When you think of iconic rock acts, who are the first to come to mind? The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, naturally. But if you're willing to overlook AC/DC, despite whatever opinions you may hold on them, I'd be inclined to say you're out of your mind.
Twenty-five years ago, AC/DC were one of the world's largest touring acts, probably around this time in support of their 1983 release Flick of the Switch. As most music fans know, hardly any bands who maintained such success through the 1970s, 1980s, and much of the 1990s would be able to keep it up in today's music scene without hitting the county fair or amphitheater circuit years ago.
But AC/DC, much like the majority of their careers, are an exception to that rule. Just last week, the Australian metal band's fourteenth studio release Black Ice stormed to #1 on the Billboard Top 200 charts selling 800,000 copies in it's first week. The band beat out the soundtrack to High School Musical 3 by nearly a whopping 550,000 copies, skyrocketing as the #2 US release of 2008. If you're a rock band who's been on the circuit for 34 years and can dominate a universal hit like HSM by such a staggering total, you just know you're doing something right.
My folks and I, for years, have said that we would attend an AC/DC concert whenever they came to Chicago, regardless of the cost. When tickets went on sale on September 20, the tickets for October 30 at the Allstate Arena sold out instantly (no surprise, since AC/DC are a universal favorite amongst music fans everywhere). Luckily for my father who was trying to get them, a November 1 date popped up on Ticketmaster and instantly grabbed them. Of course, I didn't know about this until my birthday on the 29th, when I got a ticket of my own. So, my mother, father, and I were headed to the Allstate Arena in Rosemont that Saturday.
After a brief stop at the Hinsdale Oasis for dinner, we arrived at the Allstate at 6:00 p.m., and hung around in the car until gates opened at 6:30. The Allstate Arena isn't the nicest venue out there; its like a maze getting around the place and took awhile for us to find our seats, but when we did it was smooth sailing. I picked up a cool shirt specifically for the Chicago dates, their No Bull DVD filmed in 1996, and some glowing horns that fans wore on their heads.
A band from Ireland called The Answer opened up the show, not half bad to be honest. Shortest opening act I'd ever seen though, going on for about twenty-five minutes before being booted off. Fans had a half hour to head to the restrooms (which were a nightmare in themselves, trust me), get any refreshments, buy souvenirs, etc. AC/DC's stage time was to be 8:30 on the dot.
They weren't kidding. At 8:30 sharp, the lights went out, and the X-rated intro video on the locomotive began to air on the big high definition screen at center stage (won't spoil it for those who intend on going to see them anytime soon). As it ended, the band broke into their first song, which coincidentally was the first single off Black Ice, "Rock N' Roll Train." The fans went insane, and weren't afraid to sing every word to the newest addition to AC/DC's hit collection. Following that was a fan favorite from the former-and-late vocalist Bon Scott era, "Hell Ain't A Bad Place to Be" from 1977's Let There Be Rock. But after the reaction to their next song, 1980's "Back In Black," the crowd seemed rather tame. The placed exploded once Angus Young began the opening riff to that very popular favorite.
With the crowd now fired up and ready for more, vocalist Brian Johnson introduced another new song, this time "Big Jack," which the crowd promptly caught on to and sang along. Following that would be my personal favorite song of the evening, 1976's "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," which Brian Johnson got the crowd into with ease. The band wasted no time segwaying from that to one of the band's most popular songs, 1990's "Thunderstruck," which saw 20,000 fists of the sold out crowd pumping in the air.
After an outrageously hot start, the band decided to mellow out a bit, starting off with the title track of their latest album, "Black Ice," and moving on to a concert staple for many years, 1975's "The Jack." "The Jack" was very well received, with Johnson doing a very respectable job replacing Bon Scott's vocal and Angus Young even doing a rather humorous strip-tease in the middle of the song, allowing the crowd to go just insane.
We heard bells quietly in the background and saw a giant church bell drop from the ceiling, so we all knew what song was next. As Johnson swung around on the bell, Angus began to play the opening riff to the first song off 1980's masterpiece Back In Black (and also Johnson's first album as AC/DC's vocalist), "Hell's Bells." Next up, ironically in the same order as the album, came "Shoot To Thrill" off the same album. A personal favorite of the night for me, and clearly a favorite of the crowd as well. Following that would be two more new tracks, "War Machine" being the first (and probably the best new track of the night) and the considerably poppy "Anything Goes," two of the albums best tracks. The band did a very solid job in their choice of new songs to put in the setlist, I'd say.
After that we'd get the one AC/DC song everyone on the planet knows, the generally very tiring 1980 staple "You Shook Me All Night Long," which wasn't so bad in concert because of the crowd energy. Still a song I like to avoid on all costs. A nice compliment to "Anything Goes" though, no question. Next up was one of the band's very first singles, 1975's "T.N.T.," which was given a nice touch by the pyrotechnics and also by the emphatic "fight!" chant by Angus Young. Following that were two classics from Let There Be Rock, the first being "Whole Lotta Rosie," which featured the giant inflatable Rosie in the background and drove the crowd insane. The second tune was "Let There Be Rock" itself, clocking in at over ten minutes featuring an absolutely outrageous solo by Angus. It's easy to underestimate him as a guitar player, but seeing that solo really convinced me that he's much better than what comes off on record. Simply astounding.
The band left for a few minutes, and promptly came out for an encore with Angus rising from the ground, sporting his devil horns. He broke out with the riff to the 1979 hit "Highway to Hell," which featured plenty of crowd participation. The band would shortly after start their 1981 concert anthem and traditional concert closer "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)," with the cannons intact on top of the stack of amps. Several cannon explosions (on cue, no less) were one last calling for the crowd to go absolutely ballistic, and capped off a very solid show in very effective fashion. 20,000 fans left the Allstate Arena very satisfied.
Me? I went in as a casual fan of AC/DC, I left a HUGE fan of the band. I actually went out the next day and bought three of their albums I never had before. I've never been able to say that a concert made me a much bigger fan of a band I casually liked before, but this one did just that. Of the seventy-or-so bands I've seen, this can safely be considered one of the Top 3, up there with Rush, Genesis, and probably Van Halen in 2004. This band lives up to their title as one of the loudest and most rockin' bands of all-time, and I didn't leave disappointed.
As for the setlist, it'll please casual fans and those who've never seen them before, but die-hards will be disappointed by the over-abundance of hits (noting off 1978's Powerage, no "Moneytalks," one from Highway to Hell, nothing off their last new release Stiff Upper Lip from 2000, to name a few examples). For someone like myself, I found it considerably enjoyable, to see one of history's greatest rock n' roll bands doing what they do best. Not to mention, my ears are STILL ringing vehemently!
If you're not a big AC/DC fan but are willing to go into a concert with an open mind, I GUARANTEE you'll leave a bigger fan than you went in. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Certainly worked for me.
Setlist:
Rock N' Roll Train
Hell Ain't A Bad Place to Be
Back In Black
Big Jack
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Thunderstruck
Black Ice
The Jack
Hell's Bells
Shoot to Thrill
War Machine
Anything Goes
You Shook Me All Night Long
T.N.T.
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
Encore:
Highway to Hell
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)
-Zach
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
"Role Models" - October 27, 2008
You talk about a strange surge of inspiration. I was watching The Simpsons on DVD last night as I struggled endlessly to fall asleep. I can't tell you the episode title, all I know is, it's the second or third episode on Season 10, I was too dazed to remember. Anywho, the basis of the episode is, Homer's driving and finds out life expectancy in male's has increased and he's "wasted half his life." VERY funny beginning, I was laughing my ass off albeit half asleep. So Lisa teaches him about Thomas Edison, who he develops this obsession for and talks about non-stop, before Marge suggests he becomes more like Edison instead of talking about him.
What happens next is, he quits his job (saying Marge suggested THAT too) and decides to become a full-time inventor in the basement. He puts up a poster of Edison in front of his desk for inspiration.
Now, what relevance does this hold and why exactly am I so into this? While it is ridiculous that Homer Simpson looks at Thomas Edison, of all people, as a role model, the concept itself and the admiration he shows for the guy is, I guess you can say, charming. The Simpsons in the past have been able to evoke personal emotions in the show (in sometimes hidden ways) that sometimes seem so real, or are so similar to life, you just can't help deny just how real it comes off, and how you can relate to that (see "Lisa the Iconoclast" for a better example).
It makes you think about the role models you've had in your life and what they've meant to you at some point or another. Of course my grandfather was #1 and always will be, but that's been established. I'm talking about the person you threw the poster of up over your bed, over your desk, somewhere that you can see it to garner inspiration. It's a very interesting thing if you think about it. That because a person is so popular and has done tremendous things, you can admire them for it.
So that begs the question, who have I considered role models over the years? Well, one of my first was Eddie Van Halen. Outstanding musician, tremendous guitar player, and his music left an outrageous impact on my life at just the right time. I still reflect on the music today, despite the fact that I don't hold either him or the band in the same regard anymore. Frankly, my admiration stops at a number of dickhead moves, and I hate saying this, but he's probably the only "role model" who over the years has truly let me down. And really, it's a shame.
Musically my role models have changed since then, and have remained more steady. I take more after Sammy Hagar and Mike Anthony (ex-singer and ex-bassist of Van Halen) these days, because they had to tolerate the bullshit of the aforementioned Edward Van Halen for so many years, yet were always able to go out and put on the best damn concert possible. Not to mention, meeting them last year was also a definite positive in their regard. There's also Nikki Sixx, the smart lyricist that made Motley Crue more than just a hair band in the '80s music world, who overcame so much adversity just to try and stay alive, and sure enough, he's still out there kickin' ass. Once again, classy guy in person, definitely a great moment for me. We finally end with my "big two" the last couple years, Neil Peart and Phil Collins. Both drummers, both lyricists (though Neil much more profound than Phil), both members of my two favorite bands, and both passionate about the things they do. Never do anything bad to people who cross their paths (well, except Phil to his ex-wives *rimshot*), just go out there, try and keep the fans happy, and give their all everytime they do something. How can that not be respected?
The two biggest things in my life have always been sports and music. Yes, in that order, so naturally my sports heroes have left a much greater impact on me than my music ones have. My first ever sports idol was Sammy Sosa, I think all of us Chicago sports fans can kinda figure what happened there (*rimshot again* I'm wearing the house drummer out tonight!).
Baseball has been my primary source for heroes, and the first one for a very long time (and still kinda is) would be Ken Griffey Jr. So much fun to watch when he was younger, before he was injury prone for the tail end of his career. His days in Seattle were classic, every single game he played there was exciting. He just kinda faded out, which sadly DOES happen. But he was still my first favorite baseball player and really the first sports figure to hold out longevity as a "role model."
Chipper Jones, Cal Ripken Jr., David Justice, Greg Maddux, Kevin Brown, Tom Glavine, all these guys were some of my favorite players back in the day (well, MY day that is). Even more recently, Josh Hamilton and Ryan Braun have climbed that ladder, for Hamilton's overcoming adversity to put up stellar numbers for a, well...bad team, and Ryan Braun's scrappy playing to carry his team to the postseason.
But naturally, you stay true to your home, because that's what you're most familiar with. When Mark Grace left the Cubs (unwillingly, mind you) after the 2000 season, I studied up on him and Ryne Sandberg more. Being a Cubs fan since '96, it's easy for those two to be overshadowed by the uprising of Sammy Sosa. But these guys were just fascinating, and their numbers were stellar in their careers. They instantly climbed up the ladder for me, and eventually would become my two favorite Cubs of all-time, even though they didn't have far to go, since they were both respectively behind Sammy Sosa. Always had a strong respect for both, just took awhile for that to come into full bloom. And meeting Ryne Sandberg really was the icing on the cake, so pleasant in person and just a nice guy. I'd run into him time and time again at the Cubs Conventions and he'd actually be able to recognize me and greet me as if we've known each other our whole lives. That first happened in 2002, and sealed the deal for me, really. November will be the first time I meet Mark Grace but I assume that to be pleasant as well.
Gracie and Ryno are my two favorite idols of all-time, and the greatest role models I ever had. The jerseys, posters, baseball cards, and autographs really tell that story well enough. And hell, we may have both guys with the team next year. Ryno may coach on the Cubs roster if Sinatro leaves, and Mark Grace may replace Bob Brenley as the team's color analyst if he decides to manage the Milwaukee Brewers. That'd be just awesome if both could be a part of the 2009 campaign, and would really be special for me as a Cubs fan. It's just nice to have two down-to-earth athletes as heroes of your's as you grow up, and be able to meet them and develop seemingly personal relationships with them, as if you've been friends for a long time. It means a lot to a fan like myself.
And this ties back with the end and essentially the Simpsons episode. At the end of the Simpsons episode (after Homer found out Edison had one of his ideas but remained undiscovered, so he decided to destroy it at the Edison museum, but couldn't because he saw Edison's picture of Leonardo Da Vinci and realized the relation between he and Edison). Those posters of our heroes we hoist up in our rooms, we're just admiring someone who's exactly like us, even if we don't know them personally. A person who fought towards a dream, and once they caught up to it, took full advantage of it. A person who had the drive to make the most of themselves, someone who deep down shares the same attitudes towards people and life as we do. It goes beyond the fact that they've accomplished so much. It's the fact that, overtime, they're just like us, we're just blind to realize it.
This blog was awful, haha. Jumpy, thoughts all over. But it's meant to convey a point, and when it goes into my book sometime in 2010, it'll be edited, well...better. But I'm sick, so give me a break. Still, it's a concept I've given some serious thought over the past day and it's really interesting how it all works out. I'll have a blog in a couple days, after my birthday on Wednesday, probably. See y'all then!
-Zach
What happens next is, he quits his job (saying Marge suggested THAT too) and decides to become a full-time inventor in the basement. He puts up a poster of Edison in front of his desk for inspiration.
Now, what relevance does this hold and why exactly am I so into this? While it is ridiculous that Homer Simpson looks at Thomas Edison, of all people, as a role model, the concept itself and the admiration he shows for the guy is, I guess you can say, charming. The Simpsons in the past have been able to evoke personal emotions in the show (in sometimes hidden ways) that sometimes seem so real, or are so similar to life, you just can't help deny just how real it comes off, and how you can relate to that (see "Lisa the Iconoclast" for a better example).
It makes you think about the role models you've had in your life and what they've meant to you at some point or another. Of course my grandfather was #1 and always will be, but that's been established. I'm talking about the person you threw the poster of up over your bed, over your desk, somewhere that you can see it to garner inspiration. It's a very interesting thing if you think about it. That because a person is so popular and has done tremendous things, you can admire them for it.
