Cubs Playoff Games

[sylvester]

Anybody going to Wrigley today or tomorrow? I am sitting in the bleachers, 301 for Game 2. I am so excited now that playoff baseball is here.

[Mrs. Garrett]

I wish. I'll probably just hang out around the ballpark. Maybe stop in one of my favorite drinking establishments for an adult beverage. That's what I love about Wrigley, the great atmosphere outside the ball park.

[XU05and07]

Are you trying to rub it in? Not that you are rubbing salt in the wounds of Cincinnati fans that will struggle to see a playoff push for years

[gladdenguy]

They can rub it in all they want 0507 because in the long run they do know they will not be world series champions. Oh, the goat is back this October.
Go Dodgers and Brewers.
Being a Reds fan, yes I am jealous.

[Fireball]

Being a Reds fan, I am extremely jealous, but I do not blame the Cub fans for enjoying it.

My late best friend was a huge Cubs fans, so I'll be pulling for them.

[The Artist]

Did anybody else see that the bars around Wrigley have agreed to stop selling alcohol after the 7th inning during clinch games? Is the threat of a riot really that strong?

[XU05and07]

Nick, who are the Mets playing in the playoffs?

[The Artist]

The Indians.

[GoMuskies]

I have tickets to Game 6 of the World Series....as long as it is in Boston. So there is the outside chance that I will see the Cubs clinch a World Series title for the first time in 100 years.

[XU05and07]

The Indians.

well played

[bourbonman]

I wish. I'll probably just hang out around the ballpark. Maybe stop in one of my favorite drinking establishments for an adult beverage. That's what I love about Wrigley, the great atmosphere outside the ball park.

You've got to be a Cub fan!

[XU05and07]

I hope the Cubs win so that the media can stop talking about Boston and Chicago's lack of championships and focus on the Indians

[Jumpy]

Did anybody else see that the bars around Wrigley have agreed to stop selling alcohol after the 7th inning during clinch games? Is the threat of a riot really that strong?


I briefly heard something about this and it didn't make any sense to me. They are stopping beer sales in the 7th, yet they are starting right back up after the game? How is this beneficial?

[sylvester]

Did anybody else see that the bars around Wrigley have agreed to stop selling alcohol after the 7th inning during clinch games? Is the threat of a riot really that strong?

Yea, it is a dumb rule. The bars stop selling at the start of the 7th inning for one hour and can begin after that or after extra innings begin. This will just push drunk people into the streets around wrigley to riot and party. I imagine people will just sell beers from their front deck and allow people to stand on their property while they consume. A bad move in my opinion by the city. Thankfully it is only during clinching games so that would potentially be Game 5 in the first round.

[gladdenguy]

Did anybody else see that the bars around Wrigley have agreed to stop selling alcohol after the 7th inning during clinch games? Is the threat of a riot really that strong?

That does say during clinch games. I don't think the cubs will have to worry about that.

[Mrs. Garrett]

You've got to be a Cub fan!

since the day i was born.

[SM#24]

I hope the Cubs win so that the media can stop talking about Boston and Chicago's lack of championships and focus on the Indians
I would like to think the Boston part and 1/2 the Chicago part died quite a while ago.

Only the Cubs stand in the Indians way as the longest drought (1948).

19 of the 30 teams have won a World Series since 1979.
Longest droughts:
Chicago Cubs 1908
Cleveland 1948
SF Giants 1954

And these who have never won:
Texas 1961
Houston 1962
Milwaukee 1969
Washington 1969
San Diego 1969
Seattle 1977
Colorado 1993
Tampa Bay 1998

[Fireball]

In '99, I had tickets to all of the NLDS and NLCS games that would have been in Cincinnati. I'm still bitter that I didn't get to use any of them.

*sigh*

I went to the one game playoff against the Mets, so I kind of got to see some postseason baseball.

[xavierdude]

Haha....GO CUBS....not

lol.

What's worse: being the reds, who can't win at all...or being the cubs that can't win in the postseason? Both suck. But this is HILARIOUS

[vee4xu]

The loveable losers strike again.

