This...

[jstraw]

<!--quoteo(post=81884:date=Mar 7 2010, 12:47 PM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 7 2010, 12:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81882:date=Mar 7 2010, 01:44 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 7 2010, 01:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81867:date=Mar 7 2010, 10:40 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Mar 7 2010, 10:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81863:date=Mar 7 2010, 10:51 AM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 7 2010, 10:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->And yes, I realize I'm the asshat that started this thread. I'm all over the place with this team. I still see us being better than last year regardless, but if it doesn't include a title, it's not anywhere close to good enough.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I'd like to think that we can't string together another unbroken chain of bad luck, shit-headedness and suckitude like last season. But as far as I'm concerned, we can not go to the post-season and it still <i>could</i> be good enough.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I won't accept anything other than a title when it's been over 100 years. 08 was every bit as much of a failure as 09.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

If you told me right now that my choices for 2010 were:

(1) Guaranteed World Series appearance and loss, or

(2) Take your chances with whatever is going to happen for this team

I'd take number 1 without hesitation. Is that bad?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Well no, that's the choice I'd make too. Duh. Guaranteed NL champs v. all possibilities (with what we have to put on the field now). No brainer.

But we don't live in Disneyland and we don't have that option. "Whatever is going to happen" is what we get. I'm not beginning the season viewing no-post-season as failure.

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=81884:date=Mar 7 2010, 11:47 AM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 7 2010, 11:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81882:date=Mar 7 2010, 01:44 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 7 2010, 01:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81867:date=Mar 7 2010, 10:40 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Mar 7 2010, 10:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81863:date=Mar 7 2010, 10:51 AM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 7 2010, 10:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->And yes, I realize I'm the asshat that started this thread. I'm all over the place with this team. I still see us being better than last year regardless, but if it doesn't include a title, it's not anywhere close to good enough.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I'd like to think that we can't string together another unbroken chain of bad luck, shit-headedness and suckitude like last season. But as far as I'm concerned, we can not go to the post-season and it still <i>could</i> be good enough.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I won't accept anything other than a title when it's been over 100 years. 08 was every bit as much of a failure as 09.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

If you told me right now that my choices for 2010 were:

(1) Guaranteed World Series appearance and loss, or

(2) Take your chances with whatever is going to happen for this team

I'd take number 1 without hesitation. Is that bad?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
For me it would be the worst possible and most heartbreaking scenario. I never talk about 1945. I always talk about 1908.

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=81890:date=Mar 7 2010, 02:11 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 7 2010, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81884:date=Mar 7 2010, 11:47 AM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 7 2010, 11:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81882:date=Mar 7 2010, 01:44 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 7 2010, 01:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81867:date=Mar 7 2010, 10:40 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Mar 7 2010, 10:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81863:date=Mar 7 2010, 10:51 AM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 7 2010, 10:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->And yes, I realize I'm the asshat that started this thread. I'm all over the place with this team. I still see us being better than last year regardless, but if it doesn't include a title, it's not anywhere close to good enough.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I'd like to think that we can't string together another unbroken chain of bad luck, shit-headedness and suckitude like last season. But as far as I'm concerned, we can not go to the post-season and it still <i>could</i> be good enough.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I won't accept anything other than a title when it's been over 100 years. 08 was every bit as much of a failure as 09.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

If you told me right now that my choices for 2010 were:

(1) Guaranteed World Series appearance and loss, or

(2) Take your chances with whatever is going to happen for this team

I'd take number 1 without hesitation. Is that bad?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
For me it would be the worst possible and most heartbreaking scenario. I never talk about 1945. I always talk about 1908.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

There are 65 year olds who've never even seen the Cubs in a World Series. That's fucked up. I'll take the World Series.

[leonardsipes]

<!--quoteo(post=81884:date=Mar 7 2010, 12:47 PM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 7 2010, 12:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->If you told me right now that my choices for 2010 were:

(1) Guaranteed World Series appearance and loss, or

(2) Take your chances with whatever is going to happen for this team

I'd take number 1 without hesitation. Is that bad?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


If all you cared about was the final result, than it is a good deal. If it is your job (like Lou or Hendry) you take that deal. We, in theory, follow the team for entertainment. I think knowing the result would take away all the enjoyment. It truly would be a case of wait til next year.

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=81903:date=Mar 7 2010, 02:57 PM:name=leonardsipes)-->QUOTE (leonardsipes @ Mar 7 2010, 02:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81884:date=Mar 7 2010, 12:47 PM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 7 2010, 12:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->If you told me right now that my choices for 2010 were:

(1) Guaranteed World Series appearance and loss, or

(2) Take your chances with whatever is going to happen for this team

I'd take number 1 without hesitation. Is that bad?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


If all you cared about was the final result, than it is a good deal. If it is your job (like Lou or Hendry) you take that deal. We, in theory, follow the team for entertainment. I think knowing the result would take away all the enjoyment. It truly would be a case of wait til next year.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

You're right - I was sort of envisioning a scenario where we get to choose, but not know the result.