So that begs the question, who have I considered role models over the years? Well, one of my first was Eddie Van Halen. Outstanding musician, tremendous guitar player, and his music left an outrageous impact on my life at just the right time. I still reflect on the music today, despite the fact that I don't hold either him or the band in the same regard anymore. Frankly, my admiration stops at a number of dickhead moves, and I hate saying this, but he's probably the only "role model" who over the years has truly let me down. And really, it's a shame.
Musically my role models have changed since then, and have remained more steady. I take more after Sammy Hagar and Mike Anthony (ex-singer and ex-bassist of Van Halen) these days, because they had to tolerate the bullshit of the aforementioned Edward Van Halen for so many years, yet were always able to go out and put on the best damn concert possible. Not to mention, meeting them last year was also a definite positive in their regard. There's also Nikki Sixx, the smart lyricist that made Motley Crue more than just a hair band in the '80s music world, who overcame so much adversity just to try and stay alive, and sure enough, he's still out there kickin' ass. Once again, classy guy in person, definitely a great moment for me. We finally end with my "big two" the last couple years, Neil Peart and Phil Collins. Both drummers, both lyricists (though Neil much more profound than Phil), both members of my two favorite bands, and both passionate about the things they do. Never do anything bad to people who cross their paths (well, except Phil to his ex-wives *rimshot*), just go out there, try and keep the fans happy, and give their all everytime they do something. How can that not be respected?
The two biggest things in my life have always been sports and music. Yes, in that order, so naturally my sports heroes have left a much greater impact on me than my music ones have. My first ever sports idol was Sammy Sosa, I think all of us Chicago sports fans can kinda figure what happened there (*rimshot again* I'm wearing the house drummer out tonight!).
Baseball has been my primary source for heroes, and the first one for a very long time (and still kinda is) would be Ken Griffey Jr. So much fun to watch when he was younger, before he was injury prone for the tail end of his career. His days in Seattle were classic, every single game he played there was exciting. He just kinda faded out, which sadly DOES happen. But he was still my first favorite baseball player and really the first sports figure to hold out longevity as a "role model."
Chipper Jones, Cal Ripken Jr., David Justice, Greg Maddux, Kevin Brown, Tom Glavine, all these guys were some of my favorite players back in the day (well, MY day that is). Even more recently, Josh Hamilton and Ryan Braun have climbed that ladder, for Hamilton's overcoming adversity to put up stellar numbers for a, well...bad team, and Ryan Braun's scrappy playing to carry his team to the postseason.
But naturally, you stay true to your home, because that's what you're most familiar with. When Mark Grace left the Cubs (unwillingly, mind you) after the 2000 season, I studied up on him and Ryne Sandberg more. Being a Cubs fan since '96, it's easy for those two to be overshadowed by the uprising of Sammy Sosa. But these guys were just fascinating, and their numbers were stellar in their careers. They instantly climbed up the ladder for me, and eventually would become my two favorite Cubs of all-time, even though they didn't have far to go, since they were both respectively behind Sammy Sosa. Always had a strong respect for both, just took awhile for that to come into full bloom. And meeting Ryne Sandberg really was the icing on the cake, so pleasant in person and just a nice guy. I'd run into him time and time again at the Cubs Conventions and he'd actually be able to recognize me and greet me as if we've known each other our whole lives. That first happened in 2002, and sealed the deal for me, really. November will be the first time I meet Mark Grace but I assume that to be pleasant as well.
Gracie and Ryno are my two favorite idols of all-time, and the greatest role models I ever had. The jerseys, posters, baseball cards, and autographs really tell that story well enough. And hell, we may have both guys with the team next year. Ryno may coach on the Cubs roster if Sinatro leaves, and Mark Grace may replace Bob Brenley as the team's color analyst if he decides to manage the Milwaukee Brewers. That'd be just awesome if both could be a part of the 2009 campaign, and would really be special for me as a Cubs fan. It's just nice to have two down-to-earth athletes as heroes of your's as you grow up, and be able to meet them and develop seemingly personal relationships with them, as if you've been friends for a long time. It means a lot to a fan like myself.
And this ties back with the end and essentially the Simpsons episode. At the end of the Simpsons episode (after Homer found out Edison had one of his ideas but remained undiscovered, so he decided to destroy it at the Edison museum, but couldn't because he saw Edison's picture of Leonardo Da Vinci and realized the relation between he and Edison). Those posters of our heroes we hoist up in our rooms, we're just admiring someone who's exactly like us, even if we don't know them personally. A person who fought towards a dream, and once they caught up to it, took full advantage of it. A person who had the drive to make the most of themselves, someone who deep down shares the same attitudes towards people and life as we do. It goes beyond the fact that they've accomplished so much. It's the fact that, overtime, they're just like us, we're just blind to realize it.
This blog was awful, haha. Jumpy, thoughts all over. But it's meant to convey a point, and when it goes into my book sometime in 2010, it'll be edited, well...better. But I'm sick, so give me a break. Still, it's a concept I've given some serious thought over the past day and it's really interesting how it all works out. I'll have a blog in a couple days, after my birthday on Wednesday, probably. See y'all then!
-Zach
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
"Reflection: 7th Grade" - October 14, 2008
Why 7th grade? Well, to be honest, I couldn't tell you. You all know me, I choose the most unusual times to be nostalgic, but it was one of the best times of my life, hands down, and really tends to be overlooked because it's in between two massive events that really altered my life forever. So it's like the cheese on a sandwich from Subway; you know its there, but you fail to recognize it because its inbetween the Hearty Italian bread and the meat. Cheesy analogy, eh? (pun TOTALLY intended :D)
So how did it all start? I moved out of Chicago on August 13, 2004 (we make note of that everytime that date passes), and started school about a week after I moved. If I could make a guess, and I'm not 100% positive, my first day at Taft (and at a different school for the first time in eight years) was August 21, 2004. It was tough, because I was coming off what could've very well been the best summer of my life, still in Chicago. Talk about a massive shift; moving from a school of 800 people to one of about 350. It was smaller, a bit of a dump (sorry Taft fans, I simply cannot lower my standards), and the people were...different. Was the difference in people necessarily a bad thing? Absolutely not. It was just a shift that, at that point in my life, I simply wasn't used to.
The people were nice, very welcoming, something I hadn't expected (simply because of my upbringing and the society I was surrounded by). Despite being a generally outgoing person, I was nervous as hell my first day there, and I think it could show. For Christ's sake, I didn't even know how to use the locks on the lockers, because for eight years of my life that was never a concern. So as I said, things were different, but it was an environment I could get used to real quickly.
I made some fast friends. Darren and Nicco, both Cubs fans (huge sigh of relief, because living on the South Side as a Cubs fan for twelve years ain't easy) who I'd generally talk baseball with. Leianne, Tiarra, and Kasey, who were in fairness the first people to approach me and really make me feel comfortable where I was. Then there was the person who I considered my best friend for two years, Roberta, who I honestly can't say the same about anymore. Not her fault, moreso mine, but more on that later. I developed a strong foundation pretty quickly.
So this is Autumn 2004, a time when one could proudly wear a Mark Prior 2003 All Star Game jersey without criticism, when people didn't want George Bush to serve a second term but really had no other choice, since his opposition was even worse (and yes, I am a Dem). My Cubs were closing out perhaps the most humiliating season I'd ever seen from them, whiniest and most pathetic group of professional athletes I'd ever witnessed. I also remember, almost every weekend, playing NFL 2K5 when I woke up to about 2 p.m., listening to either the Loop or a CD on my radio filling some time, very relaxing. I also became addicted to Family Guy very quickly, needed something to enjoy at 10:30 p.m. before heading to sleep (still an addiction). To be honest, it's really all I can remember about the time period, hah.
Anywho, time moves on, and things become more and more positive with people I'd become close to, some of which I'd considered best friends. I'd become attracted to Roberta, very strongly, one of the longest attractions to someone I'd ever had. You can't help who you like, which she understood, but I took that to an extreme I really shouldn't have taken it to. As soon as I got over it, things between her and I weren't the same. She'd suggest differently, but I never felt the same afterward, as if I screwed up the solid friendship we already had. They say "live life with no regrets," but sometimes you just do things you wish sometime down the road you can change. And the problem is, you can't. Maybe I'm being too hard on myself, but she was, and frankly still is, one of the most special people I've met in my life, and it's just difficult to swallow the fact that I handled that so carelessly at one point. It'd be nice to still be able to call her a "best friend," but things have just become to distanced between her and I, though like I said, none of that is her fault. If she reads this, I hope she realizes that she's still in my thoughts and very important to me, despite the distance between us.
So, skip the winter, t'was a boring time for the post part. I just remember spending long, cold nights with my Game Boy SP in front of our new TV watching football, filling the void with nothing to do. Motley Crue released new music and began a tour, after becoming a full-fledged fan the last summer, it was quite a treat. I picked up their greatest hits set (Red, White, and Crue) on February 5, 2005 (I still had the receipt, shockingly enough) and would often listen to it while doing homework or watching Arena Football on Saturday afternoons quietly in my room. Those two discs HAVE to be burned out by now, hah. An occasional school event here and there, generally a basketball game with some friends. Not a bad time at all.
Spring was a fucking blast, 'nuff said. I reunited (briefly) with a friend of mine, someone I considered a tremendous friend back in 2nd grade, and her name is Kate. I remember spending hours on end on the phone with her just catching up, whilst playing "ESPN MLB 2K5" on my XBOX. Things with her and I started really well, then we just kinda stopped talking around June (though we picked back up in January 2008, and haven't stopped talking since, very happy about that). In other news, my Cubs showed promise, the Bulls were a genuinely good basketball team for a change and made the playoffs, the NCAA Tournament was a blast because of the Illini making it to the Championship (and getting a cheap loss to those UNC bastards).
Later in the Spring, around May before summer break, was an outstanding time. I held a legitimate relationship with just about anyone you can think of, and even some then-eighth graders moving on to high school. For the first time in awhile, I really felt genuine respect, a feeling that hasn't faded since. It was just nice to be able to have those kinds of relationships with people. We had to do research papers, which I remember writing often while listening to Van Halen's "OU812" album with King of the Hill or Simpsons on the TV. Still the best paper I ever wrote, because the situation was just flawless. I went to see U2 and Sammy Hagar within three days of each other that month, towards the end they had the school olympics thing (which was awesome the first year around, but became really tired by my eighth grade year), and grad dance. Sad to see all those eighth graders leave the school, which is funny because I only associate myself with one these days, and we don't even talk, she's just in my English class this year. Funny how that works, eh?
The summer essentially began the weekend before school finished. I took a trip out to Dale's, first time since New Years and only second time since I'd moved since we did that. He had something going on my first day there, so I spent some time with old St. Dans friends I hadn't seen in a year. That was the perfect start to my summer, so incredible to see all those people again after such a long time (still is, actually). After the grad dance and the end of the year celebrations and such, Steph Lillis invited me to her grad party, which I remember for some strange reason as being a very good day. That following weekend, I went to the Cubs / Red Sox game at Wrigley on June 10, which we graciously won 14-6. I went to St. Dennis' carnival and hung out with Jessy Morgan most of the time the following day which was also a ton of fun. I also developed relationships with two going-on 7th graders (now sophomores) who have left a huge impact on my life, Jenny Jackinoski and Auston Wheets (sp? sorry bro :D), which ended up being a massive highlight to my summer.
Of course, all good things come to an end. This was around the time my grandfather was hospitalized and became very ill, eventually leading to his death. That's the one experience that changed my life forever, and things haven't been the same since. But it's safe to say before that, was easily one of the happiest times of my entire life, hands down, and I have a ton of people to thank for that. Those are the same people who made life easy on me following that tragic June 22 afternoon. The majority of which I still talk to today (Darren, Nicco), some of which I wish remained a part of my life (Leianne, Berta). The last thing I did that summer before spending it in isolation following grandad's passing was Canal Days, which was really fun since I spent most of my time with people who I wouldn't see again until August.
Oh, how things have changed, eh? I still can't believe that was three years ago, unbelievable. A LOT has happened since 7th grade, but it was the silver lining between two massively bad events to occur in my life, a silver lining that lasted a good ten months and I'm damn proud of it. I'm sure half of those people won't read this, but to the ones who left their impact: Thanks. You guys still mean a lot to me and my growth as a human being and I couldn't appreciate it more, and thanks to you all, you made my first year a VERY good one.
This was longer than expected. Well, that's about it, then!
-Zach
So how did it all start? I moved out of Chicago on August 13, 2004 (we make note of that everytime that date passes), and started school about a week after I moved. If I could make a guess, and I'm not 100% positive, my first day at Taft (and at a different school for the first time in eight years) was August 21, 2004. It was tough, because I was coming off what could've very well been the best summer of my life, still in Chicago. Talk about a massive shift; moving from a school of 800 people to one of about 350. It was smaller, a bit of a dump (sorry Taft fans, I simply cannot lower my standards), and the people were...different. Was the difference in people necessarily a bad thing? Absolutely not. It was just a shift that, at that point in my life, I simply wasn't used to.
The people were nice, very welcoming, something I hadn't expected (simply because of my upbringing and the society I was surrounded by). Despite being a generally outgoing person, I was nervous as hell my first day there, and I think it could show. For Christ's sake, I didn't even know how to use the locks on the lockers, because for eight years of my life that was never a concern. So as I said, things were different, but it was an environment I could get used to real quickly.
I made some fast friends. Darren and Nicco, both Cubs fans (huge sigh of relief, because living on the South Side as a Cubs fan for twelve years ain't easy) who I'd generally talk baseball with. Leianne, Tiarra, and Kasey, who were in fairness the first people to approach me and really make me feel comfortable where I was. Then there was the person who I considered my best friend for two years, Roberta, who I honestly can't say the same about anymore. Not her fault, moreso mine, but more on that later. I developed a strong foundation pretty quickly.
So this is Autumn 2004, a time when one could proudly wear a Mark Prior 2003 All Star Game jersey without criticism, when people didn't want George Bush to serve a second term but really had no other choice, since his opposition was even worse (and yes, I am a Dem). My Cubs were closing out perhaps the most humiliating season I'd ever seen from them, whiniest and most pathetic group of professional athletes I'd ever witnessed. I also remember, almost every weekend, playing NFL 2K5 when I woke up to about 2 p.m., listening to either the Loop or a CD on my radio filling some time, very relaxing. I also became addicted to Family Guy very quickly, needed something to enjoy at 10:30 p.m. before heading to sleep (still an addiction). To be honest, it's really all I can remember about the time period, hah.
