Cubs fans have reason to worry

Looks like Billy Ball pulled another one.

"The other way to look at this is that these are the Cubs, the historical Cubs, and things happen to them. "

Unfortunately, that's a meaningless argument. Try better next time.

Jay? Is that you? Glad you landed on your feet!

What's with the reporters in Chicago? Sounds like the Cubs are doomed no matter what. They can't win with Zambrano, and they can't win without Zambrano. And they make it sound like no other team has ever lost a series, lost at home, or lost in the playoffs.

Last time I checked, there were as many World Series losers as there were winners.

These Cubs can make the playoffs because they played tough all year long. Once a team makes the playoffs, the slate is wiped clean- they all start with the same record.

100 years of history means doodley squat.

Pile on the fanatiscism. Jump off your local bridges Cubs fans. Way to go guy. Perpetuate the "curse" even more. If the Cubs do not win the World Series you'll just have another 80 columns worth of material to write about anyway between the bulls and spring training(Nobody cared about the Blackhawks before why should they now, convienently that they are relevant again.)

If they don't win it all, the fact that they had back to back winning seasons and consecutive playoff appearances will have me ready as always for next year. If you got yourself all hamstrung for a championship then you deserve more hartache than the rest of us. No matter what, this was a year I won't forget anytime soon.

And to the guy who thinks Billy Bean got someone else. Unless the kid catcher Donaldson turns out to be Johnny Bench this is a wash.
Murton tried and good luck to him, but Patterson wont even get to show off his only asset(speed) in Oak-town cause Billy hates stealing bases. Gallaghers a 3rd or 4th starter...thats about it.

Rauno,

Don't worry about the guy from Rensselaer, he's stoned on that good St. Joe's weed.

Couldn't agree more with Rick's statement that everything now has to be done with winning the World Series in mind. So why pitch Harden on Wednesday in St. Louis? Give him a few more days and let Dempster, Lilly and Marquis pitch in St. Louis. Why pitch Zambrano in Houston? Give him a few more days and pitch Marshall, Harden and Dempster in Houston, pushing Zambrano back to the Milwaukee series at Wrigley. And any talk of only using three starters in the playoffs should be officially banned now.

Mr Kennedy wrote:

Looks like Billy Ball pulled another one.

Pulled another what?

Rich Harden in 9 starts with the Cubs:9 ER
The Disabled Sean Gallahger in his last start:10 ER

The soon to be 27 year old Matt Murton ALMOST made the worst offensive roster in the AL for September callups. Maybe next year.

EPatt did make get call for that vaunted A's roster is hitting .190.

Donaldson did finish the year nicely in A ball.

What exactly did "Billy Ball" pull, clown?
The wool over the eyes of his worshipers, yet again?

Zambrano is a big wimp and will never bring a championship to this team. A guy his size should be strong as an ox. My god, he's only in his 20's. What the hell is wrong with these overpaid young players? Better go to the gym more often and change your diet.

Hey, don't just worry about the pitching! Untimely hitting will be as much a reason for the Cub's downfall.Right, Derek Lee?

Didn't Hendry proclaim when the Cubs traded for Rich Harden he was acquired for October. I remember Jim's press conference saying this, it came across cocky but confident. Harden was never acquired to help the Cubs get throught the season, but any help would be appreciated, but it was never in the Cubs plans. I hope Harden sits another start and Carlos can come back the last series to tune up for the playoffs. Get these guys to October fresh and healthy. If the Cubs need them to make the playoffs with the lead they have then maybe they don't deserve to get there at all.

Stop worrying cub fans The sky is not falling. Just a bump in a long schedule. All great times have these bumps and pass over them easily. This cub team will too. They are the greatest team ever. Z will come back strong, Aramis will regain that gold glove form Also, Soriano will not drop or misplay a ball the rest of the season! There will not be a September swoon. The GOAT is gone. What could possibly go Wrong? This cub team will win the series!!!!

They picked up a 1/2 game last night and are now 5 games up. Only the Angels have a bigger lead. Hey, if two of their top three pitchers are hurt, it's going to be tough. But they didn't get hurt because they are the Cubs, or because of curses. Stop showing your ignorance.

unfortuantely I agree with Rick for a change. Wondering why a collapse this year would make "1969 look like amatuer hour"

It's foolish to rely on Zambrano and Harden? At this point in the season what are they supposed to do? What exactly do propose they do instead of rely on 2 of their top 3 pitchers? It is September, its kinda late to retool their starting rotation and it would be foolish to make drastic moves.

sports columnist Robert Markus 1969: "My theory is that the Cubs simply had to shoulder their burden too long. It is impossible to endure the kind of pressure the Cubs were under for six months."

DejaVu

Rick, the bird poop you mention is actually an apt description of this and many of the columns you write. The Cubs players (if they bother to read any of it) must laugh their butts off at the constant "gloom and doom" style that you and most of the rest of the Chicago sportswriters have adopted. Do you think this is what Chicago sports fans want to read? I assure you it's not.
The current Cubs players couldn't care less what happened in 1969. None of them were even born before 1971. The mass hysteria of the Chicago media must make them wonder how any sports team has ever won anything in this town.
This team IS different, and this year IS different, and when you're trying to do post-game interviews after they've won it all so you can ask them "How does it feel to be World Champions?", I hope they'll tell you to stick it Rick.
Being a naysayer and skeptic is an easy way out in sportswriting. Put some thought in to what you're doing for a change. You're here for us all right, and we couldn't care less.

Sox starters won the last 4 games of the AL championship series without relief help. Cubs got anyone that can go over 6 innings?

It's not gonna happen!!!

magscredit wrote:

sports columnist Robert Markus 1969: "My theory is that the Cubs simply had to shoulder their burden too long. It is impossible to endure the kind of pressure the Cubs were under for six months."
DejaVu

ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!!!