Novelties, like the car, phones, indoor plumbing, radios and the home run were first coming to the people, one hundred years ago. World War I had not begun, the last time the Chicago Cubs won the World Series, in 1908. Defying imagination, the Chicago Cubs have been the "darling losers," in all of sports, for one hundred years. Some blame a goat ("The Curse of the Billy Goat"), others blame fate, and still others feel every year, "this is the year, we are going all the way."
Coming into June, this year, the Cubs have the best record in all of baseball. The last time they had the best record, in the big leagues (coming into June), was in 1908. Mordecai Brown was the staff ace (29-9, 1.47 ERA, 27 Complete Games, 9 Shutouts, 312.1 Innings Pitched, & 5 Saves) and Joe Tinker (SS) was the "offensive standout" (157 games, .266 avg., 146 hits, 6 home runs, 67 RBI's, and 30 stolen bases). Pitching was the 1908 Cubbies strong suit, but "team attitude and team gel" was what won them a World Series.
In 2008, the Chicago Cubs have many high profile players and some all-stars. Carlos Zambrano is a dominate force on the hill, barring a huge set back/injury, he has a legitimate shot at being a hall of fame pitcher. Ted Lilly, Dempster, and Kerry Wood (who is turning out to be a savior and a solid closer) in the pen, make up a very good rotation, for playoff contention. Offensively is where the Cubs will excel and separate themselves, from most teams. Alfonso Soriano, Derek Lee, and Aramis Ramirez anchoring the lineup, things are very bright offensively. Throwing in the position and role players, of Soto (C), Fukudome (Of), DeRosa and Theriot, they have versatility.
World War I, World War II, The Korean War, Vietnam, Civil Rights, Woodstock, and countless other things over one hundred years, but the Cubs have not won the big prize, a World Series Ring. It almost defies comprehension, when looking at dynasties and common place winners: the New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, Celtics, Lakers, Dodgers, Yankees, Tigers, Edmonton Oilers, Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels (NCAA basketball), the Cubs could not win, even one, World Series. Even, the Red Sox broke out of their own "jinx." Fluke teams, like the Royals (1985), Cardinals (1983), and the other "one season wonders" have managed to put it together, to win their respective titles.
In an age of sports, where teams can buy a title (Yankees, Red Sox, Lakers, Patriots), the Cubs still fail. However, the Cubs do have several things on their side this year. They have offense, defense, young and veteran talent, a rotation that is more than solid (plus, in a five and seven game series, would dominate), a bullpen that is second to none, and lastly they are playing and have a lightness about them. In the hundred years of failure, they have experienced (on the South side) "The Black Sox Scandal," the "Steve Bartman" incident (in the playoffs), and possibly a "billy goat jinx." Yet, in 2008, maybe one hundred years, a great baseball team and coaching staff, and a little bit of luck will make this year "the year," for the Cubs first World Series Ring. The "lovable losers" will become, the lovable winners, of the North side of Chicago?
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Coming into June, this year, the Cubs have the best record in all of baseball. The last time they had the best record, in the big leagues (coming into June), was in 1908. Mordecai Brown was the staff ace (29-9, 1.47 ERA, 27 Complete Games, 9 Shutouts, 312.1 Innings Pitched, & 5 Saves) and Joe Tinker (SS) was the "offensive standout" (157 games, .266 avg., 146 hits, 6 home runs, 67 RBI's, and 30 stolen bases). Pitching was the 1908 Cubbies strong suit, but "team attitude and team gel" was what won them a World Series.
In 2008, the Chicago Cubs have many high profile players and some all-stars. Carlos Zambrano is a dominate force on the hill, barring a huge set back/injury, he has a legitimate shot at being a hall of fame pitcher. Ted Lilly, Dempster, and Kerry Wood (who is turning out to be a savior and a solid closer) in the pen, make up a very good rotation, for playoff contention. Offensively is where the Cubs will excel and separate themselves, from most teams. Alfonso Soriano, Derek Lee, and Aramis Ramirez anchoring the lineup, things are very bright offensively. Throwing in the position and role players, of Soto (C), Fukudome (Of), DeRosa and Theriot, they have versatility.
World War I, World War II, The Korean War, Vietnam, Civil Rights, Woodstock, and countless other things over one hundred years, but the Cubs have not won the big prize, a World Series Ring. It almost defies comprehension, when looking at dynasties and common place winners: the New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, Celtics, Lakers, Dodgers, Yankees, Tigers, Edmonton Oilers, Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels (NCAA basketball), the Cubs could not win, even one, World Series. Even, the Red Sox broke out of their own "jinx." Fluke teams, like the Royals (1985), Cardinals (1983), and the other "one season wonders" have managed to put it together, to win their respective titles.
In an age of sports, where teams can buy a title (Yankees, Red Sox, Lakers, Patriots), the Cubs still fail. However, the Cubs do have several things on their side this year. They have offense, defense, young and veteran talent, a rotation that is more than solid (plus, in a five and seven game series, would dominate), a bullpen that is second to none, and lastly they are playing and have a lightness about them. In the hundred years of failure, they have experienced (on the South side) "The Black Sox Scandal," the "Steve Bartman" incident (in the playoffs), and possibly a "billy goat jinx." Yet, in 2008, maybe one hundred years, a great baseball team and coaching staff, and a little bit of luck will make this year "the year," for the Cubs first World Series Ring. The "lovable losers" will become, the lovable winners, of the North side of Chicago?
