Inky Horizons

I am so over the Cubs.  Which upon reflection is nothing short of amazing. I mean, I've followed this team since 1974. So far this season I haven't seen but about three games, if that. I have no idea what their standings are or what their record is or anything else. I used to have these facts at my fingertips.  But after last season, or more specifically after last post-season...I just lost interest in tying myself to them.

I guess I got tired of having my soul stomped on. I still watch baseball. I watch the Astros and the Rangers. Not unsurprising since I live in Dallas, TX.  And I watch whatever game might be on ESPN. But I'm not clued in to what's going on with the Cubs.  I might have a chance to go to Chicago next year. I was asked if I wanted to go see a Cubs game and I said, "Nah, not really. There's lots of other things to do in Chicago."

I'm still a fan, though, if only out of inertia. I want them to do well. But I'm not emotionally invested in them the way I once was. I don't follow them with the fervor I once did.

I think there's a game on now. Lemme turn it on.

Huh. They're playing the Astros. It's 0 -0 in the top of the second. But that goes to my point. I didn't even know they were on and I used to know their weekly television schedule by heart.

I think part of it is I'm also busier. Matthew and Patrick are older and there's more fun things I can do with them now. I guess I like that more. 

I'm ready for baseball to start so I can have something to watch on TV. But I have no emotional interest in the Cubs at all. Not after last season.

I can't say I'm surprised. They're just doing what the Cubs always do: implode.

This might be the last year I spend following this club. Seriously. I'm tired of having my heart stomped on. Even someone of my limited intelligence catches on eventually....

Cubs play the Dodgers tonight. It's the first game in a five game series. Cubs in four.

GO CUBS!

My Cubs won the NL Central yesterday.  Go Cubs!

I'm satisfied.  Oh, sure, I'd like to see them win the playoffs and get into the World Series and win that, too, especially seeing as how it's been exactly one hundred years since they last won the Series.  But no true Cubs fan has the right to expect more out of this team than Division Champs -- and even that's pushing things because say what you want that Goat Curse is real.  I've been a Cubs fan way too long to get my hopes up about anything other than what they've accomplished right now.  Anything extra will be icing on the cake, as far as I'm concerned.

Pessimistic?  No. It's just that I'm a Cubs fan.  As such you learn to take what you can get and run with it.  A bird in the hand, and all that jazz.

My Cubs won their division and they're going to the playoffs.  I'm happy enough with that.

I hope Mark Cuban becomes the owner of the Cubs.

Because, you know. He's Mark Cuban. And they're the Cubs. Oh, and the Tribune sucks donkey balls.

Everyone is saying what a great April the Cubs had and how they set a franchise record scoring runs. That doesn't mean shit. All that matters is they've lost 5 of the last 7 games, including a heart breaker today when Wood meatballed a couple across the plate and blew the save.

That's what matters.  The right now.  April doesn't mean a goddamn thing. 

Sweet Baby Christ. Four games into the season and we're already in the fucking basement.

Today is Opening Day, the best day in baseball. And already there are sports writers who are saying the Cubs will win the Central, and more than one saying they are going to win the World Series.

Sweet Baby Jesus. What are these guys on?

Are they in Boston with empressov knocking back double absinthe shots before they spout this garbage? Way to curse them for another hundred years, by saying on the first day of the season they're going to win it all.  These are the Cubs we're talking about. You can't say shit like that and not expect the universe to crush your heart one more time....

Grr.

Anyway. I'll write this morning and then I will be able to justify watching baseball the rest of the day. I love Opening Day!

I'm really not surprised.  I'm not even angry.  I mean, I've taken it up the ass from this ball club since 1974.  You don't get anally raped for that many years and suddenly get angry when the Cubs tank three games straight and get knocked out of the playoffs.  Seriously.  We Cubs fans are sterner stuff than that.  Give us some credit.

But I would be lying if I said I was surprised.  The Cubs this year were never anything other than a AAA team in a very lousy division.  They never really won the central as much as the other teams in their division collapsed and gave it to them.  The Cubs didn't lose this playoff series, the Diamond Backs won it...and deservedly so.  They were a professional baseball team.  My Cubs were never anything other than bush league.

99 years.  99 fucking years.  That's some serious longevity to the disappointment of a long-suffering fan base.

But, hey, you get cursed by a goat and you might as well slit your goddamn throat.  There are curses and there are curses.  The curse of the goat ain't nothing to sneeze at.  That fucker was serious when he doomed the Chicago Cubs.

Don't fuck with the goat.  Ever.

Cubs won tonight and the Brewers lost which means they clinched the Central Division.  At least they actually won instead of backing into the playoffs, that was nice.

