Stan Olson’s Blog

This is what happens when you stop watching the game. I shut it off in the 8th as the Cubs had a 4 run lead at that point. I went to bed and flipped on XM to listen to Pat/Ron call the remainder of the game. We scored another run in the 8th to make it a 5 run game and I figured we had this one in the bag. When Colorado hit the home run to take the lead in the top of the 9th I was in disbelief. I shared Santo’s feeling of devastation, I was totally shocked. Granted this is the Cubs and they’ve blown leads in the 9th this year (Mets series) but I just didn’t expect it.

Of course what happened next really shocked me. Cubs load the bases in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs. With Soriano at the plate, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Part of me thought he’d strike out while another thought brought a ground out to mind. As soon as he hit the ball, Hughes and Santo went crazy and I knew we’d won. The 9th inning had the feeling of that Bears/Cardinals monday night game. Emotions were all over the place, what a game. This might be one of those games that gets the team rolling on a long streak. Yeah the Brewers won but the Cubs can’t worry about that. We just have to keep winning and then meet up with the Brewers this weekend to really see what we’re made of. 3 games under .500 now with 4 wins in a row, keep it going Cubbies! What a game!

Game summary from Cubs.com

Another low scoring pitching battle today as the Cubs sneaked out a victory 2-1. Soriano hit another lead off home run in the 1st which gave the Cubs a quick lead which did not last long. After the White Sox tied it up in the bottom of the 1st, the game stayed tied until the 9th inning. Angel Pagan scored from 3rd on a squeeze bunt put down by Ryan Theriot. Small ball at last for the Cubs, kudos to Lou for doing something he doesn’t like to do. Maybe we can ’squeeze’ out the sweep on Sunday. :)

Game summay from Cubs.com

After losing 2 out of 3 against the worst team in baseball (Texas Rangers) and giving up home run #600 to former Cub Sammy Sosa, I was hoping the Cubs would get it together against their crosstown rival White Sox. In Zambrano’s last start, he had a no hitter through 7 innings and pitched the entire game. (did I mention he got the loss in that game?) Zambrano was on the mark today throwing a career-tying 12 strikeouts AND getting the 5-1 victory. The game was much closer than that until the 9th when the Cubs got 3 more insurance runs. Welcome back from the DL to Aramis Ramirez who belted a home run in his first at bat and drove in another in the 9th. I listened to the game at work on XM radio and then watched the rest when I got home. Hopefully our other pitchers can get it done this weekend to get the Cubs on a nice winning streak. (6 games under .500 and 8 games behind Milwaukee)

Game summary via Cubs.com

Changes have already begun for the Cubs just one day after the end of the regular season. First change was the resignation of Cubs president Andy MacPhail. One day later, the Cubs announced that Dusty Baker’s contract would not be renewed. Personally I think Dusty did the best he could with the healthy players he was given. The first year he was here he got us 5 outs away from the World Series, that’s not too shabby if you ask me. I think in this case though, change is good. I think it’s time we stop revolving the team around Wood and Prior. We need to bring in decent players who can handle the fundamentals of the game. (things like being able to bunt the ball, get hits on a regular basis, busting your tail to get to first base on EVERY play) I think we should hang on to a few players including: Zambrano, Lee, Hill, Murton, Ramirez, Barrett, and Pierre. Everyone else is on the bubble in my opinion. Please dear God, get rid of Dempster. 2005 he was great, 2006 he was not so great. That’s one of the faults I had with Dusty is that he kept putting him in there time and time again hoping he’d break out of his slump. Enough is enough.

I imagine the Cubs will look alot different in 2007, so hopefully it will be a positive change that fans can be proud of for many years to come. Chicago sports teams are on the rise. The White Sox won the World Series in 2005. The Bulls have made it back to the playoffs the past 2 years and look to get even better this year with their new acquisitions. The Bears, well, they’re kicking some arse right now and have a really legit shot at reaching/winning the Super Bowl if everyone stays healthy. (man I hate those words) So it’s time for the Cubs to stop being the laughing stock and get off their hindends and start winning for a change. Hell, lets turn them into the Braves and get them to the playoffs year after year, that’d be awesome. (as long as we can actually win a few championships in there!)

I will end this rant with the favorite/worst saying of all Cubs fans…. “Maybe next year!” :)

Cubs.com: MacPhail resigns as president
Cubs.com: Cubs part ways with Baker