Chicago Cubs fans - Rebuilding Year 2023

[FINFAN]

Bright side - Brewers lost to the Mets.

 

[Kewz1]

Hey Chicago (and the rest of us), what do ya say, Cubs are going to win today.
Go Cubs go!!!

We all want a Win, but especially for Kewz1 lonely flagpole.

Poor flagpole.

I'm glad they are off tomorrow. They need a good old come-to-Jesus meeting and get this worked out.

 

[FINFAN]

welll....Dex just homered in the bottom of the 8th to give STL a 2-1 lead

 

[FINFAN]

Bright side - Brewers lost to the Mets.

wait...I thought you meant tonight...Brewers are winning 7-0 right now, as are the Cardinals. STL wins on Fowler's HR....
Cubs are in 3rd, down 2.5 games

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Poor flagpole.

I'm glad they are off tomorrow. They need a good old come-to-Jesus meeting and get this worked out.

Yea I'm getting a little tired of the Maddon nice guy schtick. It's fine when they're winning but super annoying when they're losing.

 

[Kewz1]

Yea I'm getting a little tired of the Maddon nice guy schtick. It's fine when they're winning but super annoying when they're losing.

I haven't seen too much of Maddon but he does seem to be as perplexed as we are. I saw an article on FB that said Theo wasn't looking to send anyone down yet. This was sometime after last nght's game so maybe he's changed his mind since today's loss.

Out of curiosity, what do you think they should do to get out of this funk?

 

[FINFAN]

This is great news to me...having him around the team ? Yes, please

David Ross elevated to ESPN's No. 1 team for Sunday's Cubs-Cardinals at Wrigley
Phil RosenthalContact ReporterChicago Tribune
The way things have gone for David Ross since last fall, no one should wonder how the TV newbie has made it to ESPN's top baseball announcing team less than three weeks after his debut as a analyst.

Better to ask what took so long.

Since retiring in November after he helped the Cubs win the World Series, Ross has become a best-selling author, prime-time dancer, cereal-box spokesman and front-office intern. And now he has been slotted to join play-by-play man Dan Shulman and fellow analyst Aaron Boone on June 4 when "Sunday Night Baseball" returns to Wrigley Field for the Cubs-Cardinals game.

It's supposed to be a one-shot deal for Ross, filling in for regular analyst Jessica Mendoza, who's scheduled to work the college softball World Series that weekend.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...-ross-espn-cubs-cardinals-20170530-story.html

 

[Pacolovestacos]

I wouldn't mind seeing Ross take Mendoza's spot permanently. She's horrid.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

I haven't seen too much of Maddon but he does seem to be as perplexed as we are. I saw an article on FB that said Theo wasn't looking to send anyone down yet. This was sometime after last nght's game so maybe he's changed his mind since today's loss.

Out of curiosity, what do you think they should do to get out of this funk?

You're not gonna like this but I think Cubs should consider trading some short term rentals. Jay, Lackey, Arrieta, and Montero. Might be able to get a few prospects for them.

As for the lineup: Zobrist, Bryant, Happ, Rizzo, Heyward.

Happ will do well in the 3rd slot being protected by 2 beasts. Rizzo hits better in the 4 slot.

Schwarber should be 8th or in Iowa. He's a disaster this year.

 

[docsoliday1]

I haven't seen too much of Maddon but he does seem to be as perplexed as we are. I saw an article on FB that said Theo wasn't looking to send anyone down yet. This was sometime after last nght's game so maybe he's changed his mind since today's loss.

Out of curiosity, what do you think they should do to get out of this funk?

Sorry I haven't been posting much the last several days...I've been in my own funk of sorts. Lot going on, so I won't bore y'all with the details.

I don't know that there's a magic bullet...a team is made up of individuals and what might work for 1 won't work for another. I think Maddon hit it on the head the other day in an interview...they're trying too hard. I think they realize the other teams are all gunning for them, the fans (some) are expecting them to win every game and they also know what they're capable of, so every time they lose, they (seem to) fall into a deeper funk. Again, I've seen it affect several people, but not most of the team before, so other than telling them to stop overthinking (WAY easier said than done) and have fun and go back to fundamentals, not sure what will work. I think the SD series was a hard blow and I'm hoping it will (collectively) kick them in the pants. Again, much credit has to be given to the other teams...since the Cubbies won the WS, they've been studied HARD and the pitchers are more effective against them (mostly) than they were last year. As Fin said, the Indians are struggling too and I can't say there's a perfect understanding of why that happens...If I did, I'd be an analyst sitting next to Rossy or be managing a team myself. The really troubling thing for me (as previously stated) is the leaving RISP soooo much. What isn't happening and causing that is stringing the hits together. Sure, we have the occasional bomb, but what isn't happening often enough is stringing together the hits when they're more important. I realize it's a bit of over simplification, but it really is get them on, get them over, get them in. We're doing the first two, but when the last piece doesn't happen, you don't win.

 

[robinb]

wait...I thought you meant tonight...Brewers are winning 7-0 right now, as are the Cardinals. STL wins on Fowler's HR....
Cubs are in 3rd, down 2.5 games

Sorry, I guess I was watching the previous game at the gym!

