The word frustrating isn’t enough to describe the horrendous end to the Cubs’ season. But for those of you suffering from Cubbie heartache this year, you’re on your own. Losing a one and a half game lead in the Wild Card race with nine games left isn’t epic. It just sucks. Even if you want to equate it to ’69 or ’84 or last year, you just can’t. This was a good team, and it didn’t get it done. We’ve seen this before.
The real question is whether the Cubs are the 1986 Bears or the 1990 Bulls. Are they a team that got as far as they’ll ever get last year (at least the Bears won something) or is it a team that has to go through the inevitable failures before they finally break through with some success?
Next year will tell that tale. But pardon me if I don’t look ahead to February with great fervor right now.
This was the strangest Cubs’ season we’ll ever see. The fans, me included, thought they could just pick right up where they left off. It doesn’t work that way. It’s not the Tour de France. You don’t start the next stage where you left off. The whole season just seemed like a long stretch of trying to hang onto something that wasn’t really there in the first place.
It was a whole season of, “OK, if we can just get through this stretch, then we’ll be OK.” Injuries, slumps, suspensions, whatever…there was always something. Every team goes through it, but it does torpedo a lot of seasons, and it got the Cubs.
And so, baseball season ends here at Desipio. The Bak-o-meter has been tucked away for the winter. It’ll be back next year, because now that he’s got The Franchise added to his “personal catching” duties, we’ll have Gabor around to kick around again. I’m sure we have jokes about him we haven’t gotten to yet.
The Chip Caray Terror Alert has been mothballed. Hopefully I’ll be able to e-mail it to another site in another town. Are there any Web sites devoted to the analysis of 98.7 Lite FM in Clearwater?
Most painfully the Cubs 2004: The Year of the Cubs banner is gone. Apparently, somebody can be lousy forever. Who knew?
A lot of buzz was generated by Steve Stone’s visit to Sports Central last night. He gave the Cubs a tongue lashing and talked about how they were selfish, and ill-tempered and mean to Chip and were all really bad people. Or something. They deserved most of it. This year hasn’t exactly been a shoeless romp through a tulip patch for the players or fans. He said there will be a blockbuster announced shortly after the season. I’m sure it’s possible that Dusty could walk away, or that the Cubs think they have a trade partner for Sammy. But I get the distinct feeling that Steve thinks it’s a blockbuster that Chip won’t be back. He even added something about, “the person will be blamed for what happened, but it’s not his fault.” We’ll just wait and see. We’ve got lots of time. Actually, we’ve got nothing but time now.
—–
The Franchise was unbelievably good yesterday. Sure he failed with the bases loaded twice, but hitting’s not really his bag, but on the mound it was one of the finest performances we’ll ever see. Consider the circumstances. The season’s on the line and he struck out 17 batters over nine innings on 113 pitches. He actually struck out his 17th man on his 100th pitch. That’s just sick. Of course, the Cubs offense was busy taking a nap. But if anything will get you through the cold, harsh winter it’s that Prior has proven he’s healthy again and ready to kick ass and take names next year. So that’s something.
I’m sure that sometime in the offseason we’ll get a big hair up our butt and start figuring out how to rebuild the 2005 Cubs. The 2004 Cubs haven’t even been officially eliminated yet, so now is not the time.
But the one move I really want to see them make is to resign Nomar. I’d like to see a healthy Nomar. Of course, the Red Sox fans will tell you you’re not likely to ever see a healty Nomar, but I’ll take my chances. And I may be the only person in the world who didn’t have a problem with him bunting in the 12th inning yesterday.
—-
We’ll have a GameCast today and if by some miracle there’s more baseball on Monday or Tuesday we’ll do that, too.
There are no links today, because really, there’s just nothing worth reading other than that stuff about Steve that I’ve already linked to.
Anyway, once the season ends, I think we’re going to take a little break. We all need one.
Well put, Dolan.
Hey look! Remember the three guys who brought goat down to Houston last year and usher say to them they can’t come in? Well they put curse on Astros last year. Maybe it works!
http://cbsnewyork.com/water/watercooler_story_267103843.html
Is there a reason that you keep saying he struck out 17 (you said it during yesterday’s gamecast)? Every box score says 16.
She looked 17 to me.
16, 17 it’s still a lot of Reds.
"The fans, me included, thought they could just pick right up where they left off."
MANY fans. Not all of us. Some of us thought the offense was worse at the top of the order.
