Happy Fourth of July from Seattlest
Seattlest Pix: 09Jul04
Seattlest Pix: 09Jul05
Seattle Int'l Beer Festival Ends at 7 p.m.
Somebody get me an Old Style...
While this Seattlest has become a pretty big Mariners fan over the past few years, there is no question who we are rooting for in this week’s Cubs vs. Mariners series at Wrigley Field. Our huge Cubs flag pinned to the side of our cubicle has made a few co-workers stop in their tracks to talk a little trash.
We grew up watching the Cubs on WGN (Because the games were on instead of cartoons), attended our first game in the bleachers at 10 years old (Thanks, Mr. Krieger), lived in Wrigleyville for 3 years (We miss Clark Dog) and even had a relative who played for the Cubs way back in the day (Until he fell out a window…).
We Cubs fans were promised so much this year. The addition of Soriano made us drool. Starting the year with 7 or 8 serviceable starting pitchers made us feel better about knowing Wood and Prior likely wouldn’t make it through spring training, once again. A lineup with Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano is enough to make any opposing pitcher nervous.
Things have not gone according to plan.
This week’s series is of particular interest in Seattle due to the presence of Mr. Lou Piniella in the Cubs dugout. Lou spent a good 10 years of his life managing the Mariners, and now he is throwing his tantrums in Chicago.
Ichiro may be the only Mariner left that was around for Lou’s tenure, but Seattle fans still have a definite kindred with Lou. If this series were in Seattle, he’d be getting a few ovations.
When the Cubs signed Lou to manage this year, the overwhelming response from Cubs and Mariners fans alike was: “At least it should be interesting.” Lou is a loveable manager who commands respect from his players and is not afraid to say what is on his mind. He won a World Series with Cincinnati, and he gave the Mariners plenty of good years.
But, when you manage a team as screwed up as the Cubs…history doesn’t really matter.
Just remember, Dusty Baker was also heralded as a savior when he came to Chicago (In Dusty we Trusty!), and look how that turned out for him after a few losing seasons.
Lou is holding his own for now, but how long will it take for Cubs fans to sour on him if they continue to lose?
In the past week or two, Carlos Zambrano (Cubs pitcher) argued with Michael Barrett (Cubs catcher) in the dugout, and took a swing at him. Lou Piniella made contact with an ump while throwing a tantrum and was suspended for 4 games. Ted Lilly was booted from a game after 2 outs for hitting a batter. Zambrano pitched a gem and hit a home run in a 2-1 masterpiece. Barrett had another heated discussion with a pitcher in the dugout.
To top it off, they lost a 13 inning game to the Mariners last night while letting multiple opportunities slip away. The sad thing? Cubs fans are not really surprised by any of this anymore. We are not surprised, but man....it is really starting to get old. We just want the Cubs to win.
The NL Central is so bad, the Cubs should be waltzing into the playoffs in a few months. Instead, they are just somehow staying afloat while playing schizophrenic baseball. If the division had a good team, the Cubs would likely be 15 games out and we would be anticipating football season. As it is, the Cubs are not even close to being out of the playoff hunt. We’ll keep watching and listening until they are safely eliminated.
We know what the Cubs are really up to though… they are just waiting for the 100 year anniversary of their last championship to win another (next year). They at least have to look like they are trying this year. I wonder if they told Lou about their plan?
Next week when Griffey marches back into Seattle to play the Mariners for the first time since leaving town 7 years ago, we will be there cheering as loud as anyone.
But, for now….Go Cubs.
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You are a fool if you continue to support the Cubs.
This is Seattlest, not Chicagoist. Post this over there you Cubs fan. Go M's!
:)
Raul Ibanez played for Lou for 3+ years, you big M's fan.
Cubs are 5-13 in 1 run games and have 6 less wins than expected by their run scoring/allowance. That sometimes means they're unlucky and could see a correction (win streak) down the road.
Didn't realize Ibanez was here before his KC days...thanks. Definitely before my time as a Mariners fan.