It's been more than 100 years since the Chicago Cubs won the world series. Yet the team has remained one of America's most storied franchises.
If you are a Cubs fan you don't expect too much each season but you hope for the best. There is no reason, on paper anyway, that the Cubs shouldn't win their division this year. No billy goat or black cat should stand in their way. Sure, a couple early season injuries may slow their step a bit but they should prevail.
Do you believe in omens?
Yesterday was opening day for the Cubs and the Atlanta Braves. The Cubs were in their familiar travel blues and the Braves their home whites. The Atlanta stadium was packed, the largest opening crowd in memory for the Braves.
The Cubs jumped off to a 3-0 lead in the first inning thanks to two home runs. But in the bottom of the opening frame Atlanta struck, make that blooped and blasted their way back. Cub ace Carlos Zambrano gave up a walk and then several bloop hits. And Atlanta's rookie young phenom Jayson Heyward cleared the bases with a blast over the center field wall. Zambrano gave up 8 runs in the first inning.
Later in the game the Cubs had a runner on first when newly acquired center fielder Marlon Byrd, who homered in his first Cub at bat, drove a line drive to center field. In a diving attempt the Braves center fielder grabbed the ball in his glove but dropped it as he hit the ground. The center fielder then quickly retrieved the ball and threw it into the infield. The Umpires ruled the error a catch and the Cubs were doubled up. Their manager Lou Piniella put up an mild arguent but the umpires stood by their mistake.
Cub relievers went on to give up 8 more runs, and a lot of walks, as the game ended in a 16-5 rout at the hands of the Braves. Oy, this will be a long season.
Showing posts with label Cubs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cubs. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, April 6, 2009
Play Ball
Tonight a new season begins for the Chicago Cubs. April is the time of hope, excitment and anticipation for fans like me. Of course, the fall is a time for humiliation and disappointment.
For the past two seasons the Cubs have won their division only to lose in the first round of the playoffs. In fact, they were shut out by the opposition both years. This year the Cubbies have added a Bradley "fighting vehicle" (named Milton Bradley)with plenty of left handed pop (and a temper to match it) to make up for previous deficiencies.
My eyes popped when I read that the NY Times is predicting a Yankee vs. Cub World Series. Almost every publication is predicting the Cubs will go far in the post season.
Will this franchise be stuck on 1908 forever? Don't get me started. But I am hooked.
For the past two seasons the Cubs have won their division only to lose in the first round of the playoffs. In fact, they were shut out by the opposition both years. This year the Cubbies have added a Bradley "fighting vehicle" (named Milton Bradley)with plenty of left handed pop (and a temper to match it) to make up for previous deficiencies.
My eyes popped when I read that the NY Times is predicting a Yankee vs. Cub World Series. Almost every publication is predicting the Cubs will go far in the post season.
Will this franchise be stuck on 1908 forever? Don't get me started. But I am hooked.
Monday, October 6, 2008
The 2008 Cubs
I didn't watch. Not even one pitch. The outcome was all too familiar to me. Cubs lose.
I almost got excited, but I contained myself. I knew if I became too involved, followed too closely, cared too much, I would feel pain.
I have had enough of this kind of pain in my life. No it is not about family, friends, or life or death issues like the economy.
Besides, I have kind of gotten used to it. Like that back pain I have had for forty years.
I won't point fingers or play the blame game.
Thanks for an exciting year Cubbies.
Wait til' next year!
I almost got excited, but I contained myself. I knew if I became too involved, followed too closely, cared too much, I would feel pain.
I have had enough of this kind of pain in my life. No it is not about family, friends, or life or death issues like the economy.
Besides, I have kind of gotten used to it. Like that back pain I have had for forty years.
I won't point fingers or play the blame game.
Thanks for an exciting year Cubbies.
Wait til' next year!
Monday, September 22, 2008
The Friendly Confines
Farewell to Yankee Stadium, the house that Ruth built. Some of baseball's most historic moments have been played out on this venerable old stage. Thanks for the memories! However, my link to America's great pastime was formed at Wrigley Field on the north side of Chicago, at the corner of Addison and Sheffield.
Wrigley Field is where I first saw baseball more than 50 years ago. My father took me to see the Cubs on one glorious and sunny summer afternoon in August. The outfield walls were covered with ivy, the grass was a vibrant green and the infield was a reddish brown. As we sat in the first row between home plate and the Cubs dugout, I looked out on the gigantic hand operated scoreboard in centerfield with its big clock and array on national league pennants streaming above in the breeze.
