Cubs' Song Of The Day #3: The Flamin' Groovies-Slow Death (1972)

Being a Cub fan is just like a slow death!

Cubs' Song Of The Day #2-Neil Young-Lookout Joe (1975)

LOOKOUT CLUELESS JOE!

Cubs' Song Of The Day: The Monacles-I Can't Win (1966)

PATHETIC! (Cubs Roll Over And Die in Game 4 of NLCS-Mets Sweep With 8-3 Win Wednesday)

The New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 8-3 to win the 2015 NLCS at Wrigley Field Wednesday night. The Mets beat the Cubs in every facet of the game during the series and utterly humiliated the Cubs.

Cub manager Joe Maddon's rah rah antics of pajama parties and magic shows didn't amount to a hill of beans in this series. Maddon was out managed by Terry Collins in every game. Maddon often looked like a deer in the headlights in the dugout (looking blankly at his SABR cheat sheet and wondering why all his moves were blowing up in his face.)

Of course, Maddon did his usual Mary Poppins spin-job in the post-game press conference. Nobody wants to hear about the Cubs getting into the playoffs (as a third place team.) The Cubs have more talent than the Mets but the Mets are a team, the Cubs are a SABR Metrics fantasy team.

The Cubs did what they have always done in my 47 years of watching them, the wilted under pressure. All the hype around the genius Joe Maddon is just that, HYPE!

Maddon was no better than Jim Frey, Dusty Baker or Lou Piniella in his first post-season trip with the Cubs. All his goody-goody antics weren't worth a mound of cow chips.

Theo Epstein also deserves to take a major hit (because I'm not sure Jed Hoyer actually exists.) First of all, Epstein back stabbed 2014 Cub manager Rick Renteria (who did a fine job with very little in 2014.) Maddon also deserves to take a hit here for taking a job under such sleazy circumstances. 

Signing headcase Jon Lester was a terrible move as was bringing in his personal caddy David Ross. Epstein put together a one dimensional team that were dismal defensively and had no concept how to score without home runs.

As for the Cubs bright future, I'm not sure they have one. Instead of staying the course and building a team like the Cardinals. Epstein made a knee-jerk move by hiring another supposed "superstar" manager (who has never won anything but second place) to be the white knight and it failed miserably.

If Cub fans fall for all this hype about their bright future, you can expect more of what you got in the 2015 NLCS. The team is just incapable of winning. Who are they gonna blame this year, Bartman wasn't even in the building!

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

at Wrigley Field (aka graveyard), Chicago, IL

New York Mets (4-0) 8

at Chicago Cubs (0-4) 3

WP-New York: Bartolo Colon (1-0)

LP-CUBS: Jason Hammel (0-1)

Home Runs: CUBS: Kris Bryant (2)

New York: Lucas Duda (1), Travis D'Arnaud (2), Daniel Murphy (1)

Attendance (42,227)

Time (eternity)

Cubs' Song Of The Day: Dream Syndicate-Tell Me When It's Over (1982)

Things Are Right On Schedule (I Swear!)

My keys to managing are in my back pocket, WINS ABOVE REPLACEMENT, BABY!

Don't Look Now But Terry Collins Is Leaving Maddon In The Dust!

Mets' manager Terry Collins is making "The Genius" Joe Maddon look like a rookie manager so far in the NLCS. 

Collins and the Mets are acting and playing like professionals, while the Cubs are behaving like fools and playing like chumps.

All of Joe Maddon's high school pranks might have gone over big in Tampa and with Maddon's SABR Metrics pals. But if the Cubs lose tonight, the shine will come off Maddon's star pretty quickly. 

Pajama Men Take Their Last Shot At Mets Tonight!

Does you have faith in this team? I certainly don't. Maybe the Cubs should spare us all and just go quietly into the night and put us all out of our misery. 

But knowing the Cubs as I do, they will probably eek out and ugly win tonight and restore a glimmer of hope to the delusional Cub fans who think they still have a chance in this series. Then they will fall apart in game 5.

If the Cubs do make their expected exit tonight, then the above photo will have an enduring effect on Joe Maddon's legacy in Chicago!

Home Run Happy Cubs Fall To Mets 5-2 In Game Three Of NLCS Tuesday (Cubs On Brink Of Elimination)

Once again the Cubs were swinging for the fences on every pitch and once again the Cubs fell to the New York Mets in Game 3 of the NLCS Tuesday night at Wrigley Field. The Cubs only runs came by solo homers by Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Soler. The Cubs now trail in the series, 3 games to 0 and could be eliminated on Wednesday evening. 

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

at Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

New York Mets (3-0) 5

at Chicago Cubs (0-3) 2

WP-New York: Jacob deGrom (1-0), Save-Familia 

LP-CUBS: Trevor Cahill (0-1)

Home Runs: CUBS-Kyle Schwarber (2), Jorge Soler (1)

New York-Murphy (3)

New York leads series 3 games to 0

Maddon's Pajama Party Could Be Over!

Joe Maddon's postseason pajama party is in serious danger of ending early if the Cubs don't stop swinging for the fences on every pitch.

Maddon's SABR Metrics feast or famine offense is looking pretty lame against the Mets' power pitchers. This approach just doesn't work in the playoffs and never will. 

The thing that's truly infuriating about Joe Maddon is his colossal ego. Even when his team has it's collective ass kicked, Maddon still smirks as if everything is right on schedule.

What happened to Maddon's pitcher hitting 8th routine? I don't hear anything about it now. Maddon is just the latest superstar manager who is supposed to take the Cubs to the promised land and  is falling flat on his face in the playoffs.

I was dead set against getting rid of Rick Renteria, who had a calm presence about him and seemed to relate to the team well. Maddon's shucking and jiving high school antics are already starting to wear thin. If the Cubs don't get off the deck and start to play in the NLCS, Maddon will look like a complete fool.

Cubs Mail It In In Game Two NLCS Loss To Mets Sunday (4-1)

Sunday, October 18, 2015

at Citi Field, Flushing, NY

Chicago Cubs (0-2) 1

at New York Mets (2-0) 4

WP-New York: Noah Syndergaard (1-0)

LP-CUBS: Jake Arrieta (0-1)

Home Runs: New York-Daniel Murphy (2)

New York Mets lead series 2 games to 0

The Cubs completed their New York flop with an woeful performance in Game 2 of the 2015 NLCS. The Cubs feast or famine offense just has not shown up thus far. Joe Maddon should start worrying about playing proper baseball and forget pajama parties and magicians.

A Message To Cub Fans Everywhere: Don't Take The Bait!

The Cubs should invite Jim Qualls to all remaining games of the 2015 NLCS!

Tuesday night of this past week I did something very stupid, I began to take the bait again. I totally expected the Cubs to blow game 4 of the NLDS to the Cardinals and figured I would have to endure the Cards rubbing the Cubs' faces in it again, when they won game 5 in St. Louis.

But the Cubs actually found a way to win the game. I started to wonder if this Cub team might be different. I never bought into so-called "genius" manager Joe Maddon and his ego trips and high school antics. But the Cubs did win against the Pirates and then the Cardinals. So I willingly ate a dinner of crow and watched the Mets-Dodgers game 5 to see who the Cubs' opponent in the NLCS would be.

Along the way I secretly hoped the Cubs would be facing the New York Mets as it would be a real test to see if the Cubs could erase the hex of 1969. If the Cubs did manage to get to the World Series, it would be that much better if they did it by going through New York. (NOTE-the Cubs did beat out the Mets in pennant races in 1984 and 1989 but nobody really remembers them because the Cubs got shot down in the playoffs.)

Following the Cubs dismal three game sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2008, I swore to myself that I would never take the bait from the Cubs again. But in the past few days I started thinking the Cubs really do have a shot this year and I started to take the bait again.

But Saturday night's listless performance by the Cubs brought me back to reality again. It showed me how poorly constructed team the Cubs are. They are like the Milwaukee Brewers of the early 80's and the Cleveland Indians of the mid 90's. They live by the home run and most likely they will die by the home run.

The Cubs looked like the same bumbling Cubs of yesteryear last night. Striking out all over the place, popping up to the infield and hitting weak ground balls. This team is put together like a fantasy team and has no ability to score runs without the long ball.

The Cubs will be playing right into the hands of the Mets strikeout heavy pitching staff in this series and that does not look good. Perhaps the Cubs should bat Tommy La Stella leadoff as he appears to be the only player on the team who does not swing for the fences. 

On the pitching side, Jon Lester stunk, plain and simple. You just knew he was going to blow it at the wrong time, you just knew. Joe Maddon's postgame assessment of Lester's performance was ridiculous. Lester has stunk in every big spot he was placed in this year, starting with opening day. 

After tonight's dismal showing by the Cubs I took a long walk in the cold night air and decided I simply am not going to take the bait again. I know this is going to hard because the Cubs are the ultimate tease. I'm expecting them to lose in 5 games, possibly 6 (of course I won't rule out a 4 game sweep by the Mets.)

I have no faith in this team at all after tonight's game. The Cubs are the NL version of the Houston Astros (one good pitcher, lots of homers and lots of strikeouts.) They are a SABR metrics keg ball team. 

I certainly hope I'm wrong and I will happily eat more crow If I am. But I think the Cubs joyride is over. They are an extremely flawed team that needs lots of changes in their offensive philosophy. 

I have watched this garbage since 1968 and it always has the same ending. As I said, I hope I'm wrong but this time around I'm not taking the bait.

Cubs' Song Of The Day #4: Guided By Voices-The Key Losers

They will let you down EVERY TIME!

Cubs' Song Of The Day #3: Lincoln Street Exit-The Bummer (1967)

Cubs' Song Of The Day #2: The Pretty Things-Can't Stand The Pain (1965)

Cubs' Song Of The Day: Cream-What A Bringdown (1968)

Jon Lester: $155 Million Dollar Bust!

There was a time when Cub free agent bust Jon Lester was considered a "big game" pitcher. But ever since Lester's meltdown in 2014's play wild card play in game against Kansas City, Jon Lester has had snakes in his head. The man looks so devoid of guts and confidence it's truly sickening.

Since becoming a Cub, Lester has spit the bit in every big game spot (starting with the Cubs' opening night loss to St. Louis.) Lester is the 2015 version of Barry Zito, a pitcher who simply falls apart after signing a big free agent contract. 

Sadly, the Cubs are stuck with Lester, as no team would be stupid enough to take on a one trick pony pitcher who can't even throw to first base (or any base for that matter.) If anything, Lester has illustrated how inferior American League DH ball is to National League's true baseball. In the AL, all of Lester's deficiencies were seemingly unnoticed. But in the NL, they stand out like  sore thumbs.

Lester's dismal performance in 2015, should shatter the Cubs' plans of chasing free agent to be David Price (another lefty who melts down in the post season.) 

Lester Folds Again In Cubs 4-2 Loss To Mets In Game 1 Of NLCS Saturday Night

Don't drink the Kool-Aid yet Cubs fans! The Chicago Cubs barely showed up in game one of the 2015 NLCS, losing to the New York Mets 4-2 at Citi Field in New York.

First of all, the Cubs' supposed big game ace Jon Lester  ($155 million dollar waste) punked out again like he has done in every big spot since the Kansas City Royals took him apart in the 2014 AL Wild Card play in game. Lester did his usual, pitched well here and there but then fell apart in the big spots. Lester looks like a beaten man on the mound. You get the feeling that something bad is going to happen every time he pitches.

