Chicago Cubs fans - Rebuilding Year 2023

[FINFAN]

There was some good news today. Miggy and his wife Vanessa became US citizens today!

https://www.google.com/amp/www.chic...iguel-montero-citizen-20170501-story,amp.html

not only his first day as a U.S. Citizen, his first time playing first base! You go Miggy~lol The 8th inning switches were awesome!

Cubs said this is what happens when you take line up advice from twitter

 

[Pacolovestacos]

I'm officially concerned about our pitching.

 

[FINFAN]

On the up side, Javy homered! Willson clocked that line drive at 115 mph, Monty was awesome and Grimm looked good the first 2/3 of his outing. Guess we have to share first place with the Brewers at the moment (better than with STL in my book)Maybe we should switch the order of bullpen and starters lol

 

[Kewz1]

Last night was rough. I'll admit to tapping out before the game was over. Missed Javy's HR - good for him!

 

[robinb]

I'm officially concerned about our pitching.

I am officially with you.

 

[FINFAN]

Y'all are gong to want to skip over my posts as I am remaining positive . Live life like it's 3-1

Perhaps the Cubs are emulating the scenario for next season when we have to acquire 3 starter's , lol. Many an eyebrow was raised when we got Anderson~ his back issues, , foot, had Tommy John's, on the flip-side many thought it was going to be a fab outcome esp on a 1 year deal. Right now, best thing going for him was that he's a lefty. Seems the Cubs got bit by the KC WS bug~ very similar struggles to their post WS last season. Maybe Davis can shed some light on that particular similarity. I know everybody jumping the gun on Cease , but he isn't near ready to play the big's yet~ same for Happ,(he may be a little closer to it) and Theo and Co know it. Rob Z. about the only one who would be ready and again, and that doesn't solve the starter issue. Boz' hopefully did some homework during his personal issue /time off (or was it for the Thame's innuendo) I still think Schwarb's needs to relax, the guy played great when there was no expectation on him, and I think he is putting it all on himself. Jay basically doing lead off in the 9, lol. I still wish the old bullpen location's were still there. Rhythm for sure, will be off tho without consistent save game's happening. I said before and will say it again, the caliber of baseball talent playing out there is unbelievable right now~ I love watching it even if we are not the one's producing it. These last few losses are NOTHING compared to the early 80's and 2000-05 or so. LOL~Posts on this thread from last season were negative even WHILE we were in the Play-offs and WS...I roll with each game good or bad. I am one who enjoys the game for all the individual plays and skills, not just the W/L column. I have my superstitions a-plenty tho, lol...and of course I love when they win but baseball is an enigma and hard as heck. The guys often don't look like they are having fun anymore, which is the biggest bummer of all to me right now. It was fantastic to see all the smiling faces in the crowd last night, fans were having a good time in spite of the score. I'm that fan. Maybe other's who made promises during the WS have not fulfilled them, lol...and karma is here.

 

[docsoliday1]

Y'all are gong to want to skip over my posts as I am remaining positive . Live life like it's 3-1




Perhaps the Cubs are emulating the scenario for next season when we have to acquire 3 starter's , lol. Many an eyebrow was raised when we got Anderson~ his back issues, , foot, had Tommy John's, many thought it was going to be a fab outcome esp on a 1 year deal. Right now, best thing going for him was that he's a lefty. Seems the Cubs got bit by the KC WS bug~ very similar struggles to their post WS last season. Maybe Davis can shed some light on that particular similarity. I know everybody jumping the gun on Cease , but he isn't near ready to play the big's yet~ same for Happ,(he may be a little closer to it) and Theo and Co know it. Rob Z. about the only one who would be ready and again, and that doesn't solve the starter issue. Boz' hopefully did some homework during his personal issue /time off (or was it for the Thame's innuendo) I still think Schwarb's needs to relax, the guy played great when there was no expectation on him, and I think he is putting it all on himself. Jay basically doing lead off in the 9, lol. I still wish the old bullpen location's were still there. Rhythm for sure, will be off tho without consistent save game's happening. I said before and will say it again, the caliber of baseball talent playing out there is unbelievable right now~ I love watching it even if we are not the one's producing it. These last few losses are NOTHING compared to the early 80's and 2000-05 or so. LOL~Posts on this thread from last season were negative even WHILE we were in the Play-offs and WS...I roll with each game good or bad. I am one who enjoys the game for all the individual plays and skills, not just the W/L column. I have my superstitions a-plenty tho, lol...and of course I love when they win but baseball is an enigma and hard as heck. The guys often don't look like they are having fun anymore, which is the biggest bummer of all to me right now. It was fantastic to see all the smiling faces in the crowd last night, fans were having a good time in spite of the score. I'm that fan. Maybe other's who made promises during the WS have not fulfilled them, lol...and karma is here.

