Cubs Clinch NL Central For Second Consecutive Year
Clinch
For the first time since 1907-08, the Cubs have won the division in back-to-back seasons. As expected, the Northsiders clinched (on Saturday), with their arch rivals on the field, in a 5-4 nail biter. Most years, this would be enough. Division champs, Cardinals eliminated and are forced to watch the Cubs celebrate. Like a dream come true.
But not this year. This is simply not enough.
As much as I’d like to tell you that this is my favorite Cub team of my lifetime (and it is), and that the fact that they have been really fun to watch would be enough. I’d be lying. We want the WS title.
Here we go…
Thursday Night Sums it Up
How about the series finale with Milwaukee. Doesn’t that just sum up the Cubbies this year? Down 6-2 with two outs and nobody on in the ninth, Braun lets a line shot go under his glove, the door creaks open and the Northsiders kick it in. They put up four in the bottom on a Soto blast and then win it in twelve innings. Sometimes I’m still not sure these are the Cubbies I’m watching.
Relax
Hey, listen friends, it’s late September…let’s enjoy this for a few days. Enjoy watching Casey McGahee, Randy Wells and Felix Pie. Enjoy not worrying about a tie-breaker coin flip or the Chicago Bears’ horrendous offensive coordinator. Let’s not even worry whether it’s the Mets, Phillies or Dodgers for the NLDS. There will be plenty to discuss next week. Piniella understands what’s going on.
MVP
Speaking of Piniella, I’m convinced he has them hungry for a few more celebrations. He will rest them, but not too much; he has praised them, but not too much. Manager of the year? Yes.
Case-in-point: Saturday’s clincher game. Anyone remember what the deciding run was? A mid-game suicide squeeze from Ted Lilly with a four-run lead making it 5-0.
Ol’ Lou knows you can never have too many runs. Sure enough, after a mistake to Glaus, the Cubs found themselves with a 5-4 lead they would never relinquish. Maybe they still would have won the game if it was 4-4, but there have been so many situations like this throughout the year that we never have to wonder about because Lou is a step ahead.
Cy Young
Ryan Dempster. I’ll make a quick case. 17-6 with and ERA of 2.99. 183 K’s. Led his team to a division title. 14 wins at home (the most by a Cubs pitcher since Fergie Jenkins won a franchise-leading 15 in 1967). All this coming after three years as a closer. If Cubs win the WS and Dempster plays a big part, he could have the case, especially if Brandon Webb and his 20 wins sit at home for the post-season.
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I doubt it happens, but Tim Lincecum deserves the Cy.
17-4, 2.46, 243 Ks on a team that has to date won 70 games and scored the fewest runs in the NL.
In other news, it’s just bizarre that Cliff Lee is 22-2 and Dice-K is 18-2. When is the last time two guys in the same league had that many wins but just four losses combined?
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Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.