Chicago Cubs don't have that 'This is the Year!' look

In the annals of unfortunate titles, "This is the Year!" would have to rank near the top.

[Gustav]

When the idiot-savantnot of the tribune gives up on the cubs, it is time to get behind them for the big push to the playoffs. Recounting injuries and fits of pique isn't a sports team evaluation it is a superficial trip down cliche lane. Well that is rickety tribune sports columnist for you. I think the cubs can still win the division. The cubs didn't do all the overhyping in the pre season the media did, now the cubs aren't the ones giving up, the media is. The media, as illustrated by Morissey doesn't have a clue. Chicago must have the lamest sports media in the country, what a collection of clods. Cubs have the entire second half to get hot and go on a run. A ten game win streak and they are in first.7

[bvoll]

Why not? Wouldn't winning it all at the end of a season like this be precisely the way it would happen? Of course I'm not applying logic or even common sense but when have either of those terms applied to this team. I scream, I swear in front of my children, and drink more than I should...all because of this silly team. However, in the end, be it this year or another it will not be a "this is the year" kind of theatrical script. Its Milton freakin Bradley getting hot for a month in the fall that wins it all. Would we cub fans really want or expect anything else?

[Rocket Man]

Good job Rick. You see the same things I see. This team really does not have "it". We saw injuries keep St Louis out of the playoffs last year and this is the Cub's year to have injuries. Too bad 'cause there was such high hopes. Bring on Da Bears!

[Wisconsin Cub]

I have to agree with the first 2 posts. 1.) the article was stupid. 2.) The team that often wins the series is hot at the end of the year. Last year's team got hot too early and then coasted into the playoffs. I don't care if we make it on the last day this season, I still think we're into the post-season. Whtether or not this team can win the big one, who the heck knows. But I do remember an 86 win Cardinal team doing it.

[Jorge Arbusto]

Now you've done it, Rick....you've told Cubs fans something they didn't want to hear! This is not the year, and fans have to face up to that. Watch the fans come out of the woodwork to scream at you for daring to print the truth!

[da truth]

they have the same look they have had for the past 101 years.

[Ghost of the Goat]

I think this is the perfect setting for the Cubs to finally kill me off for good. Winning when everyone least expects it and making the media look like the idiots they are - perfect!

[Bruno]

We had "it" last year and look where it got us.I like where we are because there's no chance of this team being overconfident in the second half after playing so poorly in the first half.Brian Roberts will be here by the end of July and will provide the stability at second and at the top of the order that we have sorely missed.Relax and enjoy the ride to the World Series!!!!

[Bruno]

Thank God,unlike last season, we don't have every celebrity with Chicago ties hanging around Wrigley after playing only .500 ball the first half of this season.No anthems by Eddie Vedder and no John Cusack sightings.It's a long season and recent history has shown that anything can happen if you get hot in the playoffs.I like where we are.I might not survive the whole season,or I may have to watch the Cubs win the Series from my garage,but we knew it wouldn't be easy after more than 100 years of futility.

[Bruno]

Sorry,one more thing.For a City known for its broad shoulders that post victory song has to be the gayest song in history.I think a new song should be in order for the second half. Any suggestions?How about "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" by R.E.M.?

[Adam]

"The gayest song in history"? That's nice, champ.

[Louie Lou P]

Thanks for your insight captain obvious.

Things aren't looking too good for the Cubbies (or too bad). The season isn't over...I'm still optimistic in a Cub's fan sort of way.

[Bruno]

Adam wrote:

"The gayest song in history"? That's nice, champ.

You like it,Champ?

[Mac The Knife]

Apparently Mike Downey still lives on at the Trib...now he's spilling drivel under the byline Rick Morrissey

[David]

Rick ol' boy, you're late to the party.

What have you seen at any time this year to make you believe that the Cubs have an exciting future in the remaining months?

Though I want the Cubs to succeed, I -- and a zillion other fans of the north side team -- am an expert on bad baseball. No sniff test necessary: watch them play and suddenly you see Dusty Baker's mix of the '04 (underachieving),'05 (derailed by the loss of one player) and '06 (just wicked bad!) teams.

You probably thought that you would anticipate the Cardinals thumping the Cubs over the weekend and write this now. You're still late. We who have seen now believe once again: this is a rotten Cubs team.

[Tim]

The Cubs don't have that winning swagger?? Huh, gee, really? Well, maybe that's because they are losing!

It is ridiculous to predict baseball. And it's just as ridiculous to look at the current records and stats and then state the obvious.

You don't know what is going to happen next, yet whatever happens, you will act like it was inevitable. You will cop a smart attitude because you can read the standings and stats and regurgitate. You are imbeciles.

[KDOG_ FROM FT MISERY FL]

IGNORANT CUBS FANS!!!!! YOU GET YOUR HOPES UP EVERY SEASON THAT THIS WILL BE THE YEAR, AND THEN YOUR HOPES AND HEART GET BROKEN.
GOTTA LOVE BEING A CUBS FAN??!!??!?!!

[planbee]

if this isn't the year, no one's surprised... yet, it's all up for grabs at this juncture, and getting hot in the second half and building momentum, might be enough to coax the Cubbies into that "we can do it" frame of mind. go CUBBIES!

[Steveswisherssti ck]

KDOG_ FROM FT MISERY FL wrote:

IGNORANT CUBS FANS!!!!! YOU GET YOUR HOPES UP EVERY SEASON THAT THIS WILL BE THE YEAR, AND THEN YOUR HOPES AND HEART GET BROKEN.
GOTTA LOVE BEING A CUBS FAN??!!??!?!!

No different than all the teams but one a year....we just have been doing it longer.

[KenDenver]

And when did they ever have the "This is the year" look? I've been following them for a long time, and I've never seen it.