Even then Wrigley Field was like an old baseball glove, well broken in and very comfortable from any position. Built as Weegham Park in 1914, the project cost a staggering $250,000 and took an amazing seven weeks to complete. It was constructed to house the Chicago Whales, part of the Chicago Federal League, and had a capacity of 14,000. The Cubs began playing at Weegham Park in 1916, and the park was renamed Cubs Field in 1920. Six years later the field was named after chewing gum magnate William Wrigley.
On that first visit I remember how small Wrigley Field seemed. From my seat I could hear the players talking with each other. I could hear the infielders chatter, "hey batter batter, swing!" I could hear the umpire's emphatic calls, "steeeee-rike!" The on deck batting circle was right in front of me. There the now legendary Ernie Banks would warm up while waiting to bat. He looked over and smiled at me, was that a wink? Banks was not only a feared home run hitter, he also was a wonderful role model for all young boys. He called Wrigley Field "the friendly confines," and would often say "let's play two!" Until 1984 all Cubs games in Wrigley were only played only during the day. Then local ordinances were loosened to allow some night games, and lights were installed.
During subsequent visits I would see such greats as Henry Aaron, Lou Brock, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Kofax, Don Drysdale and Casey Stengel, to name a few. I would frequently try to arrive at the park in time for BP, batting practice. My friends and I would chase down foul balls hit into the stands. We pretty much had the run of the park before the game started. I remember arriving with a friend early one summer's day and encountering a bunch of players getting off a bus. I had many of them sign my scorecard. The signatures included Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Roy Campenella, Johnny Podres, and Pee Wee Reese. These were the Brooklyn Dodgers!
From 1920 to 1971 Wrigley Field was also the home of the Chicago Bears. I attended a few of their games over the years. I saw the remarkable Gayle Sayers run for more than 100 yards against the powerful Green Bay Packers. Bears founder and coach George Hallas would stand on the sidelines while Dick Butkus, Mike Ditka, Willy Galimore and Billy Wade fought in the trenches. Great Bears like Sid Luckman and Red Grange, the galloping ghost, played here on cold winter Sundays. In 1963 the Bears were World Champions.
I understand how special Yankee Stadium is to New Yorkers. For me, Wrigley Field will always be my home. And this year I hope that the Cubs will bring Wrigley Field its first World Series championship. In fact, let's play two!
Wrigley Field is where I first saw baseball more than 50 years ago. My father took me to see the Cubs on one glorious and sunny summer afternoon in August. The outfield walls were covered with ivy, the grass was a vibrant green and the infield was a reddish brown. As we sat in the first row between home plate and the Cubs dugout, I looked out on the gigantic hand operated scoreboard in centerfield with its big clock and array on national league pennants streaming above in the breeze.
Even then Wrigley Field was like an old baseball glove, well broken in and very comfortable from any position. Built as Weegham Park in 1914, the project cost a staggering $250,000 and took an amazing seven weeks to complete. It was constructed to house the Chicago Whales, part of the Chicago Federal League, and had a capacity of 14,000. The Cubs began playing at Weegham Park in 1916, and the park was renamed Cubs Field in 1920. Six years later the field was named after chewing gum magnate William Wrigley.
On that first visit I remember how small Wrigley Field seemed. From my seat I could hear the players talking with each other. I could hear the infielders chatter, "hey batter batter, swing!" I could hear the umpire's emphatic calls, "steeeee-rike!" The on deck batting circle was right in front of me. There the now legendary Ernie Banks would warm up while waiting to bat. He looked over and smiled at me, was that a wink? Banks was not only a feared home run hitter, he also was a wonderful role model for all young boys. He called Wrigley Field "the friendly confines," and would often say "let's play two!" Until 1984 all Cubs games in Wrigley were only played only during the day. Then local ordinances were loosened to allow some night games, and lights were installed.
During subsequent visits I would see such greats as Henry Aaron, Lou Brock, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Kofax, Don Drysdale and Casey Stengel, to name a few. I would frequently try to arrive at the park in time for BP, batting practice. My friends and I would chase down foul balls hit into the stands. We pretty much had the run of the park before the game started. I remember arriving with a friend early one summer's day and encountering a bunch of players getting off a bus. I had many of them sign my scorecard. The signatures included Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Roy Campenella, Johnny Podres, and Pee Wee Reese. These were the Brooklyn Dodgers!
