Boys, the Cubs are back in town.
(The Cubs are back, the Cubs are back)
Actually providing upgrades to the stadium quickly turning into a stadium equivalent of Custer’s Last Stand? Check. Potentially stealing a Grade-A manager from a franchise that might not even exist in the next decade? Check. Overpaying massive amounts of money for a proven pitcher that is nonetheless over 30? Check check check.
The Chicago Cubs I used to know made bold and collective moves, and built strong competitive teams. The Sammy Sosa Peak Era of 1998-2004 gave us incredible talent (Grace, Sosa, Wood, Prior, Gonzalez, etc.), plenty of winning, and was marred by a manager that self-destructs come every September. Then we were met with Lou Pinella Cubs, which was a mix of phenomenal pitching and smallball play. But nowadays the Cubs had no identity, were just roaming around in National League Purgatory. While watching their rivals constantly make playoff appearances, the Cubs literally looked stuck while spending empty dollars of mediocre players while watching superior talent slip through their fingers.
Not anymore. It’s over. They signed Jon Lester for 156 ridiculous million, making sure that the man didn’t go back to Boston or found his way to San Francisco. Is it too much money? Of course it is, and Chicago knows this. But now Joe Maddon is running the show. Now there is a personality brewing in Wrigley Field. 2014 saw a surprising amount of hitting from the youngsters, so if they can deliver the pitching to preserve the leads we can definitely see an improvement from the organization. Throw in Maddon’s clever creative techniques for getting the job done, and who knows? There is a small window of opportunity and hope opening up and even though Lester won’t solve all the problems, his appearance will definitely trigger some good vibes.
The Cubs need experience, need proven winners to propel the youngsters into the promised land the North Side folks have not seen in over a century. Let me remind you, A CENTURY OF DISAPPOINTMENT. Do you know how many consecutive presidents have seen the Cubs not win the World Series? 18 presidents. The United States has seen 2 World Wars, 18 presidents, and 680 Disney movies since the last time the Chicago Cubs won the entire thing.
The Cubs are not playing games anymore. Jon Lester’s exaggerated mega contract is merely the latest example.
Beware Major League Baseball. The Cubs are back, the Cubs are back. *insert musical minute of Thin Lizzy*
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