Forget Boston, Chicago Has The Curse Instead

[Bruiser Chong 0]

The Cubs choked like dogs. The simple fact is that whole organization and their entire fanbase were waiting with baited breath to find some reason, ANY reason to blame the loss on anything other than their innability to handle actual pressure. All this talk of curses and fan interference (which resulted in no actual advancement for the Marlins) is just a bunch of excuse making in the face of a team wide implosion.

I agree they choked, but to say they can't handle pressure is ridiculous. If they couldn't handle pressure, they would've crumbled like the Cards did over the last couple of weeks and like the Astros did in that last weekend. The Cubs were playing in what could be considered playoff games for months, as that race was between three teams for quite a while. If they couldn't handle pressure, they wouldn't have been able to clinch the Central, take the Braves, or take the Marlins to seven games. The Marlins were the better team in the last three games for sure, but give some credit where it's due.

[2GOLD 0]

So the Cubs choked, what a shock. And teams choke when they start to believe they can't win and you start believing you can't win when stuff that doesn't happen starts to happen. I'm a sports reporter, I've seen the up close look in a players eyes when things go wrong.

 

Of course you are going to start acting unprofessional when you see a dream (cause believe it or not, they were all kids at one time who dreamed of playing in the World Series) slipping away, you start making mistakes or overplaying or just get plain out confused.

 

The Marlins were down and done until that ball was dropped. Hell, even most of the Marlins admitted that it was a spark to get them back.

 

And congrats to them for making big money, if you don't like them or don't care then why come in here? No one is sitting here saying that the guy was the whole problem but it only takes ONE thing to get into your mind. Professionals are still kids with a dream.

[sfaJack 0]

So the Cubs choked, what a shock. And teams choke when they start to believe they can't win and you start believing you can't win when stuff that doesn't happen starts to happen. I'm a sports reporter, I've seen the up close look in a players eyes when things go wrong.

 

Of course you are going to start acting unprofessional when you see a dream (cause believe it or not, they were all kids at one time who dreamed of playing in the World Series) slipping away, you start making mistakes or overplaying or just get plain out confused.

 

The Marlins were down and done until that ball was dropped. Hell, even most of the Marlins admitted that it was a spark to get them back.

 

And congrats to them for making big money, if you don't like them or don't care then why come in here? No one is sitting here saying that the guy was the whole problem but it only takes ONE thing to get into your mind. Professionals are still kids with a dream.

What the hell are you trying to say here?

[the max 0]

I'm asking the same thing. I've read that about 3 times and still have nothing.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I can't decide whether he's bashing or excusing the Cubs. It looks like he's saying that they choked and that even though the fan isn't responsible for the eight runs, that one play stuck in the minds of the Cubs, which was enough to seal the deal...or something.

[Swift Terror 0]

Well, this was inevitable, there is now a website up:

 

www.killstevebartman.com

 

Check out the apparel, nice to see somebody's making money.

 

Steveo should take up the offer and spend the 3 free months in Florida.... and never return.

[the max 0]

If I were this guy, I'd rightfully sue the Sun Times for a hefty sum and then take off.

[Guest MikeSC]

So the Cubs choked, what a shock. And teams choke when they start to believe they can't win and you start believing you can't win when stuff that doesn't happen starts to happen. I'm a sports reporter, I've seen the up close look in a players eyes when things go wrong.

 

If these little prima donnas can't handle something going wrong, maybe they should go look for a slightly less "high-pressure" job (though, how much lower pressure can you get than playing a kid's game for millions?).

 

If a team believes it can't win, they should go ahead and cut ALL of the players and start over from scratch. To attempt to defend the Cubs --- if that's what you're doing (you're all over the place here) --- over this is sad.

 

Teams choke because THEY AREN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO WIN. The Cubs, obviously, were not good enough to win the big one.

 

Of course you are going to start acting unprofessional when you see a dream (cause believe it or not, they were all kids at one time who dreamed of playing in the World Series) slipping away, you start making mistakes or overplaying or just get plain out confused.

 

Amazingly enough, people in the real world manage to block crap out of their minds and do their jobs. Surgeons somehow manage to block the bullshit they deal with out of their mind and so their job --- and their job is just SLIGHTLY more high-pressure, no? The Cubs CHOKED. They DESERVED to lose. And the fact that some of them blamed the fan shows how pathetic a bunch of losers they truly are.

 

Heck, Barry Bonds didn't tank this season and his FATHER DIED after being gravely ill all damned year. He managed to play in spite of that and play very well.

 

Geez, if they choked like this in the NLCS, how in the heck would they have handled the World Series?

 

The Marlins were down and done until that ball was dropped. Hell, even most of the Marlins admitted that it was a spark to get them back.

