I think the only disappointment anyone can feel about the Red Sox is that they didn't make it interesting. I mean in the sense of beating the Cardinals in less than seven games. But sweep or no sweep, it was one hell of an interesting World Series, and I feel great pride for the Red Sox nation.
Now, the off season begins, and we get to again test the abilities of Jim Hendry. So far, with the exception of a great bullpen, Hendry has shown a keen ability of building winning teams. Unfortunately, you need a bullpen to win a World Series.
I'm very intrigued to see what Hendry does. I may post some speculative thoughts about it at a later date. In the meantime, let's just enjoy the Boston victory. Although, it is ok to feel some degree of jealousy.
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE: HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BLOW IT THIS TIME
Before I delve into the topic of this post, I felt the need to compare and contrast the single greatest difference between the 2004 Red Sox and the 2004 Cubs. The Red Sox are loose, while the Cubs were as high strung as a manic depressive during his manic stage while high on caffeine and speed. The Cubs took an Us v. Them mentality, the Sox took a We're a Bunch of Idiots, Let's Win attitude. The Cubs were bitching and moaning from almost day one, the Sox were having fun.
That's why the Cubs are at home, probably still bitching and moaning, while the Red Sox are a game away from what some would call the impossible.
Now, how are they going to blow it? I don't think they are, by the way. I don't really believe in curses. But there is a little part of me that does, very strongly. And I'm going to give way to that part of me, in order to talk about what will go wrong.
First, Derrek Lowe. I like the guy. He can pitch great baseball, and has done so this post season. But he's a man once known as Captain Constipation, because of the look he'd get on his face during the last year he was a closer for the Red Sox. He'd be called in, and something would go wrong (a base hit, a walk, something) and he'd get this constipated look on his face. That's when you knew things were about to go badly.
Derrek Lowe is the guy the Red Sox are calling on to, if we may call it this, Close out the World Series. He should do fine - or at least no worse than Marquis. But it's still a possibility.
Second, the atrocious defense. You can't have poor defensive play and expect to consistently win. (Ask the Cubs.) A few errors in Game Four (and any subsequent games) could really screw things up.
Third, Wakefield pitches in the possible Game Five. He's a mystery on the mound, but what's true is that he tends to pitch MUCH WORSE against NL teams. He was rocked in Game One, but the Cardinals couldn't close the door on the Red Sox offense. Wakefield is no guarantee for victory if it goes to Game Five.
Fourth, who pitches in a possible Game Six? Does Schilling saddle up and go out there again? How many times can he roll the dice and walk away with a lucky 7? If they can even go to him, it's no guarantee that he'll have it for another six innings. Although he quite likely would.
Fifth, Pedro in Game Seven. Sounds like a good matchup for the Red Sox at home, but again, Pedro is off-and-on. He's been inconsistent in September and October. He should pitch strong if they have to go to him again, but if it actually reaches the seventh game, I would question the Red Sox ability to stop the Cardinals momentum.
Sixth, The Curse. What could possibly be worse than coming back from a three games to none deficit and beat the Yankees, only to have your opposing World Series team do the same thing to you? Is it even really possible? Only if there's a Curse. And I think the Red Sox losing this World Series would be the final proof, the ultimate nail in the coffin for that franchise. I think it would be something so bad that everyone would just have to pony up and admit it: yes, there is a curse.
At that point, if I'm the Boston ownership, I would fold the franchise, move them to Connecticut, and rename them the Hartford Uncursed, or something. Seriously, it would be for the best interests of the Red Sox.
But like I said, I don't believe in curses. I think the Red Sox will win the Series, and probably tonight.
Curt Schilling is an arrogant, egotistical, me-first diva.
Curt Schilling is so arrogant that he thought he could pitch Game One of the ALCS on a drastically injured ankle, one which would require surgery the moment the season ended. Naturally, he was rocked. He gave up six earned runs in only three innings of play to the dreaded Yankees. The Sox then plummeted, losing the next two games of the series and facing elimination in game four.
Curt Schilling is so egotistical that he demanded a second chance. He forced his team doctors to invent a method toward treading his displaced ankle tendon. They sutured it up, stitching his skin to his tendon to prevent it from popping it in and out every time he tried to throw a pitch. He went seven innings in Game Six against the Yankees, with blood trickling through his sock, hobbling and unable to get his heater up the way he does when he's healthy. He gave up one run.