So the Cubs made the playoffs.  We'll see how they fare from here on out. 

Brewers lost last night so the Cubs are still on life support.  Now I know what you're thinking. I was about to have my head explode yesterday.  Yep.  Welcome to being a Cubs fan.  It's a rollercoaster ride of emotion like that for the whole damn season.  And I've been a Cubs fan since 1974.

You do the math.

I just want my team to win, I DON'T want them to back into the playoffs in October just because they were a less shitty team than the Brewers.  I know some people will tell you it doesn't matter how you get into the post season, as long as you get there.  I would disagree.  I would rather my team make it on their own merits, winning their way in, than depending on some other team to tank.  Just me, I guess.

But, yeah, being a Cubs fan is like this.  Up one minute, down the next month.  You get used to it.  It's not for everyone, though.  It takes a strong constitution and someone with a bleak outlook on life to weather the highs and lows.  Heh.  That describes me perfectly.

Go Cubbies! (you bastards)

Never. Never. Never.

Jesus Fucking Christ.  We were 3.5 games up and we get swept by the goddamn Marlins. Worse, we get swept by the goddamn Marlins for the entire season.  Worse, it was the goddamn Marlins who fucked us in '03.

Three games to play and we're playing like shit.  Trachsel is a fucking gas can.  Why did they bring that goddamn bastard back? He was a worthless POS when we had him the first time. Unbelievable.  Who makes these decisions? I want the motherfucker's phone number and address.  He and I have an appointment.  And Dempster.  Don't get me started on Dempster.  That bastard either spins one into the dirt for ball four or meatballs it down the center of the plate for a three-run homerun.  And he's supposed to be our closer. 

*Sigh*

There ain't enough fucking vodka in the world to see me through this weekend.  It's gonna be real shaky around here for the next seventy-two hours....   :(

Wow. I'm kind of stunned. Right now the Cubs are 3.5 games up on the Brewers with like 6 or 7 to play. Cubs don't play today but the Brewers do, which means the Cubs can increase their lead to 4 or only fall back to a three game lead. Pretty nice.

But they are the Cubs. How many times have I had my heart broken? Well, let's see. I've been a fan since 1974. Every year since then. You do the the math.

At the moment this looks pretty good, though. Think I'll run with it. 

Well, at least the Chicago Cubs have pretty much put the Cardinals away this weekend. Now the Central Division is up for grabs between the Cubs and the Brewers.  The Cubs have a game on them, but that doesn't mean anything. If you've watched the Cubs as long as I have (since 1974) then having your heart broken is an annual occurrence.  Simple rule of thumb: Never bet on the Cubs.  You'll be happier.

But the remaining schedule does favor the Cubs, so we'll see.  At least our mortal enemy, the Cardinals, are out of the picture.  Thank goodness.

Kee-rist.  Like I'm not bummed enough.  Now the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers are in a wimpy pantie-waisted slap fight with each other for first place in the Central Division.  It seems neither one really wants it and they keep flip-flopping with each other.  Which is exactly what you would expect from a couple of lousy teams, neither of which deserves to be first.

Meanwhile, here come the Cardinals in their rear view mirror.

*Grumbles*

The Cubs are tied for first in the Central Division!  Hey, it may not last, but we Cubs fans have to get our solace where we can....

The Chicago Cubs are .5 game out of first place in their division, right behind the Brewers.  Wow, I never thought I'd live to see this.  We were 7.5 games back on July 1.  The Cubs are coming on like a runaway freight train.  If we win tomorrow we're automatically tied for first in the Central Division!

But the next seven games (four with the Phillies and three with the Mets) aren't gimme games.  These are two good teams, but I still look for us to be in first place by the end of two weeks.  Am I excited?  You bet.  Am I willing to go out on a limb and state here and now the Cubs will win their division? 

Don't be silly.  These are the Cubs we're talking about.  But it's a nice feeling while it's lasting....

Go Cubs!

So far the Chicago Cubs are 5 games over .500. Not bad considering the slow start they had at the first of the year.  They're like 3.5 games behind the Brewers...second place no less.  And they're third in the Wild Card only 3.0 games back.  Not too shabby.

So far I'm cautiously optimistic.  They've been winning a lot of one-run games which is the sign of a good team.  Maybe we'll see some October ball from them this year...but I'm not holding my breath.  They've broken my heart before....

Here's a link to Lou Piniella talking about the fight in the dugout between Zambrano and Barrett, with video of the fight itself.  Towards the end Uncle Lou becomes very angry at the way this team is imploding.

I hope he kicks some prima donna ass tomorrow and gets this goddamn mess of a team straightened out.