Seriously, Just Jump. It’s More Enjoyable Without The Constant Hand-Wringing
Posted by: Mike D. in Cubs
There seem to be quite a few fans out there who relish the opportunity to write the season off after a particularly odious stretch of play by the Cubs. The once-great Desipio GameCasts have been dragged down in the most embarrassing manner by the petulant toy-throwing exhibited by fans who, in spite of the fact that they’ve presumably subjected themselves to several 162-game seasons, seem to live and die with every goddamn pitch.
I’m not saying I’m not annoyed by how the Cubs have been playing the last two weeks, but this is part of the ebb and flow nature of a baseball season that even good teams experience. Just as it would be unreasonable to expect the Cubs to go 17-10 every month, it’s equally unreasonable to conclude that a 4-9 stretch over the last two weeks most certainly spells doom.
Let’s bear in mind that even with this two-week stretch of truly bad baseball, that there are only seven teams in the big leagues that have a better record than the Cubs–and one of them will be due for a regression that will make the Cubs’ current stretch seem downright pleasant.
I just wonder where the ledge-jumping fans come from. Number one, if they’ve been Cub fans for any length of time, bad baseball should not be a surprise. Number two, and more significantly, anybody who is familiar with the rich tapestry of a major-league baseball season, the ups and downs, the hot streaks and cold snaps, should have by now developed a better coping mechanism than just sitting at his/her computer, and instantly registering his/her impulsive dismissal of this team.
You know which team in recent history rarely endured the types of two-week struggles that has this portion of the Cubs fanbase standing on the ledge? Uncle Lou’s 2001 Mariners, who did not endure a losing streak of more than two games until the final three weeks of the season, on their way to tying the major-league record with 116 wins. The Mariners followed up this angst-free record-breaking season by winning only 4 of their 10 subsequent playoff games, and failed to win the pennant.
And the last time I checked, winning the pennant is the goddamn holy grail for fans of this franchise. I can think of nothing more disappointing than to see this team playing so well during the regular season that we’re deprived of the type of adversity that currently has so many fans screaming their heads off with hysterics, only to then see them stumble and get dismissed in the playoffs. Would you rather be the 2001 Mariners of the 2006 Cardinals?
It’s a long season, kids. There’s obviously nothing wrong with pointing out this team’s flaws. They have some definite question marks in their rotation that will need to be addressed if any realistic hopes for a pennant are to be realized (short answer would be to keep Larry F. Rothschild as far away from this staff as possible, but Larry has proven to be Teflon Man, so we’re left with trying to win in spite of him). I’m certainly not enjoying watching this team right now. But can we reign in “The End Is Near” bullshit and learn to pace ourselves? This whining makes us look like a bunch of Boston Red Sox fans.
Tags: ledge jumpers
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Good call, Mike. I’m more frustrated by losing to Gabor and Dusty Baker than anything else. Starting pitching is the Cubs’ biggest problem right now. It may be Sean Marshall time pretty soon.
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The only thing I’m worried about are those ridiculous Cardinals. Somehow, year after year (until last), they have managed to put together winning teams despite a roster that includes players who should be benched on most major league clubs. Their stretch of over-achieving second baseman they pulled in for league-minimum salaries just sickened me. That being said, the way it seemed to go in this division last year, the Brewers had an incredible two month stretch in April/May, then the Cubs followed with their June/July, and finally the Cardinals got really hot towards August/September. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the exact same thing happen again, just in a new order. And when you figure the Cubs already had an incredible April despite a shoddy pitching staff, I’d say we have more room for optimism at this point. The bullpen will get it together, and hopefully guys like Gallagher can emerge in the rotation as we boot Marquis out of town. Also, I’m not sure what will be available around the trading deadline, but you can be sure Hendry will pull the trigger on a deal that would make a big impact on the team.
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Poon reply on May 8, 2008:
I’m convinced it’s the kick ass stripped stirrup socks some Cards players wear giving them the edge. Gotta get those for Soriano, Pie, and Johnson. At least Johnson does wear the stirrups, but they are too low. Striped stirrups make you faster. It’s science fact.
