This is the Cubs year!!!!

[jackson13]

Im serious dammit, dont laugh at me! I can just tell. You watch and see. Cubs got it going for em this year.

Finally got rid of what I affectionately dub the 2 jackasses that cursed them for a few years: Todd Hundley and Jeff Fasserro. With them gone the Cubs are golden. Fasserro was a "saver" but really the only thing he saved was a win for the other team. And all Hundley did was strike out, it was pathetic. But this year is it.

We got Remlinger now, a very good closer. We still got Alfonseca, who is unfortunately injured until the beginning of May. Woody is back, and hopefully healthy all year this year. Only real loss is Jon Lieber, who is still out from arm surgery he had last year. Lieber is a great pitcher who I cant wait to see pitch a win for the Cubbies sometime soon. Just look at these pitchers: Clement, Prior, Borowski, Wood, Remlinger, Alfonseca, Farnsworth, Estes, Cruz, Zambrano...they have probably the best damn bulpen in the entire league!!!

The outfield is looking solid with my Main Man 'Slammin' Sammy Sosa, Corey Patterson, Moises Alou and Troy O'Leary.

Infield is looking awesome with Mark Bellhorn at 2nd, Alex Gonzalez at SS, and the much welcomed Hee Sop Choi at 1st. True Cub fans will miss Crime Dog (I do at least) but Choi looks to be a good replacement.

And finally, we have 2 good catchers, Paul Bako and Damien Miller. I DO NOT miss Hundley at all.

Plus, I gotta admit, Dusty Baker is mucho welcomed as GM. I did like Baylor but im sorry, the man just didnt know how to use to team and get them to win. With Brown guiding them, THIS IS THE CUBS YEAR!

Now lets play ball!!!!!

[PapaJupe2k]

Well I hope your right, maybe this year will be the "next year" in "wait til next year" that us Cub fans have been hoping for all our lives. The pitching is looking real solid if everyone stays healthy that should be a real strength.

The problem again though, is can anyone else consistantly produce good power numbers to compliment Sammy? With McGriff gone, that looks like a definate concern. Choi in time could maybe develop a power stroke, but I don't think he's quite there yet, and this being his first exposure in the majors it will take a while for him to adjust. Hopefully Alou can regain his all-star form he had with the Expos and stay healthy for an extended amount of time. Bellhorn had a career year last year and was probably there most consistant player behind Sammy, but when you are relying on a journeyman utility infielder to provide your power, there is a problem.

Let's hope Corey Patterson can live up to his potential this year and have the breakout year we've all been hoping for, he's been a decent major league player, but he doesn't consistantly steal enough bases, and strikes out way too much for the leadoff position, but maybe this is his year. Troy O'Leary is a nice edition he swings a good bat and should help in the outfield.

I agree in the fact I'm glad to see Hundley gone, the less said about that the better.

I've been a die hard Cubs fans since the early '80s and I'm hoping more than anyone that they make a run for the World Series, but I'm just too skeptical I guess. The same problems from last year could creep up, good pitching (bullpen does look strong), but just not enough bats. But, hope springs eternal only time will tell. GO CUBBIES, and welcome back Steve Stone, great to have you back in the booth.

[jackson13]

I forgot to mention Chip & Steve are back together. I wonder if when its on Fox Sports Net, they'll have Chip & Dave. But yeah this is just another great factor, Chip and Steve are like the best commentators in the business. I've been a die-hard Cub fan all my life, theres a picture of me as a baby with a Cubs 1 piece outfit on for god's sake. Im never skeptical. Im serious every year when I say "this is the year" because a true Cub fan never loses faith. Im not about to. This is their year damn it! World Series here we come!!! We're putting an end to this 95 year slump!!

[free]

I would agree with you except for one thing. I believe starting pitching will be the downfall of the Cubs. Sure, they have Wood and Prior, but what else. Estes (their third best pitcher) has been inconsistent, and Wood has been prone to injuries the last few years. Prior looks like a strong horse, but relying so heavily on a player in his sophmore season, can any one say Paul Wilson, Reid Ryan?