 

Yet, even with loss all but assured, they didn't fall apart at any point. They didn't give up eight runs and blame it on anybody. They just played to the best of their abilities. hey didn't fold up and cry when something went wrong for them. They simply dusted themselves off and beat the Cubs THREE STRAIGHT --- TWICE IN WRIGLEY --- to send Chicago off the field, where the Cubs clearly needed to be.

 

The Cubs might wish to learn to close things out --- seeing as how Florida is in their 2nd World Series and won a World Title just 6 years ago and the Cubs haven't won one since before World War I.

 

And congrats to them for making big money, if you don't like them or don't care then why come in here? No one is sitting here saying that the guy was the whole problem but it only takes ONE thing to get into your mind. Professionals are still kids with a dream.

 

If these "pros" will let things screw up their play, they aren't professional. They're prima donnas, and there is a world of difference.

 

And you blame everybody but the team.

 

Funny thing was --- after hearing their reaction to the play and Game 6, I knew they had no shot at winning Game 7.

-=Mike

[Guest MikeSC]

Well, this was inevitable, there is now a website up:

 

www.killstevebartman.com

 

Check out the apparel, nice to see somebody's making money.

 

Steveo should take up the offer and spend the 3 free months in Florida.... and never return.

I hope the stuff makes a killing.

 

And then the fan SUES THEIR BUTTS OFF --- I'm fairly certain they don't have any deal to use his name on ANY of it --- which means he can take almost as much of their money as he WANTS to.

 

He makes a mint and the jackass Cub fans just look like bigger turds to the rest of the country.

-=Mike

...What idiot would sell merchandise with some guy's name on it WITHOUT THAT GUY'S PERMISSION?

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I'm not going to completely shit on the Cubs like Mike did, but things may have gotten even uglier had they made it to the World Series. All things considered, I'm just glad the young (or postseason inexperienced) got a chance to play in some huge games in the playoffs and now know what it's like for future references.

 

I think what everyone's forgetting here is that a month ago, a lot of people weren't even giving the Cubs a chance to clinch the Central. They had the softer schedule (although I think that's a bit of a weak defense since the bad teams are usually playing the hardest by that point), but many people were going with the Astros to win the Central.

 

Then the Cubs actually won the division and everyone automatically said the Braves would be winning in four or five and the Cubs once again surprised everyone.

 

The Marlins impressed the hell out of me by winning three in a row, the last two on the road, and basically defying all of the odds, but you can't forget that the Cubs won three straight, two on the road, as well. The Marlins' victories will obviously overshadow that, but the Cubs still gave what I believe to be the hottest team in baseball a run for their money.

 

Looking at the Cubs, even I didn't think they were World Series material this year, but as the Braves and Giants proved, the best team doesn't always make it to the big dance. The Cubs were honestly lucky to get this far considering that only Boston's bullpen rivals theirs in terms of bad pitching, not to mention that their starters are still very young and inexperienced in postseason play. The Marlins starters are just as young, but Beckett and Pavano were the only two starters that really looked great out there.

 

If the Cubs can get something resembling a bullpen next season and their starters stay healthy, I love their chances. Remember, Zambrano and Prior are going to get better, much better, barring any injuries. When it's said and done, they may have a starting rotation resembling that of the Braves for so many years.

 

My point is, yes the Cubs blew it in the end, but no one expected them to be there in the first place. We were all banking on a pipe dream of a World Series that after tonight, may not happen even if the Cubs had won last night. Give your dues to the Marlins, but don't be so quick to dismiss the Cubs. They did a total 180 this season and for the first time in my nine years of watching them, I felt like I was watching a team I could truly be proud of.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Is there any positive thinking in Boston? Would Red Sox fans still be criticizing Grady Little even if you win the World Series?

I for one believe the Red Sox have been winning despite having him for a manager...he blew us at least 10games in the regular season

 

I'm hoping the Red Sox bring in Rick Peterson to be manager next year

[OldSchoolWrestling 0]

Do you think they'd fire him if he loses tonight? Peterson is rumored to be going to New York to reunite with Howe. I don't know if his mullet is manager material.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Do you think they'd fire him if he loses tonight? Peterson is rumored to be going to New York to reunite with Howe. I don't know if his mullet is manager material.

Can't fire a man who doesn't have a contract past this year, they have a team option for Grady but I don't believe they should pick it up

 

Peterson is the second best Pitching coach IMHO behind the Rocking Man in Atlanta and I feel he could do the job...the Red Sox really need pitching guidance as we know hitting is not a problem with this club

[ISportsFan 0]

I just tried killstevebartman.com and it appears to have been taken down already.

 

Jason

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

REVOLUTION STUDIOS will pay comedian Kevin James, star of TV series “King of Queens,” to develop a film about a baseball fan who interferes with a critical play and must deal with the repercussions, a Revolution spokeswoman said Thursday. 

