Home Is Where You Kick The Hell Out Of The National League
Remember back in the spring, when a certain segment of Cub Nation–an embarrassing collection of toe-jam Cub “fans”–was outraged at the very idea that Sam Zell would sell the naming rights to the 84-year concrete baseball stadium at Clark and Addison?
I was so driven to annoyance by these misguided sentimentalists that I envisioned writing an entry–tongue only somewhat firmly planted in cheek–wherein I would propose a petition to call for the demolition of Wrigley Field. It seemed that the focus with the Cubs had gradually shifted to all of the many ancillary issues like the ballpark and the neighborhood in which it was housed instead of the actual team that we root for, to the point that people were actually upset about the name of the goddamned place, and it made me hate Wrigley Field for becoming the distraction that it had become. I’ve loved the park as much as anyone, and having gone to games since I was a 7 year old in 1979 is an experience for which I am grateful to have had. But I have grown so disgusted with the idea that the ballpark could somehow receive more priority than the team for which it is that we truly root, that I came across the solution of having the place blown up. Like most of the ideas I think about, I lacked the drive to actually write this “petition” out in entry form.
Thinking about it now, I’m glad I didn’t write it.
Because the Cubs, for the first time in recent memory–are treating their home like it was Zed’s basement.
For all of the charm of Wrigley Field, and for all of the players who have come through town that has sung the park’s praises, the park has not provided much of an edge for the Cubs. Outside of 1984 and 1998, every Cubs playoff team has had only the slightest difference between their home and road record. Dusty’s 2003 Cubs were actually 44-37 both at and away from Wrigley.
Going further into this, the Cubs in the playoffs have not exactly taken advantage of being at home either. After winning their first two games at Wrigley in 1984, the Cubs’ home record in the playoffs in the modern era is only three wins versus seven losses.
Going back further, the Cubs record at Wrigley Field in the World Series is just sad. It makes you wonder what’s so goddamn special about the place. Lost amid the fact that the Cubs have not won a World Series in 100 years, or a pennant in 63 years, is the fact that they currently own a seven consecutive World Series losses streak. This streak began in 1910 when they still played at West Wide Grounds and was extended in the 1918 Series that was played at Comiskkey. Beginning in 1929, the Cubs have played a total of five straight World Series at Wrigley, and they have yet to win any of those World Series. It was bad from the get-go. They opened the ‘29 Series at Wrigley–the first World Series game at the park being Game #1 of that Series–and lost both games before valiantly trying–and failing–to bring the Series back home for Games 6 and 7. They got swept again at home to the Yanks in 1932. In fact, the Cubs did not win a home World Series game at Wrigley Field until their seventh try, in Game 5 of the 1935 World Series against Detroit. Their overall record at Wrigley Field in the World Series? 2-11. (!) Overall, their mark at Wrigley Field in the postseason is 7-18.
So it’s refreshing to see the Cubs finally comfortable at home–because it’s so rare. For once, every nimrod at the park who likes to stand up at every significant juncture no longer seems to be hurting the Cubs by constantly placing the burden of expectation so heavily on the players; instead, the players seem perfectly able to rise to the challenge. Past players would wilt under such pressure. This year’s team seems to get stronger in those situations.
It was important this year that the Cubs play well at home, as they have played so many home games early in the season. And instead of scuffling around while at home, and pissing away a chance to pull away before the final weekend of the season for a change, the Cubs have instead used their newfound home field-advantage to buttress what is currently the best record in the bigs.
Life is good at Clark and Addison these days. Here’s hoping that the Cubs ease at playing at home becomes a psychological weapon that they will soon be able to smash over the heads of everyone who dares enter.
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Comments
RV “Here’s hoping that the Cubs ease at playing at home becomes a psychological weapon that they will soon be able to smash over the heads of everyone who dares enter.”
A psychological weapon the likes of which we haven’t seen since the Pentagon’s JO-inducing Gay Bomb.
JackB I find it interesting that all this success comes on the heels of the complete revamping of the fielding surface. I’m sure that’s mainly coincidence, but the Wrigley playing surface was completely fucked for quite some time until this past offseason.
CT
bocaj
StPatrick
TDubbs
BigFlax
Me and my older brother liked this. We were talking, though, about whether it would better for the Cubbies to do worse at home, but better on the road, arithmetically speaking, in other words. Like, let’s say they won about 5 games less at home, but they still had the same record overall. Then, they would have HAD to have won a few more games on the road. Do you see what I’m saying? Then the road record LOOKS better. That’s all that I’m saying to you right now. Anyway, I just enjoy reading the work of published internet people. Thanks for taking my question, Mike D. Keep your hat low and your pants high!