But I will say that the offence got and upgrade at first and short, and Miller will be alot better that Hundley behind the plate. I predict a second place finish. ;)

[FeverDog420]

Hey, what happened to Joe Girardi? Did he retire?

And Zambrano? Isn't he from the D-Rays? What I've seen of him, he doesn't look all that...

But still: I gotta admire your fervor. It's been almost a century since the Cubs went all the way, and obtaining Dusty Baker was a savvy move.

Good luck to your team. I know little about the Cubs outside of Sosa and (Kerry?) Wood, but their fans deserve a winning season, at least...

[MarkItZero]

Originally posted by free
I would agree with you except for one thing. I believe starting pitching will be the downfall of the Cubs. Sure, they have Wood and Prior, but what else. Estes (their third best pitcher) has been inconsistent, and Wood has been prone to injuries the last few years. Prior looks like a strong horse, but relying so heavily on a player in his sophmore season, can any one say Paul Wilson, Reid Ryan?

Dont forget about Matt Clement, he had a great year last year. Thats three strong pitchers, not just two.



Can you imagine a World Series in Chicago. Crazy. Wrigleyville would be a total party. About 4 years ago when they played the one game playoff against San Francisco, it was insane, and that was just for a one-game playoff. After the game, all of the people in the stadium and in the bars all headed out into the street. We stood in the middle of Clark and Addison for 3 hours, drinking and dancing and high fiving everyone in sight. People were climbing the street signs and on top of buildings, one guy even climbed to the top of the big red Cub's sign and was dancing up there until he got arrested. Man, that was fun.

If the Cubbies finally make it to the series this year, I am gonna take the week off of work.

[Benny]

I believe it was the Cubs' year last year too. And the year before that, and the year before that, etc.

[MikeyB]

Originally posted by Benny
I believe it was the Cubs' year last year too. And the year before that, and the year before that, etc.

:D Excellent

[free]

Originally posted by FeverDog420
Hey, what happened to Joe Girardi? Did he retire?

Nope, the Cardinals picked him up.


I pity him. He went from startikng catcher for the World Champion Yankees, to a throwaway back-up......go figure?

[jackson13]

Well I think its safe to say that after todays trouncing of the Mets (15-2, thank you), the Cubs have prooved they are one to be feared this year. An amazing day for the offense, especially Corey Patterson who basically just said "Yeah, whats up?" to the Mets and the rest of baseball with 7RBI's, including a 2-run homer and a 3-run homer. Im dead serious when I say this is the Cubs year. Todays game is living proof.

[MarkItZero]

Nice!

Go Cubbies!

At this rate they will end up 162-0.
That's not too shabby.

[PapaJupe2k]

I don't know about the Cubs year, but it sure was the Cubs day!:)

[FeverDog420]

Aw, poor Glavine got rocked in Flushing...I'm so, so, so very upset... :rolleyes:

[Indiana Sev]

What about 2004, jackson?

[horrorfreak13]

Well I'm not a Cubs fan but I really like thier chances thier pitching staff could very well be the best in the league(I think Boston beats them out in that department) They have good hitters and I would put them the odds on favourite to come out of the NL. You have the Braves falling, the Dodgers who can't score, and I think the only team who will contend with them is San Francisco.

Although the Astros will put up a good fight with the Cubbies but they are the team I'm pulling to come out of the NL.

[bmain77]

Hey the Tigers have won two in a row. I guess that means its the TIgers year finally. :D

[Jerk Shapiro]

Originally posted by bmain77
Hey the Tigers have won two in a row. I guess that means its the TIgers year finally.


I agree. I think it'll be the Tigers and Padres in the Fall Classic.

[jackson13]

Last year I said it was the Cubs year and look what happened. They went farther than anyone other than Cubs fans expected.