Then there was the Cubs' feast or famine offense, where every player (including leadoff man Dexter Fowler) swings for the fences on every pitch. The Cubs are a collection of .250 hitters who strike out way too much and simply play horrible fundamental baseball.  It's fine to beat up on second division pitchers but when the Cubs have to face top arms they are in big trouble.

If the genius Joe Maddon doesn't figure out something very quick, this could be a very short series. Somewhere in Florida, Steve Bartman is probably laughing!

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Citi Field, Flushing, NY

Game One NLCS

Chicago Cubs (0-1) 2

at New York Mets (1-0) 4

WP-New York: Harvey (1-0), Save-Familia (1)

LP-CUBS: Jon Lester (0-1)

Home Runs-CUBS: Kyle Schwarber (1)

New York: Murphy (1), D'Arnaud (1)

New York leads series 1-0

My First Cub Hero Adolfo Phillips

I became a Cubs fan in 1968 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. I don't know why, it just made me different. I was told as a kid I had to be a Mets or Yankees fan but I said screw that. I picked the Cubs as my team for the sole reason that  I liked Adolfo Phillips' 1967 baseball card.

The Cubs acquired Phillips in April of 1966 from the Phillies with future Hall Of Fame pitcher Fergie Jenkins for washed up pitchers Bob Buhl and Larry Jackson. The Cubs always seem to get bashed for the Lou Brock trade but nobody mentions the Adolfo Phillips/Fergie Jenkins deal. 

Phillips' best year with the Cubs was 1967, when he hit .268 with 17 and 70 RBI's (he was sort of a Dexter Fowler type player.) Phillips was traded in 1969 with old "tomato face" Jack Lamabe for the great Paul Popovich (Glenn Beckert's sub in doubleheaders.!)

2015 Chicago Cubs Official Song: Project Blue by The Banshees (1966)

I have picked Project Blue by The Banshees as the 2015 Chicago Cubs official song (sure beats Pearl Jam!) The Banshees were actually a Chicago group and this song was written by the group's lead guitarist Ron Rouse in 1966. Kinda beats The Yardbirds at their own game!

Dedicated to my first Cub hero Adolfo Phillips!

Cubs Win NLDS With 6-4 Win Over Cardinals At Wrigley Field Tuesday Afternoon

Maybe these Cubs are for real after all. To be honest, I thought the Cubs would be swept in the NLDS after Friday's 4-0 loss to St. Louis. I have been a Cub fan since 1968 and I have seen them choke so many times I can't even count them.

But maybe these Cubs are different. In the past, the Cubs would tease you by winning a bit before they pulled the rug out from under your feet. But this team actually got off the deck after any long time Cub expected them to disappear into the night.

The Cubs are still a long way from their ultimate goal and another Cub collapse is still possible. But for now, beating the St. Louis Cardinals is enough.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

at Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

St. Louis Cardinals (1-3) 4

at Chicago Cubs (3-1) 6

WP-CUBS: Trevor Cahill (1-0), Save-Hector Rondon (2)

LP-St. Louis: Kevin Siegrist (0-1)

Home Runs: CUBS: Javier Baez (1), Anthony Rizzo (2), Kyle Schwarber (2)

St. Louis: Stephen Piscotty (3)

Attendance (42,411)

Time (3:16)

CUBS win NLDS 3 games to 1

Cubs Outslug Cardinals 8-6 To Gain 2-1 Lead In NLDS

Monday, October 12, 2015

at Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

The Chicago Cubs brought out the heavy lumber on Monday, blasting six home runs in the team's 8-6 win over the St. Louis Cardinals Monday night at Wrigley Field (heavy winds blowing out to Lake Michigan no doubt aided the home run barrage.)

The Cubs hit Cardinal stater Michael Wacha hard, while Cub starter Jake Arrieta was also rouged up a bit. Cub closer Hector Rondon gave up a two run homer in the 9th to Stephen Piscotty but the Cubs were able to hold on for the win.