 

[FINFAN]

Sorry, I guess I was watching the previous game at the gym!

Just re-watch game 7, no gym required, lol.

 

[robinb]

Here is what we need ... Baby Groot!

 

[FINFAN]

well you can see the difference of the *new* adrenaline vs experience when the guys first come up...Candy Man, Happ, Butler all did great for a week or two and then the reality of the caliber they are facing hits them. Normal and expected, but part of the situation. The revolving door can help and hurt at the same time. Last years team didn't really hit that until June and even then had such a buffer of W's had lots of wiggle room allowing for them to not think about it 24/7.They don't have that right now and it's messing with them. All those W flags shown around the world and the vision of 5 million at the parade? They didn't have all that in their heads before, now it can't be unseen. Add in a boatload of those fans who have turned ugly? As far as Theo sending guy(s) down . I guess we will see. The expectations on Schwarber are unreal..the guys was incredible, then out before a REAL evaluation of him could happen..then is superhuman in his WS return..now everyone wants his head on a platter. They want to send him down to face AAA pitching..OK. Sure, his confidence will go up some, but as soon as real pitching is faced, who knows? I agree, keeping him up is better for him. JHey was last years bad guy for offense and we did just fine, so far Kyle gets that slot this year. Moving him from 2nd, sure, maybe...see what happens. I think as soon as they see a w streak Joe will keep the lineup consistently the same, however, that is yet to occur. The guy doesn't get 1000 W's by not knowing what he is doing. He has a different output of talent with the same guys, not easy to adjust to and gonna take a while to refit the puzzle pieces. Joe doesn't beat down on the guys, and if there is some heat being thrown at them he has the Coaches do it. Things like Addie? My guess is the shoulder is a way bigger issue than being let on. Too many missed throws, the swing is off. Zobie played SS..... if that wasn't a flag I don't know what is..and now trade talks from every angle going on for 1/2 the team. Again, the suits were doing some homework in the short off season but the guys were now celebrities , pulled every direction, making business moves, you know the drill. Add in how young most of them are and you see the head games that can go on. Again, so many things have to fall into place for a season like last year, said it then, will say it now, you will never see anything like it again. The combo of the age, personalities/ gel of the team skill level and timing of how we faced other teams (who , if you recall, we lost to lower teams a LOT, while beating the big boys) if you take the WS W out of the equation, you look and currently see a more normal Cubs team and apparently NLCS team. I would not be surprised at .500 or just under, and in '15 we didn't hit the afterburners until August and no one was freaking out, the expectation level changed way more than the team. The fans, media, other teams, themselves..there is no escape from it. They have Zobie, Lester and Lackey there to kind of help morally a little as they both came from non-repeat W.S. but Lester wasn't REALLY as utilized on the Red Sox one so maybe he doesn't have a ton to offer. Zobie came to the Cubs his year after, so wasn't a part of the KC hangover. Fowler saw how Zobie escaped that, he knew he was gone no matter what the Cubs offered unless it was seriously in the neighborhood that STL did. Guys want shots at multiple rings. Add in the new knowledge of finances that these guys just became introduced to..now business is in their heads as much as the game itself. You start to run out of room to fit all this into your head and all of it takes time to adjust to, not just a game or two. Joe was ahead of the situation with his Embrace The Target, He told the guys to take in every moment when they won the WS as he KNEW what the challenges of this year were to bring. Everyone remember Rizzo saying it's magic?

It was...
I assure they want that feeling back. The pitcher's are stepping up and saying they have to be the force, the guys are stepping up saying they have to keep grinding.. they have to adjust to who's in what position constantly. Little things like how Javy throws to Rizzo vs how Zobie and now HAPP...ALL make a difference. 5 year plan people...5 year plan and most other teams have studied us hard and saw the celebration we had and want it for themselves. I am thrilled to see so many fans still supporting them at away games, that's the best medicine out there.

ETA: Maddon says Addie's shoulder not an issue :
"For me, from what I'm seeing, he's off to the side with the ball," Maddon said of Russell's throws. "The other day in [Los Angeles], we have that first-base dugout, and I told [infield coach Gary Jones], I've never seen him throw the ball so well, and with so much on it. I think technique-wise, [Russell] is off to the side of the ball a little bit, which is causing it to sink somewhat or sail. Arm strength-wise, I think [Los Angeles] was the best I've seen him throw the baseball since I've known him."
"Honestly, I have not been told by the [athletic] trainers and haven't got that from Addy,"
Maddon said "I think it's more technique than anything.

On the overall slump:


One of the reasons the Cubs were successful the past two seasons was because Maddon had what he called the "Rizzo sandwich" in the lineup. That meant having Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist batting around Anthony Rizzo. With Zobrist taking over the leadoff duties, the Cubs lost a part of that combination. Rookie Ian Happ has been asked to fill in, batting behind Rizzo.
"In the beginning, Ian was filling in nicely with that," Maddon said. "We just have to get Ian back on track. Ian is a novice and he's been historically hot and cold -- he's going to get hot again.
"[Zobrist] is doing a wonderful job at the top of the batting order, he's getting on base constantly and his at-bats have been fabulous," Maddon said. "On paper, I like how we line up a lot, not a little bit. As these guys get back to being what they should look like, I anticipate this being a really good looking lineup."
"For me, the key component is the word 'patience,'" Maddon said. "I got it from my dad. I think you just have to stay with them. It's the nature of a young player. Yes, they're World Series champs and did a great job last year. Your mind works different the next year. I just have to continue to show faith in them, which I will.

