So, You're Saying the Cubs Might Not Be That Good?

by Stan, Ghosts of Wayne Fontes

I may be hurting some feelings here, but the Chicago Cubs just aren't that good. And it's painfully obvious to this fan, that "its' NOT gonna happen." Have you ever seen the film "What About Bob?" Well, it's like when Bill Murray (Bob) strolls into Dr. Leo Marvin's office and explains he's divorced because, "There are two types of people in this world: Those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don't. My ex-wife loves him."

Dr. Marvin informs/suggests to Bob that maybe, just maybe he didn't leave his wife because she likes Neil Diamond, but rather she left Bob because he didn't like Neil Diamond. Of course, this completely floors Bob and it's a stunning revelation into the ultimate healing process. Well, that same feeling, a loss of innocence for me, relating to Chicago Cubs took full stage back in 2003. And as recently as June of this year, I had built them back up on the pedestal and was more than convinced they would indeed celebrate like it was 1908 all over again this season. However, I now know fully well there will be no party this year.

I didn't need Dr. Leo Marvin to burst my bubble. Reality, not "baby steps" sank in as I watched from afar and realized, this Cubs team is once again toying with our emotions. Look, I'm not trying to sound harsh here...admitting the problem is the first step. And trust me, my confidence and believing waivers back and forth with this team. It's a manic fanship like that, but just hang with me.

The Cubs are perfectly equipped to keep themselves in the thick of the battle until the end. They are currently just a half game behind the Brewers in the NL Central and play the Astros later tonight, where if they win they pull back into a first place tie. However, I wonder if it's all for a tease? Can this team really win in October?

Believe me, I'm not a naysayer, I'm a Cubs fan with scars just like many a Cubs fan. I try to always look at things with "the glass is half full" mentality, but I am finding it hard to do so with this team. They have a solid clubhouse and some key ingredients, but just not enough to get through when it counts the most. Late Cubs broadcaster and antagonist Steve Stone recently said the Cubs as a team are like playing golf with a bag full of seven irons. A lot of nice pieces, but still missing something.

Well, one thing that is sorely missing is steady starting pitching all around the board and that includes ace Carlos Zambrano who needs to go on another tear before the season ends or there is gonna be no shot at getting into October. Outside of Big Z, Hill, Marquis and Marshall just aren't scaring anybody come October. Sure, Ted Lilly has looked great at times, but can he carry the Cubs alone? The answer is a definitive NO.

Where is the power? For the first time in lord knows when (you can search the stats for me) the Cubs will not have anybody on their roster to hit at least 30-35 HR's. Well, maybe Soriano makes it to 30, but Ramirez and Lee (the other big bats) just aren't reaching that plateau. Can they produce power in the post-season? It's possible, but it really hasn't been there all season. And yes, I am taking into account that Ramirez is playing on a bum wrist.

Moving on, where is the speed? The Cubs have always been plagued by speed on the base paths. And once again, this year is no different. Lou Pinella can't quite figure out where Soriano belongs in the line-up, but even he only has 18 steals this season, which is a far cry from his usual output of 30-40. The Cubs leader in steals is Ryan Theriot with 25, but after he and Soriano the next best thing is D-Lee with 6. So, manufacturing runs, as always looks to be a problem.

Look, I hate to be the barer of bad news, because I want it just as much as any Cubs fan, but the reality of it all has hit me. And this bad stretch of baseball should be evidence enough that it just wasn't meant to be...yet again. The Cubs are losing the close games lately, karma isn't on their side any longer. Here's to holding out for them to at least win the Central, but anything beyond that is house money.

So cheers to hoping, but cheers to reality. Maybe, just maybe they aren't as good as we'd all hoped. And for the record, let's hope I just planted the reverse jinx.