Royal Purple

Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Opinion

Azzi [Click to enlarge]

Don't say it. Don't tell me that the Cubs choked. Because quite frankly, you'd be giving them far too much credit. The Brewers choked. They let the pressure of the post season get to them, and they choked. That's it.

But the Cubs … oh, they brought losing to an entirely new level. You see, saying that they choked would imply that you actually thought they showed up to the playoffs. Everyone knows they choked in 2003 after the infamous Bartman incident, but this was completely different.

This was "the year." We just saw it come and go before our eyes, folks. Next year was here. The Cubs threw it all away in three games. Walks, defensive errors, and an embarrassing and uncharacteristic lack of offense gave Manny and the Dodgers the edge that they needed. (I say Manny because if you watched the Cubs game, you know that the announcers talked about him more than anything else. Seriously.)

The playoff blunder from 2007 left Cubs fans with a sense of hope and excitement for 2008. On the 100th anniversary of their last World Series title, they were going to do it. Everyone had that feeling deep inside. But honestly, those Cubs sure do know how to tease a girl. They had me fooled. I truly did believe in them. After Soriano's all-too-familiar check swing at a pitch in the dirt to end their season, I felt like I had been dumped for the very first time. I trusted them. I loved them. They let me down. They let everyone down. The Cubs are like a bad boyfriend. I gave them my heart, I defended them when everyone told me I shouldn't waste my time, and they crushed me.

The Cubs couldn't handle the weight of 100 years. In their defense, (although I still refuse to cut them any slack), they were under an awful lot of pressure. "It's gonna happen" was no longer a slogan. It was an expectation. It was a command.

Thanks, Chicago Cubs. You've truly kept the tradition alive. Now the north side of Chicago will hibernate this winter with a heavy heart and a mind full of "coulda-woulda-shouldas." We've all got the Cubby blues.

Don't worry, Brewers fans, I haven't forgotten about you. I know you're hurting as well.

The problem with cheering for a team who lives and dies by the long ball is that, well, they eventually die by the long ball. Prince Fielder can't save you with a single swing of the bat when C.C. can't get through four innings. The man who gave up only six runs in the entire month of August gave up five runs in five innings. It was unacceptable.

What happened to the Midwest? Did the colorful fall leaves give them October-phobia? Something about the crisp autumn air must have filled their lungs with uncertainty and failure. Whatever the reason, they've got to face their fear of October.

Well, baseball fans, it's going to be a long off-season. I hope the Cubs and the Brewers have enough time to think about what they could have done. And as much as it pains me to say it, I know that come April 2009, I'll be saying "this year is here." I just don't know how much I'll actually believe myself.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools