Carol Slezak on acid

[whitesoxfan101]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/slezak/cst-spt-carol19.html

 

With low expectations, Cubs might surprise

 

February 19, 2006

 

BY CAROL SLEZAK SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

 

Their manager is in the last year of his contract. They're not certain who their shortstop will be. Second base is a quandary. Their third baseman is injury- prone. Their left fielder is unproven, and nothing in their right fielder's history suggests greatness.

 

Their starting pitching staff is an injury away from devastation. Their bullpen, which is being touted as the team's strength, will be anchored by a still-unproven closer. All of which means that as presently constituted, the 2006 Cubs can only hope to contend for the division title.

 

Too early to be pessimistic

 

Ah, but I don't want to ruin your spring. This is no time to fret. It's early yet. There are plenty of reasons for optimism, beginning with the fact that expectations for this Cubs team are low. Realistically, no one should expect them to accomplish much this season. Freed of the pressure that comes with expectations, the Cubs just might thrive.

 

For the first time in many years, the Cubs are not even the top baseball story in this town. With the world champion White Sox and the talkative Ozzie Guillen capturing much of the attention that once was reserved for the Cubs, Dusty Baker's boys can focus on winning games.

 

And let's not forget that the Corey Patterson distraction is gone. The Steve Stone distraction is long gone. The Sammy Sosa distraction is long, long gone. And with the bleacher expansion project nearing completion, there's peace in Wrigleyville. There are no excuses left for the Cubs. And nothing left to do but play ball.

 

Positive-thinking fans should consider the potential of the Cubs' lineup.

 

For the first time since Kenny Lofton's brief stay, they have a proven leadoff hitter in Juan Pierre. This guy gets on base and steals bases. Even during a down year like last season, when his on-base percentage dipped to .326, Pierre stole 57 bases. Can you imagine the difference he could make for the Cubs? If you need a reminder, consider what Scott Podsednik meant to the White Sox last year. There's no reason Pierre can't be that same type of player for the Cubs. And with Derrek Lee and a hopefully healthy Aramis Ramirez anchoring the middle of the order, the offense shouldn't have to struggle to score runs.

 

But what about the pitching? A pessimist might say Greg Maddux is old, Mark Prior can't seem to stay healthy and Kerry Wood can't seem to get healthy. But other than that, the staff looks good. When in doubt, there's always Carlos Zambrano. As of now, Glendon Rusch and Jerome Williams will fill out the rotation while everyone waits for Wood's latest comeback. If you're a fan looking for a reason to smile, consider that despite their many question marks, the Cubs still have more starting pitching depth than most major-league teams.

 

And what about the new and improved bullpen?

 

Jim Hendry added two solid relievers in Scott Eyre and Bob Howry. With a little luck, they'll make fans forget all about LaTroy Hawkins.

 

The biggest question for the bullpen will be closer Ryan Dempster. Will he be able to match last season's success? Why of course he will. Only a pessimist would worry that things will get tougher for Dempster in Year 2 as a closer.

 

Of course, the entire pitching staff would be helped tremendously by strong defensive play. That won't come easily in the infield. Ramirez, who wasn't a great fielder to start with, battled hamstring problems much of last season.

 

But, hey, Ronny Cedeno might be the next Derek Jeter. And if that doesn't turn out to be true, Cedeno could always move to second and share time with Todd Walker and Jerry Hairston.

 

And here fans should pause and give thanks for Lee, a terrific first baseman. And also pray that the Wrigley Field grounds crew keeps the infield grass high.

 

As for the outfield defense, who really knows? Matt Murton is an unknown entity in left. Pierre has the potential to be very good in center. And newcomer Jacque Jones will patrol right field at least as well as Jeromy Burnitz did last season. Hey, hey -- things could be worse.

 

No pressure

 

The Cubs played like contenders in 2003, so naturally people got their hopes up. With everyone anticipating title runs in '04 and '05, the pressure mounted -- and the Cubs fell flat. Anyone else see a pattern here? Of course, there were plenty of reasons why the team failed to live up to expectations, from injuries to bad contracts to poor execution. But maybe the expectations themselves had a little something to do with it, as well.

 

So what are you thinking for this season? Second place, behind the Cardinals? Yeah, that sounds about right. No expectations. Just hang close enough to stay in the wild-card race. And then see what happens.

 

Huh?

[mr_genius]

reading a carol Ssezak article is a waste of time. she doesn't know anything about baseball or sports in general.

 

she probably lives close to wrigley so decided to write about how great the cubs are.

[whitesoxfan101]

reading a carol Ssezak article is a waste of time.  she doesn't know anything about baseball or sports in general.

 

she probably lives close to wrigley so decided to write about how great the cubs are.

 

Haha she is an idiot and does live close to Wrigley, but this is stupid, even by her high standards for that.

[YASNY]

Pretty lame. She spends the first two paragraphs pointing out all the Cubs difficiencies, then says there is plenty of hope for them. The damn article doesn't even make sense.

[whitesoxfan101]

Pretty lame.  She spends the first two paragraphs pointing out all the Cubs difficiencies, then says there is plenty of hope for them.  The damn article doesn't even make sense.

 

Yep, reminds of the Kiley article about how the Cubs should sign Hendry and Baker to extensions back in January to send a message of support and trust. WTF does that even mean?

[Milkman delivers]

I don't like to say it, but the Cubs certainly can't be written off so quickly. That division is pretty much up for grabs. The Reds and Pirates will suck thoroughly. The Cardinals have gotten a bit weaker. The Astros have gotten a lot weaker. Then, the Brewers and Cubs have gotten better. The Sox were picked to finish 3rd or 4th last year, and we ended up winning a tougher division.

