Results tagged ‘ Next Century Is Here ’

Justice Looking for Justice

Richard Justice, a sports columnist for the Houston Chronicle, wrote an article today stating that the “…baseball gods decided to have their fun with the little Cubbies?”

Richard points to it (the Cubs not catching a break) as being tradition. That is why, in his opinion, the Cubs have lost five straight, Zambrano is suffering from rotator cuff tendinitis and Harden is “resting” his dead arm. Here we go again; this is the exact kind of talk and writing that has poisoned the minds of Cubs and Cub fans for 100 years. Once somebody says it or writes it the poison spreads and it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

The fastest spreading example of this was the Bartman incident. As soon as Bartman touched the ball you could see panic spread through the players and the fans. Guess what, stuff happens and winners overcome, loser point fingers and make excuses.

Kirk.jpgWere the baseball gods having fun with Kirk Gibson in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series? Gibson had severely injured both his legs in the NLCS and was suffering from a stomach virus. What did he do about it? When called up to pitch hit with a man on, two outs and his team trailing 4-3 in the ninth, Gibson hit one of the most memorable home runs in the history of baseball. He hobbled around the bases pumping his fist. He had put his team up 5-4; they would go on to win the game and the World Series.

CS_ank.jpgWere the baseball gods having fun with Curt Shilling in 2004 during both Game 6 of the ALCS and Game 2 of the World Series? Shilling’s tendon sheath was torn in his right ankle during his Game 1 ALDS appearance. Consequently, in future games, he required sutures to stabilize the tendon. As the games progressed the sutures would tear open and bloody his sock. With this injury Curt would go on to win Game 6 of the ALCS which forced a Game 7 that the Red Sox also won. Shilling would then win Game 2 of the World Series suffering from this same condition. The sock that Shilling wore during his victorious Game 2 appearance was placed in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Red Sox would go on to become the World Champions for the first time in 86 years.

So Cubs players and fans, when the poison from the likes of Richard Justice start to seep from the cracks of the woodwork, do me a favor, don’t listen. Instead, realize that Next Century Is Here, and the true championship nature of this team will overcome the adversity it faces. Remember, a champion is not made without challenges. If it was everyone would be a champion. A true champion is won because of its challenges. The place is Chicago, the time is now, and history will be made. To quote a fellow die hard Cub fan, “It’s Gonna Happen“!cubs win crowd.jpg

Back To Their Winning Ways

Hey, it’s not a World Championship but it’s a baby step. After going into get away day sporting a  1-4 record for the road trip, and knowing the Brewers won, the Cubs did what they had to do…win! 

Cub fans are always so willing to look real hard for jinxes and curses against the Cubs but when something goes their way it gets overlooked.  What am I talking about?  The whole premise behind Next Century Is Here is getting away from the past, the curses, black cats, goats, and bartman and truly believing the the Cubs can win the World Series.  It doesn’t mean that the team won’t go through a bad streak and that you or I as a fan can’t get upset about it (read my two prior entries). But what is does mean is we have to stop looking for excuses and reasons to prove that this team is jinxed or destined to be lovable losers.  This game, if you look, can be an indication that, in fact, things are just the opposite for this century of Cubs.

Every team will slump and this team is without a doubt in a slump.  But let’s look at the good karma  that was present in this game.  If you read my last entry you know I pointed out that this game was the next century of games in this season.  This is the next century of seasons since the Cubs won the World Series.  A team that is known for their bats has their pitcher (one of their worst hitting pitchers) get an RBI single, steal third and score a run.  Then a platoon player (Reed Johnson) is put into the game because  the starter (Jim Edmonds) has a tweaked knee (MRI tomorrow)  and hits a grand slam which ultimately turned out to be the difference in the game AND the grand slam itself was controversial. Did a fan al la Bartman touch the ball in fair territory? Could this be the good karma that use to be the bad karma for the Cubs?

I’m not saying…I’m just saying…NEXT CENTURY IS HERE.

And Then There Was One

The Cub’s lead has dwindled to a mere one game over the Milwaukee Brewers.   Why, because while the Cubs have been trying to remember how to hit, the Brewers have quietly put together a nice six game winning streak.  The last two have come against the Cards in St. Louis. The Cards are now in third place (oh, but they are only two games out of first).  Now, guess what? Sabathia is set to start tomorrow and all he has done since coming to the Brewers is complete three games.  Don’t look know but by tomorrow this time we could be looking at a tie for first.

I’d like to say don’t worry because we have Ted Lilly going to the mound but it just doesn’t matter who is pitching if you don’t HIT!!!!!  There is NO PRODUCTION from the middle of this line up. Lou tried the no batting practice, that didn’t work.  I hate to say it but I think it is time for a little “we can’t win with this offense” speech al la Ozzie Guillen and see if that will spark this offense.

Okay, I got on my soap box for the last two days, now I’m going to put a karma spin on this situation.  This was the 100th game of the season for the Cubs. It has been 100 years since the Cubs last won a World Series.  NEXT CENTURY IS HERE so let’s take it from here a go.

Brewers Smug with C.C. – Cubs Trump with Harden

Yesterday the Brewers fans were taunting their southern rivals after they dealt for Cy Young winner C.C. Sabathia.  But it didn’t take long for the Chicago Cubs to answer with just as an impressive deal. The Cubs got Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin from Oakland for Matt Murton, Eric Patternson, Sean Gallagher, and Minor Leaguer Josh Donaldson. Harden is sporting a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts while Gaudin has a respectable 3.59 in 26 appearances.  Without a doubt, as long as Harden stays healthy, the Cubs have strengthen their starting rotation and filled the hole made by the disappointing performance of Rich Hill this year.

If anybody was questioning the Cubs Organization’s intention to go all the way this year, I would say those concerns have been put to rest with this deal.  The Cubs were deep in outfield talent and weak in starting pitching.  This deal pulled from their strength and fed their weakness. This move should send a resounding message to the players, fans and Major League Baseball that the Chicago Cubs are serious about making a run at the World Series this year.

Trust me…Next Century Is Here – The Century of the Cubs!

Cub’s Marshall Earns Two Out Of Three From Cards

My this crow taste good.  I’ve been eating a lot of crow lately, but when it means the Cubs win then pull those feathers off and get that crow a cookin’.  Yes, on the back of Sean Marshall (the guy I said wasn’t fit to start on any team), the Cubs win the finale against the Cards seven to one. I guess we caught them feeling their oats and sleeping after yesterdays big walk-off win!

After the heartbreaking loss yesterday the Cubs got right back on the horse and did what they had to do…take two out of three in the home of the Cards.  The Cubs nickeled and dimed the Cards with five innings of one run scoring and one inning with a crooked two spot.  All this while the combination of Marshall, Cotts, Marmol and Howry held the Cards to one run; a solo home run by Ludwick.

The solo home run came in the bottom of the sixth and made the score 3-1.  I’m not sure about anybody else but I started getting the “here we go again” feeling.  But the “Next Century” Cubs were not to be denied.  With a run in the 7th and 9th and two in the 8th, the Cubs took what could have been the third close game of the series and turned it into a rout.

This is the exact reason that I feel this is a team of destiny and that the “Next Century Is Here”.  This team is actually in a mini slump; they have loss some of their big boys and have played some tough teams during their absence, yet they have only gone from 4.5 games up to 3.5 games up during that period of time.  Each time adversity has struck this team has bounced back.  That’s what I like about this team and Lou Piniella; their never quit, never die attitude.

That great attitude has earned a well deserved day off tomorrow. Then on Tuesday we start a short home stretch with six games which will take us to the All-Star break.  The first game puts Marquis against Harang.  Let’s take these game one at a time and finish at the break on a high note.

Go Next Century Is Here Cubs!

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