)...they sit in the wrigley sun and talk about how funny it was to see Tina Fey's impersonation of Gov. Palin on SNL..oh theres a game goin on? it's pathetic...then once the playoffs come around, everyone in chitown gets all excited and PRETENDS that they're all REAL baseball fans...this disguise doesn't fool anyone..maybe if you acted like real fans (new york, boston, philly) your team would act like a real team..instead, both fan and team transform once october swings around...hmmmm, i wonder why?
12Yankee1210/5/2008 14:43:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
true, when a team clinches early it's not a good idea to rest the players until the playoffs. They get rusty if they haven't played much for nearly a month.
s1234510/5/2008 14:07:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Its Lous fault<br /><br />The team was tearing the cover off the ball<br /><br />He rested them down the stretch and they went cold<br /><br /><br />This is the second time he did that(Seattle)<br /><br />101 year tough on the fans
quickturn10/5/2008 13:35:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
chitowner, i feel for you man and real fans like you. fk them yuppies and wannabes.
reerun10/5/2008 13:09:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
if I may speak for the real cub fans that know the game. we new we didnt have the punch with our pitching and we know alfonso is a waste of money along with fukoduma but the managment on every level lost those games for us too. who lets his pitcher walk 7 load them up and leave him in? we have seen our pitching self destruct all year. now you the fake cub fans that drove the ticket prices up because it was the cool place to be.. I say thank you for taking the seats from loyal cub fans who are there and have been there. If you want to be cool and act like being a cub fan is the new yuppie fasion i beg all of you to go join in the yankee fan club because being a cub fan is not about bragging it is about tradition , loyalty and the respect for the game no matter how long of a road it is and when we do win I hope you have all forgoting about us and we can go back ti our friendly confines not the new local yuppie place to be.
chitowner10/5/2008 12:35:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Wow...I could have sworn a few weeks ago the CUBS fans were hacking on our 'STROS for being cry babies(Especially Aramis I CHOKE ALL DAY Ramirez)when Hurricane Ike hit Houston...WHO's CRYING NOW?!?! Karma is a B&@$!!!<br /> LONG LIVE STEVE BARTMAN!!!
Astros_Fan_4_Life10/5/2008 12:27:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
and we all know the rest is history
RealisticYankeesFan10/5/2008 12:26:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
hey, he's right. i've been saying it to all my Red Sox fan friends that the day they stopped saying "it's the curse of the Bambino!" was the day they let themselves win. and it happened sometime after the 2003 ALCS
RealisticYankeesFan10/5/2008 12:25:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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