Cubs fans hope that this will be the year
Dan Worthington
Issue date: 3/22/02 Section: Sports
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In my time on earth, I have witnessed the world almost come to an end on two separate occasions. Coincidently enough, the Cubs made the playoffs both times.
The first time happened during the year of 1989. The Cubs, led by former Cub and now current Arizona Diamondback Mark Grace, made it to the National League Championship Series before being beaten up by the San Francisco Giants.
The second time occurred in 1998 when the Cubs captured the National League wild card berth with a 5-3 win over those very same Giants in a one-game playoff. Sadly enough, the Cubs would go on to be eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in three games during the first round of the playoffs.
Once again though, my beloved Cubs are prepared for another season of baseball with hopes of finally making it over the hump for that elusive World Series title. Even an appearance would satisfy me.
Now before all of you start laughing, I think that the Cubs have a legitimate chance this season - or at least I would like to believe so.
A team led by one of the most prolific home run hitters in recent memory has built up their roster with many all-star caliber players. Sammy Sosa has been on a non-stop tear the last four years and shows no signs of slowing. Furthermore, teams won't be as inclined to pitch around him with former all-stars Moises Alou and Fred McGriff protecting him in the lineup.
The pitching staff also shows great promise. However, Jon Lieber, Kerry Wood and Jason Bere will have to do the brunt of the workload on the mound for the Cubs this season. After losing closer Tom "Flash" Gordon for up to five months, Jeff Faseero and Kyle Farnsworth are going to be forced to share the closing responsibilities until something else is worked out.
Todd Hundley is the projected starting catcher for the Cubs, but I believe that Joe Girardi could add so much more to the team. Girardi, who has been around since the Ice Age, is a much more dependable player than Hundley and has a higher batting average by 60 points.
When Girardi signed an autograph for me at the Galesburg Mall in Galesburg, Ill., roughly 12 years ago, he automatically became one of my all-time favorites. And for this reason alone he deserves the start over Todd "I can't hit" Hundley.
Overall, I believe that the Cubs are set for at least a playoff spot this season. After last year's late-season collapse, I can't take another year of gaining high aspirations for the Cubbies' postseason run only to see them let me and every other Cub faithful down. All bad must come to an end though and the year the Cubs win the World Series, no one will ever hear the end of it. And the famous catch phrase "Maybe next year" will be vanquished for at least one year.
The first time happened during the year of 1989. The Cubs, led by former Cub and now current Arizona Diamondback Mark Grace, made it to the National League Championship Series before being beaten up by the San Francisco Giants.
The second time occurred in 1998 when the Cubs captured the National League wild card berth with a 5-3 win over those very same Giants in a one-game playoff. Sadly enough, the Cubs would go on to be eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in three games during the first round of the playoffs.
Once again though, my beloved Cubs are prepared for another season of baseball with hopes of finally making it over the hump for that elusive World Series title. Even an appearance would satisfy me.
Now before all of you start laughing, I think that the Cubs have a legitimate chance this season - or at least I would like to believe so.
A team led by one of the most prolific home run hitters in recent memory has built up their roster with many all-star caliber players. Sammy Sosa has been on a non-stop tear the last four years and shows no signs of slowing. Furthermore, teams won't be as inclined to pitch around him with former all-stars Moises Alou and Fred McGriff protecting him in the lineup.
The pitching staff also shows great promise. However, Jon Lieber, Kerry Wood and Jason Bere will have to do the brunt of the workload on the mound for the Cubs this season. After losing closer Tom "Flash" Gordon for up to five months, Jeff Faseero and Kyle Farnsworth are going to be forced to share the closing responsibilities until something else is worked out.
Todd Hundley is the projected starting catcher for the Cubs, but I believe that Joe Girardi could add so much more to the team. Girardi, who has been around since the Ice Age, is a much more dependable player than Hundley and has a higher batting average by 60 points.
When Girardi signed an autograph for me at the Galesburg Mall in Galesburg, Ill., roughly 12 years ago, he automatically became one of my all-time favorites. And for this reason alone he deserves the start over Todd "I can't hit" Hundley.
Overall, I believe that the Cubs are set for at least a playoff spot this season. After last year's late-season collapse, I can't take another year of gaining high aspirations for the Cubbies' postseason run only to see them let me and every other Cub faithful down. All bad must come to an end though and the year the Cubs win the World Series, no one will ever hear the end of it. And the famous catch phrase "Maybe next year" will be vanquished for at least one year.