This year, they beefed up their infield, outfield, and pictching rotation. This years team makes last years look like complete crap.


This is, hands down, the year. Just accept it.

[docholiday_13]

The Cubs have the dirtiest rotation in the League so they damn well better!

[Tweaky]

I think the Cubs are going to the World Series this season.

























































Just to be swept by the Yankees
:D :D :D :D

[bob]

I honestly believe the Cubs and the Bosox will never win the World Series in my lifetime. I'm sorry, but you guys are seriously cursed.

[bmain77]

Not to keep dumping on Jackson13, but he did devote an entire thread to this being the cubs year. Being a Lions and TIgers (oh my) fan I know just how he feels. :)

Anywho, I just heard a report that Mark Prior will be out the entire month of April. So let's see it was first just a week or two now its a month. This could linger on all season at this rate. Kerry Wood is due to have his annual dying of his arm about the end of August :D

By the way...this is why I'd never start a thread about how this is the Wolverines, Lions, or Tigers year. That would just be way too much fun for Papajupe anyways.

[PapaJupe2k]

Hey this is the 20 year anniversary of the breakout division championship of '84.:) Geez, 20 years ago. That was really the first Cubs season I remember alot of, I'd watched games in the years before that when they were terrible and had the likes of Dave Kingman, but I was pretty young. That '84 season was fun though. "The Sarge" Gary Matthews in left, "The Penguin" Ron Cey at third, a young Ryne Sandberg at second, Leon "Bull" Durham at first, Sutcliffe on the mound, what an awesome group. Of course you had Don Zimmer on the bench, getting into bench clearing brawls, hey nothing changes huh?:D They got in a couple doozy's with the Pete Rose led Reds that year.

I was hoping for dream Cubs/Tigers matchup in the World Series, but it wasn't to be. The damn Padres took 3 straight in San Diego and I haven't recovered to this day. Just think of a little bmain77 and a little PapaJupe2k glued to the set watching a Cubs/Tigers series in '84.:D

Well they were a fun team but an old team and they didn't do shit again until '89 with almost a completely different cast. That ends today's history lesson, there may be a pop quiz later on in the week.

As for this year's team, I just feel that this is going to be THE year. It could be an ominous sign injury wise with what's happened to Prior, but they will not be deterred.

Being a lifelong Cubs fan, I'm sympathetic to other perennial losers. I wouldn't make too much fun of Lions/Tigers thread by the way.

[daddiefatsacks]

their rotation is too dirty to not mention them as a possible world series contender, and they upgraded their offense with Derek Lee

good luck chicago

[jackson13]

Originally posted by PapaJupe2k
a young Ryne Sandberg at second...


Greatest Cub ever if you ask me. I WORSHIPPED this man as a little kid. I know about Banks, and Ron, and Sosa nowadays, but for me, it was all about Ryno. I miss seeing him at second base.

:(


CUBS IN 2004!!!!!!!! :D

[bmain77]

Man I can't believe it has been 20 years since the Tigers Roared in 84. I was in Borders this past weekend and there are already 2 books out about that season this year from a couple different local sports writers.

Not long ago I dug out my copy of Sparky Anderson's "Bless you Boys." It's a literal day by day account of the whole 84 season. I mean what Sparky did on his off days and all that. Read almost the whole thing in one night.

Personally I'd take Sweet Lou Whitaker over Ryne Sandberg anyday :D

Lance Parish, Gibby, and Chet Lemon were always my favorite. I also remember liking Aurelio Lopez and Juan Buerenger only because they were so damn fat.

[Benny]

Sports Illustrated picked the Cubs to win it all this year. Thus they are jinxed and will not win the World Series :p

[Grebdron]

Angels;)

[jeo4]

Originally posted by Tweaky
I think the Cubs are going to the World Series this season.

























































Just to be swept by the Yankees
:D :D :D :D

Good fucking night I hope not.