Monday's victory gives the Cubs a 2-1 lead in the NLDS, with the ability to close the series out on Tuesday afternoon. Jason Hammel will start for the Cubs, while game one starter John Lackey will go for St. Louis.

St. Louis Cardinals (1-2) 6

at Chicago Cubs (2-1) 8

WP-CUBS: Jake Arrieta (1-0, 6.35)

LP-St. Louis: Michael Wacha (0-1, 8.31)

Home Runs: CUBS-Dexter Fowler (1), Jorge Soler (2), Kris Bryant (1), Anthony Rizzo (1), Kyle Schwarber (1)

St. Louis: Jason Hayward (1), Stephen Piscotty (2)

Attendance (42,411)

Time (3:28)

Cubs lead NLDS 2 games to 1

Despite Win On Saturday, Cubs' Lineup Ill Suited For Post Season Baseball

Despite the Cubs' 6-3 win Saturday in St. Louis, the Cub lineup is extremely flawed and ill suited for post season baseball. The Cubs are a lineup of .250 hitters who strike out way to much and seem to be unable of scoring runs without the home run ball. 

The Cubs are put together like an American League SABR Metrics fantasy league team. When the Cubs don't hit home runs, they don't win, plain and simple. Even in the Cubs' 6-3 win on Saturday, the Cub offense completely shut down after the third inning. The Cubs had only 6 hits in the game and struck out a whopping 9 times. That is certainly not a recipe for success in the long run.

The Cubs desperately need some contact hitters who don't strike out. A player like Houston's Jose Altuve would be ideal. The Cubs are a perfect example of how flawed the SABR Metrics team model of home runs and strikeouts is.

This SABR method of waiting for the three run homer is nothing new. The Baltimore Orioles of the late 60's and early 70's lived and died by the home run. The Orioles had powerhouse teams during the 70's but only 1 championship. They were turned away in the World Series in 1969, 1971 and 1979 to teams that were inferior. The Orioles also made numerous early playoff exits during the Earl Weaver era.

We are seeing a very distressing trend in baseball these days, with team's hiring Wall Street bean counters as GM's instead of seasoned baseball men. Cub manager Joe Maddon manages with a computer readout in his hands, instead of relying on his gut. 

The Chicago Cubs really need to change their approach if they want to win that illusive championship. Look no further than the San Francisco Giants of 2010, 2012 and 2014 for how it's done.

Cubs Hold On To Even NLDS With 6-3 Win Saturday In St. Louis

The Chicago Cubs surprisingly got off the mat Saturday afternoon to even the 2015 NLDS with a 6-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis. 

It wasn't really that the Cubs won the game as the Cardinals defensive miscues put the game in their lap. Joe Maddon's moronic decision to bat his pitcher 8th snuffed out one rally and almost killed another one, except for a fluke bunt by Kyle Hendricks. Maddon really must abandon this ego nonsense for the good of the team.

The Cubs were up 6-1 at one point, then the Cubs' home run or nothing offense sent silent and almost allowed the Cardinals back in the game, when Hendricks gave up back to back homers to Kolten Wong and pinch hitter Randall Grichuk. 

Luckily for the Cubs, relievers Travis Wood, Trevor Cahill and Hector Rondon held the Cardinals off to seal the win. 

Rightfielder Jorge Soler was the hitting star of the game, hitting a double and a two run homer and also walking twice. Kris Bryant was a no-show for the second straight game (going 0-4.)

The Cubs now have the momentum in their favor as they host St. Louis at Wrigley Field Monday night.