[whitesoxfan101]

I don't like to say it, but the Cubs certainly can't be written off so quickly.  That division is pretty much up for grabs.  The Reds and Pirates will suck thoroughly.  The Cardinals have gotten a bit weaker.  The Astros have gotten a lot weaker.  Then, the Brewers and Cubs have gotten better.  The Sox were picked to finish 3rd or 4th last year, and we ended up winning a tougher division.

 

Well the only reason they can't be written off is their division. They have a bad team, who's only hope to be more than a .500 team is their pitching staying healthy, which has about as much a chance of happening as an asteroid hitting the earth next week. I am not 100 percent writing them off since the NL Central is the 2nd worst division in baseball, but the Cubs team itself sucks and will be similar to the one that won 79 games last year, if not worse, in terms of it's roster.

Edited February 19, 2006 by whitesoxfan101

[LosMediasBlancas]

I don't disagree with what she's trying to say neccesarily, but the column is poorly written;

 

"But what about the pitching? A pessimist might say Greg Maddux is old, Mark Prior can't seem to stay healthy and Kerry Wood can't seem to get healthy. But other than that, the staff looks good."

 

Is that a joke?

[whitesoxfan101]

What about the staff looks good besides Wood and Prior being injury prone and Maddux is old? You have Zambrano as a stud, but then what? Wade Miller is hurt a lot, Glendon Rusch is a mediocre journeyman, and Jerome Williams is very inconsistent.

[kevin57]

The only way for the Cubs to have a good team this year is IF all the ? in their starting pitching have marquee years. That same "IF" has been the story and hope for the Cubs for several years running.

[Harry&JimmyRocked]

she has NEVER written an article. unfortunately she still has a job because she's a female. i tried to read her writing one time. it was when she first started. the article was about scottie pippen. she made the case for changing his name to "Scott" instead of "Scottie"

 

dumb broad.

[nitetrain8601]

I don't think the concept is bad, but the delivery could use alot of work. I think alot of people are giving this hate though beause it's a "positive" Cubs article.

[Kyyle23]

Slezaks latest offering. Cant say I agree with this one much either

 

Now that Sammy Sosa is leaning toward retirement, I am wondering about his future. Specifically, how long will it take for the Cubs to erect a Sosa statue outside Wrigley Field?

 

Sure, he left the Cubs on lousy terms. His transgressions -- the corked bat, the steroids speculation, the much talked about but seldom seen video that supposedly shows him ditching out on the 2004 regular-season finale -- have made him persona non grata in Cubs land for now. But the bad memories will fade in time. They always do.

 

Ultimately, Sosa will be remembered for the sprints out to right field, for the hops and the kisses and for the summer of 1998. He'll be remembered for his 588 career home runs, most of which came in a Cubs uniform. He'll be remembered for being the major attraction at Wrigley Field for many, many seasons. And the statue talk will begin.

 

How long will it take? That depends on a number of factors, including whether Tribune Co. sells the Cubs sooner or later and when Sosa gets voted into the Hall of Fame. But it will happen. It's only a matter of time.

[whitesoxfan101]

The fact that Ernie Banks doesn't have a statue there and HARRY CAREY does is a joke. Regardless of your feelings for the Cubs, Banks is one of the great SS's to ever play the game, was really a talent before it's time in terms of a SS who could hit homers, and is the real best player in Cubs history IMO. If Sosa gets a statue before him, then ugh...Carey getting one first is bad enough, but that would be a disaster.

Edited February 21, 2006 by whitesoxfan101

[Flash Tizzle]

There's another terrible article from Slezack. Of all the possible issues surrounding Sosa, his image, and his future within MLB, whether or not the Cubs erect a statue of him outside Wrigley Field is far from the forefront.

 

Does anyone believe he could give a s*** about a statue? Or the Cubs for honoring him with one? No one wants to associate themselves with him, anymore. Any statue of Sosa would probably be defaced, as well become a favorite crapping location for birds across Illinois.

 

Slezack's arrogant tone is what strikes me. Bad memories are always forgotten? These memories are like haunting nightmares for Cub fans. I don't know many who support him anymore. Most believe he took steroids, and his loveable act was merely a sham. That was evident in 2004 when he became a prime target for their fans.

 

And her last paragraph is missing a key point. Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Jason Giambi, and Rafeal Palmiero will all be included among the games roided sluggers. Their fates--esp Palmiero's--will be key to determing Sosa's. Will Palmiero be voted in the HOF? Will McGwire be a first balloter?

 

I'm sure we'll hear those people who like to act diginified, and above logical reasoning, when they suggest, "There's no proof! I guess in our country it's guilty until proven innocent," or some bulls*** variation of that. Wilbon on PTI is good at making himself out to be a student of law; always complaining about our cultures view on poor ol' Barry. Too bad the procedures of the law hold no ground in public opinion. To the public, Sosa--among others--roided. He'll carry that cloud for a LONG time.

Edited February 21, 2006 by Flash Tizzle

[Phuck the Cubs]

The fact that Ernie Banks doesn't have a statue there and HARRY CAREY does is a joke.  Regardless of your feelings for the Cubs, Banks is one of the great SS's to ever play the game, was really a talent before it's time in terms of a SS who could hit homers, and is the real best player in Cubs history IMO.  If Sosa gets a statue before him, then ugh...Carey getting one first is bad enough, but that would be a disaster.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not to mention Ryan Sandberg, Billy Williams, and Ron Santo (other Cubs players who have had their jersey retired). Even Mark Grace. He left on bad terms, but it was management who treated him like a piece of s***. Sosa, on the other hand deserved to be treated like a piece of s***.

Edited February 21, 2006 by Cuck the Fubs