Monday, April 16, 2007

Seriously, I Feel Bad For You Guys.


The Cubs had a lot to be optimistic about coming into this season, they really did. But what a difference 11 games can make. A disappointing 4-7 start has already taken a toll on an entire fan base that is seemingly bracing themselves for another awful year. For all that money they spent in the offseason, things just aren’t going the Cubs’ way right now. Their new manager flipped out after only 9 games. Their new center fielder, all $136 million of him, is hitting only .234 without a home run and only one RBI. Their cleanup hitter is already battling a lingering injury.

Maybe that’s why this week’s news that Mark Prior and Kerry Wood aren’t coming back anytime soon really didn’t cause a commotion. There are just too many other depressing things to focus on. Two guys that were once considered a one way ticket to the promise land for a franchise that hasn’t been there in nearly 100 years now seem to be out of the long term plan.

I’m a White Sox fan, and even I feel bad for these Cubbies. Can you ever remember a franchise in any sport that pinned so much hope on two young players, only to have both become colossal busts during the time when they should be in the prime of their careers?

Though Jim Hendry and Lou Pinella said throughout spring training that this season won’t be all about Prior and Wood, inevitably, it always will be. Until they’re retired or playing night games in a different color uniform, every Cubs season will suffer from the hope and eventual disappointment that both right-handers bring. Even this year, when their expectations have never been lower, Cubs fans are left to imagine how much better the club would be if both were finally healthy. If Prior was a solid #4 starter and if Wood could help solidify a shaky bullpen, maybe that would help turn a lackluster start around. It’s not like they’re both being asked to win 20 games anymore, but the pressure Mark Prior and Kerry Wood shoulder is still some of the heaviest in baseball.

This may not seem wholly logical, but the only way for the Cubs to ever compete is to get rid of both of them. While Wood’s days in Cubbie blue are numbered as his one year contract runs out after 2007, Prior might be sticking around a little longer. Remember at the beginning of last season when a potential Prior for Miguel Tejada deal drew the ire of Cub fans everywhere? If only they could go back and make that deal a reality. Then maybe the franchise could finally move on.

1 comment:

andy said...

fuck you ricky thats all i have to say the white sox gave up one hit yesterday....and still lost

but the bulls are going to win teh east....that is what matters