      The idea was inspired by the predicament faced by the Chicago Cubs fan who Tuesday night held out his hand to try and catch a foul ball at a key point in game six of the professional baseball teams playoff series against the Florida Marlins.

      The Revolution spokeswoman said any movie which eventually gets made would not be based on the specific fan or his own predicament. James will star in the film as well as develop it.

      The fan’s action prevented Cubs outfielder Moises Alou from catching the ball and seemed to spark a rally by the Marlins that led to their victory. On Wednesday, the Marlins won the series and the long-suffering Cubs fans hung their heads in despair. 

        The Cubs have not played in baseball’s World Series since 1945 and have not won the coveted championship since 1908. Their lack of success has led to wild speculation of a cursed team, and Tuesday’s heartbreaking loss only fueled more such talk.

      In Hollywood terms, James “pitched” his idea to Revolution and will now have to develop a story, produce a screenplay, then work on casting and production before even shooting a film. Generally speaking, movies take roughly two years from idea to movie theaters.

      Sometimes, films take a decade or more to get made, if they ever do. Sometimes the plans just strike out.

[Guest Choken One]

it only took 3 days for hollywood to see real REALITY and try to duplicate it..

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Instead of it being a Cubs fan at a Cubs game causing it, they should make it a Red Sox Fan at a Red Sox game.

[Guest Choken One]

why is that?

[lomasmoney 0]

take pedro out jesus he's done more than enough for the bullpen to win this one

[Guest Choken One]

wrong thread but He's on...I'm sure Pedro would LOVE to pitch a complete one just to say fuck you to NY but he won't, Little isn't like baker...

[Guest MikeSC]

wrong thread but He's on...I'm sure Pedro would LOVE to pitch a complete one just to say fuck you to NY but he won't, Little isn't like baker...

Hmm, now this is a toughie:

 

How much of a screw-up was it for Pedro to be left out there?

 

I mean, he said he was good --- but Jesus, hyper-competitive pitchers will NEVER admit that they're done (I remember one postseason John Smoltz telling Leo Mazzone that he was good for an inning or two when he had nothing and he got absolutely shelled). I understand giving Pedro the respect when he says he's good --- but he'll never admit he's done.

 

Man, if they end up losing this, this is gonna be a little rough.

-=Mike

...Who isn't that fond of either team --- but actually dislikes the Yankees more (even if Red Sox fans tend to be bigger pains)

[Dr. Tom 0]

How much of a screw-up was it for Pedro to be left out there?

A huge one.

 

A manager should stick to his guns and not listen to his pitcher, who is of course going to insist he's perfectly fine to continue. There's no excuse for letting a player make a pitching non-change like that. If the Yankees end up winning this game, the blame should rest squarely on the shoulders of Grady Little.

[Guest Choken One]

Quick question

 

When did the Curse of the Bambino come about?

 

I mean it's not like people called a curse right away but was it after 86?

[Guest MikeSC]

How much of a screw-up was it for Pedro to be left out there?

A huge one.

 

A manager should stick to his guns and not listen to his pitcher, who is of course going to insist he's perfectly fine to continue. There's no excuse for letting a player make a pitching non-change like that. If the Yankees end up winning this game, the blame should rest squarely on the shoulders of Grady Little.

True. I was thinking it's idiotic to ask the pitcher (what did he think Pedro would say?), but I didn't want to be totally alone on that.

 

Grady should be fired if they end up losing this.

-=Mike

[Guest Choken One]

How much of a screw-up was it for Pedro to be left out there?

A huge one.

 

A manager should stick to his guns and not listen to his pitcher, who is of course going to insist he's perfectly fine to continue. There's no excuse for letting a player make a pitching non-change like that. If the Yankees end up winning this game, the blame should rest squarely on the shoulders of Grady Little.

True. I was thinking it's idiotic to ask the pitcher (what did he think Pedro would say?), but I didn't want to be totally alone on that.

 

Grady should be fired if they end up losing this.

-=Mike

No way, he's a great manager...

[Guest Putty]

edit: nevermind

Edited October 17, 2003 by Putty

[Guest Choken One]

I mean when did the "this town is cursed" bullshit start...

[Guest FrigidSoul]

I mean when did the "this town is cursed" bullshit start...

a Boston sports writer wrote a book called "The Curse of the Bambino" explaining all the bad things to happen since he was sold and Yankees fans exploited the saying from there

[razazteca 0]

No worries the Red Sox are still the lovable losers.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Probably sometime after 1980, or 1986. 1980, because that's when the Phillies finally won (last original franchise to win the Series), or 1986, when the Sox blew a 3 run lead with no one on base and two outs.