And there’s no way Stone said that the blockbuster person who will leave would be "blamed" and that person will turn out to be a broadcaster.
What do we do now? This is the Chicago Sports Desert! Bears? Dead. Cubs? Dead. Bulls? Dead! Neidermeyer? Dead!
How long until Valentine’s Day and Pitchers and Catchers report?
Great stuff Andy…
You’ve pretty much encapsulated the frustration that I think most, if not all, of us are feeling at the moment.
The bad thing is that this is the Cubs, and it would be fitting for them to extend our agony all the way to the end…
Prediction: The Cubs will win the next two and probably be in a tie heading into the final day. Maddux pitches seven strong innings and comes out leading 4-1. Dempster comes in and walks a guy or two, and then Farns comes in and gets two outs but then gives up a double to make it 4-3. Cubs get the bases loaded with nobody out in the bottom of the inning and don’t score, then LaTroy comes in for the 9th, gets two quick outs, gives up a bloop single to somebody and then Chipper Jones, on a 1-2 count, hits a two-run homer to end it all. Cubs go 1-2-3 through the middle of the order on five pitches from Smoltz to end the season.
Well, Chuck. I think we’d all like it if you took some time off. Maybe found another site to badger.
Anyone have any idea what the blockbuster will be? Pat Hughes had a few blockbusters yesterday..
One more thing, Andy.
I’m with you on Nomar. If he’s heatlhy. How convinced are you that he’ll be heathly next year? Renteria is the safer choice, but a healthy Nomar is the better player.
What a week of Dose Titles:
Fri. 9/24- No Looking Back (It’s ours!)
Mon. 9/27- One Helluva Hangover (Glad that’s over)
Tues. 9/28- The End of the Beginning (The best is yet to come)
Wed. 9/29- The Hard Way (More work than we needed, but still)
Thurs. 9/30- Welcome to Hell, Mr. Snowball (So close, yet so far)
Fri. 10/1- It doesn’t even hurt anymore (Done.)
Funny what 7 days can do.
GO CUBS, I guess
Also, are we sure Stoney didn’t mean filibuster, not blockbuster? Meaning Chip won’t shut the hell up?
ESPN radio reported this morning that the Mets may be interested in aquiring Sammy Sosa during the offseason. Sosa’s been hurt all year, and he and Stone seem to get along alright. This may be what Stoney was talking about.
Stone is having some installed in front of Chip for 2005.
Are the tacos in Queens as good as the ones on Belmont Avenue? Buddy?
Sure. $25 for half-and-half. Certified that we’ve had our shots.
1) Give me Edgar instead. His body’s not falling apart.
2) If Jim Duquette is THAT stupid to want to hire Sam Me, maybe things are finally breaking our way. If the 800 lb. gorilla is finally gone, then say hello not only to Edgar (or Nomar–I’ll settle for either), but Mr. Beltran as well.
It’s been a really enjoyable season of Chuck postings, hasn’t it?
I really like the ones where he spells Corey with a ‘K’ and treats us to his tired, witty take on how much he sucks. Clubbing that to death got old in June, but thanks for constantly offering it up, lest we forget.
What I marvel at is the perception that Chuck is the most bitter Internet Cub fan. It must feel so good to point out the shortcomings of this team. That seems to be the joy in his board-posting life, rather than watching a decent baseball team chase a playoff spot.
Reading the same old retread rantings of a miserable fan is really old and pathetic, as is the relish with which he offers up his critical opinion.
We get it: You hate this team. For once, tell us why you are even bothering to watch the proceedings. Is there any joy in Chuckville?
Chuck comes off as the guy who will one day dodge the flying corks and whine about the champagne stinging his eyes. It may not be reality, but perception is everything.
I personally cannot believe that Omar Minaya is stupid enough to take on $36M for two years of Sosa.
For a second, let’s think about that: Nomar AND Ramirez AND Beltran for the same money…
..Nahhh…why would Beltran want to come HERE, now?
Yo Mike D, don’t forget about me! After this season with Borowski, Hawkins and Farnsworth, I’ll be Jim Hendry’s #2 priority this offseason, after getting Aramis Ramirez signed to a long-term deal.
Ooooh, I hate Houston for how they treated me. Like a punk. All I did was give them the bulk of my career, as the most consistent save machine in baseball for a decade. I have the record (by a mile) for the most 100+ mph pitches every thrown live in a game. And I have guts.
You guys in Chicago will love me. Wild Thing. Randall K. It’s been awhile since the Cubs had an aspirin-tablet-throwing lefty to close.