[Fella]

<!--quoteo(post=81898:date=Mar 7 2010, 12:32 PM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 7 2010, 12:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81890:date=Mar 7 2010, 02:11 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 7 2010, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81884:date=Mar 7 2010, 11:47 AM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 7 2010, 11:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81882:date=Mar 7 2010, 01:44 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 7 2010, 01:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81867:date=Mar 7 2010, 10:40 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Mar 7 2010, 10:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81863:date=Mar 7 2010, 10:51 AM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 7 2010, 10:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->And yes, I realize I'm the asshat that started this thread. I'm all over the place with this team. I still see us being better than last year regardless, but if it doesn't include a title, it's not anywhere close to good enough.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I'd like to think that we can't string together another unbroken chain of bad luck, shit-headedness and suckitude like last season. But as far as I'm concerned, we can not go to the post-season and it still <i>could</i> be good enough.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I won't accept anything other than a title when it's been over 100 years. 08 was every bit as much of a failure as 09.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

If you told me right now that my choices for 2010 were:

(1) Guaranteed World Series appearance and loss, or

(2) Take your chances with whatever is going to happen for this team

I'd take number 1 without hesitation. Is that bad?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
For me it would be the worst possible and most heartbreaking scenario. I never talk about 1945. I always talk about 1908.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

There are 65 year olds who've never even seen the Cubs in a World Series. That's fucked up. I'll take the World Series.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Me too. Sure it would suck to make it there and lose but it would be a fun ride on the way there.

.....and 2008 was a million times more fun as a fan than 2009.

[rok]

I would take a WS appearance in a heartbeat. Just winning a pennant would feel like getting a gorilla off of our backs.

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=81910:date=Mar 7 2010, 02:12 PM:name=Fella)-->QUOTE (Fella @ Mar 7 2010, 02:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81898:date=Mar 7 2010, 12:32 PM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 7 2010, 12:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81890:date=Mar 7 2010, 02:11 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 7 2010, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81884:date=Mar 7 2010, 11:47 AM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 7 2010, 11:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81882:date=Mar 7 2010, 01:44 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 7 2010, 01:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81867:date=Mar 7 2010, 10:40 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Mar 7 2010, 10:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=81863:date=Mar 7 2010, 10:51 AM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 7 2010, 10:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->And yes, I realize I'm the asshat that started this thread. I'm all over the place with this team. I still see us being better than last year regardless, but if it doesn't include a title, it's not anywhere close to good enough.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I'd like to think that we can't string together another unbroken chain of bad luck, shit-headedness and suckitude like last season. But as far as I'm concerned, we can not go to the post-season and it still <i>could</i> be good enough.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I won't accept anything other than a title when it's been over 100 years. 08 was every bit as much of a failure as 09.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

If you told me right now that my choices for 2010 were:

(1) Guaranteed World Series appearance and loss, or

(2) Take your chances with whatever is going to happen for this team

I'd take number 1 without hesitation. Is that bad?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
For me it would be the worst possible and most heartbreaking scenario. I never talk about 1945. I always talk about 1908.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

There are 65 year olds who've never even seen the Cubs in a World Series. That's fucked up. I'll take the World Series.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Me too. Sure it would suck to make it there and lose but it would be a fun ride on the way there.

.....and 2008 was a million times more fun as a fan than 2009.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
2008 was way worse on me than 2009. Not even close at all. 2008 made me hate the team, 2009 made me relax a little bit.

[1060Ivy]

<!--quoteo(post=81914:date=Mar 7 2010, 03:54 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 7 2010, 03:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->2008 was way worse on me than 2009. Not even close at all. 2008 made me hate the team, 2009 made me relax a little bit.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Yes, the 2008 post season, like the 2007 post season, sucked but I'll take 2008 over 2009 any day of the week. Think about it.

During a majority of the 2008 season including the first days of October, the Cubs were seen as one of the best teams in National League.

During a majority of the 2009 season, including the post season, the Cubs were seen as one of the biggest disappointments in baseball.

For the majority of 2008 - when I watched the Cubs, I expected to see a good game with a decent chance of seeing a Cubs victory.

For the majority of 2009 - when I watched the Cubs, I was looking for the Cubs to find a way to lose.

The 2009 Cubs team was a child that even its mother would hate.

Without a World Series victory, a truly great season would be incomplete but the season can still be enjoyed.

[AnnoCatuli]

This wont be a fun season, because our pitching will not be nearly as good as they were last year. They had issues, but we still had a good pitching staff. Our offense was the problem.

This year, apparently the roles have changed.

[1060Ivy]

<!--quoteo(post=81971:date=Mar 8 2010, 11:30 AM:name=AnnoCatuli)-->QUOTE (AnnoCatuli @ Mar 8 2010, 11:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->This wont be a fun season, because our pitching will not be nearly as good as they were last year. They had issues, but we still had a good pitching staff. Our offense was the problem.

This year, apparently the roles have changed.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

That assumes that the offense issues has been "fixed".

[AnnoCatuli]

True, assuming they have. But I tend to lean to the side that they may have been without much tinkering. Last year, just about everything went wrong for everyone but Lee.

Ram being back should significantly increase our offensive output.
Soriano health shoudl help as well.
Soto, who is the real one? Time will tell.

Everyone basically had a bad year at the plate. I dont expect that to happen again in 2010

[VanSlawAndCottoCheese]

<!--quoteo(post=81873:date=Mar 7 2010, 01:09 PM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 7 2010, 01:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->We can't even rebuild.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
With Silva we've got copious new building material.

Oh, hold it--you weren't talking about rebuilding Wrigley, were you?