But along the way, somebody forgot to inform Jim Hendry, the Cubs general manager, that they weren’t supposed to really be competitive this year. He started the year by making a deal that not only jettisoned Todd Hundley, the very definition of the word bust, but it also brought in Mark Grudzielanek and Eric Karros. These two men were pretty much believed to be reaching the downswing of their career. In fact, in Karros’ case, his career was believed to pretty much be over.

However, Karros platooned at first base for most of the season, hitting .284 and providing a solid glove. Grudzielanek was an even bigger cog of the Cubs success this season. He hit .315 and fueled the Cub offensive attack (when it wasn’t completely offensive) at the two hole. Grudzielanek also played the part of turn man at second base very well.

Then Hendry went out and got the role players he needed after Corey Patterson went down with injury, and so on and so forth. For all his work, Hendry surely deserves Executive of the Year. However, this piece has already gotten off-base.

You see, I’m not here to praise the Chicago Cubs. I’m here to bury them.

I know, can you believe it? A Cubs fan ready to pitch dirt on the Cubs? What universe is this?

See, a few weeks ago, I was already thinking of the moves that the Cubs could make in the off season to strengthen their team. With some high powered free agents entering the market, and with the potential of several high powered players being traded, this Cubs team could improve even more next season! This is while the Cubs are in the heart of things attempting to chase down the Cardinals and Astros during this season.

I know that it’s a terrible way to look at it, but honestly, I blame the Cubs for it. They’ve taught me to look towards next season so often that when success comes, I don’t seem to truly appreciate it. It’s pretty sad, because this team has an honest to goodness chance of winning it all this year, and I’m Missouri. Show me. Beat the Braves, beat the Giants, and beat the Yankees. That’s the only way I’m going to believe that this team can do it is if they actually go out and do it.

As much as I love Mark Prior, as strong as he’s been all season, and despite the fact that I would run out and wash his car for him if he asked me to, he still needs to prove to me that he’s made of stern enough stuff for the postseason. He is only 23 years old, after all.

And Sammy needs to prove to me that he can be a patient, productive hitter. This is the big time, and opposing pitchers are not going to lay 3-0 and 3-1 pitches on a tee so Sammy can hit them into the stratosphere. I have a feeling that he’s going to be pitched to like Barry Bonds, with the potential for a lot of walks, but pitchers know they can get Sammy to chase bad pitches.

Yes, there is therapy for guys like me. It’s called beer.

A pennant wouldn’t hurt things either.

Nathan Loney
nathan_loney@threadapa.com

(Originally posted on ohemgee.com; reprinted by permission of the author.)