Anywho, time moves on, and things become more and more positive with people I'd become close to, some of which I'd considered best friends. I'd become attracted to Roberta, very strongly, one of the longest attractions to someone I'd ever had. You can't help who you like, which she understood, but I took that to an extreme I really shouldn't have taken it to. As soon as I got over it, things between her and I weren't the same. She'd suggest differently, but I never felt the same afterward, as if I screwed up the solid friendship we already had. They say "live life with no regrets," but sometimes you just do things you wish sometime down the road you can change. And the problem is, you can't. Maybe I'm being too hard on myself, but she was, and frankly still is, one of the most special people I've met in my life, and it's just difficult to swallow the fact that I handled that so carelessly at one point. It'd be nice to still be able to call her a "best friend," but things have just become to distanced between her and I, though like I said, none of that is her fault. If she reads this, I hope she realizes that she's still in my thoughts and very important to me, despite the distance between us.
So, skip the winter, t'was a boring time for the post part. I just remember spending long, cold nights with my Game Boy SP in front of our new TV watching football, filling the void with nothing to do. Motley Crue released new music and began a tour, after becoming a full-fledged fan the last summer, it was quite a treat. I picked up their greatest hits set (Red, White, and Crue) on February 5, 2005 (I still had the receipt, shockingly enough) and would often listen to it while doing homework or watching Arena Football on Saturday afternoons quietly in my room. Those two discs HAVE to be burned out by now, hah. An occasional school event here and there, generally a basketball game with some friends. Not a bad time at all.
Spring was a fucking blast, 'nuff said. I reunited (briefly) with a friend of mine, someone I considered a tremendous friend back in 2nd grade, and her name is Kate. I remember spending hours on end on the phone with her just catching up, whilst playing "ESPN MLB 2K5" on my XBOX. Things with her and I started really well, then we just kinda stopped talking around June (though we picked back up in January 2008, and haven't stopped talking since, very happy about that). In other news, my Cubs showed promise, the Bulls were a genuinely good basketball team for a change and made the playoffs, the NCAA Tournament was a blast because of the Illini making it to the Championship (and getting a cheap loss to those UNC bastards).
Later in the Spring, around May before summer break, was an outstanding time. I held a legitimate relationship with just about anyone you can think of, and even some then-eighth graders moving on to high school. For the first time in awhile, I really felt genuine respect, a feeling that hasn't faded since. It was just nice to be able to have those kinds of relationships with people. We had to do research papers, which I remember writing often while listening to Van Halen's "OU812" album with King of the Hill or Simpsons on the TV. Still the best paper I ever wrote, because the situation was just flawless. I went to see U2 and Sammy Hagar within three days of each other that month, towards the end they had the school olympics thing (which was awesome the first year around, but became really tired by my eighth grade year), and grad dance. Sad to see all those eighth graders leave the school, which is funny because I only associate myself with one these days, and we don't even talk, she's just in my English class this year. Funny how that works, eh?
The summer essentially began the weekend before school finished. I took a trip out to Dale's, first time since New Years and only second time since I'd moved since we did that. He had something going on my first day there, so I spent some time with old St. Dans friends I hadn't seen in a year. That was the perfect start to my summer, so incredible to see all those people again after such a long time (still is, actually). After the grad dance and the end of the year celebrations and such, Steph Lillis invited me to her grad party, which I remember for some strange reason as being a very good day. That following weekend, I went to the Cubs / Red Sox game at Wrigley on June 10, which we graciously won 14-6. I went to St. Dennis' carnival and hung out with Jessy Morgan most of the time the following day which was also a ton of fun. I also developed relationships with two going-on 7th graders (now sophomores) who have left a huge impact on my life, Jenny Jackinoski and Auston Wheets (sp? sorry bro :D), which ended up being a massive highlight to my summer.
Of course, all good things come to an end. This was around the time my grandfather was hospitalized and became very ill, eventually leading to his death. That's the one experience that changed my life forever, and things haven't been the same since. But it's safe to say before that, was easily one of the happiest times of my entire life, hands down, and I have a ton of people to thank for that. Those are the same people who made life easy on me following that tragic June 22 afternoon. The majority of which I still talk to today (Darren, Nicco), some of which I wish remained a part of my life (Leianne, Berta). The last thing I did that summer before spending it in isolation following grandad's passing was Canal Days, which was really fun since I spent most of my time with people who I wouldn't see again until August.
Oh, how things have changed, eh? I still can't believe that was three years ago, unbelievable. A LOT has happened since 7th grade, but it was the silver lining between two massively bad events to occur in my life, a silver lining that lasted a good ten months and I'm damn proud of it. I'm sure half of those people won't read this, but to the ones who left their impact: Thanks. You guys still mean a lot to me and my growth as a human being and I couldn't appreciate it more, and thanks to you all, you made my first year a VERY good one.
This was longer than expected. Well, that's about it, then!
-Zach
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Hunt For Blue October 2008: Miserable Failure
The 2008 Chicago Cubs team was one seeking redemption. In their second season under manager Lou Piniella, not to mention the whole team being together as a whole (minus Jason Kendall, Jaque Jones, and Cliff Floyd, plus Kosuke Fukudome, Reed Johnson, Jim Edmonds, and Rich Harden), this ballclub looked more comfortable together and much more poised to do more than what they did in 2007. And that they did.
The 2008 regular season was, in every sense of the word, magical. Think of all the moments this team had witnessed this season, things that I as a fan had never seen in the twelve-years-and-counting of watching this team. We won our 10,000th game on April 23 in Colorado, via a walk-off homer by Aramis Ramirez. A 19-run shellacking of the Milwaukee Brewers a week later on the 30th. Posting an 18-9 record in the month of April, posting two six-game winning streaks to justify that record. We were down 9-1 against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley on May 30, before scoring nine runs in the sixth and seventh innings to come back miraculously and win 10-9. The “1948 Game” on June 12 against the Braves, which went eleven innings courtesy of a Jim Edmonds game-tying homer in the bottom of the ninth, only to be won by the Cubs in the eleventh with a bases loaded hit-by-pitch to Reed Johnson to end the game 3-2. The sweep against the crosstown American League rival, the first-place White Sox, at Wrigley (only to be followed by a sweep at the Cell a week later). Rich Harden’s first start as a Cub on July 12 against the Giants, with the Cubs leading 7-0 only for then-struggling set-up man Carlos Marmol to blow that lead, tying it at 7-7 going into extras. The Cubs would win it on a walk-off single by Reed Johnson in the bottom of the eleventh inning. The magical (and then, necessary) sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers at the end of July, burying them to five games behind first place. A back-and-forth game against the Astros on August 5, only to be won thanks to an Alfonso Soriano three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh, widening the gap, eventually winning the game. Outscoring the Braves a week later in Atlanta 29-9, sweeping the season series for the first time in franchise history. A seven game winning streak at the end of August (topped off by an Aramis Ramirez go-ahead grand slam against the Phillies in the sixth victory). The mid-September make-up series in Miller Park against the Astros, which featured the first Cubs no-hitter in 36 years by Carlos Zambrano, as well as a one-hitter thrown by Ted Lilly the next day. A magical game against Milwaukee later that week, on September 18, with the Cubs down 6-2 before shortening the gap to three runs, and closing the gap with a two-out, three-run homer by Geovany Soto taking it to extra innings. The Cubs would win in twelve innings on a walk-off single by Derrek Lee, 7-6. The clinching game on September 20 against rival St. Louis Cardinals. And even after the clinch, we took the New York Mets to extras eventually winning off an Aramis Ramirez walk-off homer, proving to be a deciding factor in the Mets’ Wild Card hopes later on.
Of course every magical season does have a few downsides. Opening the season losing a series to the Milwaukee Brewers certainly wasn’t starting off on the right foot. We lost Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Zambrano here and there to injury (which may be considered a good thing in the long run). We had a downright horrific season against the American League during interleague play, posting a 6-9 record. The team had a rough time after the All-Star break, losing series’ to the Diamondbacks and Astros with serious hitting problems. We went on a six-game losing streak at the end of August entering September. The season didn’t end well, since the team seemed to take it easy, posting a subpar 4-4 record following the September 20 clincher.
Sure, it was magical, and this is the first time I could safely say I saw a real team effort instead of just a few stars stepping up to the plate (excluding 2003). Mark DeRosa put up a Ryne Sandberg quality season at the plate, hitting a career high 21 homers, driving in 87 runs, and posting another solid .285 batting average for his second year as a Cub. Geovany Soto is single-handedly the National League Rookie of the Year, hitting .285, 23 homers, and 86 RBIs, and establishing himself as a quality starting catcher for years to come. Those two have arguably put up a fight to share the Team MVP award this season. Aramis Ramirez, despite some struggles here and there, put together another quality year, hitting .289 with 27 homers and drove in 111 runs—the best on the roster. Jim Edmonds and Reed Johnson created a successful platoon in center field, hitting a combined 25 home runs and driving in 99 runs, perhaps the biggest surprise of the season. Ryan Dempster was successful as a starter, winning 17 games and posting an ERA under three. Ted Lilly also won 17 even considering his early-season struggles, and could safely be considered the ace of this staff after his past two seasons. Rich Harden fulfilled his expectations, going 5-1 with an ERA under two since coming to the Cubs in July. Carlos Marmol had mid-season struggles, but bounced back to remain one of the elite relievers in all of baseball. Sean Marshall, after being converted to a long-relief man, did very well in his relief appearances, and did decently in his spot starts as well.
And like any season, it has its disappointments. Tops would be the $136 million man Alfonso Soriano. Yes, in limited time he hit 29 homers and hit .280, but when he wasn’t on a white-hot streak of hitting, he was really bad. Derrek Lee continued his slumping since the middle of the 2007 campaign, albeit posting a .290 batting average with 20 homers and 90 RBIs. His 27 double plays and .361 on-base percentage don’t bode well, and his inability to get hits when the team truly needs him to come through have really frustrated the fans. Kosuke Fukudome started off tremendously well at the beginning, but tailed off miserably as the season progressed, eventually hitting under .200 for the months of August and September and losing his starting job. Carlos Zambrano came out like a house of fire but really slowed down in the final two months, eventually winning only 14 games and posting a 3.81 ERA. Jeff Samradzija, to me, did not live up to expectations, and was often unreliable as time passed, despite a glimmering 2.28 ERA. And one mention I’ll take a lot of heat for, Kerry Wood. Had a rough start but eventually found fair ground for a good couple months, before a blister injury in July added very unnecessary drama within the club. Since his return on August 5, he hadn’t been the same, posting a 6.75 ERA in the month of September. Despite an attractive total of 34 saves, he still doesn’t appear to have the make-up of a successful closer, blowing six of his forty save opportunities and proving unreliable at certain times.
But despite the disappointments and occasional season struggles, this team was able to win 97 games—twelve more than last season’s total of 85—and be the first National League team to clinch both a division title and home field advantage in 2008. The team looked very promising and ready to succeed, after last season’s Division Series disaster against the Arizona Diamondbacks, being swept in three games and outscored 14-5. To these guys, last season appeared to be a learning experience, as they seemed ready and poised to prove that this team was indeed better than last. Not to mention, the Cubs HAD to make it to at least the NLCS, or the season looks like a regression and therefore, a failure.
They would be faced with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who the Cubs looked very solid against early on but had become an entirely different ballclub since the last time they faced off on June 8. Trades for Casey Blake and Greg Maddux added some postseason experience to the club as well as another bat and arm to a lineup and rotation that looked pretty good already. But the trade that made headlines from July 31 through Game #162 was the one for Manny Ramirez, who cut his hair (somewhat) and wore jersey number 99 for the remainder of the season. He provided nothing but a positive influence on the team, and helped them believe they could win ballgames. So the combination of manager Joe Torre, Ramirez, and Maddux—all three men with tremendous postseason experience—really helped the team in becoming the powerful force they did in the final two months, despite winning only 84 games in the regular season.
So this team provided a challenge, and the Cubs as well as their fans were aware of that. Game 1 of the NLDS was a wash. The game started well, getting Manny Ramirez to ground into a double play, Mark DeRosa putting us ahead 2-0 with a wind-blown homer to right, and an awkward catch by Fukudome in right. Things really looked to be in our favor. Ryan Dempster, however, looked rough, only going 4 2/3 innings, walking seven batters. While his strike zone was inconsistent early on, as the game progressed he kept missing his spots, and the walks did eventually catch up to him, allowing a grand slam to Dodger first baseman James Loney, putting them ahead 4-2. Things only got worse, as Sean Marshall would pitch an effective 2 1/3 innings allowing only one run, a truly remarkable solo golf shot by Manny Ramirez that had to have been hit 450 ft. out of the yard. Jeff Samardzija came in and allowed one more run on singles, and Jason Marquis capped off the game by allowing a solo bomb to Dodger catcher Russell Martin (and almost allowing another by Andre Ethier). The Cubs would go on to lose Game 1 7-2, appropriately on a pop-out by Alfonso Soriano thrown by Cubs fan-favorite Greg Maddux, assumed to be pitching as a “let’s rub it in” move by Joe Torre in the late innings.
Game 2 didn’t prove to be any better, only this time the signs of a loss came very early on. Carlos Zambrano looked good in the first, retiring the side with ease. The top of the second, however, marked the Cubs downfall. It all started with a play at shortstop which Ryan Theriot attempted to bare-hand, when he could’ve easily stuck his glove in front of the ball and made an out, which resulted in a base-runner for Los Angeles. It didn’t get any prettier. Next was a grounder to Mark DeRosa which he muffed at second, when he could’ve easily turned a double play had he succeeded to field the grounder. Then a grounder was slapped Derrek Lee’s way—a play he’d usually make—and it deflected off his glove. The inning was topped off by a bases-clearing double by Russell Martin, and in the blink of an eye, the Cubs were down 5-0. The Dodgers continued to pile on runs (one of which being another solo shot to Manny Ramirez off the box seats in center field) and eventually led 10-1 by the ninth inning (the only Cub run coming off a Jim Edmonds double). Carlos Zambrano turned in a solid start despite fan skepticism, allowing seven runs, only three actually earned. The Cubs tried to come back in the bottom of the ninth, with Mark DeRosa attempting to redeem himself by driving in two runs on a double making the score 10-3. The game eventually ended on a strikeout to pinch hitter Daryle Ward. Just like that, the Dodgers, lead the series 2-0 going into Los Angeles.
Cubs fans and the media still held out hope for Game 3, even though based on the horrendous display of offense the last several games I wasn’t getting my hopes up, personally. I had every right not to. The Dodgers started off strong, courtesy of a James Loney two-run double in the first putting them ahead 2-0 (easily should be considered the NLDS MVP, hands down). The Cubs had so many chances to put something together, having men in scoring position numerous times leading up to the offense just not driving them home. It really was, to say the least, pathetic. Starter Rich Harden looked fine, he missed his spots here and there but for the most part, the runs he gave up shouldn’t have made the difference in this game, considering the opportunities we saw. But they did. With a 3-0 score late in the game, Daryle Ward tried to make a statement by driving in the Cubs’ first run of the game, but sadly that was futile. In the top of the ninth, appropriately enough, Fukudome grounded out and Soriano struck out swinging to end the game. What a way to go down, huh?