[cinskyline]

I've been waiting for Ryan Dempster to come back to earth and show everyone that he's been pitching way over his head this year, and it finally happened tonight. The Cubs better win tomorrow with Carlos Zambrano, because if they don't, I think this series is all but over.

[Emp]

I hope the Cubs win so that the media can stop talking about Boston and Chicago's lack of championships and focus on the Indians

Im sooo sick of billygoat curses and long suffering Cub Fan sports tropes, so I totally agree. Get that monkey off our collective sportspage backs.

[GoMuskies]

Im sooo sick of billygoat curses and long suffering Cub Fan sports tropes, so I totally agree. Get that monkey off our collective sportspage backs.

I hope no one alive now ever sees a Cubs World Series appearance, much less a championship.

[Smails]

Somebody might want to go check on Billy and make sure he's not sitting in the garage with his car running...

Billy....just blink if you're still with us

[XU2424]

GO REDS!! Cubs can suck it....I hope they enjoy the view from the couch (for the rest of the playoffs), just like the Reds. 1908!!1908!! (Thats to the beat for "lets go..[fill in the blank]"). Oh how I wanted to start that cheer when the Chubs came to town a few weeks ago, but we were way outnumbered in fans. We're back in it next year fellas, we are young and talented! GO REDS!

[sylvester]

It will be a different story tonight for the Cubbies. Hold off on your Cub bashing and continue to look forward to another terrible year next season for the Reds. Lets not forget that this same team won 97 games this year. Tonight they will show that they are here to play and will not fall off the postseason radar like last year.

[Juice]

Cubs fans are miserable. Deep down I think they want to delay their winning for a couple years so people will "fall in love" with them like they did with the Red Sox. The only problem is that no one likes the Red Sox, Yankees, or Cubs. Three miserable fan bases who like the taste of their own farts.

[OX09]

GO REDS!! Cubs can suck it....I hope they enjoy the view from the coach (for the rest of the playoffs), just like the Reds. 1908!!1908!! (Thats to the beat for "lets go..[fill in the blank]"). Oh how I wanted to start that cheer when the Chubs came to town a few weeks ago, but we were way outnumbered in fans. We're back in it next year fellas, we are young and talented! GO REDS!

Sounds like a Dayton complex...

[sylvester]

Cubs fans are miserable. Deep down I think they want to delay their winning for a couple years so people will "fall in love" with them like they did with the Red Sox. The only problem is that no one likes the Red Sox, Yankees, or Cubs. Three miserable fan bases who like the taste of their own farts.

On the contrary, I want to win now and I prefer the true fans that currently follow the Cubs rather than your so people that will fall in love with them once they win. You would have to be an idiot to not want to win now especially for the point of gaining several fans "love." And just how are Cubs fans miserable?

[Juice]

On the contrary, I want to win now and I prefer the true fans that currently follow the Cubs rather than your so people that will fall in love with them once they win. You would have to be an idiot to not want to win now especially for the point of gaining several fans "love." And just how are Cubs fans miserable?

I was mostly joking, because no level headed person wants their team to lose, but Cubs fans are pissed that Red Sox fans are more "famous" than them. And by famous I mean annoying and just always there talking about this and that and how great they are.

[GoMuskies]

Doesn't this REALLY say it all:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky9Kso9q_Ws

[XU2424]

Sounds like a Dayton complex...

Yea somewhat. I am that way with pretty much the entire Central, but mainly the Cubs, Cards and Pirates.

[Jumpy]

On the contrary, I want to win now and I prefer the true fans that currently follow the Cubs rather than your so people that will fall in love with them once they win. You would have to be an idiot to not want to win now especially for the point of gaining several fans "love." And just how are Cubs fans miserable?

Miserable may not be the correct term, but I believe insufferable is. Cubs fans act like there is no team on the planet that can touch their lovable losers, yet they haven't sniffed success since before most of our grandfathers were born.

[Jumpy]

Doesn't this REALLY say it all:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky9Kso9q_Ws

"You simply root against them... they won't win it because at the end of the day, they STILL are the Chicago Cubs and they will figure out a way to screw this whole thing up."