Curt Schilling is so me-first that he pitched through a pain so severe that when he woke up the day of Game Two of the World Series, "I couldn't walk," he said. "I couldn't move." He drove to the park, and driven by the encouragement of the Boston faithful (or are they the Boston hopeful?) he had one stitch removed and decided to pitch. The result? One unearned run in six innings, and the Red Sox second victory in as many World Series games this year.
Curt Schilling is such a team-hated diva that maybe, just maybe, he will enter Red Sox lore as the Curse Breaker. The great pitcher who gave it his all, risked his career, and somehow managed to win his way into the Hall of Fame.
The Sox have two more games to win. Pundits believe Schilling has thrown his last pitch in the 2004 post season. But I ask you, what happens if the Cardinals somehow manage to fight back? What happens if over the next four games they manage to even up the series? What happens if it's Game Seven? I as you, do you really think Schilling would sit? Would he risk his team losing the Series in order to preserve his arm, his shoulder, his ankle for another year?
I ask you, what would be a better way to win a World Series?
Wow, what a conclusion! Actually, I found it mildly depressing. How come the Red Sox get to overcome all odds and make the World Series, but the Cubs can't? And what happens if the Red Sox win it this year? Then the Cubs are the last cursed team, and still the butt of baseball jokes.
Yeah, you could say I have some issues about it.
But in reality I'm very happy for the Red Sox, and I want to see them win the World Series. My first memory as a baseball fan was the '86 Series, when the Red Sox lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Mets. I was only six years old at the time. Now, as I'm nearing 25, the Red Sox have made it back in, and they have to hold all the confidence in the world. I hope it's enough.
I'll be gone for the weekend, so this is probably my last post until Monday. More GROTA information in early November.
Was it just three days ago that things were looking so bleak? Where the Red Sox were looking like they were about to be swept? The Cardinals looked like they were going to easily pound the Astros?
But in a striking turn of events, the Astros now are one win away from the World Series, while the Red Sox have beaten the Yankees two games in a row; where what once was impossible is now only miraculous.
There are two good reasons to watch the post season this year. The first is obvious: Carlos Beltran is auditioning for free agency, and the Cubs have his number. The second: the Yankees and Red Sox make for some great baseball. Today's fun stat is this: the Yankees have never (NEVER) lost two games straight in post season play. How absurd is that!? Of course the Red Sox are still on the bubble, and it is very likely to burst. Their pen is used up, their ace is one mis-step away from a winter in a wheel chair, and David Ortiz can't possibly win every game with his bat. Can he?
Some GROTA news: The Goat Riders of the Apocalypse are 3/4ths complete. I have been working on an image for the site, and will buy a domain name probably by the first of November (hello birthday money!)
Here's to hoping it gets off the ground. To be honest I want to go to the Cubs Convention with about a thousand GROTA business cards. Might be a good way to get our name out there, eh?
Onward to tonight's Big Finish! I say this: Curt Schilling, you may be an arrogant prick whose teammates hate you, but YOU ROCK!* Go Red Sox!
*The previous statement will be retracted should Curt Schilling lose game six for the Red Sox. It will be replaced with, "and you're a useless hack" or possibly a more effective insult, should I think of one.
It's already time to gear up and start looking to next year. The Cubs have, in my mind, two big holes they need to plug. First, they need a bonafide closer. Second, they need a guy who can bat leadoff. With that in mind, I'm going to predict what will happen.
RETURNING FOR SURE
Michael Barrett, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Corey Patterson
Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano, Greg Maddux, Mike Remlinger, LaTroy Hawkins, Glendon Rusch, Todd Wellemeyer, Mike Wuertz, Jon Leicester
ON THE BUBBLE
Gabor Bako, Nomar Garciaparra, Ramon Martinez, Todd Walker, Ben Grieve, Todd Hollandsworth, Sammy Sosa
Kyle Farnsworth, Ryan Dempster
OUR DEARLY DEPARTED
Tom Goodwin, Moises Alou, Jose Macias, Neifi Perez, Mark Grudzielanek
Matt Clement, Kent Mercker
The Cubs have a pretty solid young nucleaus in Barrett, Lee, Ramirez, Patterson, Prior, Wood, and Zambrano. Assuming Barrett doesn't revert, I'd assume these guys will be around for the next half decade or so. But there are a lot of questions regarding everyone else. Should Sammy be dealt? (Can he?) Is Farnsworth worth the aggrevation? Is Nomar resignable, and if he is can the Cubs pursue Beltran? Who closes next year? (You'll notice I didn't include Joe Borowski on any list - to me he's a non-issue at the moment. I don't expect him back, but technically we're stuck with him.)
