1908 was a great year. The British Empire was at its height. The first long-distance radio message was sent from the Eiffel Tower. Henry Ford unveiled the first Model T automobile. The Chicago Cubs last won the World Series.
The Cubs were an extreme disappointment in 2006. Their abysmal 66-96 record placed them last in a woefully weak NL Central. The “if Prior and Wood are healthy” era finally came to its tumultuous fruition. Dusty Baker was fired in favor of Lou Piniella, hundreds of millions were spent in free agency, and the Cubs will hope that 2007 will be the inception of a new dawn.
What is written above was a beautifully crafted piece of prose from a pre-season preview intended to bring us into the 2007 baseball season in which the Cubs could possibly have the right combination of management and field talent to “Win it All.” This was not the season in which Cubs hopefuls were to say, “Wait till next year.”
With one third of the season behind them, the Cubs are in the bottom half of the National League Central Division with a 23-31 record .Ace pitchers Kerry Wood and Mark Prior have taken up their usual place on the DL and their manager, Piniella is on indefinite suspension, players are infighting and there is no light at the end of this tunnel.
Entering the season, oddsmakers liked the Cubs so much they installed them one of the favorites to win the World Series with a 9/1 chalk. On June 3rd, oddsmakers aren’t so loving giving the loveable Cubbies a 200/1 chance to win the Fall Classic.
Now the second guessing can begin, an activity long perfected by Chicago’s North Enders. Why did the ownership think Lou Piniella was the answer?
Known for his often aggressive and sometimes explosive behavior, Piniella is one of the most-ejected managers in major league history with 60 career ejections. On Saturday, Piniella got ejected as a Cub for the first time, after throwing down his hat, kicking dirt at the umpire, and kicking his hat three times. He was arguing with third base umpire Mark Wegner over a call that Angel Pagan was out at third on a wild pitch. This morning Piniella was suspended indefinitely by baseball commissioner Bud Selig because Piniella made physical contact with Wegner during the confrontation.
Team chemistry is suffering if Friday’s brawl between pitcher Carlos Zambrano and catcher Michael Barrett is any indication. After getting pounded for seven runs and 13 hits in five innings, Zambrano confronted Barrett on the field nearly coming to blows. Once inside the clubhouse Zambrano took a swing at Barrett with an open palm, and ended up slapping the catcher. Piniella and hitting coach Gerald Perry, as well as some players, had to separate the pair. Barrett ended up in the hospital getting numerous stitches.
Cubs’ officials are expected to discipline the pair, probably with heavy fines on Monday. Meanwhile, Piniella will meet with Bud Selig on Monday to discuss his Saturday fracas with umpires.
At this point in the season things aren’t going well for the Cubs. And in the background I am hearing the chant; wait till next year.