One of my favorite Marty lines of all time.

[X-band '01]

Two down, one to go. Who knew the Dodgers could score runs in droves?

[Masterofreality]

Two down, one to go. Who knew the Dodgers could score runs in droves?


Two Words- Manny Ramirez.

He changes the chemistry of the entire lineup.

Unfortunately, Cubs fans suffering continues. I sympathize. I live in Cleveland.

[gladdenguy]

They shouldn't have come out with the bar owners agreeing to not sell beer after the 7th inning in clinch games. We knew there weren't going to be any clinch games.
That ruined the players and Lou from the get go.
Great regular season Cubs. Same old postseason. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I stayed up to watch the booing. It was awesome.

[American X]

I received this email this morning:

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/images/email/y2008/ticketing/blue_october_500x200.jpg

We're sorry, but you were not selected for an opportunity to purchase tickets to 2008 National League Championship Series games at Wrigley Field.

Tickets for any additional postseason games played at Wrigley Field will be available through StubHub.


Darn.

[GoMuskies]

I have a single for Game Five. I really hope I do not get to use it.


I hope so too.

[American X]

I have a single for Game Five. I really hope I do not get to use it.

I take that back.

The Cubs just have to win three:

http://isaacschrodinger.typepad.com/isaacschrodinger/images/dahm_triplets_with_american_flag_body_pa.jpg

[bourbonman]

...Same old postseason. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I stayed up to watch the booing. It was awesome.
WOW! I hate the Cubs too and those fans who claim to be Cubs' fans but know little about baseball. Yet, as much as I dislike the Cubs, I'm not sure I can join in celebrating the awful situation true baseball minded Cubs' fans must be feeling. But then again, are there any? Heck, go ahead and celebrate! :D

[XU05and07]

maybe I don't (and a higher power doesn't) want the Cubs win...that way the Indians can fly under the radar and surprise people

[Billy]

I received this email this morning:

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/images/email/y2008/ticketing/blue_october_500x200.jpg

We're sorry, but you were not selected for an opportunity to purchase tickets to 2008 National League Championship Series games at Wrigley Field.

Tickets for any additional postseason games played at Wrigley Field will be available through StubHub.


Darn.

I considered my receipt of that e-mail to have been a favor.

Disgusting. When does basketball practice start?

[GoMuskies]

The NL Central is really putting on a show this postseason.

[sylvester]

I left in the 4th inning last night and am ashamed of being a Cub fan at this point. I was told to shut up and sit down in the bleachers. The freakin bleachers, where you are supposed to be loud obnoxious and verbally smacking around the opposing teams outfielders. I have never been to a game with those fans before and it made me sick. It was a worse feeling than when I made the trip out to see X play Gonzaga and Morrison put up the quietest 35 points I have ever seen. Even then the excuse of fans there was they were all old and watching the game for them meant sitting silently in observation. I would never expect something similar from people in attendance at a cubs game. I am not one to say that the fans at Wrigley are the most outrageous and best fans ever, because that is not true, but the fans last night were nothing close to resembling the fans I sat with game after game of the regular season. Last night was not cubs fans, they flat out sucked the life out of the place and refused to stand and cheer. Obviously there is a whole different issue to address with regards to the group of idiots that were out on the field playing some silly game of nothing resembling modern day baseball, but thats for a different place and a different time. At this point I see no point in buying the tickets to the NLCS for which I won the right to buy this afternoon.

[Billy]

I left in the 4th inning last night and am ashamed of being a Cub fan at this point. I was told to shut up and sit down in the bleachers. The freakin bleachers, where you are supposed to be loud obnoxious and verbally smacking around the opposing teams outfielders. I have never been to a game with those fans before and it made me sick. It was a worse feeling than when I made the trip out to see X play Gonzaga and Morrison put up the quietest 35 points I have ever seen. Even then the excuse of fans there was they were all old and watching the game for them meant sitting silently in observation. I would never expect something similar from people in attendance at a cubs game. I am not one to say that the fans at Wrigley are the most outrageous and best fans ever, because that is not true, but the fans last night were nothing close to resembling the fans I sat with game after game of the regular season. Last night was not cubs fans, they flat out sucked the life out of the place and refused to stand and cheer. Obviously there is a whole different issue to address with regards to the group of idiots that were out on the field playing some silly game of nothing resembling modern day baseball, but thats for a different place and a different time. At this point I see no point in buying the tickets to the NLCS for which I won the right to buy this afternoon.