Last year’s postseason was a failure, but the season itself can be considered a success. We made a statement that we were good enough to take this team to the next level in 2008. We didn’t do that. We had to do more than just win 97 games in the regular season, we already proved we had a team that could make the playoffs. We had to go out and prove that we could take it further than the first round of the playoffs. We couldn’t do that, which makes this entire campaign, sadly, a failure.
It was a fun season full of magical moments that I, as a fan, will never forget and have been proud to witness, but it doesn’t diminish the fact that we failed our biggest goal this season. And it’s heartbreaking. I wasn’t there for 1984 or 1989. This is the first time I actually felt that, at times, this could be “the year,” just never said it to prevent the jinx (yes, I believe in that, just not curses or Steve Bartman).
But then again, I’ve done the dance before and I’ve seen it in my twelve years of watching this team. I watched us get embarrassingly swept by the Atlanta Braves in 1998’s NLDS, topped off by an eighth inning grand slam by catcher Eddie Perez in Game 3. I watched us get to five outs away in 2003’s NLCS before Alex Gonzalez muffed up a routine double play opening the door to a huge eighth inning for the Florida Marlins, eventually leading to our demise. I saw us go in ridiculously unprepared to last season’s playoffs, and we proved we weren’t ready, getting swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLDS. This year, I really thought we were more ready for the dance, that we had learned from the mistakes of last year and would try to bounce back from them. I had higher hopes than last year, but being a realist I can’t say I’m too crushed because as a Cubs fan, eventually you just have to expect a collapse. You haven’t won it until you actually win the damn Series, which is why I hated those God-forsaken “Its Gonna Happen!” signs around the ballpark. Looks like those of us smart enough to not get too ahead of ourselves are having the last laugh. No, I’m more frustrated and disappointed than anything, because the team could’ve done special things. They didn’t.
So now we look ahead towards 2009 and what could be fixed. You wish the organization wasn’t stupid enough to give Alfonso Soriano a $136 million contract for as many years as they did, since we signed him as a leadoff hitter with speed. To be perfectly blunt, he sucks at both aspects and provides nothing but a guess hitter at the top of the lineup. He’s no all-star, he’s a hack. We screwed up by not giving Carlos Beltran a big contract in 2005, that way we could’ve avoided the signing or Sorry-ano. Instead, we’re stuck with this guy. That’s your all-star, that’s your team leader. What an embarrassment. The first base position needs an upgrade. I personally respect what Derrek Lee gave this organization but his time has really run out. He’s not the player he was in 2005 or even the beginning of 2007, he’s become older now and he’s losing his stride, so something has to be done. You either give Micah Hoffpauir a chance, who could very well surprise us in a way Geovany Soto did this past season, or you spend money on Mark Teixeira, an established young first baseman who hits the market this offseason. You’re pretty much stuck with Fukudome and I think it’s fair to give him the second chance, since he did prove the potential is there. In center, re-sign Reed Johnson and make him your everyday starter (I give up on Pie, I’m still not sold after two seasons). Why not Edmonds? I think he’s going to retire, and if he doesn’t, I don’t think it’d be wise to take him back anyway (shades of Gary Gaetti ’99, anyone?). If you’re really picky and want to upgrade at short, there are several scenarios that could be played out and I’ll leave that to you all. I’m personally alright with Ryan Theriot as our everyday shortstop for 2009.
Pitching? Try and keep the core of Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, and Harden at the top. They did tremendously well this season and you really couldn’t ask for more from them (maybe “Z,” but that’s a bit picky). For the fifth spot, hold an audition between Jeff Samardzija (that IS why we signed him), Sean Marshall, and Rich Hill (give him another shot, I still think he’s got it). Try and shop Jason Marquis around, he’s done well as the #5 starter and will be valuable somewhere else. As far as the pen is concerned, I will not shed any tears if Kerry Wood doesn’t return, but we all know that he’ll be re-signed in the coming days anyway, so who cares? Brian Fuentes and David Weathers, two quality and experienced relievers, become free agents next season. Try and buff up the obvious weak spot on the roster with one of those two, it can only go up from where it is now. Don’t even waste your time on Bob Howry anymore.
Changes need to be made. Jim Hendry made minimal ones after 2007 and look where it got us. I’m talking BIG changes, changes that will alter the focus of this team for the better, take for example the Manny Ramirez signing in Los Angeles and how that impacted the team so positively. We need something different, instead of the same guys walking in and blowing people away in 2009, only to slump in the postseason yet again.
It’s been a good year, but a failure. As a fan, I’m hoping I can step into my thirteenth year feeling good about it, but frankly, after this past offseason (and the past seven or eight), going into the Cubs Convention in January saying “this just might be it,” I’ll be saying “You failed the past two seasons. I don’t care if you win 120 games, it’s not going to look like a serious effort until you win a playoff series.” Damn right I’ll be more critical, and next year it’ll be taken to a different extreme, and extreme even I probably won’t be too familiar with. I am, however, happy with Lou Piniella. He still keeps a cool head and knows how to manage this ballclub and keep their heads in the game, and one has to respect that. He's done a great job these past two seasons and hopefully he gives us the same success in the next two.
It’s gonna be a long, cold offseason my friends. Just sit back and enjoy the rest of October baseball and what it has to offer. The Rays are looking good, as are the Red Sox, and the Dodgers are red hot. As far as the Cubs are concerned, I’ll still hold out hope, I’ll still attend games and the Cubs Convention, I’ll still watch the games and support my team. But damned if I can even get sucked into the trap I got sucked into this season ever again. It’ll be an interesting offseason, with the sale of the team and the ballpark, moves that will be made. We’ll see where this takes us. But right now, as I said, let’s just enjoy the rest of what October baseball has to offer and relax, before we worry and stress over “next year.”
2008 Team MVP: Mark DeRosa / Geovany Soto / Jim Edmonds and Reed Johnson - What DeRosa and Soto were able to provide in the middle of the lineup was absolutely huge, and the platoon of Edmonds and Johnson--two guys who weren't even at Spring Training--has proven to be a massive success for the club this season. It'd be a disappointment to not recognize those two along with DeRo and Soto as far as value to the team.
2008 Team Cy Young Winner: Ted Lilly - To go through what he did during the early part of the season and still manage to post 17 wins is remarkable, in every sense of the word. "Bad Lilly" only showed up a few times after April, but for the most part he was consistent on the road and at home, something that can't be said for Ryan Dempster.
2008 Team Most Improved Player: Ryan Dempster - It's pretty obvious. I thought he was horrendous as our closer, but winning 17 games and being so dominant at home really made things much easier on the team to win games. Good call, Lou!
The 2008 regular season was, in every sense of the word, magical. Think of all the moments this team had witnessed this season, things that I as a fan had never seen in the twelve-years-and-counting of watching this team. We won our 10,000th game on April 23 in Colorado, via a walk-off homer by Aramis Ramirez. A 19-run shellacking of the Milwaukee Brewers a week later on the 30th. Posting an 18-9 record in the month of April, posting two six-game winning streaks to justify that record. We were down 9-1 against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley on May 30, before scoring nine runs in the sixth and seventh innings to come back miraculously and win 10-9. The “1948 Game” on June 12 against the Braves, which went eleven innings courtesy of a Jim Edmonds game-tying homer in the bottom of the ninth, only to be won by the Cubs in the eleventh with a bases loaded hit-by-pitch to Reed Johnson to end the game 3-2. The sweep against the crosstown American League rival, the first-place White Sox, at Wrigley (only to be followed by a sweep at the Cell a week later). Rich Harden’s first start as a Cub on July 12 against the Giants, with the Cubs leading 7-0 only for then-struggling set-up man Carlos Marmol to blow that lead, tying it at 7-7 going into extras. The Cubs would win it on a walk-off single by Reed Johnson in the bottom of the eleventh inning. The magical (and then, necessary) sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers at the end of July, burying them to five games behind first place. A back-and-forth game against the Astros on August 5, only to be won thanks to an Alfonso Soriano three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh, widening the gap, eventually winning the game. Outscoring the Braves a week later in Atlanta 29-9, sweeping the season series for the first time in franchise history. A seven game winning streak at the end of August (topped off by an Aramis Ramirez go-ahead grand slam against the Phillies in the sixth victory). The mid-September make-up series in Miller Park against the Astros, which featured the first Cubs no-hitter in 36 years by Carlos Zambrano, as well as a one-hitter thrown by Ted Lilly the next day. A magical game against Milwaukee later that week, on September 18, with the Cubs down 6-2 before shortening the gap to three runs, and closing the gap with a two-out, three-run homer by Geovany Soto taking it to extra innings. The Cubs would win in twelve innings on a walk-off single by Derrek Lee, 7-6. The clinching game on September 20 against rival St. Louis Cardinals. And even after the clinch, we took the New York Mets to extras eventually winning off an Aramis Ramirez walk-off homer, proving to be a deciding factor in the Mets’ Wild Card hopes later on.
Of course every magical season does have a few downsides. Opening the season losing a series to the Milwaukee Brewers certainly wasn’t starting off on the right foot. We lost Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Zambrano here and there to injury (which may be considered a good thing in the long run). We had a downright horrific season against the American League during interleague play, posting a 6-9 record. The team had a rough time after the All-Star break, losing series’ to the Diamondbacks and Astros with serious hitting problems. We went on a six-game losing streak at the end of August entering September. The season didn’t end well, since the team seemed to take it easy, posting a subpar 4-4 record following the September 20 clincher.
Sure, it was magical, and this is the first time I could safely say I saw a real team effort instead of just a few stars stepping up to the plate (excluding 2003). Mark DeRosa put up a Ryne Sandberg quality season at the plate, hitting a career high 21 homers, driving in 87 runs, and posting another solid .285 batting average for his second year as a Cub. Geovany Soto is single-handedly the National League Rookie of the Year, hitting .285, 23 homers, and 86 RBIs, and establishing himself as a quality starting catcher for years to come. Those two have arguably put up a fight to share the Team MVP award this season. Aramis Ramirez, despite some struggles here and there, put together another quality year, hitting .289 with 27 homers and drove in 111 runs—the best on the roster. Jim Edmonds and Reed Johnson created a successful platoon in center field, hitting a combined 25 home runs and driving in 99 runs, perhaps the biggest surprise of the season. Ryan Dempster was successful as a starter, winning 17 games and posting an ERA under three. Ted Lilly also won 17 even considering his early-season struggles, and could safely be considered the ace of this staff after his past two seasons. Rich Harden fulfilled his expectations, going 5-1 with an ERA under two since coming to the Cubs in July. Carlos Marmol had mid-season struggles, but bounced back to remain one of the elite relievers in all of baseball. Sean Marshall, after being converted to a long-relief man, did very well in his relief appearances, and did decently in his spot starts as well.
And like any season, it has its disappointments. Tops would be the $136 million man Alfonso Soriano. Yes, in limited time he hit 29 homers and hit .280, but when he wasn’t on a white-hot streak of hitting, he was really bad. Derrek Lee continued his slumping since the middle of the 2007 campaign, albeit posting a .290 batting average with 20 homers and 90 RBIs. His 27 double plays and .361 on-base percentage don’t bode well, and his inability to get hits when the team truly needs him to come through have really frustrated the fans. Kosuke Fukudome started off tremendously well at the beginning, but tailed off miserably as the season progressed, eventually hitting under .200 for the months of August and September and losing his starting job. Carlos Zambrano came out like a house of fire but really slowed down in the final two months, eventually winning only 14 games and posting a 3.81 ERA. Jeff Samradzija, to me, did not live up to expectations, and was often unreliable as time passed, despite a glimmering 2.28 ERA. And one mention I’ll take a lot of heat for, Kerry Wood. Had a rough start but eventually found fair ground for a good couple months, before a blister injury in July added very unnecessary drama within the club. Since his return on August 5, he hadn’t been the same, posting a 6.75 ERA in the month of September. Despite an attractive total of 34 saves, he still doesn’t appear to have the make-up of a successful closer, blowing six of his forty save opportunities and proving unreliable at certain times.
But despite the disappointments and occasional season struggles, this team was able to win 97 games—twelve more than last season’s total of 85—and be the first National League team to clinch both a division title and home field advantage in 2008. The team looked very promising and ready to succeed, after last season’s Division Series disaster against the Arizona Diamondbacks, being swept in three games and outscored 14-5. To these guys, last season appeared to be a learning experience, as they seemed ready and poised to prove that this team was indeed better than last. Not to mention, the Cubs HAD to make it to at least the NLCS, or the season looks like a regression and therefore, a failure.
They would be faced with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who the Cubs looked very solid against early on but had become an entirely different ballclub since the last time they faced off on June 8. Trades for Casey Blake and Greg Maddux added some postseason experience to the club as well as another bat and arm to a lineup and rotation that looked pretty good already. But the trade that made headlines from July 31 through Game #162 was the one for Manny Ramirez, who cut his hair (somewhat) and wore jersey number 99 for the remainder of the season. He provided nothing but a positive influence on the team, and helped them believe they could win ballgames. So the combination of manager Joe Torre, Ramirez, and Maddux—all three men with tremendous postseason experience—really helped the team in becoming the powerful force they did in the final two months, despite winning only 84 games in the regular season.
So this team provided a challenge, and the Cubs as well as their fans were aware of that. Game 1 of the NLDS was a wash. The game started well, getting Manny Ramirez to ground into a double play, Mark DeRosa putting us ahead 2-0 with a wind-blown homer to right, and an awkward catch by Fukudome in right. Things really looked to be in our favor. Ryan Dempster, however, looked rough, only going 4 2/3 innings, walking seven batters. While his strike zone was inconsistent early on, as the game progressed he kept missing his spots, and the walks did eventually catch up to him, allowing a grand slam to Dodger first baseman James Loney, putting them ahead 4-2. Things only got worse, as Sean Marshall would pitch an effective 2 1/3 innings allowing only one run, a truly remarkable solo golf shot by Manny Ramirez that had to have been hit 450 ft. out of the yard. Jeff Samardzija came in and allowed one more run on singles, and Jason Marquis capped off the game by allowing a solo bomb to Dodger catcher Russell Martin (and almost allowing another by Andre Ethier). The Cubs would go on to lose Game 1 7-2, appropriately on a pop-out by Alfonso Soriano thrown by Cubs fan-favorite Greg Maddux, assumed to be pitching as a “let’s rub it in” move by Joe Torre in the late innings.