From 1920 to 1971 Wrigley Field was also the home of the Chicago Bears. I attended a few of their games over the years. I saw the remarkable Gayle Sayers run for more than 100 yards against the powerful Green Bay Packers. Bears founder and coach George Hallas would stand on the sidelines while Dick Butkus, Mike Ditka, Willy Galimore and Billy Wade fought in the trenches. Great Bears like Sid Luckman and Red Grange, the galloping ghost, played here on cold winter Sundays. In 1963 the Bears were World Champions.
I understand how special Yankee Stadium is to New Yorkers. For me, Wrigley Field will always be my home. And this year I hope that the Cubs will bring Wrigley Field its first World Series championship. In fact, let's play two!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Can I Believe?
We are already half way through June and I can't help myself. I am hopeless.
It is an immutable fact that I am incapable of changing. Yet I have been burned so many times before! It is not a matter of the glass being half full or half empty. It seems that the glass just always ends up empty.
Oh, how I have been hurt in the past. All too often I can remember feeling a pain that was so wrenching and so beastly that all I could do was writhe and whimper in my chair. It usually happened in August or September. I had committed a transgression that far exceeded those of Adam and Eve, Judas or Bill Buckner. I started to believe. And I would pay.
It can happen so easily. You tell yourself, "just once." Yes, I'd convince myself I could actually enjoy one and not become hooked. It seems so innocent. Why not enjoy it? I deserve a little relief from the daily wear and tear of life, work or whatever. But inevitably one would lead to more, and more, and more. It would become a crazy and all consuming addiction. It would always lead to a period of deep depression and sadness.
But I am not the only one. Yes there are millions of people doing it right now. They are from every part of the country and every possible demographic, income level, religion and social strata. There is a great and growing reason for it, and you can find it almost anywhere in the country.
And it is so easy to do. It starts with just a little peek (it is best if you feign interest). Then your involvement quickly grows and grows. And it has happened practically every year since I was born.
My most vivid memory was a feeling of great hope and exceptional excitement; a high of all highs, like walking on air. Then a black cat imposed a curse that brought everything crashing to the ground. It is bad enough that we were already under the eternal curse of a goat! Yet another time fate was decided by an inexplicable error which turned ecstasy into profound disappointment. Then another time a bystander reached out and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. My heart still burns.
Will this be the year? Will history be made? Will the curse end?
Let's see, today is only June and I am already hooked.
Go Cubs, go!
Oh darn.
It is an immutable fact that I am incapable of changing. Yet I have been burned so many times before! It is not a matter of the glass being half full or half empty. It seems that the glass just always ends up empty.
Oh, how I have been hurt in the past. All too often I can remember feeling a pain that was so wrenching and so beastly that all I could do was writhe and whimper in my chair. It usually happened in August or September. I had committed a transgression that far exceeded those of Adam and Eve, Judas or Bill Buckner. I started to believe. And I would pay.
It can happen so easily. You tell yourself, "just once." Yes, I'd convince myself I could actually enjoy one and not become hooked. It seems so innocent. Why not enjoy it? I deserve a little relief from the daily wear and tear of life, work or whatever. But inevitably one would lead to more, and more, and more. It would become a crazy and all consuming addiction. It would always lead to a period of deep depression and sadness.
But I am not the only one. Yes there are millions of people doing it right now. They are from every part of the country and every possible demographic, income level, religion and social strata. There is a great and growing reason for it, and you can find it almost anywhere in the country.
And it is so easy to do. It starts with just a little peek (it is best if you feign interest). Then your involvement quickly grows and grows. And it has happened practically every year since I was born.
My most vivid memory was a feeling of great hope and exceptional excitement; a high of all highs, like walking on air. Then a black cat imposed a curse that brought everything crashing to the ground. It is bad enough that we were already under the eternal curse of a goat! Yet another time fate was decided by an inexplicable error which turned ecstasy into profound disappointment. Then another time a bystander reached out and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. My heart still burns.
Will this be the year? Will history be made? Will the curse end?
Let's see, today is only June and I am already hooked.
Go Cubs, go!
Oh darn.
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