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

[South Southside Cubs Fan]

Steve wrote:

<quoted text>
So, whats it to you? I wish you would spend more time supporting whatever team it is you support that worrying endlessly about what we do. I dont see why this bothers you so much...There are other teams in the leauge for this very reason. Please find one and devote your time and effort to that team. If you are a fan of the Sox, then you should really spend your time supporting the squad as your own GM called you out for not doing that. Perhaps its because you are too worried about what cubs and cub fans are doing every day. Thanks.

nice post Steve ... actually copied it as it could be used for so many of the clowns that post here

I think it centers around trying to add meaning to their life ... or jealousy that others are happy and passionate about something and they have nothing like it in their lives

or they are pizzed off that Chicago loves the Cubs and therefore, has no interest in the SU X .... resulting in no fan support for the team or resources to improve their roster

[Bill Overholt]

The Cubs dont have "This is the Year " look. They look to me like they are just going through the motions.

[Rod]

No sh*t, Sherlock. You just figured that out? When are you guys at the Trib. ever going to stop being the marketing dept. for the Cubs. No wonder you guys are headed for BK.

[Disgusted]

Gustav wrote:

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

It was only the media? You mean Cubs fans did not come on forums like these and practically hand the title to their team? Now you want to blast the entire Trib because you don't like the opinion of this guy about your team, when Cubs fans were saying the same things? You're a fool!

[Fats Riley]

Well Rick, the Cubs do not have it this year? Sherlock what was your 1st clue? I would say the Cubs being a 500 ball club in the first half has something to do with it. Secondly, in the first half the Cubs have had more 4 game + losing streaks than 4 + winning streaks. Picking up Baker, and dropping Mr. Spark Plug Sam Fuld down to AAA is not going to change things. Lastly, an outfield consisting of a combined batting average of about .242 with a total RBI count of 75 is the final straw to a dismal season.

[shark]

Look, all teams go through periods where they don't hit well or pitch well. That's when you need a manager to manage. When you aren't hitting well, and you are trailing 1-0 to a pitcher who shut you out the last time you faced him (J. Vasquez), and you have two guys on with nobody out and your supposedly fastest runner at the plate (Soriano), a real manager would try to manufacture a run or two by bunting. If the bunt is even minimally decent, the worst you have two runners in scoring position. You don't let a guy who hasn't been able to hit the broad side of a barn for 2 months take 3 lame whiffs and stroll back to the dugout with befuddlement. Pinella has become Dusty Baker -- waiting for the Cubs' bats to come alive and bail them out -- he does nothing proactive. For example, he was exceedingly slow to give Jake Fox a shot, even though Ramirez was out and no one else on the team was hitting, and has never adequately explained -- to my knowledge -- why a guy who couldn't save games in Florida was handed the closer job over an all-star (Marmol) who, although having a bit of an off year, is still rated as one of the best relievers in baseball. Pinella's mantra is "what can you do?" The answer is obvious: you can get a new manager.

[MichaelF]

The entire season has been take one step forward, then one step back. The Cubs are a .500 ballclub.

They really need a number 3 hitter. Lee still has some good baseball in him, but at this stage of his career, he is a number 5 or 6 hitter.

The late bullpen relief has been inconsistant.

Bradley has been playing better, but he still is not close to what was promised.

Jake Fox shows a lot of promise. Put him in the lineup everyday.

The Cubs still have a shot at the division, but I would not bet on them winning it. Maybe they should spend the rest of the year preparing for 2010.

[Disgusted]

Cubs fans are amazing. Blame the messenger. One guy even claimed that Morrisey even said a few days ago that everything was okay. No, I looked it up. Morrisey wrote a few days ago about the ownership mess. Blame the media- that's the message of cubs fans. Of course, none of them before the season were practically claiming the Series title for their team. None of them were in this after the win on Monday and the return of Ramirez, claiming everything was turning around. Then there is the guy here worried about Sox fans making comments. Oh Cubs fans never make comments about Sox fans, do they? Blame the messenger- the message of Cubs fans.

[arnold]

Let's face it. The Cubs stink. They will get swept this weekend as the Cards coast to the division title. After the playoffs start, the Cubs players and fans need to watch the Cardinals closely and learn what it feels like to win a playoff game.

[Arklow]

Oh my! "69 Comments" Is that a sign?!?

[donflo]

Nice article Rick. Make everyone think gloom and doom when you and I both know they(CUBS) are just messing with everyone. These injuries, just a way to rest the guys, make other teams think we can take them, not the same team from last year. When it counts the most, teams will be over-confident, then BAM! Cubbie blind-side. Oh Yeah! That's what I'm talkin' bout. Oops! don't let this get out. Keep it under the radar, ok.

[als]

funny because you blind cubs fans have been saying the same thing for the last 2 months..."Oh dont worry they'll get hot"...hahaha what a joke

[Mike]

It's been the perfect storm of injuries, bad luck, poor off-season personnel decisions and lack of leadership. Which means they'll probably get to the World Series. It's like that Seinfeld episode when George decides to do the opposite of everything his instincts tell him to and everything WORKS! That's what I'm hoping anyway.

[jack clark]

To David Kaplan....you really are a sick dude. I definitely think you need to find professional help for your incurable sickness. Why oh why do you put yourself through this misery? You should sleep in the nude instead of all wrapped up in that cubbie crap. You and all the rest of the sheep who blindly follow that inept overpaid club need to get out of that bubble in which you reside.

[BobbaB]

WHY no backup veteran catcher Hendry? Soto had one decent year, ala Jerome Walton. He's too young and immature, ala WBC farce. Please Hendy make your next bad move!

[stuckintraffic]

I am not Nostrodamus, however I want to make a prediction. The Chicago Cubs will win at least ONE world series in the next 100 years. And that way The Chicago teams will have 2 world series in the previous 104 years. Not bad if you convert that to Dog years. The planet earth is billions of years old so 200 years is a flash in the pan. Maybe we can enjoy "This Old Cub" a few more times.

[Frank Costanza]

Mike wrote:

It's been the perfect storm of injuries, bad luck, poor off-season personnel decisions and lack of leadership. Which means they'll probably get to the World Series. It's like that Seinfeld episode when George decides to do the opposite of everything his instincts tell him to and everything WORKS! That's what I'm hoping anyway.

Just like my idiot son; you to will end up disappointed.

[Geo Soto]

Hey; I'm on the DL for a month with a pulled muscle. Can anyone get me some medicinal marijuana? Ya know; for the pain...

[Mike T]

this writer is a total hack.

Why does the Trib refuse to hire actual sports journalists?

[Art]

I have the Rain Delay as a early favorite over the Cubs, pay $170 to make a $100. Any takers?

This is coming from a diehard Cubs fan too...