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Mike D. reply on May 8, 2008:
Weebs–
Those Cards team that jumped the Cubs like, say in ‘04 and such? They were good. Rolen, Renteria, and Edmonds have been replaced with Moe, Larry, and…Ankiel? I never liked Jimmy E., particularly for his attraction to canines, but Ankiel will never be compared favorably to Edmonds. I’d be surprised, frankly, if Ankiel compares favorably, to Ray Lankford, over the long haul.
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We’re 1/5 of the way through the season and still over .500. Not to mention we’re only 2.5 games behind the division leader. Anyone doubting this team not making the post season barring major injuries isn’t a real fan or is one of those Cubs fans that actually gets off on the Cubs losing. I know a few of them and just don’t understand it. All they need to do is win a series to get things turned around. That and keep the pitching staff away from Jobu’s rum.
[img]http://detectovision.com/pics/jobu2.jpg[/img]
That being said, I’m going Friday for my third game of the season. I’ve seen two losers so far and I’m starting to think I’m bad luck. I’ve already stopped wearing the shirts worn on those days and shoved bats up some blow up dolls asses trying to help the situation. I beat up some homeless guy as well, but that was just for kicks.
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Right on, Mike. I was just explaining this shit to my friend the other day. He asked my why the Cubs were sucking so much, and I started with the fact that Fontenot blows goats (I have proof) and Fonz is batting for shit, moved my way over to the fact that any team with a rotation where only two starters seem to have a clue will encounter trouble sooner or later, and eventually worked my way over to the fact that this shit just happens in baseball.
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Although I’m not happy about how we are playing lately, I’m not pissed. I know we are going to win the division. We have seen every team in the division and the Cubs are the best team in the division. Hendry and Lou will make the adjustments that are needed. I have a question for you guys. Would you still give up Cedeno and Gallagher up for Roberts if he is availaable?
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illinikc33 reply on May 8, 2008:
In a heartbeat. Roberts has proved that he can hit ~.300, score 100+ R, steal ~45 bases, and bat from the left side. Cedeno can’t steal bases and hasn’t shown he can hit .300 in the majors. Plus he’s not a leadoff hitter. DeRosa is better served as a super-sub, IMO. Roberts instantly makes this team better. Plus he gets Sori out of the leadoff hole.
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Mike D. reply on May 8, 2008:
Most definitely, Rick.
I’m not a fan of DeRosa’s to begin with, and from what I’ve seen of Roberts (admittedly not a ton, as I’m an NL fan), he would be a marked improvement.
Of course, considering the nail-trimming, sweatervest-wearing fop that runs things over there, I’m not optimistic about any deal being done.
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*In a Nutsack reply on May 8, 2008:
Don’t forget the nail-trimming, sweatervest-wearing fop that runs the Orioles.
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Those assclowns in the Desipio thread yesterday were really getting on my nerves. I really had to check to see if I were still at Desipio…surely this nonsense isn’t going on there.
Sure, it was a 9-0 loss to a lineup with Jerry Hairston, Jr. (at SS!), Paul Bako and Corey Patterson. But, for God sakes, our starting pitcher was Jon Lieber. Not 2001 Jon Lieber, but 2008 Jon Lieber–who is nothing more than a BP tosser. Tell me we didn’t expect 2001 Jon Lieber.
Anyway, today…May 8th…the Cubs are 19-15, 2.5 games behind–gasp–St. Louis. Sucky baseball be damned, this won’t last all season nor is it a microcosm of the season’s eventual result. On May 8th!
I expected more from the Desipio game threads, I really did.
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You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? Then who the hell else are you talkin’ to? Well I’m the only one here. Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to!
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Yeah, I’m not too worried yet - compared to last year’s late May nadir, things are coasting along at the moment. The only thing that really gives me pause - though the sample sizes are probably still too small to worry about this too much - is how Lee and Fukudome are killing the ball at Wrigley but not hitting well on the road (Fukudome, in particular, is barely even a Jacque Jones upgrade offensively in road games). That’s not going to last over the summer, hopefully.