Awesome...so you're one of these "bad crowd" guys, huh?

Sorry, but when this franchise has now lost a whopping 8 postseason games in a row...in the style in which they have...I don't blame people for being in a bad mood, or just flat out pissed off having to sit through that. It's the crowd's job to be loud at the start of the game...and they were last night by every single account I've heard. After that, it's up to the team to reciprocate. What we saw in the 2nd inning last night was a complete joke.

As you know, the bleachers aren't general admission during the playoffs. It's just not the same crowd that you'd find during a Saturday afternoon game.

[The Artist]

The Cubs are the Yankees of Chicago. Too many people go to the games just to be seen at the games, or say they went to the games - especially in the playoffs. Also too much of a corporate crowd.

I call for a revolution. We need a Mets/White Sox world.

[XU05and07]

The Cubs are the Yankees of Chicago. Too many people go to the games just to be seen at the games, or say they went to the games.

I call for a revolution. We need a Mets/White Sox world.

Not this year...they need to play a full 162 game season first

[Billy]

And BTW, here's your stat of the day. Lou Piniella's teams are now 1-9 in their last ten postseason games.

The worst part of that, is that two of those three teams had the best record in their respective leagues by a mile and a half (2001 Mariners, 2008 Cubs).

Lou seemed to have left his ability to prepare a team for the playoffs somwhere near the Tyler Davidson Fountain. If any of you see it, can you get it to Los Angeles...by like tomorrow night?

[sylvester]

Awesome...so you're one of these "bad crowd" guys, huh?

Sorry, but when this franchise has now lost a whopping 8 postseason games in a row...in the style in which they have...I don't blame people for being in a bad mood, or just flat out pissed off having to sit through that. It's the crowd's job to be loud at the start of the game...and they were last night by every single account I've heard. After that, it's up to the team to reciprocate. What we saw in the 2nd inning last night was a complete joke.

As you know, the bleachers aren't general admission during the playoffs. It's just not the same crowd that you'd find during a Saturday afternoon game.

Not at all, I hold the team accountable for the atrocious games that I had to sit through. The fans should not be given free passes to sit down and not try to get the team back into the game though. I did not stand there last night and boo the team, I cheered my head off until I lost my voice in the third inning (not sure how that is going to play out in my interview this afternoon). As I said in my previous post, the team is a different story all together. This is my vent on the people in attendance last night that were obviously not in attendance with the mindset. I had a lengthy discussion with the idiot next to me in the bleachers prior to walking out of the ballpark in explaining that obviously the fans do not lose the game for the Cubs, but the fans showed no excitement beyond the first 2 innings. They would rise to their feet when there was potential for a good play and sit right back down in dead silence once the moment had passed.

[The Artist]

As much fun as it is to bash the Cubs, you also can't take away what the Dodgers have done. They're getting hot at the right time. They have Manny and Ethier who can probably win them a series alone, and threw the perfect playoff pitcher in game 1: a sinkerballer who takes advantage of the opponent's overeagerness.

They remind me a lot of the Rockies last year or the Cards the year before. Nobody really cared to label them legit contenders going in, but they fit the bill as a "Team of Destiny".

[Billy]

Not at all, I hold the team accountable for the atrocious games that I had to sit through. The fans should not be given free passes to sit down and not try to get the team back into the game though. I did not stand there last night and boo the team, I cheered my head off until I lost my voice in the third inning (not sure how that is going to play out in my interview this afternoon). As I said in my previous post, the team is a different story all together. This is my vent on the people in attendance last night that were obviously not in attendance with the mindset. I had a lengthy discussion with the idiot next to me in the bleachers prior to walking out of the ballpark in explaining that obviously the fans do not lose the game for the Cubs, but the fans showed no excitement beyond the first 2 innings. They would rise to their feet when there was potential for a good play and sit right back down in dead silence once the moment had passed.