Game 2 didn’t prove to be any better, only this time the signs of a loss came very early on. Carlos Zambrano looked good in the first, retiring the side with ease. The top of the second, however, marked the Cubs downfall. It all started with a play at shortstop which Ryan Theriot attempted to bare-hand, when he could’ve easily stuck his glove in front of the ball and made an out, which resulted in a base-runner for Los Angeles. It didn’t get any prettier. Next was a grounder to Mark DeRosa which he muffed at second, when he could’ve easily turned a double play had he succeeded to field the grounder. Then a grounder was slapped Derrek Lee’s way—a play he’d usually make—and it deflected off his glove. The inning was topped off by a bases-clearing double by Russell Martin, and in the blink of an eye, the Cubs were down 5-0. The Dodgers continued to pile on runs (one of which being another solo shot to Manny Ramirez off the box seats in center field) and eventually led 10-1 by the ninth inning (the only Cub run coming off a Jim Edmonds double). Carlos Zambrano turned in a solid start despite fan skepticism, allowing seven runs, only three actually earned. The Cubs tried to come back in the bottom of the ninth, with Mark DeRosa attempting to redeem himself by driving in two runs on a double making the score 10-3. The game eventually ended on a strikeout to pinch hitter Daryle Ward. Just like that, the Dodgers, lead the series 2-0 going into Los Angeles.
Cubs fans and the media still held out hope for Game 3, even though based on the horrendous display of offense the last several games I wasn’t getting my hopes up, personally. I had every right not to. The Dodgers started off strong, courtesy of a James Loney two-run double in the first putting them ahead 2-0 (easily should be considered the NLDS MVP, hands down). The Cubs had so many chances to put something together, having men in scoring position numerous times leading up to the offense just not driving them home. It really was, to say the least, pathetic. Starter Rich Harden looked fine, he missed his spots here and there but for the most part, the runs he gave up shouldn’t have made the difference in this game, considering the opportunities we saw. But they did. With a 3-0 score late in the game, Daryle Ward tried to make a statement by driving in the Cubs’ first run of the game, but sadly that was futile. In the top of the ninth, appropriately enough, Fukudome grounded out and Soriano struck out swinging to end the game. What a way to go down, huh?
Last year’s postseason was a failure, but the season itself can be considered a success. We made a statement that we were good enough to take this team to the next level in 2008. We didn’t do that. We had to do more than just win 97 games in the regular season, we already proved we had a team that could make the playoffs. We had to go out and prove that we could take it further than the first round of the playoffs. We couldn’t do that, which makes this entire campaign, sadly, a failure.
It was a fun season full of magical moments that I, as a fan, will never forget and have been proud to witness, but it doesn’t diminish the fact that we failed our biggest goal this season. And it’s heartbreaking. I wasn’t there for 1984 or 1989. This is the first time I actually felt that, at times, this could be “the year,” just never said it to prevent the jinx (yes, I believe in that, just not curses or Steve Bartman).
But then again, I’ve done the dance before and I’ve seen it in my twelve years of watching this team. I watched us get embarrassingly swept by the Atlanta Braves in 1998’s NLDS, topped off by an eighth inning grand slam by catcher Eddie Perez in Game 3. I watched us get to five outs away in 2003’s NLCS before Alex Gonzalez muffed up a routine double play opening the door to a huge eighth inning for the Florida Marlins, eventually leading to our demise. I saw us go in ridiculously unprepared to last season’s playoffs, and we proved we weren’t ready, getting swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLDS. This year, I really thought we were more ready for the dance, that we had learned from the mistakes of last year and would try to bounce back from them. I had higher hopes than last year, but being a realist I can’t say I’m too crushed because as a Cubs fan, eventually you just have to expect a collapse. You haven’t won it until you actually win the damn Series, which is why I hated those God-forsaken “Its Gonna Happen!” signs around the ballpark. Looks like those of us smart enough to not get too ahead of ourselves are having the last laugh. No, I’m more frustrated and disappointed than anything, because the team could’ve done special things. They didn’t.
So now we look ahead towards 2009 and what could be fixed. You wish the organization wasn’t stupid enough to give Alfonso Soriano a $136 million contract for as many years as they did, since we signed him as a leadoff hitter with speed. To be perfectly blunt, he sucks at both aspects and provides nothing but a guess hitter at the top of the lineup. He’s no all-star, he’s a hack. We screwed up by not giving Carlos Beltran a big contract in 2005, that way we could’ve avoided the signing or Sorry-ano. Instead, we’re stuck with this guy. That’s your all-star, that’s your team leader. What an embarrassment. The first base position needs an upgrade. I personally respect what Derrek Lee gave this organization but his time has really run out. He’s not the player he was in 2005 or even the beginning of 2007, he’s become older now and he’s losing his stride, so something has to be done. You either give Micah Hoffpauir a chance, who could very well surprise us in a way Geovany Soto did this past season, or you spend money on Mark Teixeira, an established young first baseman who hits the market this offseason. You’re pretty much stuck with Fukudome and I think it’s fair to give him the second chance, since he did prove the potential is there. In center, re-sign Reed Johnson and make him your everyday starter (I give up on Pie, I’m still not sold after two seasons). Why not Edmonds? I think he’s going to retire, and if he doesn’t, I don’t think it’d be wise to take him back anyway (shades of Gary Gaetti ’99, anyone?). If you’re really picky and want to upgrade at short, there are several scenarios that could be played out and I’ll leave that to you all. I’m personally alright with Ryan Theriot as our everyday shortstop for 2009.
Pitching? Try and keep the core of Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, and Harden at the top. They did tremendously well this season and you really couldn’t ask for more from them (maybe “Z,” but that’s a bit picky). For the fifth spot, hold an audition between Jeff Samardzija (that IS why we signed him), Sean Marshall, and Rich Hill (give him another shot, I still think he’s got it). Try and shop Jason Marquis around, he’s done well as the #5 starter and will be valuable somewhere else. As far as the pen is concerned, I will not shed any tears if Kerry Wood doesn’t return, but we all know that he’ll be re-signed in the coming days anyway, so who cares? Brian Fuentes and David Weathers, two quality and experienced relievers, become free agents next season. Try and buff up the obvious weak spot on the roster with one of those two, it can only go up from where it is now. Don’t even waste your time on Bob Howry anymore.
Changes need to be made. Jim Hendry made minimal ones after 2007 and look where it got us. I’m talking BIG changes, changes that will alter the focus of this team for the better, take for example the Manny Ramirez signing in Los Angeles and how that impacted the team so positively. We need something different, instead of the same guys walking in and blowing people away in 2009, only to slump in the postseason yet again.
It’s been a good year, but a failure. As a fan, I’m hoping I can step into my thirteenth year feeling good about it, but frankly, after this past offseason (and the past seven or eight), going into the Cubs Convention in January saying “this just might be it,” I’ll be saying “You failed the past two seasons. I don’t care if you win 120 games, it’s not going to look like a serious effort until you win a playoff series.” Damn right I’ll be more critical, and next year it’ll be taken to a different extreme, and extreme even I probably won’t be too familiar with. I am, however, happy with Lou Piniella. He still keeps a cool head and knows how to manage this ballclub and keep their heads in the game, and one has to respect that. He's done a great job these past two seasons and hopefully he gives us the same success in the next two.
It’s gonna be a long, cold offseason my friends. Just sit back and enjoy the rest of October baseball and what it has to offer. The Rays are looking good, as are the Red Sox, and the Dodgers are red hot. As far as the Cubs are concerned, I’ll still hold out hope, I’ll still attend games and the Cubs Convention, I’ll still watch the games and support my team. But damned if I can even get sucked into the trap I got sucked into this season ever again. It’ll be an interesting offseason, with the sale of the team and the ballpark, moves that will be made. We’ll see where this takes us. But right now, as I said, let’s just enjoy the rest of what October baseball has to offer and relax, before we worry and stress over “next year.”
2008 Team MVP: Mark DeRosa / Geovany Soto / Jim Edmonds and Reed Johnson - What DeRosa and Soto were able to provide in the middle of the lineup was absolutely huge, and the platoon of Edmonds and Johnson--two guys who weren't even at Spring Training--has proven to be a massive success for the club this season. It'd be a disappointment to not recognize those two along with DeRo and Soto as far as value to the team.
2008 Team Cy Young Winner: Ted Lilly - To go through what he did during the early part of the season and still manage to post 17 wins is remarkable, in every sense of the word. "Bad Lilly" only showed up a few times after April, but for the most part he was consistent on the road and at home, something that can't be said for Ryan Dempster.
2008 Team Most Improved Player: Ryan Dempster - It's pretty obvious. I thought he was horrendous as our closer, but winning 17 games and being so dominant at home really made things much easier on the team to win games. Good call, Lou!
Monday, September 29, 2008
"The Trees Light Up in Flames" - September 29, 2008
Folks, it's that time of year again. The trees begin to change their colors as if God started his own personal bonfire. The weather cools off, the day gets shorter, and in my humble opinion, it's the most romantic time of the year. Of course, with me that tends to go to waste, but whatever (laughs).
Yes, you guessed it. It's autumn, and early autumn is single-handedly one of my favorite times of the year. Everything seems to happen in the fall, and to me it really adds a nice finishing touch on any year, at least in my life. I mean, how can you go wrong? The MLB postseason begins immediately in October, always exciting (even moreso that the Cubs are in it once again), my birthday is on the 29th, my uncle's and sister's birthdays also in the month of October, parents' anniversary (always a nice occasion), the concert year closing out, hockey season begins and football season heats up, Halloween, the ideal fall weather. I can really go on and on and on and...well, you get the picture.
But before we take a look into the future, let's take a look at the past. I have a feeling this post will be one of my shorter ones because frankly, I haven't done much this past month. I have a feeling the majority of it will probably cover things I'm GOING to be doing, rather than things I'd done.
When was my last update, August? Well, school's been annoying. What else is new? My grades are good so I can't really complain, I'm just sick of the grind. Same shit every single day. No real complaints about my teachers, 'cept for Conway but I've never really liked her going back to last year. But like I said, outside of the grind, I'd say I'm in pretty good shape academically.
Let's see, let's see, what else? The Cubs are winning! I know I've done enough blogs on the Cubs recently but shit, I can't get enough of this team. We clinched on the 20th of September, good game against the Cardinals, the rest of the month was basically auditioning for the bullpen spots and the last places on the 25 man postseason roster. We won a couple, including an exciting extra inning game against the Mets at Shea Stadium last week. But for the most part it was resting regulars and brushing up the bullpen role. Not to mention this past month we had Zambrano's no-hitter against Houston and a miracle bottom-ninth, two-out comeback four days later against Milwaukee. Exciting time for the North Siders.
Homecoming week was the 15th to the 20th. It was annoying, only thing I truly participated in was Cubs / Sox day (and felt good to lend my Mark Prior 2003 All Star Game jersey to a friend who needed something Cubs related to wear). Outside of that, I could really care less about the whole school pride thing. In honesty, it's a "what have you done for me lately?" sorta thing. They've screwed me over so many times in so many ways, and I'm expected to show off pride in my school. Yeah, right.
The dance was alright, things could've been better. Nothing bad really happened to me, I was just kinda there, annoying the folks by singing Eddie Vedder's Cubs song "All the Way" obnoxiously to everyone, which was a ton of fun in itself. Had a lot of fun afterward, celebrating the Cubs clinching with some friends and some champagne in the eyes, blinding me the next morning. Then afterwards having a ton of fun online about a certain situation I'm not sure I should mention or not (the person involved knows what I'm talking about, which is all that matters). That was a fun night, I gotta admit.
Love life, haven't covered that in awhile. But what's there to cover? I'm not trying to be negative, there's just nothing there to talk about. Sure I have my interests, sure it's not to the point where I'm comfortable leaving those in the open yet. As of now I'm just kinda rolling with things to see what happens, hoping in the end things will go my way. It's not bringin' me down, so why see it as a negative thing, right?
Alright, now the fun begins, looking forward to arguably the best month of the year (against May and July, respectively). The month starts in an outstanding fashion. My uncle won the Cubs playoff ticket lottery last week and managed to get tickets to Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers for Wednesday, October 1st. Of course he surprised me with that one yesterday, just casually asking "So hey, I won the lottery last week, want to go to Wednesday's game with me?" Uncle Tom, I love ya, but that's a stupid question (laughs). So I'll be there, 5:30 PM at Wrigley Field, Wednesday evening. Keep an eye out for me on TBS, will ya?
Rest of the month? I'm booking my weekends, gonna try and make up for lost plans this past Sunday in upcoming weekends with someone, looking for things to do on the other days. My parents' anniversary is the 10th, always a nice day. Uncle's birthday a week after on the 17th, sister's four days after on the 21st. Somewhere between the 21st and the 29th we'll have a family party where my sister and I get gifts from my grandmother and uncle. Then comes the 29th, my birthday, the greatest day in the history of mankind. Start getting your gifts ready! The 30th is most likely the AC/DC concert at Allstate, and Halloween I'm going to either try and spend with friends or perhaps make trek up to Sean's in Chicago and catch the Blackhawks game that day.
Busy month, eh? My weekends are mostly free though, so make plans if you'd like, I'm open to just about anything these days.
That's about it, actually. Not much more to say. Going to be an exciting month, I can just smell it (maybe that's the beautiful scent of autumn air, I don't know, hard to tell). I don't have much of a conclusion, so fuck it, I'll catch you when it's all said and done!
-Zach
Yes, you guessed it. It's autumn, and early autumn is single-handedly one of my favorite times of the year. Everything seems to happen in the fall, and to me it really adds a nice finishing touch on any year, at least in my life. I mean, how can you go wrong? The MLB postseason begins immediately in October, always exciting (even moreso that the Cubs are in it once again), my birthday is on the 29th, my uncle's and sister's birthdays also in the month of October, parents' anniversary (always a nice occasion), the concert year closing out, hockey season begins and football season heats up, Halloween, the ideal fall weather. I can really go on and on and on and...well, you get the picture.
But before we take a look into the future, let's take a look at the past. I have a feeling this post will be one of my shorter ones because frankly, I haven't done much this past month. I have a feeling the majority of it will probably cover things I'm GOING to be doing, rather than things I'd done.
When was my last update, August? Well, school's been annoying. What else is new? My grades are good so I can't really complain, I'm just sick of the grind. Same shit every single day. No real complaints about my teachers, 'cept for Conway but I've never really liked her going back to last year. But like I said, outside of the grind, I'd say I'm in pretty good shape academically.
Let's see, let's see, what else? The Cubs are winning! I know I've done enough blogs on the Cubs recently but shit, I can't get enough of this team. We clinched on the 20th of September, good game against the Cardinals, the rest of the month was basically auditioning for the bullpen spots and the last places on the 25 man postseason roster. We won a couple, including an exciting extra inning game against the Mets at Shea Stadium last week. But for the most part it was resting regulars and brushing up the bullpen role. Not to mention this past month we had Zambrano's no-hitter against Houston and a miracle bottom-ninth, two-out comeback four days later against Milwaukee. Exciting time for the North Siders.