Let's look at it from dual perspectives.
From the realist: The Cubs will keep Sosa, they will probably retain Nomar and Walker, their big free agent signing will be Benitez and they will either replace Moises with a player acquired via trade (there are a few talented yet unwanted outfielders out there, and with Mercker and Alou gone the Cubs may need to restock on their obnoxious asshole quotent (note to Carolyn: I like Moises and am not saying he was the worst one, but he did bitch and whine a LOT this year, and quite frankly it annoyed me). Bradley and Gullien would be bargains, but they might come at a price. Otherwise, the Cubs may grab someone like Magglio Ordonez (who is a risk due to his hip problems), or may otherwise grab a mid-level talent like Jermaine Dye, Jeromy Burnitz, or some other stopgap.
From the optimist: More serious about winning now than ever, Jim Hendry will push the Tribune Corporation into opening up the check books and allowing the Cubs a higher payroll for next season. He will work some of that Hendry magic and deal Sosa to one of two teams: the New York Mets (possibly for Cliff Floyd or another expensive NY bust) or to the Washington D.C. Whoevers, who will be looking for a star player to bring in the fans until the team can secure the revenue for a new stadium. Should the Cubs succeed in dealing him to D.C., they'll get more than they ever hoped for him - Freak Boy Jamey Carroll, who would then serve as a reserve infielder next season.
The Cubs will then heavily pursue Beltran, who they'll lock up to a four year, 60 million dollar contract, along with injury-risk (and high reward) J.D. Drew, who'll come to Chicago for three years for 24 million. Unsatisfied, Hendry will then bring in Armando Benitez for 3 years for 18 million. He'll then either pursue a lead-off type second baseman, or should that fail he'll bring back Walker and acquire Edgar Renteria (3 years, 24 million). Should he succeed in trading for a leadoff hitter who plays second base, Hendry will resign Nomar for 4 years and 40 million. The best choice for leadoff hitting second basemen: Brian Roberts of Baltimore (27, 71 BB last year, 29 steals, 50 2B, making less than a million bucks), Adam Kennedy, (not a great choice), and... well hell, there aren't many great choices at all, are there?
What do I really expect? Hopefully a combination of both. Realistically, who knows? But it's always fun to dream big - up til the point when the Cubs utterly disappoint. But Hendry has proven to be a different kind of GM, and I think he can make at least a few great moves.
I've had a brilliant idea for a Cubs website. It's the sort of idea where they start talking about you on national radio. The site would be called Goat Riders of the Apocalypse, and the motto would be "Believing the Cubs Will Win the World Series THIS Year, No Matter What the Cost to the World!" The site would need four contributors (Plague, Pestilence, Death, and Bob), all who had to be funny, could expound on relevant statistics, and would moderate on the site's message board, which naturally would have to be the hippest, happeningest place on the net.
Our logo would be four pale riders carrying scythes, but instead of horses, they would naturally be riding atop goats.
If anyone reading this decides to steal the idea and make it their own, all I ask is that I get to be one of the four main contributors. I'd prefer to be Plague, but I'll settle on being Bob.
Although the more popular choice for World Series may be Boston/Houston, it's looking more and more like it'll be the two teams I dislike most: St. Louis and New York. I keep realizing more and more that being a fan of "cursed" teams just makes each and every year a bigger disappointment. At least my favorite soccer team is one of the best out there (hello Arsenal!)
THANK THE SWEET, SWEET LORD
Realizing that to fire him would quite likely cause a riot, the Chicago Cubs are apparently going to retain Steve Stone for the 2005 season. It's not official yet, but things are looking up at least in this sense. Remember folks, we can handle the Cubs losing year in and year out, but not if we have to put up with people like Joe F'n Carter in the booth. Stoney is a godsend.
In other recent Cub news, Wendell Kim has been waived goodbye. Kim was best known for his uncanny ability to have Cub runners thrown out at first by 15 feet. Carolyn and I find him amusing, and if only for that reason, he will be missed. But let's face facts, the guy was a terrible, terrible third base coach. (The Cubs need to hire the Mets third base coach - the guy's possibly even shorter than Wendell!)
The Cubs have also fired trainers Dave Groeschner and assistant Sandy Krum, a move that was expected probably ever since June. At least one Cubs blog thought the move was unecessary. Yes, you can argue that a lot of the BIG injuries to the team were unavoidable, but as Ruz pointed out in his article, they seemed to misdiagnose the sevrity of the injuries and at least in Prior's case, tried to bring him back too soon.