The fans WERE into the game in the bottom of the second, and what did that yield? Two errors, another play that could have been made, and a 5-0 hole.

Look, I'm not going to change your mind here. You didn't dig the vibe last night. And you seem to feel that the fans have some "responsibility" to pay $75 of their own money, and then be put to work, as opposed to be entertained. Fine. I think you're a few fries short of a Happy Meal for this opinion...but OK.

But please, don't be like Jim Hendry, Dick Stockton, et al...and take your eye off the ball by focusing on this. This isn't the problem.

The problem, is that this team has played five bullshit baseball games (low minor league quality...seriously, that's how bad they've been) in a row when it counted the most.

[gladdenguy]

That is fair. The Dodgers have played great the last 2 months and its spilling over into October. Postseason is always about playing great at the right time.
The Cubs have bad timing.

[Billy]

As much fun as it is to bash the Cubs, you also can't take away what the Dodgers have done. They're getting hot at the right time. They have Manny and Ethier who can probably win them a series alone, and threw the perfect playoff pitcher in game 1: a sinkerballer who takes advantage of the opponent's overeagerness.

They remind me a lot of the Rockies last year or the Cards the year before. Nobody really cared to label them legit contenders going in, but they fit the bill as a "Team of Destiny".

Yes, I agree with that. It does get lost in all of the Cubs angst. The Dodgers have been pretty good.

I think Game 1 was a deal where you just tip your hat. Last night though, was a game that the Cubs should have been involved in.

[The Artist]

I'm also glad Carlos Zambrano isn't on my team. The way he showed up the SS last night when the ball went off his glove while he was trying to cover 2nd on a steal was awful.

[sylvester]

But please, don't be like Jim Hendry, Dick Stockton, et al...and take your eye off the ball by focusing on this. This isn't the problem.

The problem, is that this team has played five bullshit baseball games (low minor league quality...seriously, that's how bad they've been) in a row when it counted the most.

Apparently you are not reading my entire post both of which have stated that I am not talking about the team and I recognize that the team is playing like shit. And I appreciate you repeating my statement that the fans were in it until AFTER the second inning. Are you saying that it is expected for fans to sit and not cheer or try to get those around them pumped up. I do not understand how someone can pay $75 and then all they want to do is sit there like they are watching TV. Why pay that much money when you have a better close up of the game on TV. IF you are going to pay that kind of money, at least raise your voice every now and then...maybe even consider clapping occasionally. Sitting the entire duration and staring over your shoulder at the back row as five guys scream there guts out in support through a 5 run 2nd inning is not acceptable. Try and rally the team so when they get up to bat it is not a funeral in the 42,000 person stadium.

[Billy]

Apparently you are not reading my entire post both of which have stated that I am not talking about the team and I recognize that the team is playing like shit. And I appreciate you repeating my statement that the fans were in it until AFTER the second inning. Are you saying that it is expected for fans to sit and not cheer or try to get those around them pumped up. I do not understand how someone can pay $75 and then all they want to do is sit there like they are watching TV. Why pay that much money when you have a better close up of the game on TV. IF you are going to pay that kind of money, at least raise your voice every now and then...maybe even consider clapping occasionally. Sitting the entire duration and staring over your shoulder at the back row as five guys scream there guts out in support through a 5 run 2nd inning is not acceptable. Try and rally the team so when they get up to bat it is not a funeral in the 42,000 person stadium.

I am reading your post.

1.) Obviously, you do not understand the fact that bad baseball over the course of 100 years can be seriously deflating to a group of people.

Ok, apparently, you are unaffected by errors, bad approaches at the plate, and 5-run deficits late in games...and so you press on being the "Let's Rally!" guy. The guy who gets pissed-off when everyone around him doesn't stand up and get loud when YOU deem it's appropriate. I've been to Wrigley hundreds of times...I know who you are. You're annoying.

2.) You are making a claim that increased fan involvement might help the team. Well, lets go back to last year in Arizona. About 1/3 of the place was Cubs fans in an opposing park. How did they thank the Cub Fans who went so out of their way? I'll tell you what they did. They played like shit. Then they came home for Game 3. It was loud the entire game...it was a Saturday night, I was there for it. What happened? Yea, they played like shit again. Wednesday night and last night, the fans were loud for a while...and what did that yield? I'll give you a hint...it's a synonym for feces.

So where you are losing me, is with your preposterous assertion that the crowd's behavior might have impacted the game. It doesn't. If this were NFL Football, or even basketball, where verbal signs and communication are more necessary...I might agree with you. I still wouldn't blame fans and dish out a message board lecture. But I could at least see some validity. Not here, however...not on a baseball field.

This franchise owes the fans for the fact that we travel well, we fill the park to 98% capacity even though they play 25 weekday games per season, and we pay the second highest price/ticket in baseball.

It's not the other way around. Most don't go to Wrigley Field to be put to work. And most don't go there to have someone like you tell them how they should feel about the situation.

[sylvester]

I've been to Wrigley hundreds of times...I know who you are. You're annoying.



This franchise owes the fans for the fact that we travel well, we fill the park to 98% capacity even though they play 25 weekday games per season, and we pay the second highest price/ticket in baseball.



Thank you and I'm sorry you feel that way. The franchise owes me nothing and I appreciate everything that it has given me. I had an amazing year following the Cubs, be it in the spring during my last semester at X or back in Chicago for the race to October. I loved every minute of it and I feel that I am owed nothing. Would I like to see a World Series banner atop the Stadium and would I love to proudly bare the "W" all over town? You better believe it. I would cry like a baby if I was given the opportunity to shed tears in light of a World Series victory. That would be icing on the cake though. I will continue to be that loud fan that is screaming his lungs out at home games and hopefully there are more day games next season. They are the greatest games I could ever imagine.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I left in the 4th inning last night and am ashamed of being a Cub fan at this point. I was told to shut up and sit down in the bleachers. The freakin bleachers, where you are supposed to be loud obnoxious and verbally smacking around the opposing teams outfielders. I have never been to a game with those fans before and it made me sick. It was a worse feeling than when I made the trip out to see X play Gonzaga and Morrison put up the quietest 35 points I have ever seen. Even then the excuse of fans there was they were all old and watching the game for them meant sitting silently in observation. I would never expect something similar from people in attendance at a cubs game. I am not one to say that the fans at Wrigley are the most outrageous and best fans ever, because that is not true, but the fans last night were nothing close to resembling the fans I sat with game after game of the regular season. Last night was not cubs fans, they flat out sucked the life out of the place and refused to stand and cheer. Obviously there is a whole different issue to address with regards to the group of idiots that were out on the field playing some silly game of nothing resembling modern day baseball, but thats for a different place and a different time. At this point I see no point in buying the tickets to the NLCS for which I won the right to buy this afternoon.

If you are truly this diehard Cubs fan who believes fan support and getting loud helps the team win then why leave in the 4th inning? Who cares if people were yelling at you. Even if you decided that maybe you should tone it down a little dont leave in the 4th inning! That is the most confusing thing to me that you have said.

[sylvester]

If you are truly this diehard Cubs fan who believes fan support and getting loud helps the team win then why leave in the 4th inning? Who cares if people were yelling at you. Even if you decided that maybe you should tone it down a little dont leave in the 4th inning! That is the most confusing thing to me that you have said.

I was too frustrated with both the team and those around me at that point to stick it out. The security guys were threatening to kick me out for heckling Manny too much (I still don't understand why, no vulgar language used) and my buddy and I had enough. I was not the first nor the last to head for the gates in disbelief at that point either. I do not really have a good answer for you, but I just could not bear it anymore at that point. I had never felt like that in Wrigley before in my life, but at that point I just went home and went to bed rather than find out anything else about the game.