Homecoming week was the 15th to the 20th. It was annoying, only thing I truly participated in was Cubs / Sox day (and felt good to lend my Mark Prior 2003 All Star Game jersey to a friend who needed something Cubs related to wear). Outside of that, I could really care less about the whole school pride thing. In honesty, it's a "what have you done for me lately?" sorta thing. They've screwed me over so many times in so many ways, and I'm expected to show off pride in my school. Yeah, right.
The dance was alright, things could've been better. Nothing bad really happened to me, I was just kinda there, annoying the folks by singing Eddie Vedder's Cubs song "All the Way" obnoxiously to everyone, which was a ton of fun in itself. Had a lot of fun afterward, celebrating the Cubs clinching with some friends and some champagne in the eyes, blinding me the next morning. Then afterwards having a ton of fun online about a certain situation I'm not sure I should mention or not (the person involved knows what I'm talking about, which is all that matters). That was a fun night, I gotta admit.
Love life, haven't covered that in awhile. But what's there to cover? I'm not trying to be negative, there's just nothing there to talk about. Sure I have my interests, sure it's not to the point where I'm comfortable leaving those in the open yet. As of now I'm just kinda rolling with things to see what happens, hoping in the end things will go my way. It's not bringin' me down, so why see it as a negative thing, right?
Alright, now the fun begins, looking forward to arguably the best month of the year (against May and July, respectively). The month starts in an outstanding fashion. My uncle won the Cubs playoff ticket lottery last week and managed to get tickets to Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers for Wednesday, October 1st. Of course he surprised me with that one yesterday, just casually asking "So hey, I won the lottery last week, want to go to Wednesday's game with me?" Uncle Tom, I love ya, but that's a stupid question (laughs). So I'll be there, 5:30 PM at Wrigley Field, Wednesday evening. Keep an eye out for me on TBS, will ya?
Rest of the month? I'm booking my weekends, gonna try and make up for lost plans this past Sunday in upcoming weekends with someone, looking for things to do on the other days. My parents' anniversary is the 10th, always a nice day. Uncle's birthday a week after on the 17th, sister's four days after on the 21st. Somewhere between the 21st and the 29th we'll have a family party where my sister and I get gifts from my grandmother and uncle. Then comes the 29th, my birthday, the greatest day in the history of mankind. Start getting your gifts ready! The 30th is most likely the AC/DC concert at Allstate, and Halloween I'm going to either try and spend with friends or perhaps make trek up to Sean's in Chicago and catch the Blackhawks game that day.
Busy month, eh? My weekends are mostly free though, so make plans if you'd like, I'm open to just about anything these days.
That's about it, actually. Not much more to say. Going to be an exciting month, I can just smell it (maybe that's the beautiful scent of autumn air, I don't know, hard to tell). I don't have much of a conclusion, so fuck it, I'll catch you when it's all said and done!
-Zach
Saturday, September 20, 2008
"Clinchers" - September 21, 2008
I've posted a few Cubs related blogs over the past half a year, but today is a special day. Today is the day the Cubs became the champions of the 2008 National League Central Division!
Let me explain to you all what this means to me, from a die-hard fan's perspective. I've seen (excluding today) three clinchers over the past twelve years. You always walk in with high expectations and two out of those three times we've been sorely disappointed (with the sole exception being 2003). That being said, this year is a lot different, for several reasons. We haven't won 93 games since 1989, and we still have nine more games to play. Realistically, we could pass the 1984 team's number of victories which was 96, and we haven't had more than 96 wins in a season since 1945.
This team is definitely special, but will that hold any water in the playoffs? Well, that's yet to be determined. It doesn't matter if we win 162 games this season, once you hit October baseball, it's a whole new season, in a sense. Everything changes, match-ups from the previous season don't seem to matter much anymore, and it's a wild rat race for the trophy in the end. Lord knows it isn't an easy one, either.
As I've stated, this is my fourth clincher in my lifetime, and the three prior ones ended in sore disappointment. But in fairness, allow me to reflect on the good times, when the clinch actually occurred, before we could eventually be let down in the October atmosphere. Whenever the Cubs could clinch in front of 40,000 faithful fans at Wrigley Field and in front of the eyes of millions of others, it's a special moment, one which right now, sorely deserves reflection.
Most people in my age group aren't going to remember 1998, but it was actually the first season I remember tremendously vividly (been a fan since '96, you do the math). Sammy Sosa in The Great Home Run Race against Mark McGwire, rookie Kerry Wood stunning the world with thirteen victories, nearly 11 strikeouts per start, and a magical 20 strikeout performance that May, and the little guys around them, like Hernandez, Morandini, Gaetti, Tapani, and co. getting the job done on a regular basis. It was a magical season indeed, one of my personal favorites to date.
So we take you to September 28, 1998. The Cubs were in the Wild Card hunt for a very long time, in a race with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. Well, the Mets got knocked out that Saturday, and the Cubs and Giants lost on the final game that Sunday. So after a road trip from Houston's atrocious Astrodome, the Cubs hiked up to Wrigley for a night game that following Monday, winning the coin toss against the Giants of San Fran.
The Cubs and their faithful hadn't seen postseason baseball since 1989 against, ironically, the very same Giants. They didn't seem up to the task though. Henry Rodriguez was humorously showered with "O Henry!" candy bars in left field, which took the grounds crew over fifteen minutes to clean up before resuming play. Steve Trachsel took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, and Gary Gaetti hit, in my opinion, one of the most memorable home runs in Cubs history in the fifth inning giving us a 1-0 lead. Appropriately, the rare 163rd game of the season ended with astounding closer Rod Beck to get a pop-up to Cub legend Mark Grace at first base, and what do ya know? The Cubs were headed to the playoffs for the first time in nine years.
Playoff Recap: The Cubs face the NL East champion Atlanta Braves, who won an incredible 106 games that season compared to our silly 90 wins. Well, that match-up really didn't disappoint baseball fans, as we were swept mercilously in three games, being outscored 15-4. Jim Riggleman didn't know how on earth to set up a postseason rotation or lineup because, well...he was an idiot. Not a proud series for Cub fans, though we did get nice pitching performances from Terry Mulholland and Kerry Wood.
After five dreadful years (excluding the impressive 2001 season, going a horrendous 199-287), we had a breath of fresh air. Dusty Baker, who originally took the Giants that previous season to the World Series, had been hired as the manager of the Cubs. 2003 was a great season, only stand-out performer being Mark Prior winning 18 games. Outside of him, it was a team effort. Guys like Karros, Grudzielanek, Ramirez, Alou, Lofton, Sosa, Wood, Zambrano, Clement, Guthrie, and Borowski held this team on their shoulders and took this team to their first division title since 1989 (note-Wild Cards do not constitute division titles).
Fast forward to September 27. 2003, just one day from marking five years since the Cubs clinched a playoff berth. The game on Friday the 26th got rained out, so the Cubs went into Saturday the 27th facing a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates, in very chilly fall conditions at Wrigley Field. The team's magic number was two, and a loss by the Houston Astros that day would make it one, and the fans were absolutely pumped for this game.
Mark Prior was set to go looking for win number 18 in the first game. The Houston / Milwaukee Brewer game was going on at the same time, and I'll tell you, it was absolute insanity when Milwaukee scored four runs in an inning once the scoreboard workers changed it. Never in your life would you hear that park that loud for something seemingly so minimal. The Cubs won the first game 4-2, thanks to a homer by catcher Damian Miller which really helped out the offense. The second game was dark, storm clouds passing in and out, with Matt Clement facing the task of taking his team to the postseason (and looking for his 14th win). The game started off well, with Sosa hitting a first inning homer off Ryan Vogelsong and the team scoring five more runs in the second. The ninth came with the Cubs ahead, and Jose Hernandez from the 1998 team (now with Pittsburgh) grounded into a 6-4-3 double play ending the game in the very cloudy early evening of Wrigley Field. The mob scene in the streets, on the field, and in the stands was absolutely astounding, and seeing the team so happy after such a grueling season was truly magical.
Playoff Recap: The Cubs, with 88 wins, were set to rematch against the Atlanta Braves, this time with 101 wins. The Cubs surprisingly took the series to all five games, and eventually clinched a spot in the second round against the Florida Marlins in the final game. The second round had an outstanding start, we went up 3-1 before losing three more games (going all seven that round) and eventually losing our World Series spot. And Game 6's clusterfuck wasn't Steve Bartman's fault. If Alex Gonzalez were any kind of a player he wouldn't have muffed up the double play and we'd have just been three outs away from our first World Series since 1945.
Three more dreadful seasons followed. 2004 we actually won more games (89, not drastic) but didn't make the playoffs because of petty clubhouse nonsense. 2005 had high expectations but we ended up four games under .500. 2006, well, don't get me started. But 2007 marked change. We hired one of my favorite managers of all-time, Lou Piniella, to take this team to a better direction. We signed Ted Lilly, Alfonso Soriano, Mark DeRosa, among others, and really seemed like a possible contender.
So we have a miserable start to the season, including a dugout fight between Michael Barrett and Carlos Zambrano, but Lou Piniella's tantrum the day after with an umpire sparked inspiration into the team. We had an incredible month of June and a pretty good July, and by August we propelled to first place, after being in second by eight games at one point in the season. It was a fun ride to success, I must say.
So enter September 28, 2007. We got off a miserable sweep against the Marlins and went into Cincinnati with a very small lead in first place. The game started with a lead-off homer by Alfonso Soriano, followed by five more runs later in the game to win 6-0, but that wasn't the clincher yet. The Brewers still had a game in progress against the San Diego Padres, who were hungry for a playoff berth of their own. With the Cubs waiting in the Reds clubhouse, the Padres shut the Brewers out, and the Cubs were NL Central champs once again. Though based on a somewhat rocky season, postseason expectations couldn't be too high, at least for myself. So yes, the celebration was exciting, but quiet. We still had a long way to go.
Postseason Recap: The Cubs with only 87 wins faced off with the Arizona Diamondbacks who won 90. The series were basically shades of '98, just bad baseball, weak offense, subpar pitching. We weren't prepared, and while we weren't mis-matched against a team with 106 wins, it was still pretty disasterous.
Much like in 2004, there were high expectations for a follow-up. The cold winters of the offseason were unbearable for Cubs fans, including myself. The Cubs Convention filled the void for the twenty days before pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training. Lou Piniella and the players continued to state that there was "unfinished business" to take care of, and fans bought it.
And boy, they should be glad they did. The season started in April with the Cubs posting an outrageous record of 18-9. For much of the season, we were the hottest team in all of baseball, eventually with the most come from behind victories in the sport, as well as the second best home record and best overall record in Major League Baseball.
So we go into September 20, 2008 with 92 wins in the books, which is incredible because we hadn't even won more than 90 games since 1989 (93). With still nine games to go, the Cubs would face the rival St. Louis Cardinals, and after a miserable loss for the Milwaukee Brewers the night before, all the Cubs needed to do was win and they would clinch the NL Central for the third time in six years, something it took them 40 years to do before 1984. All started off well, with Alfonso Soriano driving in three on a triple in the second inning, and later Mark DeRosa driving in a run on a double and Ted Lilly bringing him home on a surprise suicide squeeze. The score would be 5-0 until the sixth, when Troy Glaus of the Cardinals hit a monsterous three run blast after the Cards had already scored one run, making the score now 5-4. The game remained that way until the bottom of the ninth, enter Kerry Wood. With two outs he faced the pesty Aaron Miles, who graciously popped up to Jim Edmonds in center, resulting in the Cubs' fourth playoff berth in ten years.
The celebration at Wrigley was something special yesterday. It was different from '03, the energy level was the same, but the reason for that was different. In '03 we snuck up on Houston and were a surprise champion. This season was different, we were a monster all season long and it was inevitable that we were going to clinch after taking a seven game lead in the middle of September. The fans were celebrating the magical season that was 2008, but it was VERY subdued in the clubhouse for awhile because everyone in the ballclub knows that there's much more baseball to be played. Sure, the players ran around and sprayed Champaigne into the stands, and celebrated hard like any team should. But still, there was the awareness to not assume we've "won" anything yet. And Lou Piniella is dead on for brainwashing that mentality into the players.
So now we have a week left to play baseball and work out the playoff roster. This is the earliest a Cubs team has clinched playoff berth since 1932. So we've got a ton of time to prepare for October baseball and right now I'm feeling comfortable. Throw us against a team like Philadelphia, I won't be so comfortable, hah.
Still, look at how awful two of the three postseason recaps were. Yet I'll always maintain positive memories of the season because the clincher essentially captures the true essence of the team in one game, one celebration. Whenever a team clinches a playoff berth, it's a special moment, especially when it's the Cubs. The city of Chicago lights up, hoping that maybe this time, we'll get it right.
Hey, who knows, this may be the year. But I'll never make that assumption until we actually win it all. I was there to witness 2003 fall apart right before my eyes, and since then, I'll never, ever be stupid enough to hold up an "It's Gonna Happen" sign, because until it does happen, it hasn't. That sounds like a really stupid remark but think about it. You can't jump to that conclusion until it's over, and it's far from that right now. If you expect it, your chances of getting let down are better than of them getting fulfilled.
Still, in the words of Eddie Vedder, "Someday we'll go all the way." The hope is ALWAYS there, and I'll always be saying "Believe in AC 00 00 00" until it happens.
-Zach
Let me explain to you all what this means to me, from a die-hard fan's perspective. I've seen (excluding today) three clinchers over the past twelve years. You always walk in with high expectations and two out of those three times we've been sorely disappointed (with the sole exception being 2003). That being said, this year is a lot different, for several reasons. We haven't won 93 games since 1989, and we still have nine more games to play. Realistically, we could pass the 1984 team's number of victories which was 96, and we haven't had more than 96 wins in a season since 1945.
This team is definitely special, but will that hold any water in the playoffs? Well, that's yet to be determined. It doesn't matter if we win 162 games this season, once you hit October baseball, it's a whole new season, in a sense. Everything changes, match-ups from the previous season don't seem to matter much anymore, and it's a wild rat race for the trophy in the end. Lord knows it isn't an easy one, either.
As I've stated, this is my fourth clincher in my lifetime, and the three prior ones ended in sore disappointment. But in fairness, allow me to reflect on the good times, when the clinch actually occurred, before we could eventually be let down in the October atmosphere. Whenever the Cubs could clinch in front of 40,000 faithful fans at Wrigley Field and in front of the eyes of millions of others, it's a special moment, one which right now, sorely deserves reflection.