Well spoken FIN. I was talking to DW last night and explaining how one of the things that has changed (for the better IMHO) in baseball is the competitive nature. I love seeing the players competitive, but not "I want to hurt you" competitive that was much more prevalent in yesteryear's games. I thought it was so cool when after NTogue (sp?) got his first hit in the bigs, it was AUTOMATIC to throw the baseball to his dugout for him...to me, that's class. Having been through MANY MANY years of the Cubbies not being good, I was ecstatic in October. Regardless of whether they're winning or whether they're losing, they're MY team. Unfortunately, living in Atlanta, there are many fair weather fans here for the Braves and it stinks. I guess, for me, I feel you should stick with your team when they're winning and you should support them even more when they're losing. It's called loyalty. One of the things I love about most Cubs fans, Boston, NYY, Phillys. Now, with the last few, some of the fans can be total jerks vs. just being supportive, but at least they stick with their team. So...some of the guys are struggling right now, but they're still my team. I'm hoping with the warmer weather, they hit their groove. That's one of the disadvantages the northern teams have...it's still too dang cold for baseball in some places.

As I started to say the other day, hitting a baseball is one of the hardest (if not the hardest) skills in sports. You're attempting to hit a round ball moving VERY fast and usually with horizontal and lateral movement with a round bat. Think of it...if you hit 1 for 3, you're batting .333 and that's GREAT. Couple that with the fact the opponents are very good at what they do too and may take one of those hits from you with good defense. So...they won the WS last year and many people are EXPECTING them to repeat. Everyone else in the league is wanting to beat them to be able to say they beat the champs. That's baseball! Never giving up...THAT'S CUBS!!! Yeah, I want them to win the WS again, but even if they don't...I will never give up on my Cubbies.
So, I'll gleefully say fly the W when we can and cheer them on when we can't.

 

[robinb]

It's not black and white. Being concerned doesn't mean "giving up". It means that I acknowledge that there is room for improvement. We definitely need another 5th starter because Anderson *will* get hurt ... and I'm not talking about the beating he took last night.

 

[FINFAN]

Well spoken FIN. I was talking to DW last night and explaining how one of the things that has changed (for the better IMHO) in baseball is the competitive nature. I love seeing the players competitive, but not "I want to hurt you" competitive that was much more prevalent in yesteryear's games. I thought it was so cool when after NTogue (sp?) got his first hit in the bigs, it was AUTOMATIC to throw the baseball to his dugout for him...to me, that's class. Having been through MANY MANY years of the Cubbies not being good, I was ecstatic in October. Regardless of whether they're winning or whether they're losing, they're MY team. Unfortunately, living in Atlanta, there are many fair weather fans here for the Braves and it stinks. I guess, for me, I feel you should stick with your team when they're winning and you should support them even more when they're losing. It's called loyalty. One of the things I love about most Cubs fans, Boston, NYY, Phillys. Now, with the last few, some of the fans can be total jerks vs. just being supportive, but at least they stick with their team. So...some of the guys are struggling right now, but they're still my team. I'm hoping with the warmer weather, they hit their groove. That's one of the disadvantages the northern teams have...it's still too dang cold for baseball in some places.

As I started to say the other day, hitting a baseball is one of the hardest (if not the hardest) skills in sports. You're attempting to hit a round ball moving VERY fast and usually with horizontal and lateral movement with a round bat. Think of it...if you hit 1 for 3, you're batting .333 and that's GREAT. Couple that with the fact the opponents are very good at what they do too and may take one of those hits from you with good defense. So...they won the WS last year and many people are EXPECTING them to repeat. Everyone else in the league is wanting to beat them to be able to say they beat the champs. That's baseball! Never giving up...THAT'S CUBS!!! Yeah, I want them to win the WS again, but even if they don't...I will never give up on my Cubbies.
So, I'll gleefully say fly the W when we can and cheer them on when we can't.