No, I haven't forgotten about this blog, nor do I plan on posting only sporadically. However as you might have noticed, I tend to vanish for prolongued periods of time every other weekend, and this one was the same - I was enjoying Canadian Thanksgiving with my girlfriend, who lives in Toronto.
While I was gone, the Sammy Fallout continued, Wendell got the axe, Kenny C. died of a (probably drug-induced) heart attack, Christopher Reeve died, Gene Clines traded jobs with Gary Matthews, and Steve Stone's future remained in question.
Oh, and Gracie is interviewing for D-backs managerial position. I don't know how he'll do as a manager, but I admit that as a child, I used to fantasize about Gracie managing the Cubs someday.
Actually that makes me wonder... of Cubs past and present, who do you think could adequately hold coaching positions? For example, I think Maddux could become a great pitching coach, and I always wanted to see Andre Dawson as a hitting coach (but that's nostalgia for you - the man doesn't know the concept of "walking.")
Oh, and as for the idea of a message board, someone turned my head toward North Side Baseball, so it looks like there's a place already doing what I wanted to do. I've added them to my link section, and I've already begun posting there.
Hopefully it'll be as fun as it looks. Check it out if you get the chance.
As I'm sure you notice, a lot of Cub boards out there have comment script. I think this is a neat little tool that facilitates communication, but I think any serious discussion can have comments run long, and that makes it hard to navigate.
So, I am seriously considering the creation of a message board here on my website. There are some risks - a message board can be legendary in the amount of bandwidth it eats up, and if it gets expensive I'd have to kill it. (I would probably throw up a donation link in that case.) Likewise, moderating a message board can be a serious pain in the ass, especially if people who strongly dislike each other show up and vent.
So, I'm going to have to give it some thought, but I want imput. Is there anyone out there who'd like a free, convenient message board where they could discuss all manner of topics regarding the Cubs?
Send me an EMail or an IM if you have any opinion on it.
I had a dream and when I awoke, the taste of the dusk was practically in my mouth. It was a whimsical thing, this dream. In it, our team proved strong and true. Their curveballs always broke and their fastballs always cut; there was no petty squabbling, no Cub-killing two-strike homers, no collapse.
My fancy fulfilled, I saw them win. I saw men fight against their own limitations with grit and resolution. There were no long-hop outs, no baserunning blunders. Instead there were faceless heroes - it was a team without names, because names don't matter to a team as much as intentions do, and they intended to win.
But I woke up, and was left with the incomparable bleakness of reality.
I don't have to tell you what a World Series means to Chicago fans. It is perhaps the one thing Cub and White Sox fans can come together on (that and a shared love for Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, and perhaps Harry Caray). One must consider then how it feels to come so close to a dream, only to be denied. If there was a price, I'm sure I speak for Cub fans everywhere when I say we would pay it.
Yet reality is never like a dream, and dreams are childish things. But I look at the picture above of Wrigley Field, where the sunset is orange like honey and completes the night sky like a tapestry over a blank wall, and I can't help but dream. I see dreamers like me converge in the streets like triumphant revolutionaries celebrating the slow fall of an iron hand, and I believe in the possibility.
When everything fails, all we are left with is belief. All we have to hold onto is faith. And let us hold onto it now, like a drowning man would cling to a thrown life preserver. In the dark hours after the dusk fades, it's all we have.
Not entirely surprisingly, there are a lot of controversies and rumors swirling around the sinking ship that became the Late September Cubs. First, Chip Caray is officially gone. He will be rejoining his father with the Braves. Second, Steve Stone is probably gone, which would be completely and totally atrocious and wrong of the Cubs organization.
Cub fans, I say to you this: if Stoney isn't brought back, on opening day when they announce Dusty Baker's name, boo him hard, and start chanting "Steve Stone," just so Dusty learns his place.
Rumored to be interested in the job is Bob Costas, a man who I would've thought too high profile for the Cubs. Otherwise, Dave Kaplan and Mark Grace are rumored to be interested as well, while some fans are speculating that Pat and Ron would be promoted (or at least Pat, should Stoney remain).
It's going to be a long month full of speculation.
The season is over, and in spite of the Cubs finishing with a better record this year than last, it remains an unequivical disappointment. I'm sure we will see some helpful, new faces next year, but I also think the core is solid. The Cubs have three very talented young starters who will hopefully pitch in Chicago for at least the next decade, coupled with incredibly good corner infielders, and a center fielder who still may turn out to be above average in his career.
In reality, we may see two or three new hitters next year, at left field, second base, and possibly shortstop. We also may see a new starter, closer, and an entirely new bench.
