Does God hate the Cubs?
I was in the press box at Wrigley Field in 2003 when Steve Bartman (left) deflected that foul ball and changed the course of Cubs history, and it was the first time I ever entertained the notion there was some supernatural force determined to keep baseball's most beleaguered team from reaching -- and winning -- the World Series.
Now, I'm pretty sure of it. How else do you explain the Cubs getting torched in the first two games of the Division Series after piling up the best home record in the National League and winning five of seven games over the Dodgers during the regular season?
How could this be happening when every ounce of numerological Karma in the universe would figure to be focused on the lovable Cubbies winning it all for the first time in exactly 100 years?
This much I know. It's not "The Curse of Billy Goat." No disgruntled farm animal has that kind of juice. There must be some other explanation for why Wrigley Field becomes the baseball version of the Bermuda Triangle in October. I wouldn't be surprised if they dug up center field and found a shipwreck.
The Cubs committed four errors -- one by each starting infielder -- to tie a Division Series record the day after starting pitcher Ryan Dempster walked the ballpark in the opener. Manager Lou Piniella certainly couldn't explain how his team has already allowed 17 runs in two games after allowing just 18 during the seven-game season series to the pre-Manny Dodgers.
"Those were probably the two worst games we've played all year from a walking and errors standpoint,'' he said afterward. "It wasn't much fun to watch. I can tell you that."
Categories: Just baseball, Schmuck being Schmuck
Comments
What time do you get up, Pete? Do you come up with blog posts in the middle of the night and can't wait to post them in the morning?
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Pete's reply: I'm just a natural night owl, but I didn't stay up until 5 a.m. I wrote the Cubs item at about 2 a.m. and then posted it later.
Posted by: J | October 3, 2008 7:53 AM
Pete: It isn't God or some stupid curse, it is their Oriole-like play in the first game of walking so many batters and then having the whole infield have a Willie Davis-like day with their tin gloves. Then, some Cubs batters need to be more aggressive at the plate, take the bat off their shoulders and try to be less passive. I hate, I really HATE seeing batters take a called third strike. Guys, you FOUL OFF the pitches you can't handle and wait for a mistake. I would much rather see a batter strike out swinging instead of taking a called third strike. In my 25 years playing organized ball, I NEVER took a called third strike. Well, let's get off that tangent. God or a curse - PHOOOOOEEEEY!
Posted by: Ron | October 3, 2008 7:56 AM
I DON'T KNOW IF GOD HATES THEM BUT HE SURE HAS SOMETHING AGAINEST THEM.
Posted by: TomC | October 3, 2008 7:59 AM
As long as the Red Sox are in the playoffs Manny is on a mission from well Manny - who did you expect - to embarrass all of Red Sox nation. The Cubs just happen to be in the way. No intervention from the almighty required.
Posted by: Rusty | October 3, 2008 8:33 AM
Does an early Cubs exit from the playoffs increase their interest in Brian Roberts?
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Pete's reply: I really don't have a feel for that. I doubt it.
Posted by: Rusty | October 3, 2008 8:37 AM
As a life long Cub fan, this is just what we've come to expect in the postseason. They are playing so tight and they have the weight of the whole fan base on their shoulders and it is definitely showing.
Not to take away anything from the first two pitching performances of the Dodgers, but the Cubs hitters have not been disciplined at the plate. They need to work the count more, take a few strikes here and there and get to the Dodgers bullpen around the 5th or 6th.
Unfortunately, I don't think that they can climb out of the hole that they have dug for themselves. Thanks for a great season though.
Posted by: Jamie | October 3, 2008 10:25 AM
Peter,
The likely outcome of this series is why I disagree with baseball's playoff format. I'm not even a Cubs fan, but I think it's unfair that the best team in the league over the course of 162 games can have its season ended over a five game series. I believe the best team in each league deserves to play in the World Series. This setup would only occur in conjunction with eliminating the unbalanced schedule instituted by Selig, with which I also disagree, but that's another topic.
Even a seven game league championship series would be acceptable, but the fact of the matter is that too many games are played in the regular season to warrant two rounds of playoffs to reach the World Series. I can tell you, however, that a reversion to the old regime will absolutely never happen due to the monetary implications that would follow through lost advertising opportunities. Too many undeserving wild-card teams are winning the World Series, ostensibly because a few guys want to pad their banks accounts rather than uphold the integrity of the game.
Posted by: Burgess | October 3, 2008 10:32 AM
I don't know if the Almighty hates the Cubs. But he sure hates walks and errors!
That's a beautiful first sentence in your post, Ron.
Posted by: stanhouse | October 3, 2008 10:47 AM
If God hates the Cubs then he must be totally pissed off at us.
Posted by: a fan with delusions of grandeur | October 3, 2008 11:34 AM
Two comments:
(1) Steve Bartman's deflection did not "change the course" of Cubs history, as you stated. It re-confirmed its rightful place.
(2) Who can I contact to have Frank Caliendo's unfunny, buffoon face permanently removed from my television screen? That man is ruining the playoffs for me (with help from the Cubs).
.............................................................................................\Pete's reply: I have to agree that the TBS promotions are getting the best of me, too.
Posted by: O for the Seventies | October 3, 2008 11:37 AM
Burgess -
I'd much rather watch the Cubs fall apart in a Division Series than get steamrolled in a one-sided World Series.
The Cubs entered this postseason with the weight of the world on their shoulders and the pressure got to them. Ryan Dempster had a 2.5 K/BB ratio this season and walked more than four hitters just once since early May. Then suddenly, in his first ever playoff start, he has zero control. Then, last night, they're already down one game and their normally solid infield forgets how to field a grounder and Carlos Zambrano tosses a fastball right down the middle to Russell Martin, who promptly hits a bases clearing double.
Face it. If the Cubs really were the best team in the National League this year, they wouldn't be falling apart right now.
Posted by: b | October 3, 2008 12:30 PM
God doesn't hate the cubs, he turned his back on them a long long time ago
Posted by: Altoas Viastas | October 3, 2008 1:29 PM
God may hate the Cubs, but he surely has an issue with the Orioles.
Posted by: EC | October 3, 2008 8:57 PM