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I’ll say that I am pissed at the Cubs. Partially for playing like shit. And not only playing like shit, but just playing dumb. Retarded errors by Soriano and Fontenot come to mind. I’m also a little pissed at Lou for having Soriano at lead off still. The only way I could see it justified is if he is bound by something we don’t know about like a promise from Hendry to Soriano. If not, then put himin the 5 or 6 hole. How can you say he’s bitching about it? How can you tell? Don’t tell me you can ever understand what he is saying. And the thing that makes it so infuriating for me is that I was happy going into this year because the Cubs should be winning the central and the Cardinals should be in 4th or 5th. I thought it was finally my year to rejoice. Too many Cardinal fans are around me to not relish in that. They have done it to me for years. Granted this season is only 34 games old, it pisses me off to no end to be around this world of buck-toothed Cardinal fans who love to just rub it in. I truly believe that they will slip and suck, but I would just like it to happen now. I would like to see them tank so fast and hard that it makes Jack Buck cry. Also, them doing so well makes me hear more and more about how great Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan are. Every Cardinal fan seriously must be sucking those guys dicks all the time because it is ridiculous. So that is why I am pissed off at this team. They are just fucking around with the Cardinals right now and I would like to see them put those mother fuckers in there place right now, in the grave next to DK and Josh, as referred by Cardinal Nation.
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PenFoe reply on May 8, 2008:
I can only imagine how angry your posts are going to be by July.
I would not want to be the dog in your house.
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Good post, Mike. I was thinking the same thing, but was too exhausted to write it.
As crappy as the Cubs are playing, keep in mind the mighty mighty Brewers have lost 5 in a row. Christ, they’re a game and a half behind HOUSTON right now. At least the Cubs haven’t shown any signs of having one of those extended losing streaks (mostly thanks to Zambrano and Dempster).
It’d be nice if the offense didn’t pull their typical famine, famine, famine, FEAST routine every year, but they always do, and gullible saps like me are always surprised to see it. Anyhow, I said it on Desipio already, but I think this lineup would get them more feasting and less famining:
Fukudome
Soto
Lee
Ramirez
Soriano
DeRosa/Cedeno
Cedeno/Theriot
Pie/Johnson
I’m convinced no starting pitcher would make it out of the first inning all year without throwing 10-15 pitches. Cedeno is listed twice because I hope Lou starts getting him 4-5 starts a week between 2nd and short.
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BigFlax reply on May 8, 2008:
I like it for the most part, although I think hitting Soto second would be a mistake because he’s such a dog on the bases, and while his OBP is great right now, you’d prefer a little more speed in front of Lee and Ramirez for RBI chances. Hit Cedeno or Theriot second (as long as they’re still getting on base) and keep Soto 6th.
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I won’t say dropping four series in a row didn’t annoy the fuck outta me, but I’m not ready to pull the panic button just yet. Uncle Lou is too slick a manager. Eventually he’s gonna find the right combo of guys to get the job done. St. Louis pisses me off too, Irish Yeti. I live in central Illinois and I’m surrounded by these fuckers. They only seem to come out when the Cards are in first place. If the Cardinals aren’t doing well, they sort of disappear, only to reappear in Cardinals regalia the next time the Deadbirds start doing well. And they’re so fucking smug. If one more diuchbag tells it’s been a hundred years, I’m gonna gut them Jason Kendall style.
I missed a couple games of the Cincinnati series, thank God, but I was mostly still pissed from the Sunday loss to St. Louis, not so much because of the game but because of the shitty ass announcing on ESPN. Joe Morgan’s mancrush on Albert Pujols has reached ridiculous heights. I so wanted that win, just so Miller and Morgan would have to stop gushing over St. Louis. Is it too much to ask to see the Cardinals make some metal mistakes or not execute some plays while the game is on ESPN? I seriously can’t stand it.
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Contrarian view here… I find the compulsion lately on the Desipio gamecasts to classify every negative post as the product of a “ledge-jumping whiny bitch” to be equally annoying as the Drano-drinking. Hell, lambasting the Cubs when they suck is half the fun of the GameCasts, IMO, and reading the takes of fellow frustrated Cub fans makes a lousy game more tolerable.
I guess moderation is the key here? (I also think losses where the Cubs completely crap themselves tend to get people more riled up than a garden-variety loss where they get beat by a superior pitcher/team/individual effort…)
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