Isn’t Minaya making the baseball decisions for the Mets now?
Or am I just dreaming that up?
Let’s get off of Chuck’s back, for once. What the fuck has he said that has been untrue?
Patterson may be a true impact player someday. But I think down the stretch, it was proven that he lacks the plate discipline to be an effective leadoff hitter for a championship team.
And, let us not mistake this. Hawkins blew 9 games for us, but the offense blew many, many more than that.
Mike D, I think Minaya is in charge now.
If we trade Sammy to the Mets, we’ll be on the hook for some of his contract. That’s a guarantee.
I respect Steve Stone for his baseball knowledge. I respect him for not being afraid to express criticism where it is warranted. I think that fans deserve an objective description of what is going on during a game, and informed opinion even if it is critical of the home team and some of its players. Frankly, a lot of what happened this year was just plain embarrassing to me as a fan of the Cubs for over 60 years. I am not talking about bad or disappointing play, I am talking about undisciplined and ultimately self-destructive behaviour by some of the Cubs. Much of the acting out was in response to bad officiating and even baiting by umpires, but the players’ behaviour in the first instance made the umpires retaliation that way inevitable. I have never felt so let down by a Cubs team as I have this year.
My bad. Omar M. is the man in NY.
And yes, if Sam Me is dealt, his ’06 option is picked up, which is why I feel the Cubs would have to be on the hook for some of it.
Still, 8 mildo a year to get away from Sosa? I’d take that.
Or else maybe Omar can get Sammy to waive the option and ink him to a much smaller two year deal. If Sosa doesn’t wave the option, he’s not getting dealt, and his contract will expire anyway. Time for Adam Katz to get ready to do some ‘splainin’ to his #1 client.
I set the tone back for flying off the handle at the smallest perceived injustice back in April when I went nuts vs. Eric Cooper because he wouldn’t give me a pitch that barely hit the outside corner of the plate on Adam Dunn.
If it was down the middle, I’d have a case, but by acting like I deserved a borderline 3-2 pitch when I didnt have enough sack to strike Dunn out on 4 pitches, it marked "Open Season On Anybody But Ourselves".
Cheer up fellas, I am making my return to chi-town. I might just light a fire under the Cubs ass.
"That seems to be the joy in his board-posting life, rather than watching a decent baseball team chase a playoff spot"
Why should I settle for watching a "decent" team? I want to watch a great team.
And you are annoyed with repetitive, witty comments. Yeah, I’m the only one here who does that.
And TY, Sloth. The Truth shall set us free.
Not seeing Chip Caray and Paul Bako on the front page of the site gives a sad and final resignation that the season is done.
Nonetheless, thanks for all the doses, Andy.
Any Sosa trade might have the Cubs pick up part of 2005, but none of 2006. Why should they do that when they can already pay him $0 in 2006? If you can get half his salary back for 2005, you do the deal, regardless of who you get in return.
Well, maybe not Trachsel.
Even if they don’t make the playoffs I’m still happy with the season. They had back to back winning years for the first time since BC’s mom forgot to take the pill. There are a lot of very good teams that have very good years that don’t make the playoffs. We just happen to be one of them now (maybe). It’s sad that Cub fans want it now. "It must be now. I deserve to see a WS win now. We can’t wait another year." It’s not as if this team is built for only now. There are several young players who are stars (or have the potential to be), there is a lot of cash that will be freed up after the season (whih is nice because there are a lot of quality FA’s on the mkt next year).
I’ll take consistency first. Show me you can build a consistently good team and the playoff wins (an WS ring) will come.
Dolan,
Well put in the dose today. I don’t think anybody could have slammed the door better on this 2004 team. Also, B.C., I don’t doubt your prediction on the last three games. This team would just love to put their fans through that agony till the end.
What a bunch of pussies. when did this become the official site of the fair weather fan?! The Cubs are not mathematically eliminated yet. Sure, they need some help (OK a whole lot of help). But Andy told us earlier this year that he’ll tell us when to worry, and he didn’t say that yet. So I’m not worrying.
OK I am worrying, but I haven’t given up. It’s not over ’til it’s over.
Didn’t the Cubs get some help last year in the last weekend? So we know it can happen. It can happen again.
sure, things went badly this year, partly because of our high expectations. But I’d rather lose it in the last weekend than be out of the race in June, and we all remember plenty of seasons like that. This team has been frustrating, but I still think this has been a whole lot of fun.