Saturday, October 10, 2015

at Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO

Game Two NLDS

Chicago Cubs (1-1) 6

at St. Louis Cardinals (1-1) 3

WP-CUBS: Travis Wood (1-0, 0.00), Save-Hector Rondon (1)

LP-St. Louis: Jaime Garcia (0-1)

Home Runs: CUBS-Jorge Soler (1)

St. Louis: Matt Carpenter (1), Randall Grichuk (1), Kolten Wong (1)

Series Tied (1-1)

"Same Old Cubs" Flop 4-0 In Game One Of NLDS Friday Night In St. Louis

What did you really expect? Did you really think the Cubs would go into St. Louis on Friday night and actually show up? Well, after Wednesday night's 4-0 Wild Card win in Pittsburgh, Cub fans could dream for a couple of days. Well, reality came calling Friday night and the Cubs did their usual no-show. When it's all said and done, the Cardinals know how to win and the Cubs know how to lose!

The 2015 Cubs are an incredibly flawed team that is put together like an American League SABR-Metrics club. They strike out way too much and when they don't hit home runs, they lose (plain and simple!) While Joe "The Genius" Maddon makes a fool out of himself with his high school rah rah antics, Cardinals' manager Mike Metheny remains quiet while putting his foot on Maddon's throat.

The Cubs made John Lackey look like Tom Seaver Friday. Meanwhile, free agent headcase Jon Lester pitched well in spots but like he always does, he gags when the going gets tough. Lester seems to always pitch good enough to lose (he's the second coming of Jeff Samardzija.) Lester looks like a beaten man when he's on the mound (he looks like he is about to have a nervous breakdown at any time.) The Cubs made a major mistake when they signed this guy.

I would be surprised if the Cubs won a single game in this series. They look like the same old bumbling Cubs that I have been watching since 1968. I have seen this movie before, I know how it ends (same shit, different year!)

So now I'm supposed to believe that Kyle Hendricks is going to save the day? This series is over. The Cubs need to do a major rethink in the off season. The Cardinals are a team of gamers that know how to score with or without home runs. The Cubs live by the home run and die by the home run.  

The Cubs really need to abandon this American League "keg ball" philosophy. As for Joe Maddon, he is real big on gimmicks and hype but more often than not doesn't get it done when the chips are on the table. Maddon was given a truckload of talent in 2015 (more talent than Rick Renteria could even dream about.) Still, the Cubs really need to learn how to play National League ball in the National League.

As I see it, The Cubs will lose another excruciating game on Saturday night. Then you will see a big circus show at Wrigley Field on Monday. The fans will be there with "We Still Believe" signs and the Cubs will reward them by going quietly in the night. I hope I'm wrong but like I said, I have seen this movie before!

Friday, October 9, 2015

at Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO

Chicago Cubs (0-1) 0

at St. Louis Cardinals (1-0) 1

WP-St. Louis: John Lackey (1-0, 0.00)

LP-CUBS: Jon Lester (0-1, 3.68)

Home Runs: St. Louis-Tommy Pham (1), Steven Piscotty (1)

St. Louis leads best of 5 series (1-0)

Cubs-Cardinals Probable Pitchers Friday October 9, 2015

Game One NLDS at Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO

CUBS-Jon Lester (0-0, 0.00)

at St. Louis-John Lackey (0-0. 0.00)

6:45 PM TBS

Cubs Win Wild Card Game With 4-0 Win At Pittsburgh Tuesday Night At PNC Park

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

at PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA

The Chicago Cubs won the NL Wild Card game over the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 Tuesday night at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Cub starter Jake Arrieta was brilliant, tossing a complete game shutout, giving up just 4 hits and fanning 10. 

The Cubs will move on to face their arch rivals the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS. Game one is Friday in St. Louis 6:30 PM starting time.

Chicago Cubs (1-0) 4

at Pittsburgh Pirates (0-1) 0

WP-CUBS: Jake Arrieta (1-0, 0.00) CG

LP-Pittsburgh: Gerit Cole (0-1, 7.20)

HR-CUBS: Kyle Schwarber (1), Dexter Fowler (1)

Attendance (40,889)

Time (2:47)

CUBS win Wild Card!