Most people in my age group aren't going to remember 1998, but it was actually the first season I remember tremendously vividly (been a fan since '96, you do the math). Sammy Sosa in The Great Home Run Race against Mark McGwire, rookie Kerry Wood stunning the world with thirteen victories, nearly 11 strikeouts per start, and a magical 20 strikeout performance that May, and the little guys around them, like Hernandez, Morandini, Gaetti, Tapani, and co. getting the job done on a regular basis. It was a magical season indeed, one of my personal favorites to date.
So we take you to September 28, 1998. The Cubs were in the Wild Card hunt for a very long time, in a race with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. Well, the Mets got knocked out that Saturday, and the Cubs and Giants lost on the final game that Sunday. So after a road trip from Houston's atrocious Astrodome, the Cubs hiked up to Wrigley for a night game that following Monday, winning the coin toss against the Giants of San Fran.
The Cubs and their faithful hadn't seen postseason baseball since 1989 against, ironically, the very same Giants. They didn't seem up to the task though. Henry Rodriguez was humorously showered with "O Henry!" candy bars in left field, which took the grounds crew over fifteen minutes to clean up before resuming play. Steve Trachsel took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, and Gary Gaetti hit, in my opinion, one of the most memorable home runs in Cubs history in the fifth inning giving us a 1-0 lead. Appropriately, the rare 163rd game of the season ended with astounding closer Rod Beck to get a pop-up to Cub legend Mark Grace at first base, and what do ya know? The Cubs were headed to the playoffs for the first time in nine years.
Playoff Recap: The Cubs face the NL East champion Atlanta Braves, who won an incredible 106 games that season compared to our silly 90 wins. Well, that match-up really didn't disappoint baseball fans, as we were swept mercilously in three games, being outscored 15-4. Jim Riggleman didn't know how on earth to set up a postseason rotation or lineup because, well...he was an idiot. Not a proud series for Cub fans, though we did get nice pitching performances from Terry Mulholland and Kerry Wood.
After five dreadful years (excluding the impressive 2001 season, going a horrendous 199-287), we had a breath of fresh air. Dusty Baker, who originally took the Giants that previous season to the World Series, had been hired as the manager of the Cubs. 2003 was a great season, only stand-out performer being Mark Prior winning 18 games. Outside of him, it was a team effort. Guys like Karros, Grudzielanek, Ramirez, Alou, Lofton, Sosa, Wood, Zambrano, Clement, Guthrie, and Borowski held this team on their shoulders and took this team to their first division title since 1989 (note-Wild Cards do not constitute division titles).
Fast forward to September 27. 2003, just one day from marking five years since the Cubs clinched a playoff berth. The game on Friday the 26th got rained out, so the Cubs went into Saturday the 27th facing a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates, in very chilly fall conditions at Wrigley Field. The team's magic number was two, and a loss by the Houston Astros that day would make it one, and the fans were absolutely pumped for this game.
Mark Prior was set to go looking for win number 18 in the first game. The Houston / Milwaukee Brewer game was going on at the same time, and I'll tell you, it was absolute insanity when Milwaukee scored four runs in an inning once the scoreboard workers changed it. Never in your life would you hear that park that loud for something seemingly so minimal. The Cubs won the first game 4-2, thanks to a homer by catcher Damian Miller which really helped out the offense. The second game was dark, storm clouds passing in and out, with Matt Clement facing the task of taking his team to the postseason (and looking for his 14th win). The game started off well, with Sosa hitting a first inning homer off Ryan Vogelsong and the team scoring five more runs in the second. The ninth came with the Cubs ahead, and Jose Hernandez from the 1998 team (now with Pittsburgh) grounded into a 6-4-3 double play ending the game in the very cloudy early evening of Wrigley Field. The mob scene in the streets, on the field, and in the stands was absolutely astounding, and seeing the team so happy after such a grueling season was truly magical.
Playoff Recap: The Cubs, with 88 wins, were set to rematch against the Atlanta Braves, this time with 101 wins. The Cubs surprisingly took the series to all five games, and eventually clinched a spot in the second round against the Florida Marlins in the final game. The second round had an outstanding start, we went up 3-1 before losing three more games (going all seven that round) and eventually losing our World Series spot. And Game 6's clusterfuck wasn't Steve Bartman's fault. If Alex Gonzalez were any kind of a player he wouldn't have muffed up the double play and we'd have just been three outs away from our first World Series since 1945.
Three more dreadful seasons followed. 2004 we actually won more games (89, not drastic) but didn't make the playoffs because of petty clubhouse nonsense. 2005 had high expectations but we ended up four games under .500. 2006, well, don't get me started. But 2007 marked change. We hired one of my favorite managers of all-time, Lou Piniella, to take this team to a better direction. We signed Ted Lilly, Alfonso Soriano, Mark DeRosa, among others, and really seemed like a possible contender.
So we have a miserable start to the season, including a dugout fight between Michael Barrett and Carlos Zambrano, but Lou Piniella's tantrum the day after with an umpire sparked inspiration into the team. We had an incredible month of June and a pretty good July, and by August we propelled to first place, after being in second by eight games at one point in the season. It was a fun ride to success, I must say.
So enter September 28, 2007. We got off a miserable sweep against the Marlins and went into Cincinnati with a very small lead in first place. The game started with a lead-off homer by Alfonso Soriano, followed by five more runs later in the game to win 6-0, but that wasn't the clincher yet. The Brewers still had a game in progress against the San Diego Padres, who were hungry for a playoff berth of their own. With the Cubs waiting in the Reds clubhouse, the Padres shut the Brewers out, and the Cubs were NL Central champs once again. Though based on a somewhat rocky season, postseason expectations couldn't be too high, at least for myself. So yes, the celebration was exciting, but quiet. We still had a long way to go.
Postseason Recap: The Cubs with only 87 wins faced off with the Arizona Diamondbacks who won 90. The series were basically shades of '98, just bad baseball, weak offense, subpar pitching. We weren't prepared, and while we weren't mis-matched against a team with 106 wins, it was still pretty disasterous.
Much like in 2004, there were high expectations for a follow-up. The cold winters of the offseason were unbearable for Cubs fans, including myself. The Cubs Convention filled the void for the twenty days before pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training. Lou Piniella and the players continued to state that there was "unfinished business" to take care of, and fans bought it.
And boy, they should be glad they did. The season started in April with the Cubs posting an outrageous record of 18-9. For much of the season, we were the hottest team in all of baseball, eventually with the most come from behind victories in the sport, as well as the second best home record and best overall record in Major League Baseball.
So we go into September 20, 2008 with 92 wins in the books, which is incredible because we hadn't even won more than 90 games since 1989 (93). With still nine games to go, the Cubs would face the rival St. Louis Cardinals, and after a miserable loss for the Milwaukee Brewers the night before, all the Cubs needed to do was win and they would clinch the NL Central for the third time in six years, something it took them 40 years to do before 1984. All started off well, with Alfonso Soriano driving in three on a triple in the second inning, and later Mark DeRosa driving in a run on a double and Ted Lilly bringing him home on a surprise suicide squeeze. The score would be 5-0 until the sixth, when Troy Glaus of the Cardinals hit a monsterous three run blast after the Cards had already scored one run, making the score now 5-4. The game remained that way until the bottom of the ninth, enter Kerry Wood. With two outs he faced the pesty Aaron Miles, who graciously popped up to Jim Edmonds in center, resulting in the Cubs' fourth playoff berth in ten years.
The celebration at Wrigley was something special yesterday. It was different from '03, the energy level was the same, but the reason for that was different. In '03 we snuck up on Houston and were a surprise champion. This season was different, we were a monster all season long and it was inevitable that we were going to clinch after taking a seven game lead in the middle of September. The fans were celebrating the magical season that was 2008, but it was VERY subdued in the clubhouse for awhile because everyone in the ballclub knows that there's much more baseball to be played. Sure, the players ran around and sprayed Champaigne into the stands, and celebrated hard like any team should. But still, there was the awareness to not assume we've "won" anything yet. And Lou Piniella is dead on for brainwashing that mentality into the players.
So now we have a week left to play baseball and work out the playoff roster. This is the earliest a Cubs team has clinched playoff berth since 1932. So we've got a ton of time to prepare for October baseball and right now I'm feeling comfortable. Throw us against a team like Philadelphia, I won't be so comfortable, hah.
Still, look at how awful two of the three postseason recaps were. Yet I'll always maintain positive memories of the season because the clincher essentially captures the true essence of the team in one game, one celebration. Whenever a team clinches a playoff berth, it's a special moment, especially when it's the Cubs. The city of Chicago lights up, hoping that maybe this time, we'll get it right.
Hey, who knows, this may be the year. But I'll never make that assumption until we actually win it all. I was there to witness 2003 fall apart right before my eyes, and since then, I'll never, ever be stupid enough to hold up an "It's Gonna Happen" sign, because until it does happen, it hasn't. That sounds like a really stupid remark but think about it. You can't jump to that conclusion until it's over, and it's far from that right now. If you expect it, your chances of getting let down are better than of them getting fulfilled.
Still, in the words of Eddie Vedder, "Someday we'll go all the way." The hope is ALWAYS there, and I'll always be saying "Believe in AC 00 00 00" until it happens.
-Zach
Saturday, September 13, 2008
"Reflection: September 13, 1998"
Allow me to paint a picture for you, shall I?
It's one of the last days in the summer of 1998, and I was in the mere age of seven, innocent and skating by in a stress-free, work-free lifestyle. I just started First Grade, a time when school was actually enjoyable and something to look forward to. The family had decided to buy a vacation to Florida for that October just a few weeks prior, a trip everyone, from my mother, my sister, grandma, grandpa, and Uncle Tom, all except my father, would attend, my first time ever on a REAL vacation. Chicago sports had taken a beating, dismantling the Chicago Bulls dynasty, no real interest in Blackhawks hockey anymore, the Bears were losing, the White Sox were subpar. But there was one ray of hope, yes, you guessed it. My Cubs were winning, for the first time in the three years I had been watching them, in the magical fairy tale season that was 1998.
Today was Sunday, September 13, 1998. Typically on Sundays, my mother, sister, and I would head over to the grandparents' house for a lunch / dinner around three in the afternoon, and I'd spend most of my time with my grandpa and uncle over the summer watching Cubs games on WGN, as the aroma of pork, perogi, sometimes saurkraut or cauliflour, and my favorite dish of my grandmother's, mashed potatoes, filled the air as we awaited the feast. This Sunday was no different, except for the fact that at it's standard 1:20 PM start, we didn't know history would be made.
Let's recap the first two games of this series. The Wild Card leading Cubs began a series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, September 11, 1998 at Wrigley Field. The team, at this point, needed to win as many games as possible in order to stand pat in the race, as the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants showed no signs of slowing down at this point. The Cubs had a solid 82-66 record, by far exceeding expectations for the season, but the Brewers were in fourth place in the NL Central and essentially out of contention, so they were playing the spoiler. This was also special, not to mention, because of Sammy Sosa's status in the Great Home Run Race of '98, standing at 58 and could likely catch up to leader Mark McGwire (62) by weekend's end.
Sparks flew in the first game that Friday, sadly resulting in a 13-11 victory for the Brewers. Don Wengert pitched only two and a third, allowing five Milwaukee runs, but his replacement, Rodney Myers was no better, giving up four. The Cubs burned through a whopping six relievers in the loss, but the Cubs did fight, with homers by Gary Gaetti (15th), Jason Maxwell (1st), and at no surprise, Sammy Sosa (59th), snapping a five game homer-less streak.
The second game was even more of a thriller, starting off poorly once again for the Chicago Cubs. Mike Morgan surrendered eight runs in three innings, allowing homers to Geoff Jenkins, Jeromy Burnitz, and Bobby Hughes. By the bottom of the seventh, Milwaukee led the Cubs 12-5, but an offensive explosion by the Cubs brought them within just three (courtesy of a three-run homer by Sammy Sosa, now standing at 60 on the year). The Cubs eventually tied it and took the game to the bottom of the ninth, still trailing, this time 12-10. The Cubs tied it up with punch base hits, but the big hit was a pinch-hit, three-run homer by Orlando Merced, thrusting the Cubs to a shocking 15-12 victory.
Could the series possibly get anymore exciting? It was tied 1-1 going into Sunday the 13th, with both teams scoring a combined 51 runs in the series alone (by then the third highest run total for one series in the 1998 season, with one more game to go). You wouldn't believe it, but damnit, it did. It was "Gracie the Swan" promotional giveaway day, where swan Beanie Babies were given out in commemoration of Cubs legendary first baseman Mark Grace. Grandpa, Uncle Tom, and I expressed our interest in wanting to be there amidst the 87 degree Indian summer North Side heat, sadly it was the hottest ticket in Chicago since the NBA Finals that past June.
It started off negatively once again, with Steve Trachsel starting the game off by giving up a solo home run to Mark Loretta in the first, making it 1-0. Things didn't get any better as Milwaukee would go up 2-0 on pesky base hits by the bottom of the third. But in that bottom half of the inning, the Cubs offense powered it's way to a six run inning, thanks to hits by Mickey Morandini, Scott Servais, Jose Hernandez, Glenallen Hill, and Gary Gaetti, and even doubles by pitcher Steve Trachsel and Mark Grace, playing surprising small-ball instead of the usual, powerful approach the team had normally taken. The Cubs led 6-2.
Trachsel, however, was ready to let that slip. After retiring Jeff Cirillo, he gave up Jeromy Burnitz's 36th homer of the season, making it a 6-3 score. Things were silent from here on out until the bottom of the fifth, where Mark Grace singled to set-up Sammy Sosa's third at-bat of the game. All eyes were on Chicago's latest hero to bring the Cubs ahead further, and he didn't disappoint. Sosa hammered a 480 foot blast to left field (I agree with Steve Stone's assessment of the distance being "grossly understated") for #61 on the season, tying Roger Maris' former single-season record (broken by McGwire just five days prior). The Cubs were now ahead 8-3. Seemed like a good lead, but the way the series had been, nothing was ever set in stone. In the top of the sixth, after retiring Dave Nilsson, Trachsel surrendered a home run to Jeff Cirillo, closing the gap within four runs. Then the Brewers led off the top of the seventh with a home run by Bobby Hughes, making the score 8-5.
Exit Steve Trachsel, enter Terry Mulholland, retiring the rest of the Brewers easily. After Chris O'Donnell gave a quote-unquote "stirring" rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," the Cubs stepped in, still ahead, and Sosa led off. He struck out, and the place became silent as the Cubs were retired aside from one walk to Glenallen Hill. The top of the eighth was vital for the Brewers, as they scored four runs off Mulholland, all on punchy base hits. Suddenly, the Brewers were ahead 9-8. The bottom of the Cubs' eighth was quiet. Guys got on base but failed to score. The top of the ninth saw Jeff Cirillo hitting another home run, this time off Cub newcomer Chris Haney. Brewers went up 10-8 by the end of the inning.