Hmmm, do you think I would be trade bait for Sammy with the two late-season acquisitions the Mets made this last July?
Or maybe Anna and Kris Benson could join the Cubs, or the Cubs could have a rotation with two Zambranos…
I doubt they’d trade Benson or Vic Zambrano, but maybe I’d be a good fit with Maddux and the Cubs
Walt,
You must not be a Desipio Insider. I issued the panic alert yesterday.
Besides, since they lose when we get our hopes up…
You never know.
Any team I’m on doesn’t have two Zambranos…but it’s got two big Yabos!
please God don’t let Hendry trade for Cliff Floyd.
Gentlemen,
I know you’re depressed and that there’s a lot of tension here. Who am I to judge? Well, I’m a Supreme Court justice, so I have plenty of experience.
Anyway, I just wanted to drop in and help you complain about the disgusting exhibition put on by Cubs hitters lately. Can’t they move a runner over? Can’t they avoid double plays? Meanwhile, Kyle Farnsworth, Mike Remlinger and LaTroy Hawkins are making me rethink my position on Roe v. Wade.
Anyway, I know how I’m going to clear my head and relieve tension…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1317386,00.html
"I’ll take consistency first. Show me you can build a consistently good team and the playoff wins (an WS ring) will come."
While I agree with you, TW, time flies. I give them a three-year window, beginning in ’05. If they haven’t won by ’07, I’m afraid we’ll have missed the boat–at least with this nucleus.
Hey don’t despair Cub fans. You’ve still got Neifi power. I’m being shipped back to the Rockies this weekend for the series with the Astros.
They’d play on Monday. Because the Giants will definitely lose at least one game, the Dodgers lead is just 3, they need to win once to clinch. So they won’t lay down.
The Astros have been bigger late season choke artists than even the Cubs. I’m positive they’ll lose once to the Rockies.
But we know the Cubs. They’ll win 2/3 this weekend and come up one game short. Pitiful.
CF Corey Patterson
2B Mark Grudzielanek
3B Aramis Ramirez
1B Derrek Lee
RF Clifford Floyd
LF Todd Hollandsworth
C Michael Barrett
SS Neifi Perez
Starting Pitchers: Prior, Zambrano, Wood, Maddux, Rusch
Closer: Matt Herges!
Ooh, print those playoff tickets!
I think this might be a contender in the Pacific Coast League.
Hey #42, who says I want to play with these bozos?
This is the best anybody’s put it:
"The whole season just seemed like a long stretch of trying to hang onto something that wasn’t really there in the first place."
Today’s Dose. Now I’m off to cry myself drunk.
We lost again last night. To the Brewers. Are we trying to help them pass the Cubs?
Maybe…just maybe…we aren’t as good as everybody thinks. If you play your best baseball in June and July there’s a name for it…they call you the Boston Red Sox.
Sorry, these are your 2005 Cubs
CF Beltran
1B Lee
SS Garciaparra
3B Ramirez
RF Drew
LF Patterson
C Barrett
2B Walker
Pitchers: Prior, Zambrano, Glavine, Wood, Maddux
Closer: Billy Wagner
I’m not giving up yet. The Cubs need to go down in specatacular flames on Sunday. That would be an apt way to end the season.
And a big middle-finger goes up to chicagosports.com for stealing the Desipio in-game commentary concept.
Don’t know what you’re talking about, Indolent.
See what happens when I’m jerked from the rotation? The offense was confused and didn’t know which game they were supposed to suck, so they just skipped them all to be safe.
I just want to tell you guys, in case I end up in Chicago…
I’m not gay.
That’s too bad, Mikey!
I don’t know what you’re talking about, Indolent. Our gamecasts are completely different. First, we do them in a cubicle! Second, you can’t post to it so we can weed through the submissions and only pick out the most inane, lame ones. Third, I give complete play-by-play, pretending that there are people who are only reading my stuff. It’s completely different. And next year, you’ll have to play for this crap, too!
Or "pay", whatever. I’m a talentless hack!
That was the Brewers last night?
Damn! I thought we were still playing Houston.
I thought you had your own site. Why don’t you go hang out there and those of us who are interested in what you have to write can go read it there?
Intrepid reader# 5: Chuck
"The fans, me included, thought they could just pick right up where they left off."
MANY fans. Not all of us. Some of us thought the offense was worse at the top of the order.
Holy crap. Will you let it go already? I’m with #55 on this one.
