Expectations Like These Nothing New
What do I expect as a Cub fan? It’s a question I ask myself from time to time. The answer is usually pretty bleak. I expect losing. I expect little support from upper management. A terrible and over-hyped farm system. I expect many people to attend games because they like “hanging out” at Wrigley Field.
And finally, I expect winning enough to get your hopes up and then destroyed.
But, the thing of it is, these expectations have started to change over the last few years.
Maybe it was the ’03 near return to the series; maybe it’s increased media coverage on everything sports including everything deemed ‘dynasty’ — but there has been a different feeling on the Northside the last few years.
This different feeling has been especially present in 2008. Losing has not been a big part of the equation at 29 over .500, that’s a fact. For the third straight year, Jim Hendry and upper management have made both the big off-season free agent acquisition and reasonably big trade deadline deals.
The Farm system has not only produced talent, it’s produced valuable talent: Zambrano, Wood, Theriot, Soto, Fontenot, Samardzija, Marmol, Marshall, Cedeno are all home grown. Fans still pack the house, but they actually pay attention as evidenced by standing ovations in the second inning and a chorus of booos when Bob Howry can’t hold a lead. The ‘08 Cubs have changed my expectations this year. They’ve changed it with their performance on the field, something practically unheard of outside of ‘84, ‘45, and 1908.
They’ve changed them all except for one: I still expect that they will win enough to get our hopes up only to see those hopes destroyed. That expectation has yet to be changed. It’s the final question on our minds, the wonderment that crosses in a passing thought when thinking about October 2008.
Will this be the year that Cubbie dreams are not destroyed?
Looking at how tight the Cubs played this week, a week in which they went 1-5 and looked like they were playing not to lose, one might still wonder if Cub fans are eternally doomed to endure hope crushing endings and/or simply quit and throw in the towel on their Cubbie relationship.
It was a disappointing week. I think about the ’05 White Sox’s September slump that almost cost them the playoffs and the shower of relief after the regular season that then catapulted them to a 12-1 playoff run to the title. I think about a four game lead in the division and an 8 game lead in the wildcard with 19 games to go. I look at the remaining schedule and wonder about Big Z’s shoulder.
No, the final expectation can only be changed in one way.
Playing tight with a lead in September is nothing new. The Diamondbacks are doing it, so are the Brewers and Tampa Bay. Is this year different?
The answer is yes because for the first time in 100 years, to those who actually care, anything less than a World Series title will be unacceptable.
C’mon Cubbies: change our expectations.
Cubs Magic Number: 16
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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.