Now is when the REAL fun begins. It's the bottom of the ninth. Crunch time. The shadow-line had already crossed the infield as the game surpasses it's standard three-hour run-time. The Cub fans, who would've usually left by now in the 1997 season (since a loss could be expected), are staying not only to see Sammy Sosa anymore, but to also see their beloved Cubbies pull out their 84th win of the year and maintain first in the Wild Card race.
After Grace led off and grounded out, it was Sosa turn, millions of eyes outside of the 40,000 strong at Wrigley around the world surrounding him, awaiting history to be made. He didn't disappoint, as he smacked one of the longest home runs I'd ever seen in my days at Wrigley Field, hit into the alley outside of left-center field (another grossly underestimated 480 feet). This would be one of the most touching moments I'd ever seen in a baseball game. Tears filled the eyes of Sammy Sosa, the fans at Wrigley Field, my mother, myself, and I think my grandfather, over such an accomplishment for such a tremendous hero. Yes, in future years Sosa would alienate his fanbase away from him and turn into a serious egomaniac, but here, he was just the little guy, succeeding and beating the odds, before the success got to him. He was the guy who cared more about his team winning than his own record, the guy who gave his millions to people who needed it more than he did. Suddenly, this guy was a superstar, who put up numbers as if he were a machine, but his tears proved he was human after all. Without question, the greatest moment I'd ever seen on a baseball field in my lifetime, and after a whopping three curtain calls, the game continued, in front of 40,000 roaring fans.
There was still baseball to be played though. Sosa's homer put the Cubs only within one of Milwaukee, and the injured pinch-hitter Henry Rodriguez dug in and doubled on the first pitch, admirably limping into second base. Chip Caray had stated amidst the excitement (and excited himself) that "My grandfather said in the fourth game of the 1964 season that the Cardinals would win the World Series. Well, as crazy as it sounded then, you get the feeling that this may just be our year..." Jason Maxwell pinch-ran, and on a 2-2 count, Gary Gaetti slapped a single up the middle which scored Maxwell and tied the game. 10-10. Un-be-lievable. It was a mob scene at the ballpark no one ever expected to see in 1998. It's safe to say it was the most ambitious and positive I've ever seen that ballpark in my entire life.
The game would go to extra innings, and Rod Beck (Shooter, if you will), our excellent closer with 50 saves, comes in and shuts down the Brewers 1-2-3 in the top of the tenth. It was the Cubs' chance to pull out a victory in the bottom of the inning. After Lance Johnson and Jose Hernandez lost their at-bats, Mark Grace dug in with two outs, and on "Gracie the Swan" day, he caps off the legendary game in perfect fashion, by delivering a solo blast into the streets in right field to win the game for the Cubs, final score 11-10. As "Celebration" played in the background, the team carried Sammy Sosa on their shoulders as they walked off Wrigley, and with a final curtain call by Mark Grace, the game was officially over. But the fans stuck around, and I'm not sure if anyone knows how long the folks actually stuck around...
I don't care what ANY Cubs fan says, that was single-handedly the best series ever at Wrigley Field and possibly Cubs history. The excitement, the drama, the back-and-forth of the score, the playoff atmosphere, the "90 Mile Rivalry" (as I call it) with the Brewers, the magic of the home run race, the magic of the Wild Card race. It was single-handedly a story-book series, one that must NEVER be forgotten by Cubs fans. And probably wouldn't.
I'll never forget the end of the game, my grandfather said to me "Remember this game, and remember this series. You'll never see another one like it ever again. I know I haven't." And he was right. I have yet to see something as exciting as that mid-September series on the North Side. When teams combine to score 72 runs in a three game series, you know it's something special. Steve Stone's "offensive onslaught" description seems rather fitting, eh?
The last game was the greatest Cub game I'd ever seen in my life. It capped off a magical series perfectly, with pieces of history thrown in there and an ending that you could only write in a book. September 13, 1998 is easily one of the finest memories of my entire life, even for being so young. Thanks to the Cubs Legends DVD box set, I was able to relive the memory today. Certainly not the sunny, 87 degree day it was ten years ago, but nevertheless, the chills ran down my spine when Chip Caray would call the home runs and the end of the game, as they were just as vibrant as they were this day ten years ago.
Probably the best baseball experience I ever shared with my grandfather and uncle, and probably the best experience to date. Hard to believe a regular season game tops off all the playoff victories and clinchers I'd seen, but there was something in the air that day, and something magical about that 1998 season, that makes it's memory so valuable. And I'm damn proud to have been around long enough to remember it and respect it the way I do today.
-Zach
It's one of the last days in the summer of 1998, and I was in the mere age of seven, innocent and skating by in a stress-free, work-free lifestyle. I just started First Grade, a time when school was actually enjoyable and something to look forward to. The family had decided to buy a vacation to Florida for that October just a few weeks prior, a trip everyone, from my mother, my sister, grandma, grandpa, and Uncle Tom, all except my father, would attend, my first time ever on a REAL vacation. Chicago sports had taken a beating, dismantling the Chicago Bulls dynasty, no real interest in Blackhawks hockey anymore, the Bears were losing, the White Sox were subpar. But there was one ray of hope, yes, you guessed it. My Cubs were winning, for the first time in the three years I had been watching them, in the magical fairy tale season that was 1998.
Today was Sunday, September 13, 1998. Typically on Sundays, my mother, sister, and I would head over to the grandparents' house for a lunch / dinner around three in the afternoon, and I'd spend most of my time with my grandpa and uncle over the summer watching Cubs games on WGN, as the aroma of pork, perogi, sometimes saurkraut or cauliflour, and my favorite dish of my grandmother's, mashed potatoes, filled the air as we awaited the feast. This Sunday was no different, except for the fact that at it's standard 1:20 PM start, we didn't know history would be made.
Let's recap the first two games of this series. The Wild Card leading Cubs began a series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, September 11, 1998 at Wrigley Field. The team, at this point, needed to win as many games as possible in order to stand pat in the race, as the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants showed no signs of slowing down at this point. The Cubs had a solid 82-66 record, by far exceeding expectations for the season, but the Brewers were in fourth place in the NL Central and essentially out of contention, so they were playing the spoiler. This was also special, not to mention, because of Sammy Sosa's status in the Great Home Run Race of '98, standing at 58 and could likely catch up to leader Mark McGwire (62) by weekend's end.
Sparks flew in the first game that Friday, sadly resulting in a 13-11 victory for the Brewers. Don Wengert pitched only two and a third, allowing five Milwaukee runs, but his replacement, Rodney Myers was no better, giving up four. The Cubs burned through a whopping six relievers in the loss, but the Cubs did fight, with homers by Gary Gaetti (15th), Jason Maxwell (1st), and at no surprise, Sammy Sosa (59th), snapping a five game homer-less streak.
The second game was even more of a thriller, starting off poorly once again for the Chicago Cubs. Mike Morgan surrendered eight runs in three innings, allowing homers to Geoff Jenkins, Jeromy Burnitz, and Bobby Hughes. By the bottom of the seventh, Milwaukee led the Cubs 12-5, but an offensive explosion by the Cubs brought them within just three (courtesy of a three-run homer by Sammy Sosa, now standing at 60 on the year). The Cubs eventually tied it and took the game to the bottom of the ninth, still trailing, this time 12-10. The Cubs tied it up with punch base hits, but the big hit was a pinch-hit, three-run homer by Orlando Merced, thrusting the Cubs to a shocking 15-12 victory.
Could the series possibly get anymore exciting? It was tied 1-1 going into Sunday the 13th, with both teams scoring a combined 51 runs in the series alone (by then the third highest run total for one series in the 1998 season, with one more game to go). You wouldn't believe it, but damnit, it did. It was "Gracie the Swan" promotional giveaway day, where swan Beanie Babies were given out in commemoration of Cubs legendary first baseman Mark Grace. Grandpa, Uncle Tom, and I expressed our interest in wanting to be there amidst the 87 degree Indian summer North Side heat, sadly it was the hottest ticket in Chicago since the NBA Finals that past June.
It started off negatively once again, with Steve Trachsel starting the game off by giving up a solo home run to Mark Loretta in the first, making it 1-0. Things didn't get any better as Milwaukee would go up 2-0 on pesky base hits by the bottom of the third. But in that bottom half of the inning, the Cubs offense powered it's way to a six run inning, thanks to hits by Mickey Morandini, Scott Servais, Jose Hernandez, Glenallen Hill, and Gary Gaetti, and even doubles by pitcher Steve Trachsel and Mark Grace, playing surprising small-ball instead of the usual, powerful approach the team had normally taken. The Cubs led 6-2.
Trachsel, however, was ready to let that slip. After retiring Jeff Cirillo, he gave up Jeromy Burnitz's 36th homer of the season, making it a 6-3 score. Things were silent from here on out until the bottom of the fifth, where Mark Grace singled to set-up Sammy Sosa's third at-bat of the game. All eyes were on Chicago's latest hero to bring the Cubs ahead further, and he didn't disappoint. Sosa hammered a 480 foot blast to left field (I agree with Steve Stone's assessment of the distance being "grossly understated") for #61 on the season, tying Roger Maris' former single-season record (broken by McGwire just five days prior). The Cubs were now ahead 8-3. Seemed like a good lead, but the way the series had been, nothing was ever set in stone. In the top of the sixth, after retiring Dave Nilsson, Trachsel surrendered a home run to Jeff Cirillo, closing the gap within four runs. Then the Brewers led off the top of the seventh with a home run by Bobby Hughes, making the score 8-5.
Exit Steve Trachsel, enter Terry Mulholland, retiring the rest of the Brewers easily. After Chris O'Donnell gave a quote-unquote "stirring" rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," the Cubs stepped in, still ahead, and Sosa led off. He struck out, and the place became silent as the Cubs were retired aside from one walk to Glenallen Hill. The top of the eighth was vital for the Brewers, as they scored four runs off Mulholland, all on punchy base hits. Suddenly, the Brewers were ahead 9-8. The bottom of the Cubs' eighth was quiet. Guys got on base but failed to score. The top of the ninth saw Jeff Cirillo hitting another home run, this time off Cub newcomer Chris Haney. Brewers went up 10-8 by the end of the inning.
Now is when the REAL fun begins. It's the bottom of the ninth. Crunch time. The shadow-line had already crossed the infield as the game surpasses it's standard three-hour run-time. The Cub fans, who would've usually left by now in the 1997 season (since a loss could be expected), are staying not only to see Sammy Sosa anymore, but to also see their beloved Cubbies pull out their 84th win of the year and maintain first in the Wild Card race.
After Grace led off and grounded out, it was Sosa turn, millions of eyes outside of the 40,000 strong at Wrigley around the world surrounding him, awaiting history to be made. He didn't disappoint, as he smacked one of the longest home runs I'd ever seen in my days at Wrigley Field, hit into the alley outside of left-center field (another grossly underestimated 480 feet). This would be one of the most touching moments I'd ever seen in a baseball game. Tears filled the eyes of Sammy Sosa, the fans at Wrigley Field, my mother, myself, and I think my grandfather, over such an accomplishment for such a tremendous hero. Yes, in future years Sosa would alienate his fanbase away from him and turn into a serious egomaniac, but here, he was just the little guy, succeeding and beating the odds, before the success got to him. He was the guy who cared more about his team winning than his own record, the guy who gave his millions to people who needed it more than he did. Suddenly, this guy was a superstar, who put up numbers as if he were a machine, but his tears proved he was human after all. Without question, the greatest moment I'd ever seen on a baseball field in my lifetime, and after a whopping three curtain calls, the game continued, in front of 40,000 roaring fans.
There was still baseball to be played though. Sosa's homer put the Cubs only within one of Milwaukee, and the injured pinch-hitter Henry Rodriguez dug in and doubled on the first pitch, admirably limping into second base. Chip Caray had stated amidst the excitement (and excited himself) that "My grandfather said in the fourth game of the 1964 season that the Cardinals would win the World Series. Well, as crazy as it sounded then, you get the feeling that this may just be our year..." Jason Maxwell pinch-ran, and on a 2-2 count, Gary Gaetti slapped a single up the middle which scored Maxwell and tied the game. 10-10. Un-be-lievable. It was a mob scene at the ballpark no one ever expected to see in 1998. It's safe to say it was the most ambitious and positive I've ever seen that ballpark in my entire life.
The game would go to extra innings, and Rod Beck (Shooter, if you will), our excellent closer with 50 saves, comes in and shuts down the Brewers 1-2-3 in the top of the tenth. It was the Cubs' chance to pull out a victory in the bottom of the inning. After Lance Johnson and Jose Hernandez lost their at-bats, Mark Grace dug in with two outs, and on "Gracie the Swan" day, he caps off the legendary game in perfect fashion, by delivering a solo blast into the streets in right field to win the game for the Cubs, final score 11-10. As "Celebration" played in the background, the team carried Sammy Sosa on their shoulders as they walked off Wrigley, and with a final curtain call by Mark Grace, the game was officially over. But the fans stuck around, and I'm not sure if anyone knows how long the folks actually stuck around...
I don't care what ANY Cubs fan says, that was single-handedly the best series ever at Wrigley Field and possibly Cubs history. The excitement, the drama, the back-and-forth of the score, the playoff atmosphere, the "90 Mile Rivalry" (as I call it) with the Brewers, the magic of the home run race, the magic of the Wild Card race. It was single-handedly a story-book series, one that must NEVER be forgotten by Cubs fans. And probably wouldn't.
I'll never forget the end of the game, my grandfather said to me "Remember this game, and remember this series. You'll never see another one like it ever again. I know I haven't." And he was right. I have yet to see something as exciting as that mid-September series on the North Side. When teams combine to score 72 runs in a three game series, you know it's something special. Steve Stone's "offensive onslaught" description seems rather fitting, eh?
The last game was the greatest Cub game I'd ever seen in my life. It capped off a magical series perfectly, with pieces of history thrown in there and an ending that you could only write in a book. September 13, 1998 is easily one of the finest memories of my entire life, even for being so young. Thanks to the Cubs Legends DVD box set, I was able to relive the memory today. Certainly not the sunny, 87 degree day it was ten years ago, but nevertheless, the chills ran down my spine when Chip Caray would call the home runs and the end of the game, as they were just as vibrant as they were this day ten years ago.
Probably the best baseball experience I ever shared with my grandfather and uncle, and probably the best experience to date. Hard to believe a regular season game tops off all the playoff victories and clinchers I'd seen, but there was something in the air that day, and something magical about that 1998 season, that makes it's memory so valuable. And I'm damn proud to have been around long enough to remember it and respect it the way I do today.
-Zach
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