Boatloads of fair-weather Cub fan's too...not to mention all who jumped on last year, (but I am more than great with adding more and more Cub fan's) Last season is one that is in the books, can NEVER be taken away or really repeated in the same way. That said , many think that's exactly what this season was supposed to be. Tells what a ride it was, eh? One could put a spin of great comeback month of April, but no one WANTS to be in that position to start with. Across the board 10/12 losses the norm right now but it is the complete flip of giving up so many runs in the first inning(s) that is foreign to so many. Jake's '15 season was God-like, Lester/Rossy was a well oiled machine(tho Lester didn't fair nearly as well his first year over) and Kyle caught many by surprise since he wasn't a high speed hurler. I swear some people think getting a starter is like going to the grocery store and grabbing one off the shelf. A player also has to "fit' the team/Organization. July trade's going to be off the hook for teams this season, just watch. Phillies,(timely example) have a bunch of 1 year guys right now, will be interesting to see if they can trade for what they really want successfully. As it should be, other teams studied the crap out of our team/pitchers all last and over in the off season. Scouts have one job right now and that's find the method to de-thrown the Champs, as you said. I said at the beginning of this season to watch out for the Brewers~ While I don't think they are WS bound they are def going to spoil it for some other teams. Following what method? The Cub's rebuilding one. Maybe Joe needs to get some more slogan T's going...not sure if anyone has notices but all the criticisms fans had over his style, Joe Cool etc,should be thrilled as it appears he has pulled back a little. It sure didn't hurt last year, I would like to see it back again this season. These guys are super young, that stuff keeps the comradery going, frustrations down and gives moments to breathe. All the non-game joy and help these guys bring to ill kids/charities is unbelievable too. Never a down moment, they rep the Organization with class, character and humility .Some skills I wish a few ESPN employee's would adopt. It's a game of intelligence, skill, strategy and guts. Every fan follows in his/her own way..here's to it being a season that everyone enjoys how they choose!

 

[FINFAN]

It's not black and white. Being concerned doesn't mean "giving up". It means that I acknowledge that there is room for improvement. We definitely need another 5th starter because Anderson *will* get hurt ... and I'm not talking about the beating he took last night.

his health, was shaky to begin with...and of course you bet hoping it works. Getting pitching is hard...we will see what July brings.

 

[docsoliday1]

It's not black and white. Being concerned doesn't mean "giving up". It means that I acknowledge that there is room for improvement. We definitely need another 5th starter because Anderson *will* get hurt ... and I'm not talking about the beating he took last night.

Sorry, Robin...I was not insinuating you were giving up on them. I'm a bit concerned also. Although sometimes the broadcasters can make a mountain out of a molehill, they were saying that Kyle's fastballs were down about 4-5 MPH from last year. While that might not sound like much (and I'm pretty sure they mentioned this right after I thought it), it makes your changeup or slider so much less effective. It concerns me because a) Is he not feeling well, b) is he just getting older (we all are) c) is it a signal of need for potential surgery. It seemed to me his fastball didn't have as much movement on it as last year either. Not trying to be an ostrich and stick my head in the sand and think everything will be great when it warms up, but it's possible the cold weather is affecting his arm also...dunno.

 

[FINFAN]

Sorry, Robin...I was not insinuating you were giving up on them. I'm a bit concerned also. Although sometimes the broadcasters can make a mountain out of a molehill, they were saying that Kyle's fastballs were down about 4-5 MPH from last year. While that might not sound like much (and I'm pretty sure they mentioned this right after I thought it), it makes your changeup or slider so much less effective. It concerns me because a) Is he not feeling well, b) is he just getting older (we all are) c) is it a signal of need for potential surgery. It seemed to me his fastball didn't have as much movement on it as last year either. Not trying to be an ostrich and stick my head in the sand and think everything will be great when it warms up, but it's possible the cold weather is affecting his arm also...dunno.

cold weather better for pitcher's. He (Kyle) very well could be harboring an injury~ I say that based on the speed but at the same time he has settled into later innings that would say no injury. The mojo of the whole team is off...I have no worries of the talent of our position guys, even for most of our pitching..but it's as if someone put regular gas in a premium tank, lol...a few knocks and pings to work out before running smoothly.
Lester has great numbers against the Phillies, here's hoping it continue's tonight


ETA: Pretty sure Theo and Co. way ahead of ALL us armchair coaches

 

[FINFAN]

DUH! Reading the page etc made me forget what I came to here to post! The little boy Kolt, who went viral~ the CSN story is tonight before the game on CSN In The Loop for those interested.

 

[FINFAN]

I'm officially concerned about our pitching.

I am officially with you.

Guys...historically, when have Cub fans NOT been stressed out about our pitching?

 

[docsoliday1]

cold weather better for pitcher's. He (Kyle) very well could be harboring an injury~ I say that based on the speed but at the same time he has settled into later innings that would say no injury. The mojo of the whole team is off...I have no worries of the talent of our position guys, even for most of our pitching..but it's as if someone put regular gas in a premium tank, lol...a few knocks and pings to work out before running smoothly.
Lester has great numbers against the Phillies, here's hoping it continue's tonight


ETA: Pretty sure Theo and Co. way ahead of ALL us armchair coaches

The mojo comment is right on the money. I think it's probably two factors...
1) After reaching the pinnacle, the tendency to look around and say what now? You work so hard to get there and then there's a sense of been there, done that, so it's not as enticing.
2) I think all of the PR stuff the guys have been through (someone else mentioned this if I recall). When you have a bunch of public appearances and community work and PR stuff, all of that takes time away from practicing or studying film.

So, I think it's a combination possibly of our guys are more distracted and the opponents are more focused at de-throning the champs.