 

[FINFAN]

Here is what we need ... Baby Groot!

He gave his all and came back....this is super accurate, lol

 

[docsoliday1]

On the overall slump:


One of the reasons the Cubs were successful the past two seasons was because Maddon had what he called the "Rizzo sandwich" in the lineup. That meant having Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist batting around Anthony Rizzo. With Zobrist taking over the leadoff duties, the Cubs lost a part of that combination. Rookie Ian Happ has been asked to fill in, batting behind Rizzo.
"In the beginning, Ian was filling in nicely with that," Maddon said. "We just have to get Ian back on track. Ian is a novice and he's been historically hot and cold -- he's going to get hot again.
"[Zobrist] is doing a wonderful job at the top of the batting order, he's getting on base constantly and his at-bats have been fabulous," Maddon said. "On paper, I like how we line up a lot, not a little bit. As these guys get back to being what they should look like, I anticipate this being a really good looking lineup."
"For me, the key component is the word 'patience,'" Maddon said. "I got it from my dad. I think you just have to stay with them. It's the nature of a young player. Yes, they're World Series champs and did a great job last year. Your mind works different the next year. I just have to continue to show faith in them, which I will.

For me, the key component is the word 'patience,...'

So many are not patient. They are my team...have been most of my life (I would say I'm a lifelong fan, but the few years in my youth, I wasn't. Not sure that I was a fan of any team at that point, but saying I've been a fan my whole life would not be accurate). They will be my team whether we have to embrace the suck or whether we see them become smoking hot again. Either way, Cubbies for [the rest of my] life.

 

[FINFAN]

Brewers win, STL about to...and Theo gave another Q&A and offered a slight change to the constant Schwarber question.

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/06/01/theo-epstein-young-struggling-cubs-demotion-triple-a/

THIS was my favorite spot on assessment, as I said, last season was unlike one we will see again from such a young team:



Speaking generally, Epstein reminded that “peaks and valleys” are “typical” in young players’ first few years in the big leagues and that the sudden success of young Cubs players in 2015 and 2016 perhaps caused many to forget that development is often non-linear.

“The fact that guys adjusted really quickly to the big leagues, developed really quickly, faced adversity under the brightest spotlights, played great baseball, overcame so much, overcame centuries worth of issues and won a World Series, I guess it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re still not just prone to the laws of nature and reality and baseball. That’s what we’re in right now. The only freakish thing about it is that it’s fairly across the board and we have a number of guys going through and that just means we have to work that much harder to dig out of it.

 

[FINFAN]

I don't know if any of you watch the Amazing Race show, but Sheffield rooftops (could be the the Skybox or Baseball club)at Wrigley is going to be one of the challenges on(I think it's tonight's) show! CBS @ 10/9 CENTRAL

 

[FINFAN]

this was also the line to meet Rossy today at Anderson's bookstore. I couldn't go(and tix sold out in about 3 minutes, lol)..and it almost killed me....but I drove past on my way home and the line was continuous apparently from noon to about 3 ish

 

[FINFAN]

OK....I could not have predicted what just happened to me an hour ago, but I MET WILLY!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was at the Goodwill by me and I didn't get the required meet and greet bracelet in time, and didn't think I'd be home in time anyways~ but had a pharmacy errand across the street from where he was. On a whim I drove to the Goodwill thinking if he's still there maybe I can see him leave. My DS happens to drive right past me and I went to grab my phone to tell him to turn around and join me, only to realize my phone is on the charger at home. Now, for a visual, I have on no makeup,hair a wind blown hot mess dressed pretty bummy except that I have a Cubs WS Champs t-shirt on. I pull into the parking lot and see The Score van, a Lincoln Navigator (standard Cub Player mode of transport) so knew he was still there. I parked and got out and a lady in a passing car asked if I had a bracelet, I said no, I was just hoping to catch a glimpse and she gave me hers! She said to hurry that he was getting ready to leave...well I was the last person he saw and I got a signed autograph! OMG...I met Willy! We were at his first game 6/17 last year. I told him thank you for all his hard work, class and humility, the World Series and all before and after it. He is a very quiet guy, and not a whole lot taller than me but those rocket arms are most definitely ready to go! THEN, as I was leaving the parking lot, his Navigator pulls out ahead of me and it is heading straight for my house lol...I was like, Willson Contreras is going to my place and I don't have my phone!I'm following Willson Cannon Arm Contreras! The 670 lady was kind enough to take my pic with him and send it to my phone..and to my son who immediately flipped out as he had JUST passed me 5 minutes earlier.

the sunlight on my head, well, I guess you can say" Love the Cubs like your hairs on fire" lol. I always say winging it is better than plans...and it sure was tonight!