The fact is Chuck i dont have a problem with your complaints. Yes Corey sucks lately. You were right. The fact that you KEEP harpign on it just to point out how right you are is what is so freaking annoying. WE GET IT. Now shut up.
The fact that you keep rubbing it in on how right you were and that you correctly predicted a team melt down is the equivalant of rubbing salt in the wounds. Desipio is for those of us who LIKE to be optomistic. If you have a problem with people being hopeful and wishing for the best then head over to CubsTalk and rant with the rest of the pessimistic bastards over there. Here at Desipio we like to have a little faith. Except for BC.. but he’s earned that.
Steve Stone is quitting the Cubs! He met with MacPhail, McDonnough, Jim Hendry and Dusty Baker and he’s OUT!
And the Cubs are lying!
I still have faith. Yesterday, I was worried about the Cubs having to win four in a row. Now they only have to win three! Or something.
But I just have this crazy feeling that this team is going to rise from the ashes and make a real interesting weekend of it. Denial. Denial. Denial.
That will solve the problems, right. He just tells the truth, its better that being a complete and useless homer like Tom Dore, Red Kerr, Hub Arkush etc…
He’s quitting? Hmm, maybe I can take the job and pair with Chip Caray as I start up "Pro Baseball Weekly" to go along with my putrid basketball and football publications.
Can you imagine me and Chipster in the booth together?
Ah, if only Pat Hughes would quit in a huff over there not being toilet paper in the Wrigley Field Press Box men’s room. Then I could do radio with Ron Santo.
Good times!
"The fact that you KEEP harpign on it just to point out how right you are is what is so freaking annoying. WE GET IT. Now shut up."
Sorry if it annoyed you. I sincerly apologize. But I thought repetitive nagging was part of the charm of this place. I mean, what do you make of the constant ragging on Chip, Bako, Jim Edmunds, "Put down the donut", and a host of other Desipio memes.
Were I not optomistic, I wouldn’t be a Cubs fan. I wouldn’t waste my time.
Update on Stone: He’s working today, and cryptic about after the season. I’m guessing he’s leaving. Jst another reason to hate Kent Mercker and Moises Alou.
Hub, would I have to get my ear pierced?
I would love to join my old Pittsfield Cubs teammate as the TV color commentator covering the other Chicago team in town!
Mark,
Just so you know, if you want to be a color commentator, you need to have part of your body removed.
Ed had his kidney removed. Darin had his balls removed. Santo had his legs and bladder removed.
Which body part do you want to discard? Be careful what you choose, but there is a contingency already pushing for "tongue" and "larynx."
I very cryptically answered David Kaplan’s question on the Stone-Baker summitt. I said Stone got very personal and that his comments were inappropriate.
He’s gone.
But I still haven’t said what Stone said that was personal.
That’s why I’m a great commentator. I never take it personally when the Cubs lose.
Oh man, are they 1 out? Geez, man. You, know, CB Bucknor is on my bad list. I don’t like him. He’s a jerk. Bob Watson has to be blind to suspend Zambrano and not Oswalt.
But I don’t make it personal, except when Pat beats me like a drum in the attendance game
Mark, buddy, you will never work for this organization while I’m still playing here. Maybe in 2006.
I’m still available. Would love to come back to Chicago.
Is Mark coming back to Chicago?
My bat weighs 400 lbs.
Your bat weighs that much? Hmm, I always liked catchers from Georgia. Like good ol’ Jody.
Chipster is gone. Formal announcement Monday.
Seriously…if Chip being gone next year is Stone’s BIG! HUGE! shocking development, then Stone is a dumbass. Would the run-of-the-mill Cubs fan really consider Chip resigning or not a big deal? I kinda doubt it.
And:
"Sorry if it annoyed you. I sincerly apologize. But I thought repetitive nagging was part of the charm of this place. I mean, what do you make of the constant ragging on Chip, Bako, Jim Edmunds, "Put down the donut", and a host of other Desipio memes."
OH, for fuck’s sake, Chuck. Who are you to criticize Andy’s humor? He’s actually quite funny, and I assume all of Desipio’s readers (except you, I guess) think so too, since they come back to read the Dose every day. If you find Bako jokes so atrocious, why come and post here at all? God, you’re annoying.
This has been in the works since this summer, I tried to clue you in then that it was a done deal, and the Trib has just been going through the motions since then for window dressing. Oh well. Be happy Andy, your long national nightmare is over.
Chip to Atlanta
Thanks, Andy, for the doses this summer.
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