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Good article by Jay Mariotti in the Sun Times today......
These may seem like greedy demands, given the scarcity of glory in Cubdom. But the loyal masochists of the 99-Year Club deserve special considerations right now -- and I'm just the man to deliver the wish list to whoever is listening.
1. Let the Cubs clinch the division in Cincinnati. Only a 5 1/2-hour drive, or 4 1/2 when Carlos Zambrano is behind the wheel, the Great American Ballpark is perfect for a road party if the Real Great American Ballpark in Wrigleyville isn't an option. The last place to celebrate a rare division title, only the fourth since the concept originated, would be a football stadium on the outskirts of Miami, where the Cubs play the next three nights in front of crowds that won't top turnouts at area wet t-shirt contests. Problem is, if they haven't clinched by the weekend, Cubdom will be in a full-blown panic state.
2. Make Kerry Wood the star of the celebration. He was supposed to be a has-been, one more sore arm from retirement. Then, when he worked his tail off in Arizona and made a triumphant return, he was supposed to be a jinx. What Wood has been is an inspiration, loved by teammates and fans, and don't be shocked if he makes a significant postseason contribution at some point. For now, let him pop the first champagne bottle. No one deserves it more.
3. Draw Arizona in the divisional round of the National League playoffs. A Sabermetrics geek will have to explain how the Diamondbacks have the most victories in the NL while scoring fewer runs than their opponents. All I know is, that ballclub has only one quality starting pitcher, Brandon Webb, and would be vulnerable against the Cubs' power bats and two quality starters in Zambrano and Ted Lilly. Plus, Phoenix and the surrounding area is Little Chicago, filled with transplants who will pack the overgrown downtown garage known as Chase Field. The D-Backs look like upset division winners over the San Diego Padres, who were sabotaged by the umpire rant and subsequent bizarre knee injury of crazy meltdown artist Milton Bradley.
4. Do not draw the Mets in the divisional round. I know, they're dysfunctional and limping into the playoffs in a city that doesn't trust them. And wouldn't the Cubs love to avenge their spooky history with the Mets, dating back to Ron Santo and 1969? But their speed and offensive talent are scary.
5. Welcome Steve Bartman back to the ballpark, let him throw out the first pitch and have him blow kisses to the fans before a home playoff game. I'm kidding.
These may seem like greedy demands, given the scarcity of glory in Cubdom. But the loyal masochists of the 99-Year Club deserve special considerations right now -- and I'm just the man to deliver the wish list to whoever is listening.
1. Let the Cubs clinch the division in Cincinnati. Only a 5 1/2-hour drive, or 4 1/2 when Carlos Zambrano is behind the wheel, the Great American Ballpark is perfect for a road party if the Real Great American Ballpark in Wrigleyville isn't an option. The last place to celebrate a rare division title, only the fourth since the concept originated, would be a football stadium on the outskirts of Miami, where the Cubs play the next three nights in front of crowds that won't top turnouts at area wet t-shirt contests. Problem is, if they haven't clinched by the weekend, Cubdom will be in a full-blown panic state.
2. Make Kerry Wood the star of the celebration. He was supposed to be a has-been, one more sore arm from retirement. Then, when he worked his tail off in Arizona and made a triumphant return, he was supposed to be a jinx. What Wood has been is an inspiration, loved by teammates and fans, and don't be shocked if he makes a significant postseason contribution at some point. For now, let him pop the first champagne bottle. No one deserves it more.
3. Draw Arizona in the divisional round of the National League playoffs. A Sabermetrics geek will have to explain how the Diamondbacks have the most victories in the NL while scoring fewer runs than their opponents. All I know is, that ballclub has only one quality starting pitcher, Brandon Webb, and would be vulnerable against the Cubs' power bats and two quality starters in Zambrano and Ted Lilly. Plus, Phoenix and the surrounding area is Little Chicago, filled with transplants who will pack the overgrown downtown garage known as Chase Field. The D-Backs look like upset division winners over the San Diego Padres, who were sabotaged by the umpire rant and subsequent bizarre knee injury of crazy meltdown artist Milton Bradley.
4. Do not draw the Mets in the divisional round. I know, they're dysfunctional and limping into the playoffs in a city that doesn't trust them. And wouldn't the Cubs love to avenge their spooky history with the Mets, dating back to Ron Santo and 1969? But their speed and offensive talent are scary.
5. Welcome Steve Bartman back to the ballpark, let him throw out the first pitch and have him blow kisses to the fans before a home playoff game. I'm kidding.
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