There also have been rumors that Sammy is disenchanted with the Cubs and may seek a trade this off season. The reported team of interest? The New York Mets. I'm not sure what the Cubs could get from such a trade, but it would be nice if the player of choice was Cliff Floyd. I'm more inclined to believe the Cubs would get stuck with Richard Hildalgo, who is set to make at least 12 million next year.
Here's a short list of potential free agents who may be helpful to the Cubs next year:
There are two or three prospective closers, all who bring baggage of some sort: Trevor Hoffman, whose team holds an option on him, Troy Percival, who is an outright free agent but has had arm problems, and Armando Benitez, who has had issues pitching in clutch games in the past. I think Hendry should look for a cheap alternative through a trade, or find someone unproven but with potential, as any one of these guys will cost a ton.
Possible available second basemen include, well, Todd Walker and just about no one else. I don't expect (or hope) the Cubs will bring back Grudz, but Walker deserves a return, and I think he can play full time well.
The two best options for short are Nomar, obviously, and Edgar Renteria, who has a chronic back problem, and while he has speed I don't know if I'd trust him to lead off, although he may be the best free agent choice available. In 2003, Edgar walked 65 times (compared to only 54 k's) and stole 34 bases. This season he's only walked 37 times, struck out 73, stole 17 in 27 attempts, and generally played below expectations. He's still probably less of an injury risk than Nomar, and cheaper to boot.
Available outfielders include Trot Nixon, a player I've always liked who has suffered from injury problems this year, Magglio Ordonez, who is a huge risk as he apparently is suffering from a chronic knee injury and may be forced into an early retirement over it, Carlos Beltran, who will probably be The offseason free agent, and expensive to boot, J.D. Drew, who's great if healthy (and that's a HUGE if), and Lance Berkman, who will possibly command nearly as much as Beltran.
There are also a variety of available role-players; I'm sure the Cubs will find some one(s) who can help the team in that way.
Point is, this is a big off season for the team. I've come to trust Hendry, which means he'll probably deliver a crotch-blow sometime soon (as is the Cub Way). But I do think he'll make some solid moves. I'm dying with anticipation to see what happens, which means that October is going to be a long, slow month for me.
Oh, and I'm officially rooting for the Red Sox, so send some love to Boston. They may have insane, whining fans, but we have insane, whining players. It balances out.
Yesterday I was talking to Joe of The View from the Bleachers about an interview he gave to Christian Ruzich of The Cub Reporter. I'm sure anyone who reads my blog realizes that the Cub Reporter is THE Cubs blog, with quality and content above and beyond any of we other Cub blog posers. (No, "posers" was not a typo of "posters.")
Joe told me last night before he posted the interview that Ruz mentioned my blog, to which I replied, "in a good way?" After all - as I just said - compared to the Cub Reporter I'm just a poser. To my shock, the answer was "yes," in a good way. My blog, along with Joe's, The Big Red C, and Al Yellon's and another thing! are the four Cub blogs Ruz checks daily.
I must say I'm quite flattered; I never would've guessed. And just in case there's a single Cub Fan Nation reader out there who hasn't checked out the Cub Reporter, I'd suggest you give it a shot. And for that matter, check out Al Yellon's blog, as well as the Big Red C and The View from the Bleachers. All great reads, consistantly updated with great analysis and fun commentary. ...even if the Cubs do really suck right now.
SPEAKING OF SUCKING
Just in case someone out there was fantasizing about a Cubs sweep of Atlanta, it looks pretty bleak right now. Kerry Wood is on the verge of his first ever losing season as a pitcher.
I can't really bring myself to utter that famous phrase we Cub fans banter about often in September (and often as early as June). But I do hope that next year will end on a better note, as nothing is quite as bitter as falling out of playoff contention with only a week left to play. Wait 'til... aw, forgettaboutit!
Freak Boy Jamey Carroll, who would then serve as a reserve infielder next season.
I had a dream and when I awoke, the taste of the dusk was practically in my mouth. It was a whimsical thing, this dream. In it, our team proved strong and true. Their curveballs always broke and their fastballs always cut; there was no petty squabbling, no Cub-killing two-strike homers, no collapse.
I don't have to tell you what a World Series means to Chicago fans. It is perhaps the one thing Cub and White Sox fans can come together on (that and a shared love for Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, and perhaps Harry Caray). One must consider then how it feels to come so close to a dream, only to be denied. If there was a price, I'm sure I speak for Cub fans everywhere when I say we would pay it.