 

[robinb]

Boatloads of fair-weather Cub fan's too...not to mention all who jumped on last year, (but I am more than great with adding more and more Cub fan's)
{snip}
Every fan follows in his/her own way..here's to it being a season that everyone enjoys how they choose!

Exactly! I personally have no issue at all with people who want to be part of Cub Nation. I don't care if you're new to baseball or if you're a fan of another team too. Jump right in!

I think the term "bandwagon fans" has really become so polarizing these days. It really turns new fans off and it's often used to shut other fans up (not here, but I see it a lot on FB). It does little to encourage and mentor newer fans into Cub Nation. @docsoliday1, I used to look down my nose at Braves fans. As a Cubs fan who was ecstatic when we *made* it to the Wild Card, I simply did not understand why the Braves could not fill their stadium during playoffs. Then, I realized that the Braves fans have had their own heartbreak. Exactly how many times can your team run their division and then choke on the NLDS or NLCS? I would still stand behind my Cubbies but I can understand that an average fan would not.

 

[robinb]

Guys...historically, when have Cub fans NOT been stressed out about our pitching?

Even CHAPMAN stressed me out!

 

[FINFAN]

Even CHAPMAN stressed me out!

lol....it's what keeps the heart bleeding Cubbie Blue

Exactly! I personally have no issue at all with people who want to be part of Cub Nation. I don't care if you're new to baseball or if you're a fan of another team too. Jump right in!

I think the term "bandwagon fans" has really become so polarizing these days. It really turns new fans off and it's often used to shut other fans up (not here, but I see it a lot on FB). It does little to encourage and mentor newer fans into Cub Nation. @docsoliday1, I used to look down my nose at Braves fans. As a Cubs fan who was ecstatic when we *made* it to the Wild Card, I simply did not understand why the Braves could not fill their stadium during playoffs. Then, I realized that the Braves fans have had their own heartbreak. Exactly how many times can your team run their division and then choke on the NLDS or NLCS? I would still stand behind my Cubbies but I can understand that an average fan would not.

That's 'cause Cubs Fan's aren't average. In all seriousness, we are a unique breed and I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[FINFAN]

The mojo comment is right on the money. I think it's probably two factors...
1) After reaching the pinnacle, the tendency to look around and say what now? You work so hard to get there and then there's a sense of been there, done that, so it's not as enticing.
2) I think all of the PR stuff the guys have been through (someone else mentioned this if I recall). When you have a bunch of public appearances and community work and PR stuff, all of that takes time away from practicing or studying film.

So, I think it's a combination possibly of our guys are more distracted and the opponents are more focused at de-throning the champs.

and now it becomes about the $ too...a certain Sandlot element has been removed, sadly.

 

[docsoliday1]

Exactly! I personally have no issue at all with people who want to be part of Cub Nation. I don't care if you're new to baseball or if you're a fan of another team too. Jump right in!

I think the term "bandwagon fans" has really become so polarizing these days. It really turns new fans off and it's often used to shut other fans up (not here, but I see it a lot on FB). It does little to encourage and mentor newer fans into Cub Nation. @docsoliday1, I used to look down my nose at Braves fans. As a Cubs fan who was ecstatic when we *made* it to the Wild Card, I simply did not understand why the Braves could not fill their stadium during playoffs. Then, I realized that the Braves fans have had their own heartbreak. Exactly how many times can your team run their division and then choke on the NLDS or NLCS? I would still stand behind my Cubbies but I can understand that an average fan would not.

I have a few theories why the fans here aren't more loyal, but keep in mind, they are simply that...theories
1) The stadium is not near mass transit and getting to/from game is bad (to put it mildly)
2) Atlanta is a transient town...not as many native Atlantians
We had the same problem with our hockey team (which I really enjoyed going to watch, while on TV is cure for insomnia) - some die hards, but many fair weather
3) Organization/Owner changes (several) have changed the "feel" over the years. Some like the new, some like the old
4) Folks are not willing to part with their money or spend their time if they're likely to see another loss (granted, that isn't isolated to Atlanta)

They just moved the stadium to Cobb County (NW suburb) and no longer downtown. The idea being since it's a more affluent area, they'd get more "locals" coming to the game. There is still no mass transit and the traffic in that area is even worse with the stadium traffic, so yet to be seen how it will pan out, but I think it will be an epic fail. I had an unknown (well mostly) trick/shortcut to get in and out of Turner field without traffic and with the new stadium, there is NO WAY anywhere around it that isn't HORRIBLE.

I think all the "sports networks" have killed the fan base EVERYWHERE (but specifically Cubbies and Braves). Used to be if you had WGN on cable, you could always see the Cubbies. Used to be if you had TBS on cable, you could always see the Braves. Now, there are 50 different networks you have to have to get them. I got rid of cable/satellite, so I confess I made it worse for myself to see either.