Second Half Much Like The First

July 25, 2015 Godfrey Logan Leave a comment

Predictions are just that prediction of what might or might not happen. In my years the predictions have hardly been whether or not the Cubs contend regardless of who they have on the field. Usually they don’t. Then there is the talk of how much they’ve built up the farm system or whichever new star they have stashed away, predicted to be the second coming of somebody. How long will it take for Starlin Castro to get the next manager fired? And or when are we going to trade him? This years prediction in Chicago had the White Sox finishing ahead of the Cubs but Adam Laroche has turned into Adam Dunne. If Robin Ventura wasn’t a fan favorite he’d have been gone weeks ago. I’m a big fan of his since his days playing in Chicago but hey I’m not a White Sox fan. I predicted the Cubs would be in the middle of the pack right where they are. But with all of this fan fare about the youngsters being the future I have to say those in charge should know better by now.
The second half of the season has started out much like the first half. Losing games they should win and having to listen to Cardinal fans with their feint praise while their no name bunch is whooping up on everyone. The Cubs are better than the Pirates who have left us behind. We should be where they are now though no one will catch the Cardinals. With some of the embarrassing losses to St. Louis you hope it leaves a bad enough taste that they can return the favor next season. Again with the next season. Otherwise leave it to the oddball playoff system to extend the season by one game. There will be a point where we will have to stop talking about the age or experience of the players. The season is long enough to go through every scenario highs and lows. But every team at some point and in almost every sport gets it together long enough to make a run. Whether it is because of the schedule or in the Chicago the weather.
One other predictor fans use to decide on their team’s fate is their free agent signings. Let it be said that Chicago is a city where careers come to die unless you’re moved by mid season in a three team trade having to eat some of his mega contract. Yes I’m talking about Jon Lester. I don’t believe pitching is our problem as they’ve finally shored up the bull pen. But all of the chatter is about trading for pitching. Realistically the Cubs need a bat and more than one. San Diego’s Justin Upton is the best rent a player that comes to mind. for some reason this guy doesn’t stick with whatever team gets him but he is very productive for whomever he plays for. Maybe adding him as a veteran presence and keeping him around for that reason might get this team going in the right direction. They didn’t need to hire Joe Maddon to put them in this position of middle of the pack. And if you’re counting this is Starlin Castro’s fourth manager.
It gets frustrating to write these pieces with such bitterness. I grew up with the lovable losers with Harry Caray making their games bearable. Now they’ve dropped the lovable part but they haven’t dropped the losing or the incredible ways to do just that (do I need to bring up 2003, 07, 08?). We are in the post Tribune Company ownership period. And like the Cubs are wont to do they try to make a splash that has nothing to do with the players on the field. With a team struggling to score runs is it necessary to put up a Jumbo-Tron or build up the outfield bleachers which might not even fill up once the team is officially out of the race?
Admittedly the future is bright for this team but unless your team is in St. Louis or New York you don’t know the word consistency and it is what we as Cub fans are hoping for. Many of our fans moved south after 2005 and that ball club has made what, one post season appearance since then. You look at the BlackHawks a team left on the pile of history has risen like a phoenix and haven’t leveled off yet. Proof positive it can be done. They have the nucleus like the ‘Hawks have and the brains to put a run together. One ten game winning streak is a good start. These are kids who have dreamed of playing baseball their whole lives. That cannot be said for many players in the league who are in it for the money. Why else would Aramis Ramirez leave Chicago for Milwaukee in 2011? Chicago is a city of winners. Good football. Good basketball and great hockey. But baseball is where the good and great end unless you’re talking about history. Yet there’s nearly 200 years of losing. Let’s start the second half fresh like the first half never happened and let my next piece be about this being the year.

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